Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable...

How to use TestDisk to recover lost partition
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Mittens2317
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jun 2012, 15:18

Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable...

#1 Post by Mittens2317 »

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.
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Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#2 Post by Fiona »

Your screen is from Quick Search.
Did you mark your partitions and press p to list your files?
Especially the second partition.
I assume it's the one containing your data?
To compare the difference I'd need another screenshot.
It's from Analyse (if you confirm at analyse and this is your current partition table).

Fiona

Mittens2317
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jun 2012, 15:18

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#3 Post by Mittens2317 »

Fiona wrote:Your screen is from Quick Search.
Did you mark your partitions and press p to list your files?
Especially the second partition.
I assume it's the one containing your data?
To compare the difference I'd need another screenshot.
It's from Analyse (if you confirm at analyse and this is your current partition table).

Fiona
I've pressed P to list files. The second partition reads "Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged.", and here's a screenshot from the first partition's file list:
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Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#4 Post by Fiona »

Would it be possible to run Deeper Search?
I'll exclude that your partition is changed.

Fiona

Mittens2317
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jun 2012, 15:18

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#5 Post by Mittens2317 »

Just tried it and ended up with the exact same results.

Mittens2317
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jun 2012, 15:18

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#6 Post by Mittens2317 »

Tried it again and here's what happened: (was sure I posted this a minute ago btw)
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Fiona
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Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#7 Post by Fiona »

Did you have a try to list your files from that found NTFS partition?

Fiona

Mittens2317
Posts: 5
Joined: 18 Jun 2012, 15:18

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#8 Post by Mittens2317 »

Yes, it still says "Can't open filesystem. Filesystem seems damaged." As do all the others.

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Fiona
Posts: 2835
Joined: 18 Feb 2012, 17:19
Location: Ludwigsburg/Stuttgart - Germany

Re: Delayed Write Failed/Directory Corrupted or Unreadable..

#9 Post by Fiona »

Would it be possible to have a try to diagnose ypir boot sector?
Same procedur like in this case;
http://forum.cgsecurity.org/phpBB3/part ... h-t14.html
Rebuilding a boot sector searches your MFT and cpuld be able to list files.
In this case I don't recommend to restore your partition but to copy/backup your files.
If it doesn't work, you'd probably need datarecovery software.

Fiona

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