Hard Light Productions Forums

Off-Topic Discussion => General Discussion => Topic started by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 01:49:44 am

Title: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 01:49:44 am

Weirdness is going on in My Documents. On the list of files, only the first few alphabetically arranged files show up (A through AL) and then nothing else is listed. if i type in a file name manually that i know exists, like say, grass.jpg, it will open the file, but it will not be listed. anyone know how to fix this? i'd really like to see my files :(

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: phatosealpha on February 17, 2006, 02:04:50 am

I'm assuming you tried the basic folder->Options->View->Show Hidden files and Folders?

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 03:00:21 am

Yes i have.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Martinus on February 17, 2006, 03:02:48 am

Hmmm, sounds like a FAT may be the culprit. Try running "chkdsk -V" from a CLI and see how that goes.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 03:04:33 am

err...let's pretend i don't know what that all means... :nervous:

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Martinus on February 17, 2006, 03:13:01 am

Ahhh, sorry, I thought you were more windows-literate, too many acronyms methinks. :)

Go to the command prompt (Command Line Interface) and type chkdsk -V (checkdisk -verbose). It should run a check on the File Allocation Table (FAT) and report back if there are any problems. Post the result here if you can.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 03:18:04 am

I typed chkdsk -V and got:

The drive, the path, or the file name is not valid.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Martinus on February 17, 2006, 03:31:51 am

Sorry, making assumptions again. :)

It's chkdsk [Drive letter]

i.e. chkdsk c:

Ignore the -V it's verbose from what I remember, it just gives you more info. Alas! I have been spending more time in Linux these days.
(replace Alas! with Whee! actually. ;) )

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 03:56:07 am

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Tim>chkdsk c:
The type of the file system is NTFS.

WARNING!  F parameter not specified.
Running CHKDSK in read-only mode.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)...
File record segment 5064 is unreadable.
File record segment 5065 is unreadable.
File record segment 5066 is unreadable.
File record segment 5067 is unreadable.
File record segment 5080 is unreadable.
File record segment 5081 is unreadable.
File record segment 5082 is unreadable.
File record segment 5083 is unreadable.
File record segment 5088 is unreadable.
File record segment 5089 is unreadable.
File record segment 5090 is unreadable.
File record segment 5091 is unreadable.
File record segment 5092 is unreadable.
File record segment 5093 is unreadable.
File record segment 5094 is unreadable.
File record segment 5095 is unreadable.
File record segment 5096 is unreadable.
File record segment 5097 is unreadable.
File record segment 5098 is unreadable.
File record segment 5099 is unreadable.
File record segment 5100 is unreadable.
File record segment 5101 is unreadable.
File record segment 5102 is unreadable.
File record segment 5103 is unreadable.
File record segment 10356 is unreadable.
File record segment 10357 is unreadable.
File record segment 10358 is unreadable.
File record segment 10359 is unreadable.
File record segment 10592 is unreadable.
File record segment 10593 is unreadable.
File record segment 10594 is unreadable.
File record segment 10595 is unreadable.
File record segment 12056 is unreadable.
File record segment 12057 is unreadable.
File record segment 12058 is unreadable.
File record segment 12059 is unreadable.
File record segment 12060 is unreadable.
File record segment 12061 is unreadable.
File record segment 12062 is unreadable.
File record segment 12063 is unreadable.
File record segment 12064 is unreadable.
File record segment 12065 is unreadable.
File record segment 12066 is unreadable.
File record segment 12067 is unreadable.
File record segment 12068 is unreadable.
File record segment 12069 is unreadable.
File record segment 12070 is unreadable.
File record segment 12071 is unreadable.
File record segment 12076 is unreadable.
File record segment 12077 is unreadable.
File record segment 12078 is unreadable.
File record segment 12079 is unreadable.
File record segment 12096 is unreadable.
File record segment 12097 is unreadable.
File record segment 12098 is unreadable.
File record segment 12099 is unreadable.
File record segment 12104 is unreadable.
File record segment 12105 is unreadable.
File record segment 12106 is unreadable.
File record segment 12107 is unreadable.
File record segment 12108 is unreadable.
File record segment 12109 is unreadable.
File record segment 12110 is unreadable.
File record segment 12111 is unreadable.
File record segment 12116 is unreadable.
File record segment 12117 is unreadable.
File record segment 12118 is unreadable.
File record segment 12119 is unreadable.
File record segment 12132 is unreadable.
File record segment 12133 is unreadable.
File record segment 12134 is unreadable.
File record segment 12135 is unreadable.
File record segment 12136 is unreadable.
File record segment 12137 is unreadable.
File record segment 12138 is unreadable.
File record segment 12139 is unreadable.
File record segment 12140 is unreadable.
File record segment 12141 is unreadable.
File record segment 12142 is unreadable.
File record segment 12143 is unreadable.
File record segment 12144 is unreadable.
File record segment 12145 is unreadable.
File record segment 12146 is unreadable.
File record segment 12147 is unreadable.
File record segment 12148 is unreadable.
File record segment 12149 is unreadable.
File record segment 12150 is unreadable.
File record segment 12151 is unreadable.
File record segment 12160 is unreadable.
File record segment 12161 is unreadable.
File record segment 12162 is unreadable.
File record segment 12163 is unreadable.
File record segment 12164 is unreadable.
File record segment 12165 is unreadable.
File record segment 12166 is unreadable.
File record segment 12167 is unreadable.
File record segment 12168 is unreadable.
File record segment 12169 is unreadable.
File record segment 12170 is unreadable.
File record segment 12171 is unreadable.
File record segment 12172 is unreadable.
File record segment 12173 is unreadable.
File record segment 12174 is unreadable.
File record segment 12175 is unreadable.
File record segment 12180 is unreadable.
File record segment 12181 is unreadable.
File record segment 12182 is unreadable.
File record segment 12183 is unreadable.
File record segment 12204 is unreadable.
File record segment 12205 is unreadable.
File record segment 12206 is unreadable.
File record segment 12207 is unreadable.
File record segment 12208 is unreadable.
File record segment 12209 is unreadable.
File record segment 12210 is unreadable.
File record segment 12211 is unreadable.
File record segment 12212 is unreadable.
File record segment 12213 is unreadable.
File record segment 12214 is unreadable.
File record segment 12215 is unreadable.
File record segment 12216 is unreadable.
File record segment 12217 is unreadable.
File record segment 12218 is unreadable.
File record segment 12219 is unreadable.
File record segment 12220 is unreadable.
File record segment 12221 is unreadable.
File record segment 12222 is unreadable.
File record segment 12223 is unreadable.
File record segment 12224 is unreadable.
File record segment 12225 is unreadable.
File record segment 12226 is unreadable.
File record segment 12227 is unreadable.
File verification completed.
Deleting orphan file record segment 12092.

Errors found.  CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode.

C:\Documents and Settings\Tim>

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Martinus on February 17, 2006, 04:01:03 am

Jebus!

Run chkdsk c: /F
It might tell you it can't do it until your next reboot and ask you if you want it to be scheduled. I'd answer yes and reboot.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Gortef on February 17, 2006, 04:33:22 am

Ouch HD fubar! Good luck with that Carl.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: BlackDove on February 17, 2006, 04:51:52 am

Hope you backed up all your art. That **** would be a shame to waste.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: vyper on February 17, 2006, 05:49:40 am

Indeed, if I were you I'd try and access all the files I could remember the names of and shift 'em to  a secondary drive.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Nix on February 17, 2006, 09:09:13 am

I forget if chkdsk /f just fixes files And checks for bad sectors, if not, run chkdsk /? (I cant cause i'm on my pocket pc in the middle of retailing class) if your drive has bad sectors cropping up on it, get what you can backed up.  If you have no bad sectors, swap out the IDE/SATA cable if you can, cause a cable more often than not is the culprit of data corruption. 
If you do have bad sectors, backup ASAP and get a replacement.  Then destroy the other drive.  Open it up, drill holes in it or shotgun the sucker!

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 11:26:17 am

Quote from: Maeglamor on February 17, 2006, 04:01:03 am

Jebus!

Run chkdsk c: /F
It might tell you it can't do it until your next reboot and ask you if you want it to be scheduled. I'd answer yes and reboot.

I did it. I got all the same file is unreadable crap.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Taristin on February 17, 2006, 11:43:55 am

Start saving now and backup what you can. That bish gunna fry!


(too... much... GenFS...)

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 11:49:43 am

Ah, i see you've read the Darth HoJaBe threads.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: kasperl on February 17, 2006, 01:02:34 pm

They're right, that HD is dieing most likely. Get as much as possible backed up, now. If necesary, get a Knoppix CD to boot from. (If you need help with that, PM me in case no-one here reply's)

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Scuddie on February 17, 2006, 01:34:04 pm

Do this.  Run cmd.exe, and type this in.

Code: [Select]

xcopy "My Documents" DocBak /E /C /V /H /K
When the prompt comes up, type D for directory.  This SHOULD back up all files in the affected directory to the DocBak directory.  If this does not work, I don't know what to tell you :blah:.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 01:39:22 pm

It got up to the ALs and then said The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Fragrag on February 17, 2006, 02:31:26 pm

Am I the only one that read 'My flies!' instead of 'My files'? :nervous:

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Scuddie on February 17, 2006, 02:59:44 pm

Try chkdsk c: /f /r

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Descenterace on February 17, 2006, 05:31:07 pm

Quote from: Carl on February 17, 2006, 03:56:07 am

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Tim>chkdsk c:
The type of the file system is NTFS.

WARNING!  F parameter not specified.
Running CHKDSK in read-only mode.

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)...
[A metric assload of disk errors]

Ye gods, that's a lot of breakage. Last time I saw an NTFS disk with that many errors we lost 80% of the stuff. Thankfully the data was neither important nor mine...

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 17, 2006, 06:10:16 pm

well, all of my stuff is still there, i can access it, but it isn't listed, and i'll never remember what all of the filenames are.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Flipside on February 17, 2006, 06:33:54 pm

If you can get to DOS and you have access to 2 drives, try

COPY /V C:*.* D:

That 'should' move all the files from C onto D nad verify them. This will include making a copy of your system files, but you can clean it up later. That drive is dying.

NOTE : Try Copy /? and make sure I'm right about the format of that command.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: vyper on February 17, 2006, 07:00:48 pm

Yeah but surely the copy command relies on the FAT to know what files to actully copy?

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Flipside on February 17, 2006, 07:13:58 pm

If Carl can open the ones he knows the name of, then there must references still in place somewhere, all you can really do is try it and hope. Simply doing a disc-copy will copy the errors :(

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Scuddie on February 17, 2006, 08:00:23 pm

If you try to do chkdsk c: /f /r, it will attempt sector recovery and mark invalid clusters.  But until you do, don't be hopeful of ANY solution.  While you're doing this, you should make dinner, write a novel, conquer the world, witness the next big shrink, etc...  This will take a while.

Once the recovery is made, some sectors will still likely be bad.  You can try to use R-Studio NTFS and see if it sees the files.  I am unsure of corrupt file index properties work with R-Studio.  If you still have problems, taking the machine to a professional may be the best option.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Flipside on February 17, 2006, 08:10:07 pm

I have concerns that in trying to fix it using chkdsk, you may lose good data along with the bad. the files are accessible, if invisible at the moment, and I'm not quite sure why that is.

CHKDSK might rewrite those filenames, but I can't say for certainty it won't get things the other way round, and assume those references to files are invalid, and erase Carl's only chance of accessing them, if you see what I mean?

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Flipside on February 17, 2006, 08:33:06 pm

Just try one thing for me Carl....

Go into your folder options and as well as showing hidden files etc, uncheck the 'Hide protected System Files' option as well, this is just considered as any file with both the System and the Hidden tag set. I've no idea how that could be happening, it may be something to do with the corruption, but maybe the filenames are there, and somehow the flags have got corrupted? It's not very likely, but it's worth a shot.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Stealth on February 17, 2006, 11:37:50 pm

Quote from: Fragrag on February 17, 2006, 02:31:26 pm

Am I the only one that read 'My flies!' instead of 'My files'? :nervous:

wow. i was just thinking the same thing.

also, chkdsk /f will not delete or otherwise fubar any of your files.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Nix on February 18, 2006, 04:00:23 am

Swap out your data cable for another one ASAP, I strongly reccomend this.  If that cable is nicked, bent, shorted out in any fashion, it's definitely going to cause data corruption. 

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Carl on February 18, 2006, 02:58:55 pm

Quote from: Scuddie on February 17, 2006, 02:59:44 pm

Try chkdsk c: /f /r

YAY! That did it. all my files are listed! thank you so much! :) :) :) :)

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Gortef on February 20, 2006, 05:06:42 am

w00t! Good to hear that.

Cheers to Scuddie who saved our friendly shivan from despair ^^

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Scuddie on February 20, 2006, 06:27:43 am

In return, you can stop eating my lunch.

Title: Re: My files! They're HIDING!
Post by: Grug on February 20, 2006, 06:29:45 am

*Awaits "victory but wisdom gained" speech from Spock or nearest local Vulcan*