Zero File Size Files - need help to troubleshoot

[danimal]

Hi All,

I recently notice multiple files showing up on my external USB drive with zero file size.  This is really spooking me... I have been using the drive for 2 months now and I recently started to defrag with JK defrag.

Anyone seen this before?  Suggestions how to troubleshoot?

Machine: Win XP Pro SP3, 2.16Ghz HP 9440 laptop
Drive:  WD Passport 320GB USB drive
NTFS.sys Version 5.1.2600.5512

Thanks for the help!!!

             -- Dan

[Spexx]

I can assure you that it is nothing to do with JKDefrag, which does not create files. Knowing the file names and what folders they appear in on the external drive might provide a clue as to where they are coming from. It might be a better idea to seek support for this problem at http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp where you will find me and a whole bunch of other contributors who love a mystery to solve. Post up as much information there as you can, even if it seems trivial. Cheers. Spexx.

[danimal]

Spexx, thanks for the reply.

My appologies, I mislead in my original post it was a little late when I sent it out.  The files that are not new files showing up with zero file size as I described... they are existing data files I had stored on the USB drive but the file size is suddenly zero.  Word files, ppt files, exe files that I know had good content in them are changed to zero file size.  I am able to restore some of the files from backup but would like identify the cause of the problem.

The problem could be many things, I am looking for comments from other who may have seen this behavior before.

   Thannks,
        -- Dan

[Spexx]

It sounds like file corruption, but it wouldn't be the direct fault of JKDefrag because it only uses Windows to move files as required, sending appropriate commands to the Windows API. I would try running a chkdsk /f on the external drive to check for file system inconsistencies. Running any kind of defrag program on a drive with file system inconsistencies would be a problem! Hope this helps. Cheers. Spexx.

[jeroen]

Spexx is right, JkDefrag cannot be the cause of your problem. JkDefrag itself does not modify disks in any way. Basically all JkDefrag does is send "move this file to that location" commands to the Windows defragmentation API. And this API has proven to be extremely solid and I have never seen the API to make a file zero size, I think it is technically impossible.

Could your problem be a Windows permission problem? Perhaps the userid you were using when making the copies did not have enough permissions to read the files. Or perhaps the userid you are using now to read the files back does not have enough permissions.

[danimal]

Thanks everyone.

I am not sure about the file permissions, it is a good suggestion, I have not thought about.  I have never had a problem with file access due to this in the past but that may not rule it out.

I am monitoring the files closely now and have not seen the problem again.  In the past i put my computer into sleep mode at times without unmounting/ejecting the USB drive.  I have always had the policies of the drive set for "quick removal" to force data to be transferred to disk immediately.  Now i make a point to unmount the drive prior to sleep or shutdown.  One thing i noticed is sometimes i could not eject the USB drive due to other processes using the drive error message (message "The device 'Generic Volume' cannot be stopped right now").  The trick was how to find what process was using the drive.  I have learned that the Unlocker application (Cedrick Collomb ccollomb.free.fr) does a great job identifying the processes that have their fingers on the drive to kill them.

          -- Dan

[Spexx]

You had the write-behind cache disabled (correctly IMHO) so I don't expect that was actually the problem. However, adopting safe-handling practice as you have done is a good idea nevertheless. One tip about external drives is that they are usually formatted by default as the FAT32 file system, in which it is not possible for folders to be moved and this can be a problem when it comes to defrag and optimization. There is also a limit on maximum file size of 4 Gb. Converting them to NTFS is always a good idea and is a painless process using convert.exe http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307881 Hope this helps. Incidentally, Unlocker is a great little tool isn't it? Cheers. Spexx.

[danimal]

Thanks again Spexx, yes the first thing i did was convert FAT to NTFS prior to using the drive.

  For completeness, here is the response that I received from Western Digital support group at WD.com on this topic.
Drive testing was done with no problems found.  I am monitoring the situation still, i don't plan on deleting the current partition at this time.

        -- Dan


"Its likely a corrupted partition, you will want to backup any data currently on the device and re-create the partition.
You will want to use Disk Management to Delete the current partition and then create a new one using the unallocated space.
Answer Title: How to install, partition, and format an external hard drive in Windows XP and Vista.
Answer Link: http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=207&p_created=1008908212
You will want to test the drive for problems using our Diagnostic software.
Answer Title: How to test a drive for problems using Windows Data Lifeguard Diagnostics.
Answer Link: http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=940&p_created=1049813869
Also be sure your drive is on a cable that is shorter than 22 inches."

[RJARRRPCGP]

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