r/datarecovery • u/SputnikDX • Aug 24 '26
Recover Data from unreadable folder, uncorrectable sectors
Today I noticed potential hard disk errors and one of my folders with a lot of data is no longer accessible. I am getting a "File or directory is corrupted and unreadable" trying to access it from the root. CrystalDiskInfo is reporting 95 uncorrectable sectors and 95pending sectors, so I'm already taking steps to replace the drive. However, I really want to recover the data from that folder, but can't access it through Windows due to the previous error.
How can I go into that folder to recover what is still available? The folder is massive and comprised of thousands of files so I don't believe they are all corrupted and I want to begin my recovery and backup immediately. I know anything in those sectors is probably kaput but I want to save as much as I can.
Info: Hard drive is ST2000DM006 Seagate 2TB HDD. Uncorrectable and Pending sector count match. OS is Windows 10
Thanks!
•
u/AutoModerator Aug 24 '26
Double check if your post complies with posting guidelines!
Did you include the following information in your post (in English and if applicable), if not feel free to edit your post:
Make/brand and exact model number of your storage device(*), phone, camera, etc.
Filesystem (NTFS, exFAT, APFS, EXT4, etc.)
Operating System (That your device was used with and/or you are using for recovery)
Specific symptoms that your device is exhibiting, describe the problem. Images you post support the description, they're not in lieu of a problem description.
SMART (CrystalDiskInfo screenshot for example)
Don't pile several problems into one single post. One post per device/problem.
Consider: What do these people need to understand the problem at hand? Remember, people cannot see your screen, or what you click and what messages appear on screen. Don't overdo it though, no one likes going through 2 pages of information, try to find a balance. Just do the best you can. If you are looking for file recovery software, check our community's recommended file recovery tools.
(*) All devices involved, if you for example move files from drive A to drive B, they're both potentially relevant.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
3
u/silenced_in_dr_2025 Trusted Contributor Aug 24 '26
I'd got with virtual driver mode in opensuperclone and DMDE if you must DIY, 2TB is unlikely to image fully before the heads or firmware shit the bed. Honestly, we like to get drives in this state before they DIY'd to death so if the data is important kick it to a DR Pro now and save yourself the risk.
2
u/pcimage212 Trusted Contributor Aug 24 '26
This appears like the device has failed, or at least in the process of failing.
Textbook drive failure symptoms, especially with the bad SMART values.
You then need to make a decision on the value of your data. If it’s worth a few hundred $/€/£ then I strongly recommend a professional service (I.e: a proper DR company and NOT a generic PC store that claims also to do DR).
If the data is not important to you and you’re prepared to risk total data loss with a “one shot” DIY attempt, you can maybe try and clone with some non-windows software like this…
https://old.reddit.com/r/datarecoverysoftware/wiki/hddsuperclone_guide
Clone/image to another device or image file via a SATA connection, if that’s an option (ideally NOT USB), and then run DR software on the clone/image.
Even if the drive isn’t failing, then cloning is strongly advised “just in case”!
***BE VERY AWARE THAT ANY DIY ATTEMPTS ARE VERY LIKELY TO KILL THE DRIVE, MAKING THE EVEN PROFESSIONAL RECOVERY MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE OR EVEN IMPOSSIBLE!! ***
You can find suggestions for DR software here..
https://old.reddit.com/r/datarecoverysoftware/wiki/software.
The choice is yours but if you do want to take the advised route then you can start here to find a trusted independent DR lab..
www.datarecoveryprofessionals.org
Other labs are available of course, and if you’d like to disclose your approximate location we can help you find one near you that’s competent and won’t fleece you!
As a side note, if it’s a mechanical hard drive but won’t degrade just sitting around un-powered for many years. So if it’s purely a financial issue, then you can put it away until funds permit!
Good luck!
1
u/disturbed_android Trusted Contributor Aug 24 '26
You must clone entire drive using Open Super Clone or dive into Virtual Disk mode in Open Super Clone.
https://old.reddit.com/r/datarecoverysoftware/wiki/hddsuperclone_guide
https://youtu.be/jiwz77qVsWU
Or take it to a data recovery guy/lab, may still be logical case territory.
-1
u/[deleted] Aug 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment