Directory Corrupted?

[jjmcray]

I have a folder on my external hard drive with very important files on it, and every time I click the folder it says
"E:\Folder is not accessible. The file or directory is corrupted or unreadable."
Is there a way to view these files and copy them or something? Please help!

[Aηdy]

Its pretty doubtful.. try downloading file recovery software just to see if it picks up the files..

[Blahages]

Try opening the Command Prompt (Start -> Run -> CMD) and Type:

chkdsk /f /x e:

To Scan the Drive for Errors. Once that Finishes, Try accessing it again.

[jjmcray]

Hmm, I just tried using GetDataBack. If that doesn't work I'll try your method.

Thank You Blahages Omg You Are My Hero! <333333333

[Blahages]

Hmm, I just tried using GetDataBack. If that doesn't work I'll try your method.

Thank You Blahages Omg You Are My Hero! <333333333

Yay. :)

How are you Disconnecting the External From Your Computer when You're not using it? Are you just unplugging it? Are you Using the "Safely Remove Hardware" Wizard in Windows, or is there a Little Button on the Drive that you press to Turn it off, or something?

With Flash Drives, and things with No Moving Parts, I haven't seen the Need for the "Safely Remove Hardware" Wizard. But, It's probably a good idea to use it on External Hard Drives, so it shuts down the Drive correctly, unmount it, and parts the Heads correctly. Otherwise, You're more apt to have data loss, or the Directory Structures to become corrupted, like you had.

But, Yeah, for future reference, Running chkdsk will attempt to scan for, and fix any file system errors on your drives.

[jjmcray]

Ahh, okay, well there is an I/O switch on the back (it's an external HDD) and I usually use that. Either that or I leave it on, shut my computer down, then turn it off. My friends use the Safely Remove Hardware for everything and I thought they were just paranoid... But I guess I'll start using it now.

[Blahages]

Ahh, okay, well there is an I/O switch on the back (it's an external HDD) and I usually use that. Either that or I leave it on, shut my computer down, then turn it off. My friends use the Safely Remove Hardware for everything and I thought they were just paranoid... But I guess I'll start using it now.

Well, I don't use the Safely Remove Hardware for Anything but External Drives. I see no need to use it for Flash Drives, or any other Drive that has no moving parts. But, As a Precaution, I'd use it for External Hard Drives.

Supposedly, According to MS, It's always the Best idea to use it. But, 99.99% of the Time, with a Device that has no moving Parts, there's simply no need to. As long as you wait until whatever Activity was being done on the Device, such as Saving a File to it, has completed, you're fine.

Things do get corrupted other ways, too. So, It may not have been that which corrupted it.

[jjmcray]

Wait a sec, I can access the directory now, but if I try to open up an image or a document or something, it doesn't work.

[Aηdy]

My memory stick has an LED on it and it flashes when data is being transferred, i just unplug it when flashing stops =] I use safely remove hardware on my external drive because it's got about 300gbs of backups on it so best to keep on the dafe side with that!

[Blahages]

Wait a sec, I can access the directory now, but if I try to open up an image or a document or something, it doesn't work.

Are ALL the Files in the Directory Corrupted?

It's POSSIBLE that the Directory was really corrupted, and Chkdsk wasn't able to fix it all. It happens. If that's the Case, then You've probably lost whatever is messed up.

In Which Case, You'd want to think about Periodic Backups in the Future. You never know when something like that will happen.

[jjmcray]

Yes, all files in the directory are corrupted. :(
Dangit... I just lost hundreds of songs...

What's weird is that I can still see the thumbnails of some of the images...

[Blahages]

Yes, all files in the directory are corrupted. :(
Dangit... I just lost hundreds of songs...

What's weird is that I can still see the thumbnails of some of the images...

Images thumbnails are stored in the Thumbs.db file. It Caches the Image Thumbnails in that File. I bet if you delete that File (It's hidden, You'd have to have Hidden Files Turned on) that you'd likely lose the Thumbnails. It's possible that that Cache File is still sort of okay, so that's why it shows some of them still.

[jjmcray]

Damn... Well, I think it's because the external hard drive has conflicts with Vista... so when I get my laptop (with XP) fixed I'll try plugging it in that and if it still doesn't work I'll just format it.