Error "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable" when accessing my external hard disk

Question

I have Windows XP SP3. I was copying files from my ADATA 500 GB external hard disk (via USB 2.0) when a "Delayed Write Failed" error came up.

Now I am unable to access it and it gives the error:

The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable

Answer 1

Right-click on the drive in My Computer, select Properties, and under the Tools tab, click Check Now.... Set the Automatically fix file system errors check box, then click Start.

This will scan the hard drive for errors. If the check needs to be scheduled for the next boot, do so and restart the computer, leaving the drive plugged in; the system will perform the check on the next boot. If any errors are detected (which it should), CHKDSK will fix them as possible.

For more information on how to check for errors in a disk file system, see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265.

Edit: Since you indicated that CHKDSK failed, you may be able to recover data using an application such as TestDisk. If not, your hard disk may have experienced damage and will need to be serviced; if this is the case, you may want to consider bringing it to a data-recovery service (which can be expensive) before you do so.

Answer 2

Try SpinRite.

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