Scandisk Error!

[mbaldw]

Hi All,

We have run a scandisk and it is coming up with an error saying "Scandisk has encountered a data error while reading FAT entry for cluster 180224".  Do you know what this means and how we can fix it?   Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Marc.

[saoirse]

The error is generated when a portion of the File Allocation Table is residing on a bad cluster on your hard disk.  Microsoft advises running scandisk from a bootable floppy disk and performing a complete surface scan, or recreating the FAT by formatting the hard disk (article).

In any event, you should fully analyze your drive for errors.  Locate a disk testing utility from your manufacuters website.

saoirse

[query]

Yes, test the drive - and if bad sectors show up in the manufacturer's test utility, replace it as soon as possible.

[mbaldw]

Thanks guys!   The only problem at the moment is that they have a file that they need to access on the bad sector!   Ah well, that'll teach them to back-up more often ;)   Thanks again.

Cheers,
Marc.