OT: Computer Question

dtudela wrote on 11/30/2004, 9:30 AM

Hello, I know this is somewhat off topic, but since I am using Vegas 5 on a Sony Vaio computer, XP Professional, 3.4 ghrz, 1 gb ram etc. RS600C with all the right stuff I am hoping someone might help me resolve a computer problem. I have 5 external hardrives connected via firewire--EzQuest drives I: thru M:. and all have been performing flawlessly. Recently, on the second drive, EZQuest J: all file folders and files disappeared and now contains only one zero byte file which cannot be deleted or copied, etc.

Properties of the disk shows that 94+ GB of the 120 GB drive is used--exactly what I would expect since I had a lot of files on that disk. Norton utilities finds no problems on the disk. Defrag will go through its routine as if defragging the contents of a large drive making me believe that the files are there.

When looking at "MyComputer" it always reported the drives as EZQuest I;, EZQuest J: EZQuest K:, etc. It now sees drive J; as Local drive J: but no files are visible as I described above. I can copied files to the drive, create new files and delete them indicating to me that the drive is O.K. except for the hidden files.

Stranger things have happened I'm sure, but can't remember when. I would appreciate any feedback if anyone has suggestions. I am prepared to reformat the disk as a last resort, however, this is my last ditch effort to see if there is a better resolution. Sorry for the long post.
dtudela

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 11/30/2004, 9:49 AM

I just had a nearly identical problem with an internal drive. The important thing to do is STOP doing anything more with the drive, Anything you do to it lessens the chance of recovering any data. Since you have tried storing more files on the drive there is a good chance that you've already destroyed most anything that was already there.

I found a great utility program that can find lost files in lost partitions. You can download the demo from Runtime Software here: http://www.runtime.org/gdb.htm The demo mode does everything except copy recovered files in bulk. You can still open each recovered file one at a time and save them to a different drive. If you decide you like it and want to get the full version it's only $69 (US).

Hopefully this helps you recover some of the more important files. However, if you've already been doing other things with the drive the hope of recovery is very very small.

Good luck! :)

Orcatek wrote on 11/30/2004, 9:57 AM

Check your recylce bin for an accidental delete, as it really just hides the files.

Also when you view the drive show hidden files. Go to a command prompt and switch to the drive and type DIR /AH which will show hidden files. If you see your missing folders they have been marked hidden.

dtudela wrote on 11/30/2004, 9:57 AM

Thanks Chienworks. I will try the demo utility you suggested. Sounds as though I may have already corrupted the data. Live and learn.
dtudela

rettop wrote on 11/30/2004, 10:11 AM

File Allocation Table in the OS might be corrupt.

To start, I'd run the Error Checking utility, and check both fix errors and recover bad sectors.

Jameson_Prod wrote on 11/30/2004, 6:35 PM

I had a similar problem last year. External Maxtor drive...after using for a month or so, just upped and dropped everything. Major project and all files gone. Used a program called Stellar Phoneix (www.stellarinfo.com) and got back every single thing. It was all listed on the drive..I just couldn't see it.

Still to this day have no idea what happened.

Good luck and keep us posted.

BillyBoy wrote on 11/30/2004, 7:52 PM

All is not lost. Chances are MOST of your data CAN be recovered. Don't mess with toys, get Spinrite. It is the ONLY professional grade data recovery software written totally in assembly language. In fact if you send your drive away to one of the rip off outfits to "recover" you data, for hundreds if not thousands of dollars they probably use Spinrite.

The reason most people can't get their data back is they rely on the junk that put it there... Windows. All the file allocations tables, the indexes, etc., all messed up by Windows. Also many of today's drives mark perfectly good sectors on your drives as "bad" when they're not.

Spinrite bypasses all of it, which is why it can recovery almost anything.

hhttp://grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm

dtudela wrote on 12/1/2004, 5:14 AM

Thanks fellas for the suggestions--lots of things to consider here.
dtudela

busterkeaton wrote on 12/1/2004, 9:27 AM

I once had a drive go down and used either File Scavenger or Handy Recovery to get back almost all of the files. I still have both on my machine, but it's been a while.