Using 'Recover My Files' with 'CHKDSK /R'

[fiyazkanji]

Hello-

Thanks in advance. Really appreciate the help.

I am running a 'Complete File Search' on my harddrive. In the debug log I am getting a fairly large number of error reading particular sectors.

From what I understand using CHKDSK /R will move data that resides in a bad sector to a good sector and then attempt to disbale the bad sector. Is this correct? Can you forsee any issues with using CHKDSK /R before running the software?

[GDH]

Hi,

I would not run CHKDSK as it is possible that it may make recovery more difficult.

I would first try running the recovery in stages to try and get important files back first. Once you have at least some of them back, then you can think about whether you want to try running chkdsk.

I would run a Complete File Search for specific file types. Before you do, go to OPTIONS > ADVANCED and put a tick in the box from prompt for start cluster.

Then use the numbers in the progress window to start and stop your search - trying to avoid the problem areas of the disk.

[fiyazkanji]

Hello-

Is there a way for me to know which parts of the disk are not healthy? I have no way to know which sectors/clusters to avoid.

[GDH]

No, not really - only by trial and error. You will usually hear the drive start to have reading problems when it hits a bad segment.