Corrupt sectors of hard drive

[Lyssa]

Hopefully someone here can assist me with this.

I have an external hard drive which is about 3 years old. Recently I've noticed an increasing number of files that aren't playable. Usually the only thing I can do is delete the offending file--moving it isn't an option. Each time my hard drive reaches one of these corrupt files, it starts knocking.

Is there any way I can reformat the drive and isolate the corrupt areas? I can very easily back up my data so that isn't a problem.

Edit: suppose I should mention it's currently formatted in OS X (a macintosh format)

~Lyssa

[Rayquaza2233]

I'm not a pro, but I suggest disk defragmentation.

[Bacon]

I'm not really sure what you're asking. Are you trying to fix the drive? If so, then just back up the data you have in the external drive, and reformat the external drive, which isn't very hard. Reformatting should get rid of the corrupted sectors, assuming that the program isn't that the hard drive is just failing.

[Lyssa]

I wasn't sure if a reformat was the right thing to do here. Also, I'm not sure if a reformat will fix things--the knocking sound the drive makes is none too reassuring--and I won't be buying a new external drive for another month or so. I don't want the one I have to be completely useless to me if it can't be reformatted.

~Lyssa

[Yoorah]

If it's making that noise, the disk is probably screwed up physically. Don't store anything on it that you can't afford to lose. There are software tools that will scan the disk surface for errors, and mark any bad sectors to prevent files from being stored there, hence preventing file corruption. I don't know much about OS X, but this appears to be one such tool: http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?path=Mac/10.4/en/mh12.html

[Bacon]

I wasn't sure if a reformat was the right thing to do here. Also, I'm not sure if a reformat will fix things--the knocking sound the drive makes is none too reassuring--and I won't be buying a new external drive for another month or so. I don't want the one I have to be completely useless to me if it can't be reformatted.

~Lyssa
If the drive is messed up physically, there is nothing you can do about it. There are no programs out there that can fix a drive if it's on the verge of breaking anyway. The only programs out there are those that can fix corrupted disks, which is usually messed up data that you want to revive.

Nothing can be done for a drive that's going to break. Sorry Lyssa, you'll just have to get a new drive.

[Lyssa]

Could the knocking sound it makes be caused by corrupt sections or is it a definite indication that it's physically damaged? I'm leaning towards believing it's physically damaged, but I'm really not sure.

~Lyssa

[Bacon]

Could the knocking sound it makes be caused by corrupt sections or is it a definite indication that it's physically damaged? I'm leaning towards believing it's physically damaged, but I'm really not sure.

~Lyssa
I doubt that would be caused by corrupt sectors. You see, corrupt sectors are basically messed up portions inside the hard drive which has has its data scrambled around. That's pretty easy to fix because you just need to replace that data with clean data. Having corrupt data sectors inside the drive should have no affect on noise. The noise you hear is probably the hard drive reader (that little pin you see) being worn out and loose. If that pin is unable to contact the surface of the hard drive correctly, you'll have problems reading the data.

The only way to fix this is to replace the pin (which isn't worth it) or get a new external drive.

[Cardboardsnail]

Backup your files to another hard drive/external hard drive.
Now.

Your drive sounds like it's breaking physically.

[Lyssa]

Yeah, I'm backing them up right now. Only a few things on there are truly irreplaceable, and I have copies of those on several computers. Hopefully I'll be able to avoid the hassle of re-downloading much.

Should I bother reformatting or just wait for this thing to croak?

~Lyssa

[Bacon]

Reformatting is up to you. Since you're using a Mac, it's not that hard, and doesn't take much time. Might as well do it if you're hoping to use it a bit longer. Just try not to put anything important on the drive.

Even with some broken features, it takes quite a while before hard drives croak.

[Lyssa]

Alrighty. I'll reformat once I've got everything backed up (and noted which files are damaged so I can get new copies). Considering this external drive took quite the tumble shortly after I purchased it (while powered on it fell from a table to the concrete floor two feet below >.>) I'm rather surprised it's still in decent condition.

I'll buy a new external drive once school starts this fall. Here's hoping this one holds out till then!

Thanks for your help guys :]

~Lyssa

[Idiotversion]

The hard drive is dieing, there is nothing you can do about it. Don't even bother reformatting, you will just have the same problem. Instead, go look for a new hard drive as you probably don't have much time before this drive is not usable.

Ah, did not see the second page. Oh well, it looks like you figured it out anyway.