Corrupted files on memory stick

[cosmiclight22]

Hi I am not sure where to post this question, I am trying here, hope it is the right place>
I wonder if someone can help me in this urgent problem?
After I recorded an audio file, I was trying to save it as Audacity project, as I always do first, not it, directly into my flash memory drive, as I always do.
I have done this several times before, but this time when I was saving it, since I was in a hurry, and it was taking its time, I decided to cancel the saving process, when I tried to open the memory stick to edit the file, all the files that were already saved in it, their names had turned into gibberish names, some language that I cannot understand, made of symbols. And I could not open the drive any longer. And the error that comes up when I try to open the drive says: I need to format the removable disk before using it, but when I try to do , it says it is not possible because it is not a new disk and then it says: the VOLUME in the disk may be corrupted, which I do not have a clue of what it means. I never formatted my disk prior to use it, I just used it to save docs and MP3
and it got corrupted somehow..., after I was trying to save an Audacity file, which has never happened before. Can you recommend a good FREE removable disk recovery software i can download to resolve this problem? I tried two already and nothing happens, they cannot find any file to be recovered in that disk, at all
what else can I do, please help
Thank you

[Gale Andrews]

Please do not double post to other users' unrelated topics. I deleted your duplicate post and started a new topic for you. All you need do is go to http://forum.audacityteam.org/viewforum.php?f=46 and press the New Topic button top left, and post once only.

After I recorded an audio file, I was trying to save it as Audacity project, as I always do first, not it, directly into my flash memory drive, as I always do.
I have done this several times before, but this time when I was saving it, since I was in a hurry, and it was taking its time, I decided to cancel the saving process, when I tried to open the memory stick to edit the file, all the files that were already saved in it, their names had turned into gibberish names, some language that I cannot understand, made of symbols. And I could not open the drive any longer.

You should never interrupt saving on a removable flash drive.

What is the make and model number of the flash drive?

Are the files you mean the Audacity AU data files, usually 1 MB each?

And the error that comes up when I try to open the drive says: I need to format the removable disk before using it, but when I try to do , it says it is not possible because it is not a new disk and then it says: the VOLUME in the disk may be corrupted, which I do not have a clue of what it means. I never formatted my disk prior to use it, I just used it to save docs and MP3 and it got corrupted somehow..., after I was trying to save an Audacity file, which has never happened before. Can you recommend a good FREE removable disk recovery software i can download to resolve this problem?

Is Audacity still open? If so, save or export to your C:\ (hard drive).

Try Windows Start Menu, then Run. Then type:

Code: Select all

chkdsk /f <drive letter of your drive>

Press ENTER or click on OK.

So if your flash drive was D:\, you should type

Code: Select all

chkdsk /f d:

Gale

[cosmiclight22]

I did not know that I should not interrupt saving files into a flash drive, sorry
The project I was able to save it, because as you know Audacity always allows to recover files that were not saved properly.
It is the previous Audacity projects that I have been working on for several months, and that I still need for a final project, that were all stored in that flash drive, the work of almost one year. My flash drive is a Kingstone (make) and can store 16 GB. Is that enough info or do you need otehr info about the kind of drive?
I think the Audacity projects saved in it were all small though
I have tried 2 different free software to recovery disk and so Audacity projects in it, but for some reason they did not do anything, did not even find any deleted files in the disk
I am going to try your prompt commands see if I am able to
If not , do you know of any effective software online I can can download to do the work?
Thanks a lot

[Gale Andrews]

I did not know that I should not interrupt saving files into a flash drive, sorry

It depends what you did. You should always use the "Safely Remove Hardware" icon in the system tray and wait until Windows tells you it is safe to eject the drive. Did you do that?

The project I was able to save it, because as you know Audacity always allows to recover files that were not saved properly.
It is the previous Audacity projects that I have been working on for several months, and that I still need for a final project, that were all stored in that flash drive, the work of almost one year. My flash drive is a Kingstone (make) and can store 16 GB. Is that enough info or do you need otehr info about the kind of drive?

If it's a flash card Kingston have their own recovery tool for that. If chkdsk does not help, identify your drive or card here: http://www.kingston.com/en/support/technical/search and ask them to help you.


Gale

[cosmiclight22]

Thank you so much for the replies.
I will try their support.
I did also do type this "chkdsk /f F:" ...since it seems the drive name is F, in the Start Program window at the bottom of menu and pressed enter, what am I supposed to do after that? Nothing happens, just a series of 5 items shows up when I click on each it asks me how I want to open this program?
But I am sure you meant something else? What do I do after pressing Enter?
Could you let me know?
I think it may be working
Thanks a lot now
Anna

[Gale Andrews]

I did also do type this "chkdsk /f F:" ...since it seems the drive name is F, in the Start Program window at the bottom of menu and pressed enter, what am I supposed to do after that? Nothing happens, just a series of 5 items shows up when I click on each it asks me how I want to open this program?

Assuming you are still using Windows 7, press the Windows key, then in the Search box, type:

Code: Select all

Run

"Run" should appear at the top of the list as a link. Click the link to open "Run".

Here is a better command you can put in Run that will keep the command window open after chkdsk finishes. Just paste this into the Run window:

Code: Select all

cmd /k chkdsk /f   f:

then press the OK button or hit ENTER.


Gale

[cosmiclight22]

Thank you for the detailed reply
Yes Windows 7, yes I did put RUN in the search box and then pressed enter, then I typed this: cmd /k chkdsk /f f: in the Run box and pressed Enter

I would like to know how this helps me in trying to open my corrupted drive? I am sorry I still am not clear about, what do I do next?
Because when I do this, the little blackboard "Command prompt" opens up and then?? What am I supposed to do with it?

Do you want me to type in there the same : cmd /k chkdsk /f f:cmd /k chkdsk /f f: ? and then press enter?
Is that what I am supposed to do after the Command Prompt opens up?
Or the Run window should open my drive directly? I am confused, could you plz help??
I checked with Kingston, thanks for the link btw, but they do not do disk recovery services
Thank you so much
A

[Gale Andrews]

Yes Windows 7, yes I did put RUN in the search box and then pressed enter, then I typed this: cmd /k chkdsk /f f: in the Run box and pressed Enter

I would like to know how this helps me in trying to open my corrupted drive? I am sorry I still am not clear about, what do I do next?
Because when I do this, the little blackboard "Command prompt" opens up and then?? What am I supposed to do with it?

You don't have to do anything. Windows will try to fix any errors it finds on the drive and output the result to the screen.

It does not repair files that are damaged. However if files displaying incorrectly is due to corruption of the file system, chkdsk will correct that.

What was the result of chkdsk? If you find it easier, run this:

Code: Select all

cmd /k chkdsk /f  f: > C:\chkdsk.txt

When you see C:\Windows\system32> appear in the command window, the results of the test will be in the file "C:\chkdsk.txt".


Gale

[cosmiclight22]

Hi and thank you
still nothing happens, I did the first step you posted in previous post, but the only thing that happens is that Command Prompt opens up empty and nothing happens
then I RUN this : cmd /k chkdsk /f i: > C:\chkdsk.txt
and in the screen shot I attached you can see the response, it says :access denied
I am sure this thing will work on fixing the drive problem but I still am not sure I am understanding how I can make it work, since the txt file where the result of the text are shown, does not even appear for me, I do not even get there, I am sure i am missing some steps?
How do I read the test in anyway? How do I find out if the problem is fxed in the drive after running this?

Thanks for your patience and help

[Robert2]

Try opening an Elevated Command Prompt. Have a look at How To Open an Elevated Command Prompt in Windows 7