Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable...
Posted: 18 Jun 2012, 15:38
Okay, so I've tried working out how to use this thing, following the website's instructions step-by-step, but I either still don't get it, or I'm just too afraid to do anything in case I accidentally damage my hard drive beyond repair (probably both, actually)
Anyway, long story short, I was cut & pasting files from my external hard drive (H:) to an internal hard drive (D:), during which I was checking the calendar for a date, accidentally changed the time, and it came to a standstill. After ten minutes of doing nothing and the external hard drive started beeping, I turned the computer off in a panic. Hugely stupid, I know.
I was able to access it to c&p everything over again, but when I came back to it after leaving it unattended in favour of a quick cig, it came up with an error and the dreaded "delayed write failed". Then I couldn't access it again. I tried and tried and tried, and Windows XP wasn't having it, so I restarted and booted up Windows 7 instead, which was capable enough to at least recognise the hard drive, but now it just says (H:) Directory is Corrupted or Unreadable (or whatever), so after frantic searching, I found what I believe will be my saving grace.. TestDisk.
I have gotten as far as the enclosed screen, and would like to know where I go from there, as I have a lot of hugely important work on there (some day, I'll get lucky and only lose files that I don't care about!), and need access to it as soon as possible (my deadline is 18:00 GMT+00, so I'm getting a little nervy at the moment)
Any help would be appreciated before I become my own worst enemy once again and end up destroying salvagable data.
Thank you.
Anyway, long story short, I was cut & pasting files from my external hard drive (H:) to an internal hard drive (D:), during which I was checking the calendar for a date, accidentally changed the time, and it came to a standstill. After ten minutes of doing nothing and the external hard drive started beeping, I turned the computer off in a panic. Hugely stupid, I know.
I was able to access it to c&p everything over again, but when I came back to it after leaving it unattended in favour of a quick cig, it came up with an error and the dreaded "delayed write failed". Then I couldn't access it again. I tried and tried and tried, and Windows XP wasn't having it, so I restarted and booted up Windows 7 instead, which was capable enough to at least recognise the hard drive, but now it just says (H:) Directory is Corrupted or Unreadable (or whatever), so after frantic searching, I found what I believe will be my saving grace.. TestDisk.
I have gotten as far as the enclosed screen, and would like to know where I go from there, as I have a lot of hugely important work on there (some day, I'll get lucky and only lose files that I don't care about!), and need access to it as soon as possible (my deadline is 18:00 GMT+00, so I'm getting a little nervy at the moment)
Any help would be appreciated before I become my own worst enemy once again and end up destroying salvagable data.
Thank you.