satirist Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Sometimes when I copy files from an internal hard drive to an external the computed SHA1 hashes are incorrect. If I copy them again and recalc the hashes they're OK. Is there a problem with the hard drive? Why doesn't Windows Explorer tell me if the copying had errors? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 I think it's because the standard Windows Explorer copying function doesn't automatically check for errors. If you want to be absolutely sure that copying is 100% correct you should use a back up facility to copy your files, or else make an .iso image. For example Acronis products and the Windows built-in back up utility both have a verify or check facility to run after the back up or copying is completed. Of course the process takes longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satirist Posted November 27, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 27, 2009 Are copy errors very common? I've never had problems using other files. These are 3GB files that I can't verify. Does the file size make a difference? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dencandy Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 I think they're not very common if you use top grade hardware and software. But a file of 1GB contains 1 x 1024 x 1024 bits of information (approx 1 billion). Copying all that without a fatal error is quite a task and the bigger the file, the more are the opportunities for errors. Not only is the hardware and software that's used to do the copying important, but also the nature of the errors that can occur. E.g. a small error in an image or piece of music may well not even be noticeable to the user. But a tiny error in a program can stop it functioning.There are programs available specifically designed for highly accurate copying, if you do an internet search on "file copying software" you'll find many, and some are free. If copying files accurately is very important to you there's plent to research into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted November 28, 2009 Report Share Posted November 28, 2009 How do you copy the file(s) - drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste?You could use the DOS command XCOPY with the /V (verify) switch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satirist Posted December 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 How do you copy the file(s) - drag-and-drop, copy-and-paste?You could use the DOS command XCOPY with the /V (verify) switch.I copy and paste in Windows Explorer.Does anyone have any recommendations for other good file copying software? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 Drag-and-drop is usually safer than copy-and-paste. Use right-click drag-and-drop to select between Copy and Move.xcopy comes with Windows, but you need a command prompt window to use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andsome Posted December 1, 2009 Report Share Posted December 1, 2009 I even drag and drop my Acronis back ups from one drive to another. I never get any bother. I no longer use copy and paste, except for small things like clip art etc. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
satirist Posted December 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2009 Is the underlying code that handles dragging-and-dropping really different from copy-and-pasting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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