chkdsk replaced bad clusters in file

[wit>trope]

Simple question.

When chkdsk does that, what does that actually mean? Does that mean some parts of the file were just deleted by chkdsk or does that mean the file was fully repaired?

Also, I did a backup of the file before I ran chkdsk and backup file and the post-chkdsk file are slightly different -- the size is the exactly the same though. So which version of the file am I supposed to keep?

 

[ainwood]

Chkdsk is supposed to find ares of the hard-disk that are failing, retrieve the data from them, and mark them so they aren't used again. In my experience, it often doesn't retrieve all the data properly, and the files end up useless (although I haven't used it in years - later versions may be better).

If I were you, I'd try to actually open / use the files. If they work, keep them, if they don't, ditch them.

 

[wit>trope]

Chkdsk is supposed to find ares of the hard-disk that are failing, retrieve the data from them, and mark them so they aren't used again. In my experience, it often doesn't retrieve all the data properly, and the files end up useless (although I haven't used it in years - later versions may be better).

If I were you, I'd try to actually open / use the files. If they work, keep them, if they don't, ditch them.

Both the pre-chkdsk version and the post-chkdsk version files seem to work (or work equally bad) and are the exact same size but a utility tells me the data is not exactly the same. So which one should I keep?

 

[ainwood]

Keep them both until you find that one has a problem. I don't see any reasonable way of telling which is the 'better' file. The difference in the data is probably that one file was read wrongly, but its hard to determine which one was.

BTW - if you're getting bad clusters, I suggest you run chkdsk reasonably frequently - it can be a sign of a failing disk (even better - back it up somewhere, and consider getting a new one).

 

[wit>trope]

Keep them both until you find that one has a problem. I don't see any reasonable way of telling which is the 'better' file. The difference in the data is probably that one file was read wrongly, but its hard to determine which one was.

I forgot to mention the pre-chkdsk versions have a "Date Modified" time that is exactly 2 seconds before the post-chkdsk versions (modified a long time ago). Is that significant at all? Do you think the 2 second later versions are the better ones?

BTW - if you're getting bad clusters, I suggest you run chkdsk reasonably frequently - it can be a sign of a failing disk (even better - back it up somewhere, and consider getting a new one).

I've got it all backed up already. Any cheap large hard disks you recommend? I don't know how to hook it up though.

 

[ainwood]

I have a couple of these - they're pretty good, and fairly cheap. You just need to check whether you need an IDE or a SATA interface.

If you look in your computer, look at the back of the hard-drive and see if its got a narrow cable or a wide cable into it. If its narrow, its SATA, if its wide, its IDE.