xDeadMemories

Hi,

I recently planned to reformat my computer to get rid of the files that I no longer required.

In doing so i moved all of my music files and documents to my Western Digital My Book 1TB external HDD, and incurred no problems.

BUt, A few days later I went to access the files to make sure they were all still accounted for. They weren't.

All the folders and files have changed in name, size and format. For example, all my folder names have changed to something like 'T█°»,èZ.,dp'.

So there corrupted I'm guessing? IS there anyway I can retrieve my files to the way they were before i moved them across to my external HDD, or must I start my music collection all over again?

Anyone know how this can be fixed?
-Alexx

HD_Monkey

Try checking disk for errors. Go to Start > Run > type cmd > hit enter > type

chkdsk /f e:

(I inserted e as the drive letter, change this if the external has a different drive letter)

Syntax must be correct. Include spaces. This is just the first step.

xDeadMemories

Just to clarify.. it's E: drive.. so it's 'chkdsk/e' or what?

and if this doesnt work? what are some other steps i can take?

HD_Monkey

If it is e: drive then:
Go to Start > Run > type cmd > hit enter > type chkdsk /f e:

If this doesn't work then there are data recovery tools available. Try this first.

raptor_pa

Verify the USB cable is tight, and not damaged, try another if you have it, cross talk on the cable can do that...
Does the disk appear in disk management as the right size? and is it identified as teh correct model in device manager under disk drives. What model is it identified as there? ( that will tell us what the model of the actual drive is)

xDeadMemories

After keying 'chkdsk /f e:' I recieve a message saying the following:

'The type of the file system is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives'

Does this mean I cannot use chkdsk?

Also, I have found a data recovery program in which I am currently using. It's called 'ZAR 8.4'. Is this program worth using or should another one be used?

raptor_pa

I have seen the ZAR app, but my go to app in the lab is r-studio. Chkdsk will not run against a raw file system, sounds like a hosed partition table. Any actual recovery software you run will have to output the recovered files to another disk. You could try test_disk as in this sticky to rebuild the partition table Have you "lost" a hard drive, partition or files in your computer?

xDeadMemories

I am trying test_disk as I type this but I cannot proceed past Step A. As soon as I hit enter on 'No log' the command window disappears.. Reasons why?

xDeadMemories

None of these answers seem to be solving my problem..

All I need is to be able to get my corrupted files back to normal so they can be re-used again.

Is there a simple way to do this or am I just stuffed?

raptor_pa

Recoveries are seldom simple... you should launch the command window first before launching test_disk Start -> run -> cmd enter, then navigate to teh folder where you unzipped testdisk and run the app from there. Alternative is recovery software and output the recognized files to another disk, if you want to try rebuilding this one then test_disk is your best shot basd on your symptoms.

xDeadMemories

Ok, I now have test_disk running.. What type of partition table would be needed for an external HDD such as mine?

raptor_pa

The partition table is the same no matter what the drive is, so if it was a windows box select the appropriate.

xDeadMemories

I am able to get to Step G: in test_disk but no further as it does not say 'Structure OK'. how do I proceed from here?

Any other way to maybe fix this problem I am experiencing, or should I leave my external HDD with some IT technicians?

raptor_pa

Post a screen shot of where it is at...