UBCD4Win Forums > How to fix Uncorrectable CRC or ECC error on read?

Seb

Dec 28 2005, 07:26 PM

Dear all,

My laptop is a XPS Dell, running WinXP SP2, HHD Hitachi 60GB. My computer
froze in an application and i had to manually restart the computer by
pressing the power button. When i restarted the computer it just went to a
BSOD Unmountable_boot_volume. I looked online to see if i could find a way to
fix this pb. I have tried the recovery console, chkdsk /r /p, fixboot but
nothing worked.
I booted my system with HDAT2 and ran a scan. Six sectors were identified
bad when i scaned the disk but it says "Uncorrectable CRC or ECC error on
read".

I then found out about the UBCD4Win project. I have built the ultimate boot CD no problem. I have try the HHD utilities but none would fix the problem (fix the damaged sectors).

Is there a way to fix this problem? I have all my work and really
important files from a thesis on my HDD. It would be a disaster if I was
losing everything.

I would really appreciate expert help. Thank you very much in advance.

SteelTrepid

Dec 28 2005, 08:04 PM

Well I am unfamiliar with this type of error. So I'm sorry to say that I really can't advise on how to fix this problem.

However, all hope is not lost!

Since you have created the project and have tried fixing the errors with the drive, the drive is at least visible. I would suggest that you backup your data before trying to fix the drive more. That way you still have your data if something else bad would happen.
You have several different options in backing up your data. You can do it via your network, burn files to CD, etc.

Please let us know what tools you have already tried to fix your drive with, there may be other options you could try.

If all of that fails, then just verify your backups are ok and make sure you have ALL of your files needed. Then you will probably have to do a new install of XP.

Good luck and keep posting, someone else may be able to help.

Seb

Dec 28 2005, 08:26 PM

Thank you for your reply. Here is what i did using the application delivered with the ultimate Boot CD:

Start>Programs>Disk Tools>Diagnostic>

* Bart's Stuff Test v5.1.4 : Does not work. Create file "c:\" returned an error. The parameter is incorrect. getVolSize() on device "c:\" failed.

* DiskCheck 1.057 : Error accessing drive c:\

* WD WinDlg : SMART Status PASS

* HD Tune 2.50 : I did the error scan. It shows the damaged sector in red but there is no fixing option in this utility.

* Check Disk (Chkdsk) : Here is what is happening:

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
File record segment 176 is unreadable
File record segment 177 is unreadable
File record segment 178 is unreadable
File record segment 179 is unreadable
File verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
Deleting index entry dmboot.sys in index $I30 of file 31.
An unspecified error occured.
CHKDSK.CMD: Check disk done....

* DiskCheckup: Gives me the info of my drive

I have done all the tests provided. I don't really know what else to do. Thank you for your help.

Seb

rdsok

Dec 28 2005, 08:26 PM

I would second SteelTrepid's suggestion to backup what you can from the drive.

If there is very important data that's located in the bad sectors of the drive, you may want to consider the $89 US software called Spinrite from http://www.grc.com ... this is about the only thing I'm aware of that has a good chance of being able to recover something from those areas but it still isn't a certainty. I know of no free software that does the same thing.

If the data in that area isn't very important... get the hard drive utilities for your Hitachi from their support website... it may be able to recover the sectors to make the drive useable again but you will loose anything that is on the drive... in otherwords this would destroy any data on the drive trying to recover them. After performing the repair you can reload your Windows and programs again.

SteelTrepid

Dec 28 2005, 08:34 PM

I agree with the SpinRite suggestion, it's awesome software!! Too bad the last time I used it was over a decade ago!

That's a program I would love to own again!!

I "third" (if I'm allowed to) the notion of backing up. However also suggest the original UBCD. Have you tried that yet? I know it contains the DOS version of the Hitachi tool, well that is if they even have a Windows version yet....can't remember. So give that a shot too before you have to spend any money.

Seb

Dec 28 2005, 08:50 PM

Thank you again for your advice.

If i don't have any important data in the damaged sectors, how can i backup the files from the other sectors? How can i browse my files and burn them on a CD?

rdsok

Dec 28 2005, 09:07 PM

@Seb

I was posting at the same time as you were posting the fact you can't read the drive.... the Spinrite option is still there but you can't say if it will help until its tried...

If you have access to a USB drive (flash or hard drive type ) boot UBCD4Win with that drive plugged in the try using File Recovery to see if you can salvage anything from the drive.

Unfortunately it seems to take this type of disaster for people to finally listen to the age-old sage advice of BACKUP, BACKUP, BACKUP .... we are dealing with electronic and magnetic devices that are prone to failures similar to this... the only sure way to cover yourself is to perform regular backups and to test them to ensure they are good.

LittlBUGer

Dec 28 2005, 09:19 PM

QUOTE (Seb @ Dec 28 2005, 06:26 PM)

Thank you for your reply. Here is what i did using the application delivered with the ultimate Boot CD:

Start>Programs>Disk Tools>Diagnostic>

* Bart's Stuff Test v5.1.4 : Does not work. Create file "c:\" returned an error. The parameter is incorrect. getVolSize() on device "c:\" failed.

* DiskCheck 1.057 : Error accessing drive c:\

* WD WinDlg : SMART Status PASS

* HD Tune 2.50 : I did the error scan. It shows the damaged sector in red but there is no fixing option in this utility.

* Check Disk (Chkdsk) : Here is what is happening:

CHKDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 5)...
File record segment 176 is unreadable
File record segment 177 is unreadable
File record segment 178 is unreadable
File record segment 179 is unreadable
File verification completed.
CHKDSK is verifying indexes (stage 2 of 5)...
Deleting index entry dmboot.sys in index $I30 of file 31.
An unspecified error occured.
CHKDSK.CMD: Check disk done....

* DiskCheckup: Gives me the info of my drive

I have done all the tests provided. I don't really know what else to do. Thank you for your help.

Seb

When you did the chkdsk scan, you did say "yes" to do the extra recovery correct? And I would try running the WD WinDlg program again, double click on your drive to bring up the menu, and run both the Quick and Extended tests as those are usually the first things I run to see if a drive is bad.

Seb

Dec 28 2005, 09:21 PM

I tried to use the file recovery in UBCD4Win. I see my local drive C: but when i click on it it says "Drive not formatted, do you want to format drive?" I can't see my files.

rdsok

Dec 28 2005, 09:35 PM

QUOTE (Seb @ Dec 28 2005, 08:21 PM)

I tried to use the file recovery in UBCD4Win. I see my local drive C: but when i click on it it says "Drive not formatted, do you want to format drive?" I can't see my files.

Which option did you select... this was the program that had the full title of PC Inspector File Recovery wasn't it?

Seb

Dec 28 2005, 10:57 PM

QUOTE (rdsok @ Dec 28 2005, 09:35 PM)

QUOTE (Seb @ Dec 28 2005, 08:21 PM)

I tried to use the file recovery in UBCD4Win. I see my local drive C: but when i click on it it says "Drive not formatted, do you want to format drive?" I can't see my files.

Which option did you select... this was the program that had the full title of PC Inspector File Recovery wasn't it?

What utility should I use to see my files? I have used the explorer too and same it says drive not formatted. Thanks for your advice. I could just save my important data then reinstall everything.

rdsok

Dec 28 2005, 11:38 PM

Currently the version I'm running is the beta but I think the menu path is as follows to the one I mentioned...

Start->Programs->File->Recovery->FileRecovery

This program shouldn't offer to format the drive since it offers the ability to even browse a drive that the partitions were currupted. There are a couple of possible ways that it may help...

It will first start by asking you the language you want and give you 3 options afterword

- Recover deleted files
- Find lost data
- Find lost drive

I suspect it will be one of the last two options that you will need, the last one will take quite some time since it will scan all sectors on the drive but its the most likely one that will help. Patience and determination will be your best tools actually... don't get in a hurry and pay a lot of attention to what you are doing. You will have to save the files to another drive... which is why I mentioned the USB drives earlier.

If this doesn't help... I can't suggest anything other than what I mentioned previously.

LittlBUGer

Dec 28 2005, 11:49 PM

Did you run the Quick and Extended tests in WD WinDlg yet?

Seb

Dec 29 2005, 12:24 AM

QUOTE (LittlBUGer @ Dec 28 2005, 11:49 PM)

Did you run the Quick and Extended tests in WD WinDlg yet?

Yeah i tried but it says Cable test failed. I checked the HDD connection but there is no pb.

pcuser

Dec 29 2005, 12:35 AM

QUOTE

Did you run the Quick and Extended tests in WD WinDlg yet?

Do everything you can with data recovery before stress testing the drive. WD-DLG doesn't care about your data and has no functions to recover it. It's really only usefull when determining whether the drive needs to be replaced or not (after and ONLY after you've recovered all of your data from it).

Tom

hilander999

Dec 29 2005, 12:39 AM

Another option... HDD Regenerator 1.51... $59.95

http://www.dposoft.net/#b_hddhid

QUOTE

Main benefits

Hard disk drive is an integral part of every computer. It stores all your information. One of the most prevalent defects of hard drives is bad sectors on the disk surface. Bad sectors are a part of the disk surface which contains not readable, but frequently necessary information. As a result of bad sectors you may have difficulties to read and copy data from your disk, your operating system becomes unstable and finally your computer may unable to boot altogether. When a hard drive is damaged with bad sectors, the disk not only becomes unfit for use, but also you risk losing information stored on it. The HDD Regenerator can repair damaged hard disks without affecting or changing existing data. As a result, previously unreadable and inaccessible information is restored.

I have had good luck with this one before & it has a free trial that will let you know if the sectors can be recovered, but you will have to purchase the software to actually get the drive back to a workable state.

It sucks haveing to buy programs to recover your data, but the real question is "How much is tha data worth?"

QUOTE

Can the HDD Regenerator repair your drive?

Almost 60 % of damaged hard disks can be repaired by regeneration. You can always download free demo version and try to regenerate the first found bad sector. The main purpose of the unregistered demo version is to display a report which contains information about the possibility to regenerate the entire disk by means of the registered full version. If the first found bad sector has been successfully regenerated, you can buy the product to regenerate all bad sectors on your hard drive. If the first bad sector has NOT been successfully regenerated, then replace your hard disk drive as soon as possible.

The last MAJOR HD FAILURE I had costed me 2 years worth of research because we were in the middle of a changeover to larger drives & everything got fried during a lightning storm ;(

QUOTE (Seb @ Dec 29 2005, 12:24 AM)

QUOTE (LittlBUGer @ Dec 28 2005, 11:49 PM)

Did you run the Quick and Extended tests in WD WinDlg yet?

Yeah i tried but it says Cable test failed. I checked the HDD connection but there is no pb.

This is interesting... Cables fail all the time for no reason at all, if you can replace the cable before going any further, I would reccomend doing so.

Seb

Dec 29 2005, 12:51 AM

QUOTE (pcuser @ Dec 29 2005, 12:35 AM)

QUOTE

Did you run the Quick and Extended tests in WD WinDlg yet?

Do everything you can with data recovery before stress testing the drive. WD-DLG doesn't care about your data and has no functions to recover it. It's really only usefull when determining whether the drive needs to be replaced or not (after and ONLY after you've recovered all of your data from it).

Tom

When i start with UBCD4Win, on the top right corner of the desktop it says that C: is not recognized, so when i go and try to use the explorers (ie a43 or explorerXP) there is nothing on C:.
The crash happened yesterday, and the wierd thing is that the computer booted only once since when i wanted to enter the recovery console with the winxp CD. I thought the pb was fixed and used the application i was in and the computer froze again. Since it did not boot again. And like few minutes again, i used SpinRite (but i was told that it would not solve pb in the boot sector), it fixed some ECC errors but not all. Then i tried to boot, and the message windows\system32\ntfs.sys was missing or damaged. So I decided to use the recovery console to try to replace ntfs.sys. For the first time i got 1.c:\windows in the recovery console, and i could actually replace the file. Everytime i ever pressed r and entered the recovery console and always had just the prompt c:\ and when i was typing c:\dir nothing showed up. So i replaced the ntfs.sys file and tried to reboot. Then I got a another blue screen saying SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED. I tried to enter the recovery console again but i just got the prompt, nothing more. So it is really strange, it seems that sometime it would actually get me the directory tree, but it was only once.
Maybe i should try to enter UBCD4Win again and again until i get c: recognized then i could transfer my important data onto a memory stick then reinstall everything.
Any suggestions? Thank you all very much for you participation.

LarrySmith

Dec 29 2005, 11:08 AM

QUOTE (Seb @ Dec 29 2005, 12:51 AM)

QUOTE (pcuser @ Dec 29 2005, 12:35 AM)

QUOTE

Did you run the Quick and Extended tests in WD WinDlg yet?

Do everything you can with data recovery before stress testing the drive. WD-DLG doesn't care about your data and has no functions to recover it. It's really only usefull when determining whether the drive needs to be replaced or not (after and ONLY after you've recovered all of your data from it).

Tom

When i start with UBCD4Win, on the top right corner of the desktop it says that C: is not recognized, so when i go and try to use the explorers (ie a43 or explorerXP) there is nothing on C:.
The crash happened yesterday, and the wierd thing is that the computer booted only once since when i wanted to enter the recovery console with the winxp CD. I thought the pb was fixed and used the application i was in and the computer froze again. Since it did not boot again. And like few minutes again, i used SpinRite (but i was told that it would not solve pb in the boot sector), it fixed some ECC errors but not all. Then i tried to boot, and the message windows\system32\ntfs.sys was missing or damaged. So I decided to use the recovery console to try to replace ntfs.sys. For the first time i got 1.c:\windows in the recovery console, and i could actually replace the file. Everytime i ever pressed r and entered the recovery console and always had just the prompt c:\ and when i was typing c:\dir nothing showed up. So i replaced the ntfs.sys file and tried to reboot. Then I got a another blue screen saying SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED. I tried to enter the recovery console again but i just got the prompt, nothing more. So it is really strange, it seems that sometime it would actually get me the directory tree, but it was only once.
Maybe i should try to enter UBCD4Win again and again until i get c: recognized then i could transfer my important data onto a memory stick then reinstall everything.
Any suggestions? Thank you all very much for you participation.

I helped a friend with a similar problem relating to a session 3 error. Two things to look at are CDROM drive and the BIOS settings...