File system corruption after power supply failure?

[Jay]

One of my older computer's power supply failed yesterday. The unit was
replaced and the computer started up fine. However...

Some files on the secondary hard drive will not open. I get error messages
about corrupt file, invalid file format, unknown extension for random
files - .txt, .doc, .avi, .divx, .htm, .mht....... This is only for files
stored on that hard drive. The only file type that would refuse to open at
all is .wmv files. For any other it is random - some open some don't.

Chkdsk, adaware, spybot, antivirus checks were done but nothing was found.
Even the drive diagnostic (western Digital) indicated the drive is
physically fine. The drive was temporarily removed and installed on another
computer - same problem.

The system drive works perfectly - all application open fine and all files
on it work.

I am perplexed - everyting was fine till the power supply failure.

I would really appreciate any pointers on how to address this situation.
Thanks in advance.

Jay

 

[Jay]

Sorry for the repeat post!

Jay

: One of my older computer's power supply failed yesterday. The unit was
: replaced and the computer started up fine. However...
:
: Some files on the secondary hard drive will not open. I get error messages
: about corrupt file, invalid file format, unknown extension for random
: files - .txt, .doc, .avi, .divx, .htm, .mht....... This is only for files
: stored on that hard drive. The only file type that would refuse to open at
: all is .wmv files. For any other it is random - some open some don't.
:
: Chkdsk, adaware, spybot, antivirus checks were done but nothing was found.
: Even the drive diagnostic (western Digital) indicated the drive is
: physically fine. The drive was temporarily removed and installed on
another
: computer - same problem.
:
: The system drive works perfectly - all application open fine and all files
: on it work.
:
: I am perplexed - everyting was fine till the power supply failure.
:
: I would really appreciate any pointers on how to address this situation.
: Thanks in advance.
:
: Jay
:
:
:

 

[chad]

Hi Jay. First of all, stop using the computer IF you have the swap file
located on the second drive (not usually the case). Swap-file activity
can destroy your lost files. Otherwise, you just need to use some
undelete software to mine out your data. Here are some freeware tools
which may well be sufficient:

http://free-backup.info/data-recovery-software.htm

Good luck!

 

[Jay]

Thanks for the pointer!

Actually the page file is on the system drive C.

So far I have not used the second hard drive for write activity at all.

That is a great link - I am going to explore the possibilities as soon as I
am free later this afternoon.

One aspect interests me though :- the problematic files are still existent -
not deleted. A preliminary reading on recovery procedures seems to indicate
that it involves recovery of deleted files!

Jay


: Hi Jay. First of all, stop using the computer IF you have the swap file
: located on the second drive (not usually the case). Swap-file activity
: can destroy your lost files. Otherwise, you just need to use some
: undelete software to mine out your data. Here are some freeware tools
: which may well be sufficient:
:
: http://free-backup.info/data-recovery-software.htm
:
: Good luck!
: