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Can't delete, I/O device error

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8 replies

by makennamc

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I recently reformatted an external hard drive, a 250 GB LACIE. Before reformatting, I put some files from it back onto my desktop computer, which is a Dell Dimension 8400 running XP Professional. After reformatting, I was dragging the files BACK onto my external, but one folder for some reason will not budge, when I try to go into it the computer freezes up, when I try to delete it, it says it cannot complete the operation because of an I/O device error. Also, my spyware/antivirus software cannot scan my computer because it gets to that folder and freezes. I tried downloading programs that "totally delete any file" but that wouldn't work either... I'm no computer whiz, I need help!

8 replies

by ashij

what types of files are in the folder that you are trying to delete?

what's the permission on the folder?
Try to see if all the permissions are correct.
Open Explorer, click Tool, Folder Options..
Then click on View tab and uncheck "Simple File Sharing" from the list (scroll down)
Click Apply/OK

Now right click on the folder you want to move, click on Properties -> Security (ignore any message you get right now, if any)

Then click on Advanced --> Owner
If your username is not added to the list, add it, select your username and check the box "Replace Owner ..."
Click OK twice.

If this doesn't fi the problem, then please provide further information along wit hthe exact error code.

Ash

by makennamc

The files are just a few folders with JPEG photographs inside. I did all of this, my name was on the list given though... still nothing. The exact error message I receive is: "Cannot delte IMG_2152.JPG: The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error. Is there a way to get an error code for this?

by nentech

Go to the start menu and click on run

Type this in the box

chkdsk /f
Just do what it tells you

This is Microsoft?s check disk utility
Scandisk may not fix all the problems with the hard drive

It looks like the folder is damaged and must be repaired
Check disk can do this

Good luck
Col

by makennamc

I ran the check disk and there were a lot of "File segment 64676 is unreadable" and a bunch of different (about 25) segment numbers with this same message... I'm assuming these are the corrupt files? Then it finished... and to no avail, the file is still untouchable... thank you for the suggestion, though.

by ashij

Hi!
Did you you try using the chkdsk with either the /R or /F switch?

These switches try to fix corrupted/bad sectors. Please try this or in severe case you can try some file recovery software like PC-Inspector, or TestDisk (open source)

hope this helps

by nentech

1 The hard drive is failing

So you need to back up everything (copy all your data photo docs etc to something else Dvd or flash drive etc

Then you need to test the drive
You can try to find test software on the website of the drive manufacturer
Or you can take it to a repair shop

2 The disk management system information is damaged (directory?s, folders, disk table etc)

This can be fixed by software or you can backup then format the drive set-up windows and restore your data

In both cases you need to backup everything you want to keep first

Col

by jayson.allen

you either have bad sectors on the hard drive and it can't access the information, or the other option is that the path to the files is longer than the 254 character limit imposed by the OS. I've seen AOL messenger create folders for each person that sends pictures or whatever through the program, and the path is SUPER long. When you try to access those files, it will throw up an error message about disk I/O.

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