Files and Folders randomly are deleted BY the Computer.

[bobbo123]

I first noticed this 2-3 years ago. Then it was files missing...Video Recordings I thought I had made but could not find. Finally locked it down a few days ago when an Entire Folder of Videos went missing. Of course, all the files within the folder are missing too. While confirming this, I sadly noticed another different Folder and Files on a DIFFERENT hard drive also went missing. It is just "as if" I am deleting entire folders in my sleep...but I suspect its some kind of software issue...or maybe hardware in some kind of controller or bus issue?

I suppose it could be a virus or destructive RAT deleting Folders and Files just for the malicious fun of it.

QUESTION: does anyone know how this can be confirmed as hardware or software???

I have read many similar questions going to Documents in the Library or accidentally deleted files and that is NOT THE ISSUE. This issue is as stated: files go missing over time.

I am in the process of creating an entire drive back up procedure but I didn't think to do this until I already had about 10 hard drives filled up...and buying and making copies of those drives is only about 50% completed...I buy 2-3 at a time when on Super Sales at New Egg. THAT should solve the problem while causing only a little bit more work BUT I'd still like to ID the problem.

Somewhat related as I thought it might be the issue, the Folders and Files are on "Data Only" hard drives used for storage and are connected variously either directly on a SATA channel or via USB External or by a USB Docking Station. I used to simply wait for a file to have been copied to the USB External Drives and then unplug them. Supposedly you can lose data that way but I've done tests of before and after and have never observed file corruptions when simply unplugging the USB drives. Nontheless...I do use the "Safely Removed External Drives" function of Win 7.

This does appear to be random over the External Hard Drives. Mostly its video files that go missing....and quite a few of them when its a Folder of a Series that goes missing. Is this a possible Windows Glitch that is kept secret...or is it more likely a hardware break down of some type? If hardware...I'd think there would be some kind of test, or some well known part that does this deleting?

Ideas? ///// Thanks.

 

[jasonkaler]

You can always do a disk scan to see if there are hardware issues.

It is more likely software though. A virus scan is always a good idea.

Also, go into windows device manager, find your drive and go to the policies tab.
Make sure the second check box "turf off windows write-cache" is not checked. This option can cause data loss.

 

[bobbo123]

Reporter:

You can always do a disk scan to see if there are hardware issues. /// Thats good for a defective hard drive....not other hardware issues (I assume as I'm just a home user). Disk scans show 100% integrity...reminds me I have never had a "bad disk scan." Course... hard to do after a head crash where I assume there would be a few?

It is more likely software though. A virus scan is always a good idea. /// I run multiple virus scans and think I have "clean" software that is kept clean by using "Shadow Defender" a virtualization program that erases all changes on each boot.

Also, go into windows device manager, find your drive and go to the policies tab.
Make sure the second check box "turf off windows write-cache" is not checked. This option can cause data loss. /// Yes, did that months ago trying to stop what was going on.

It occurred to me that the confirmation I have of this random deleting is from using Visual CD to catalogue my hard drives for off line browsing. So..right now Visual CD shows that Drive G should have Folder XYZ. This snapshot was taking Aug 28th and then the machine shut down in regular fashion and the hard drive removed from the computer. Now..6 weeks later, I connect Drive G to add files to Folder XYZ and it is totally missing. Seems to me the files/Folder goes missing on some kind of shut down glitch?..or it could be on re-using the hard drive....the only point for sure being that the Files/Folder were there during active use and could NOT have been deleted by me...as the Disk Catalogue function is the last thing done prior to system shutdown.

 

[jasonkaler]

It could be that software that syncs files removes some files for some reason.

You can tell windows to log file deletions, this will tell you exactly when a file gets deleted. may help you fin the culprit.
http://www.intelliadmin.com/index.php/2008/03/use-auditing-to-track-who-deleted-your-files/

once you spot a pattern, you can use procmon to see what is deleting files
https://blog.zensoftware.co.uk/2013/03/06/support-queries-shared-using-process-monitor-to-see-when-files-are-being-deleted/

 

[bobbo123]

Thanks Reporter...I do appreciate the continued review. I will give those links a review and try to use them....my concern as I consider it is that even if I think I know what is causing this behavior.... there really is no fix for it?

If you have a notion: would you eliminate an OS problem? I do on a gut level and think its some kind of "controller" issue...but I don't actually even know what that means.

I'll be very interested to see if my next build using all new parts and Windows 10 will stop the behavior. I plan to have complete copies of every hard drive as a back up anyway. As stated: I'm about 50% there now but NewEgg hasn't had a sale on 4TB Seagate Drives in a month or two. its good to remember this is a hobby.... and supposed to be fun?

 

[jasonkaler]

Thanks Reporter...I do appreciate the continued review. I will give those links a review and try to use them....my concern as I consider it is that even if I think I know what is causing this behavior.... there really is no fix for it?

If you have a notion: would you eliminate an OS problem? I do on a gut level and think its some kind of "controller" issue...but I don't actually even know what that means.

I'll be very interested to see if my next build using all new parts and Windows 10 will stop the behavior. I plan to have complete copies of every hard drive as a back up anyway. As stated: I'm about 50% there now but NewEgg hasn't had a sale on 4TB Seagate Drives in a month or two. its good to remember this is a hobby.... and supposed to be fun?

No problem Night Owl.
I'm pretty sure it's not an OS issue, you have some sort of software or plugin that's giving you headaches.
Good luck.