The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/DominusTheMerciful on 2024-12-07 12:28:48.
Edit: They corrected me it is an HDD. However, I cannot change the title.
I am experiencing significant issues with my external HDD. Below is a detailed account of the problems I have encountered:
Background
• I have used this external HDD to back up various files and, on some occasions, the entire C:/ drive of my computer before formatting it.
• Recently, as the HDD’s storage capacity became nearly full, I decided to delete some files to free up space.
• While deleting files, I attempted to remove the “Program Files” directory from a previous C:/ backup. The system warned me that removing it might cause issues, but I proceeded, assuming it wouldn’t affect an external drive.
Current Problems
1. Access Issues:
• When I connect the SSD to my computer, it is recognized as drive E:, but the moment I attempt to access it, File Explorer freezes.
• The system becomes unresponsive and doesn’t allow me to eject the HDD safely.
• I cannot shut down my computer unless I physically unplug the HDD.
2. Corrupted Data:
• After deleting the “Program Files” folder, other files and directories on the HDD became inaccessible.
• The HDD seems to have suffered some kind of corruption as a result of the deletion.
Troubleshooting Attempts
• I tried to access the drive using standard methods, but the computer either froze or couldn’t process the request.
• Safe ejection is not possible, as the system treats the drive as perpetually in use.
• I suspect the issue might be related to:
• File system corruption (possibly NTFS metadata damage).
• Overfilled storage leading to write/read errors.
• Hardware failure such as bad blocks or controller issues.
• Problems caused by deleting critical system-level folders like “Program Files.”
Assistance Needed
I am looking for recommendations on:
1. How to safely access and recover data from the HDD without causing further corruption.
2. Potential diagnostics to determine if the issue is hardware-related or tied to the file system.
3. The best tools or professional services for recovering data in this scenario.
Thank you for your help!