Errors found on NTFS External Hard Drive Is my data now corrupt?

[StuartLawrence]

Hi, I have a Windows Vista Computer. I have a 2TB NTFS External Drive that I use to store my data. yesterday I decided to run Error check on the external drive and it found errors on it.

After that it said that it was repaired and it said something about my files were moved to a folder or something but I missed the rest of the message. Does this mean that my files are not corrupt? Is there a way of checking?

One thing to note is that when I plugged my NTFS External Drive into my Windows VIsta computer, after using it for awhile I decided to safely remove it but it said that it was in use. Now I'm positive that I was not using the external drive.

I hit safely remove about 10 times but it kept saying that it was in use. So I decided to just unplug it. Could that have caused the errors on my external drive? Should I scan for bad sectors too?

how long does that usually take on a 2TB External drive? Any help is greatly appreciated

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Welcome to the Windows Forum.

I hit safely remove about 10 times but it kept saying that it was in use. So I decided to just unplug it.

That is something you should never do, especially if the drive is in use for some reason or other. Better shut down Windows if you need to remove the device, but cannot with 'Safely Remove'.

Run CHKDSK with the /F and /R options - yes, that may take a while on a 2TB drive.

[StuartLawrence]

Welcome to the Windows Forum.

I hit safely remove about 10 times but it kept saying that it was in use. So I decided to just unplug it.

That is something you should never do, especially if the drive is in use for some reason or other. Better shut down Windows if you need to remove the device, but cannot with 'Safely Remove'.

Run CHKDSK with the /F and /R options - yes, that may take a while on a 2TB drive.

Thanks for the help. Is that better than Error checking in Computer properties?

[andsome]

On a very rare occasion I have had a memory stick which kept saying it was in use. I always close down completely and then remove it.

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

Thanks for the help. Is that better than Error checking in Computer properties?

It's actually the same; it just gives you more options.

[StuartLawrence]

Thanks for the help. Is that better than Error checking in Computer properties?

It's actually the same; it just gives you more options.

I appreciate your help. I ran the error checking tool and selected error checking and scan for bad sectors. I left it going all night, when I checked the progress this morning it was only a quarter of the way through. Does it usually take this long? Will it eventually finish? Thanks

[ɹəuəllıʍ ʇɐb]

2TB is a lot to check, so it may actually take a lot longer.

[StuartLawrence]

I appreciate the help. It finally completed. It said that it found no problems with the external drive.

My External Hard Drive is a Western Digital. Should I download Data Lifeguard Diagnostic and run a check of my External Drive for issues or do you think that that's not necessary?