[Hybr!d]

If they both have problems then that's the way it is. Checkdisk will confirm.

It is perfectly plausible, they might be the same age and have been subject to the same heat/cold/stress conditions.

[romulluss]

Well..

It does happen, that drives fail.. I tis a matter of time, that's why it is important to back up the data every month, week, etc.

I am data recovery technician, and I know a few people who same as you were surprised, when one drive failed after another. It just happens !!!

I also know, that checkdisk isn't helpful and I always say to anyone, not to use it !!!!
We receive lots of drives that people ran Checkdisk, and then most of files were gone.
It is up to you, if you want to run it or not.

[Hybr!d]

You say what not to do, but don't offer what to do except stop using it, which isn't a solution is it.

[romulluss]

Actually, I do offer a sollution: brand new HDD, install a fresh copy of OS, and stop using both drives.

[Hybr!d]

Why not attempt to fix them if your only going to bin them, don't understand that logic myself. They may even be mechanically sound, just file tables errors. But until you run some tests you don't know, binning them is a bit drastic based on the symptoms.

[romulluss]

I also said, back up your data, and then do whatever you want to those 2 HDDs.
I personally, would not use them in future... but only to play with them.
Drives are too sensitive to 'trust' them..
other thing is, if the drive behaves like that, what makes you think, after you use any tools for testing the drives, it won't be behaving same again.

[Hybr!d]

The data is there and fully readable, but only by going through explore, which sounds like a windows problem, that would also explain why both drives started doing it at the same time. My guess is it's windows file corruption causing this error, possibly due to a power surge or similar. Nothing to do with the physical drives at all. A format/reinstall would probably fix it, as would a full checkdisk that will repair any Windows files. Like I said, I don't think they are faulty, the poster does not mention abnormal noises, crashing, non BIOS detection, all traits of faulty drives.

[romulluss]

Yes, you are right mate.

[dmdougie]

Yeh thats what we were just thinking, Im a student studying computing with two other tech students. I think I'm going to backup all my data and try a system reformat. I have spare drives from my old PC that can be used if it doesnt work.

Thank you both for your time and advice. I'll attempt the reformat tomorrow afternoon and will keep you informed for future referrence.

[romulluss]

Ok.. let us know the result :)

Good luck !!