harddrive file issues

[RaNGeR.GaV]

El problemo:

One of my IBM Deskstar 75gxp 30GB drives is acting all funny (my C drive). Now I know these things have had mass re-calls and that sorta thing, but mine have not given me any trouble that I can attribute to being the drives fault.
Until now maybe..... :(
Over the past week or so I've found that I'm having weird file system errors. Like for instance, moving a folder form inside one folder to inside another; and then finding that the folder could not be accessed or renamed (according to windoz error boxes that popped up). A similar thing happened when I extracted a couple of files from a rar archive into a folder. I then couldn't use those files (windows saying that I don't have permission or file is not there ... after I've clicked on it :P). Both of these I've tried again after a restart, but to no avail.

The only other thing I can attribute to the problems is maybe a defrag program called Diskeeper 7.0. This thing has an option to defrag the MFT (master file tables?), on my NTFS drives. This option only works on a re-boot, and for a while now it hasn't been able to do ANY defrag of the MFT , and it also fails half-way through the folder compacting part of its run :( I tried a CHKDSK run (also on reboot), but it told me it "couldn't access the volume" and quit! :( I re-ran the defrag this morning without the MFT option, and with a "run CHKDSK" option. When I left the house it had started running CHKDSK fine!! It's f'in crazy! I'm waiting to get home to find out whether its done the defrag properly this time.

If anyone has had similar experiences, or has any advice, replies would be appreciated!!!! :D

[WackyComputer]

Sounds bad. :(

Although it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with the physical harddrive.

I would backup all your data and re-install the OS.

Good luck.

[Farabomb]

Originally posted by WackyComputer
Sounds bad. :(

Although it doesn't seem like there's anything wrong with the physical harddrive.



But it's a IBM deathstar. That could be enough. :D

[RaNGeR.GaV]

Thanks for the response guys. I got home and found it all working ok. Then booted to the Recovery Console and ran a full chkdsk /r/p (which took a while). It now seems to be better.
Unfortunately my recycle bin seems to be corrupting frequently also :(

I have a question re: backing everything up.

If I use something like Drive Image or Ghost to make a back-up image, how many CD's can I expect to use for my 30GB drives? I mean, is it going to need 30GB worth of CDR's (which would be what, 40+ discs)???

Lee: how does this work for you with ghost?

[lechumbl]

Hi Gavin,

Ghost will make an image of DATA that is on the drive, not the drive size.
So, if you have 5 gigs of data on a 30 gig drive, it will do a 2.5 gig image. The data is backed up on your other drive, and you will have no CD's that way.
If you have only one H/D, recommend you get a small one (10 gigs or less) and use it strickly for the image drive.
That way, if your C drive goes bad, you replace it and restore the image off of the D drive.
If your D drive (image drive) goes bad, you just make a new image on a new drive and away you go. It is a win win situation.
You have the option to compress the data in half, or leave it alone in the full size.
I have been using the Ghost prog for many years and have yet to have a problem with it.
I highly recommend it for any backup.

Hopes that helps you.

Let me know if you have any more Ghost or PQDI questions.

Take care........

[RaNGeR.GaV]

Thanks Lee .... (I replied to that PM btw).

I do have two drives, both are pretty full though. I guess I can make some space to fit an image on them (which would of course reduce the image size on the other drive :D )

I'll look into it. Should maybe get a drive just to store them on even :)

[lechumbl]

Hi Gav,

Just in case you have not seen the PM, on the way in about three hours or so.

Nice thing about having two drives that you can image, use the third for the image, then, you can put a lot of stuff on the drives and still image them.

Plus, the image is 50% smaller than the original data size.

Take care.........

[Farabomb]

So Lee, If I figure out how to use Ghost I only need about 1/2 the size of the data that I'm making an image of?

[lechumbl]

Hi Fara,

Say you have a hard drive with 10 gigs of data on it and you want to make an image of the 10 gigs.
Using Ghost or PQDI, you will make an image file of approximately 5 gigs large.
You have the option of compressing or not the image file.
I always compress it.

Take care......

[sptw]

One advise only for NTFS users, Ghost can read NTFS file system, but can not write on NTFS partitions, you have to do that on Fat32 partition.PQDI can do that, but unfortunately i got two problems with PQDI, and decided to use it never more, untill power quest do it reliably for NTFS.Now i'm Ghost user :D, at least it works reliable.

[Farabomb]

So I'd have to have a drive with FAT32 to keep the images?

Gonna have to buy one. :)

[lechumbl]

Hi Fara,

The newer progs of Ghost and PQDI is supposed to do OK with NTFS, but as Virginio said, PQDI has caused problems in the past.
I use both progs at home for data redundancy, but that is overkill.
I will not use NTFS at home or work, so for me, it is not an issue.
All my work and home systems are FAT32.

Your drive for image is best to be FAT32.

Take care......

[RaNGeR.GaV]

ARGH! both my drives are NTFS :P :(

I have been thinking about converting back though ... becasue of the issues you have to go through if something goes pear-shaped and you need to break out he msdos! Thats the only thing I hate about ntfs!

Is it possiible to image a NTFS drive .... format it , fdisk it, then restore a image and make it fat32? (I can feel my head hurting already).

[lechumbl]

Hi Gav,

Sorry, once you image a drive, regardless of what the new drive is formated at, the image will be restored as what the image is.
If you image an NTFS drive image, format the drive FAT32, and restore the image, it will be retored as a NTFS drive.

Sending PM to you, watch for it.

Solly Charlie........

[RaNGeR.GaV]

Damn you're fast :)
... well thats not really a great loss man ... a shame tho. I guess I can make sure I have a back-up image when I find something to do a filesystem change over like that (doesn't XP do that on a fresh install on to a no-OS disk?). Either way .... at least I'll be backed up ... :)

Checking PM now ..

[lechumbl]

Hi Gav,

Till you get something better, use the on board backup that is in XP.
Go to Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Backup.
You can backup the NTFS or FAT32, or FAT drive and at least have a little relief, knowing that it is at least restorable.

Take care........

[WackyComputer]

Symantec Norton SystemWorks 2002 Professional Edition is free at New Egg (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16832108124) after rebate.

[lechumbl]

Hi Wacky,

Only problem is, Gavin is in Zew Zealand, and shipping will kill him.

I have taken care of him and he is expecting a "package" from the Salvation Army. :D

Take care and thanx for the info tho.......

[sptw]

From Lee:


The newer progs of Ghost and PQDI is supposed to do OK with NTFS

Lee is right, i could see now that Norton Ghost 2003 can write to NTFS file system partitions.The versions prior the 2003 can't to do that.Now if it's reliable or not, sorry i don't know.

[lechumbl]

Hi all,

Ghost 2003 will do a fine job of NTFS drive imaging.

Take care......

[sptw]

Thanks, lee, i'll try that, on my next imaging session.

[RaNGeR.GaV]

BAH!
Another file I cut and then pasted is now unreadable D:
This sux0rs!! :(
Have to f'in boot-disk to the recovery console again and do another full scansdisk.

Oh and I ran the Drive Fitness Test from IBM. It told me that one drive had bad parts ... but it seemed to be the drive that's not giving me any trouble!! w.t.f.!.?.!
:turtle: :cry: :confused3 :dogeye: :2guns: :flust: :flust:

[sptw]

Hi Ranger.Gav,

Those IBM, 70 or 60 gxp line right? yeah Bad Cluster m8.I'm almost sure you know what do.Take that IBM DFT diskette and run erase the disk option.Make a backup before if the info there are important.

[RaNGeR.GaV]

So you reckon I should use the "erase entire disk" option on the DFT proggy? After I make that image of course :)

Also I'd better make sure I get the right disk ... wouldn't want to lose a whole disk's worth of data :/ Might have to unplug one at a time and try them, to be 100% sure

[sptw]

Yes, you must to do the "erase entire disk option" to fix this "false bad cluster".It's not a magnetical defective surface, it's a software issue, and it's a good idea to unplug the driver before do it, although the DFT diskette can recognize the defective disk.
Look, there's a firmware update for the IBM 60 and 75 gxp line.I used to have the same problem too (Bad cluster) with this disks. Since the firmware update, never got the problem again.I have two of them (45 gb 75 gxp line) running fine for one year or more, i can't remember exactly the time.I don't know if it's your case too, this IBM series gave a lot of headache for users, but you can try.
Here's the link:
Firmware Updates for the IBM DLTA Series & 60GXP Series Hard Discs (http://users.pgen.net/adam.bone/IBMDLT.htm)
Well.... you know, flashing involve risks, then this is at your own risk :D

Good luck m8 :)

[RaNGeR.GaV]

ooOoo ... me like to flash! :)

Cheers sptw ... I'll look into that. This is gonna take a while. Have to make sure I get the right disk, image it, do the "repair", do the upgrade, then restore the image. =Ouchies.

....wash, rinse, repeat.... then onto drive D :/

[RaNGeR.GaV]

hmmm... this is prolly related ....

Almost none of my programs will keep their settings when i restart the pc. Like the view pref's for Netscape etc. I think the registry isn't keeping settings or something :(