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Deleting Corrupt and Unreadable Files

After recovering from an HD failure, the restore added some corrupt files. I am unable to delete them and have used all the suggested methods I could find (e.g. chkdsk, disk cleaner, unlocker, safe mode, Hiren's BootCD)? Apparently the failed drive contained/caused some files to become corrupt which were then copied to the backup file and later restored corrupt.

I replaced the failed drive and then restored from an Acronis backup. The Documents and Settings folder was restored to \temp so I could copy the needed files to the new Documents and Settings. Everything seemed to have worked fine until I tried to delete the no longer needed Documents and Settings from \temp. Now I have a number of various files in \temp that cannot be deleted. The error when I try to delete any one of the offending files is "Cannot delete [filename]: The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable."

Can anyone suggest some other method for cleaning up this mess short of reformatting the new drive and reinstalling again? TIA.
Answer
Answer

Hi,

 

·         Did you get any error message when you run the check disk?

 

I would suggest you to run the check disk in safe mode and check if it helps.

 

WARNING: When Chkdsk detects problems with the file system and attempts to repair the damage, data loss can occur. Microsoft does not recommend running Chkdsk with the /f command-line switch unless you have a full backup of your hard disk.

Attempt to repair the damaged file, folder or file system index using Check disk. To do so, follow these steps:

 

a)      Click Start, and then click Run.

b)      In the Open box, type chkdsk /f <drive>:, where <drive> is the letter of the drive on which the damaged file, folder or file system index exists.

c)       Click Yes to schedule check disk when computer restarts.

d)      Restart the computer and let the check disk run and check.

 

NOTE: If the hard disk is large, Chkdsk may take several minutes to several hours to complete.

 

Also refer: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb457122.aspx

 

John Rubdy
Forum Moderator | Microsoft Community

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Last updated October 22, 2020 Views 6,553 Applies to: