WD 500 GB HDD mount problem!

[salix]

Hi folks;

I can not mount my WD 500 GB NTFS formatted disk anymore. It was nearly full. Problem started after deleting "FOUND.000" folder in the root directory of the disk yesterday. Neither Windows nor GNU/Linux can successfully mount my disk. CHKDSK on Windows and NTFSFIX on GNU/Linux also could not reach to success. Is there anyone having experienced such a problem and solved it?

Thank you.

root[salix]# ntfsfix /dev/sdd1
Mounting volume... ntfs_mapping_pairs_decompress() failed: Input/output error.
ntfs_mft_load(): Failed.
Failed to load $MFT: Input/output error.
Failed to startup volume: Input/output error.
FAILED
Attempting to correct errors... ntfs_mapping_pairs_decompress() failed: Input/output error.
ntfs_mft_load(): Failed.
Failed to load $MFT: Input/output error.
FAILED
Failed to startup volume: Input/output error.
Volume is corrupt. You should run chkdsk.
root[salix]#

[Vulcan]

Failed to load $MFT: Input/output error. (my bold)

You have a hardware problem - most likey to be the drive (although other hardware causes are possible - the dmesg output from when an I/O error is reported, would be needed for further analysis of this possibility) Stop trying any kind of logical recovery e.g. chkdsk / ntfsfix - these might have already further damaged the filesystem.

If you accept the risks of DIY recovery attempts (i.e. you could make things worse, or even totally unrecoverable by your actions), then making a raw clone of the drive (e.g. onto an empty drive of 500GB or larger) using software which gives control over retries and is designed to cope with unreadable sectors, is a typical DIY first step (but might kill the drive completely, if you are unlucky). Ideally use PC hardware which you are confident is working correctly to perform the clone, if you choose to do that. Search the forum for the many previous discussions about cloning, some example of cloning software, and the factors which can influence your choices.

Alternatively a good DR company will have hardware imaging equipment which may be more successful (and less risky) than you performing DIY cloning / recovery attempts. Your data; your money; your choice.