the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable

Hi there,

I've got a serious problem with my Hard Drive .
Its an IDE Seagate, inside an external inclosure. Anyway the other day I switched my PC on, and when i click on it i get this error :
"the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable"

I know formatting will wipe and fix but i really need the data on the hard drive. I have looked at programs to recover the data but they are all incredibly expensive and i cannot find any free ones. googling this subject it seems many people have had the same problem, but they have used the expensive recovery software . Please could someone help me this is urgent.

CHKDSK does not work, even if use /f plus it seems chkdsk will delete everything if it can so im glad it didnt work.

Thanks in advance,
stfury

If you're anywhere near Jeffreys Bay I can help you with that. I have some of that very expensive software Failing that, there are companies who specialise in data recovery - they aren't cheap but then again it depends on how important that data is.

Sometimes I've had problems getting the drives out of the fancy enclosures (especially those supplied with the HDD already installed). They use fancy non-standard security screws and I am struggling to source the correct screwdrivers. In fact I am getting quite a vast collection of strange looking screwdrivers none of which work on the enclosure I'm currently trying to open.

try mounting on a linux box

* EDIT: or mac

PCTECH said:

Sometimes I've had problems getting the drives out of the fancy enclosures (especially those supplied with the HDD already installed). They use fancy non-standard security screws and I am struggling to source the correct screwdrivers. In fact I am getting quite a vast collection of strange looking screwdrivers none of which work on the enclosure I'm currently trying to open.

Click to expand...

Bah - a pox on those security screws, I hate it.

Especially when you're in the field, and you need to fix something in a hurry, and you've only got a set of standard screwdrivers with you...

I seem to recall people recommending [searchforum]Hiren's boot cd[/searchforum].

sorry guys i sold out and just formatted. after spending a whole day and 800mb cap trying to get programs to fix i simply just had a quick cry and got over it.

thanks for help,
stfury

stfury said:

sorry guys i sold out and just formatted. after spending a whole day and 800mb cap trying to get programs to fix i simply just had a quick cry and got over it.

thanks for help,
stfury

Click to expand...

Sometimes the path of least resistance is the best option!