Lost clusters

computer freezes, I force restarting, and ScanDisk show there is

'There were 31 lost clusters in 2 chains. ScanDisk reclaimed the lost
clusters as free space.'

I noticed that the amount of lost clusters increases compare with previous
ScanDisk reports.
(10 lost clusters in 2 chains, one lost cluster, etc).
Does the lost clusters reflects a hard disk condition, more lost clusters
means more losses of data? And which data has been lost, the data that was
in active programs opened before pc freezes or any old data stored anywhere
on PC?

thanks.

 

tempest wrote:
> computer freezes, I force restarting, and ScanDisk show there is
>
> 'There were 31 lost clusters in 2 chains. ScanDisk reclaimed the lost
> clusters as free space.'
>
> I noticed that the amount of lost clusters increases compare with previous
> ScanDisk reports.
> (10 lost clusters in 2 chains, one lost cluster, etc).
> Does the lost clusters reflects a hard disk condition, more lost clusters
> means more losses of data? And which data has been lost, the data that was
> in active programs opened before pc freezes or any old data stored anywhere
> on PC?
>
> thanks.
>


Since the amount of bad clusters is increasing each time, it definitely
means your harddrive is failing

Be sure to back up all your important data at once
and replace your drive.

Your drive could fail completely at any time!

 

The clusters were 'lost' because a file system update operation failed
before it was completed. This could be because of an error in the program
or the operating system, or perhaps some hardware problem. The number of
clusters lost indicates how many files were affected, or how large the
affected files were, and, of course, the number of occasions on which an
error occurred. It is not possible to draw real conclusions from that
number without knowing the exact circumstances of the error.

In your case, if all the lost clusters were the result of the most recent
system freeze (which might not be the case) then the 2 chains probably means
that there were two files open at the time. That might be two applications,
or two files from one application (for instance, your current document and
the backup that was being created).

The number of clusters indicates how much data was lost.

Losing clusters does NOT tell you that the disk is faulty. However, the
freezing that caused the problem to occur may indicate that there is a
hardware problem, and that hardware problem may be related to the disk. It
could also be related to memory, power supply, overheating, or a number of
other things. If you regularly lose clusters when you have to illegally
shut down, that creates some suspicion for the disk or the disk controller.

You should get some disk drive diagnostic software from your hard disk drive
manufacturer and run an extended test. You should also run a memory
diagnostic, and check that all your fans are working, the cabinet and vents
are free of dust, cables are in good condition and connectors are firmly
pushed home.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"tempest" <tempest@nospam.microsoft.news> wrote in message
news:ujZSw9DzJHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> computer freezes, I force restarting, and ScanDisk show there is
>
> 'There were 31 lost clusters in 2 chains. ScanDisk reclaimed the lost
> clusters as free space.'
>
> I noticed that the amount of lost clusters increases compare with previous
> ScanDisk reports.
> (10 lost clusters in 2 chains, one lost cluster, etc).
> Does the lost clusters reflects a hard disk condition, more lost clusters
> means more losses of data? And which data has been lost, the data that was
> in active programs opened before pc freezes or any old data stored
> anywhere
> on PC?
>
> thanks.
>

 

Lost clusters are a file system error. In this case it is as a result of
the illegal shutdown. There is no evidence of a hard disk drive failure.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"philo" <philo@privacy.invalid> wrote in message
news:gtl6rv$l1f$2@news.motzarella.org...
> snip <
>
> Since the amount of bad clusters is increasing each time, it definitely
> means your harddrive is failing
>
> Be sure to back up all your important data at once
> and replace your drive.
>
> Your drive could fail completely at any time!

 

Jeff Richards wrote:
> Lost clusters are a file system error. In this case it is as a result of
> the illegal shutdown. There is no evidence of a hard disk drive failure.



First off...to the OP:

To confirm whether or not the hard drive is bad. Go to the website of
the HD's mfg and download their diagnostic and run it. If it finds any
problems, then the drive is defective and must be replaced.

Please run the diagnostic and post back with the results .

To Jeff:

You have given potentially dangerous advice here as the OP specifically
stated that the number of lost clusters is *increasing*. That's a very
strong indication of a failing drive. Additionally, the reason the
machine is always freezing up is probably do to hard drive degradation.

Though the most probable problem is the HD===>

Of course it would not be a bad idea to run a RAM test and check all the
cooling fans (to make sure there is not an over-heating problem).

 

The number of lost clusters occurring as a result of an illegal shutdown is
entirely a function of the file system activity at the time that the
freezing occurs. It does not in any way indicate the condition of the
drive.

You might be thinking of bad clusters, which is an entirely different thing,
but which would definitely indicate a failing drive if it was to increase
over a period of time..
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"philo" <philo@privacy.invalid> wrote in message
news:gtmivn$mnn$1@news.motzarella.org...
> Jeff Richards wrote:
>> Lost clusters are a file system error. In this case it is as a result of
>> the illegal shutdown. There is no evidence of a hard disk drive failure.
>
>
>
> First off...to the OP:
>
> To confirm whether or not the hard drive is bad. Go to the website of the
> HD's mfg and download their diagnostic and run it. If it finds any
> problems, then the drive is defective and must be replaced.
>
> Please run the diagnostic and post back with the results .
>
> To Jeff:
>
> You have given potentially dangerous advice here as the OP specifically
> stated that the number of lost clusters is *increasing*. That's a very
> strong indication of a failing drive. Additionally, the reason the machine
> is always freezing up is probably do to hard drive degradation.
>
> Though the most probable problem is the HD===>
>
> Of course it would not be a bad idea to run a RAM test and check all the
> cooling fans (to make sure there is not an over-heating problem).
>
>

 

Jeff Richards wrote:
> The number of lost clusters occurring as a result of an illegal shutdown is
> entirely a function of the file system activity at the time that the
> freezing occurs. It does not in any way indicate the condition of the
> drive.
>
> You might be thinking of bad clusters, which is an entirely different thing,
> but which would definitely indicate a failing drive if it was to increase
> over a period of time..


I might very well have "jumped the gun" as indeed
I was thinking "bad clusters".
But running a HD diagnostic and RAM test
plus checking for proper cooling are in order to help narrow down
the exact cause of the problem.

 

On Mon, 4 May 2009 01:39:09 +0300, "tempest"
<tempest@nospam.microsoft.news> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>computer freezes, I force restarting, and ScanDisk show there is
>
>'There were 31 lost clusters in 2 chains. ScanDisk reclaimed the lost
>clusters as free space.'
>
>I noticed that the amount of lost clusters increases compare with previous
>ScanDisk reports.
>(10 lost clusters in 2 chains, one lost cluster, etc).
>Does the lost clusters reflects a hard disk condition, more lost clusters
>means more losses of data? And which data has been lost, the data that was
>in active programs opened before pc freezes or any old data stored anywhere
>on PC?
>
>thanks.

Allow Scandisk to save the lost clusters to files. Each chain will
produce a file of the type FILEnnnn.CHK. You can then use an editor to
view the .CHK files. You may recognise bits of data that you were
working on prior to the crash.

If you suspect that a hardware fault is causing your freezes, then run
a RAM test and HDD test as suggested elsewhere.

A good memory test is Memtest86+/Memtest86:
http://www.memtest.org/ (Memtest86+)
http://www.memtest86.com/ (Memtest86)

To test your HD, you can use the manufacturer's diagnostic or you
could use a SMART tool such as HD Sentinel:
http://www.hdsentinel.com/dl.php

Everest Home Edition can also test your drive:
http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

 

"Jeff Richards" <JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote in message
news:%23M%23yN$GzJHA.6004@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> The clusters were 'lost' because a file system update operation failed
> before it was completed. This could be because of an error in the program
> or the operating system, or perhaps some hardware problem. The number of
> clusters lost indicates how many files were affected, or how large the
> affected files were, and, of course, the number of occasions on which an
> error occurred. It is not possible to draw real conclusions from that
> number without knowing the exact circumstances of the error.
>
> In your case, if all the lost clusters were the result of the most recent
> system freeze (which might not be the case) then the 2 chains probably
> means that there were two files open at the time. That might be two
> applications, or two files from one application (for instance, your
> current document and the backup that was being created).
>
> The number of clusters indicates how much data was lost.
>
> Losing clusters does NOT tell you that the disk is faulty. However, the
> freezing that caused the problem to occur may indicate that there is a
> hardware problem, and that hardware problem may be related to the disk.
> It could also be related to memory, power supply, overheating, or a number
> of other things. If you regularly lose clusters when you have to
> illegally shut down, that creates some suspicion for the disk or the disk
> controller.
>
> You should get some disk drive diagnostic software from your hard disk
> drive manufacturer and run an extended test. You should also run a memory
> diagnostic, and check that all your fans are working, the cabinet and
> vents are free of dust, cables are in good condition and connectors are
> firmly pushed home.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
> "tempest" <tempest@nospam.microsoft.news> wrote in message
> news:ujZSw9DzJHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> computer freezes, I force restarting, and ScanDisk show there is
>>
>> 'There were 31 lost clusters in 2 chains. ScanDisk reclaimed the lost
>> clusters as free space.'
>>
>> I noticed that the amount of lost clusters increases compare with
>> previous
>> ScanDisk reports.
>> (10 lost clusters in 2 chains, one lost cluster, etc).
>> Does the lost clusters reflects a hard disk condition, more lost clusters
>> means more losses of data? And which data has been lost, the data that
>> was
>> in active programs opened before pc freezes or any old data stored
>> anywhere
>> on PC?
>>
>> thanks.
------------

I use Firefox, it use many system resources(especially on old PIII with
win98). When I have opened two or more tabs, and some other program, like
Outlook, etc, Firefox sometimes freezes, so I restart PC. I recently had a
same problem, Firefox freezes and after rebooting I checked ScanDisk log,
there was 2 lost clusters in 2 chains. So, it seems that these lost
clusters do not increase constantly, and most likely lost clusters is the
result of the application freeze, I think. I have Everest Home Edition, will
try test HDD. I have only 1,9Gb free space from 20Gb hard drive. Dont know
does it make sense run disk defragmenter, because it probably will not work
due very small free space.

Thanks.

 

If the freezing only happens when you are browsing then it is possible that
the browser is causing the error, or that there is some problem with your
network connection. How frozen is it? For instance, can you still change
the Caps Lock light on the keyboard? Does Ctrl+Alt+Del still work, is there
any visible disk activity, can you Alt+Tab to other applications?

If the problem appears to be related to the application rather than to the
system as a whole, it is possible that there is a forum somewhere that is
applicable to your browser where the specifics of that application could be
discussed in detail.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
"tempest" <tempest@nospam.microsoft.news> wrote in message
news:ez%23I7mYzJHA.1712@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
> "Jeff Richards" <JRichards@msn.com.au> wrote in message
> news:%23M%23yN$GzJHA.6004@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> The clusters were 'lost' because a file system update operation failed
>> before it was completed. This could be because of an error in the
>> program or the operating system, or perhaps some hardware problem. The
>> number of clusters lost indicates how many files were affected, or how
>> large the affected files were, and, of course, the number of occasions on
>> which an error occurred. It is not possible to draw real conclusions
>> from that number without knowing the exact circumstances of the error.
>>
>> In your case, if all the lost clusters were the result of the most recent
>> system freeze (which might not be the case) then the 2 chains probably
>> means that there were two files open at the time. That might be two
>> applications, or two files from one application (for instance, your
>> current document and the backup that was being created).
>>
>> The number of clusters indicates how much data was lost.
>>
>> Losing clusters does NOT tell you that the disk is faulty. However, the
>> freezing that caused the problem to occur may indicate that there is a
>> hardware problem, and that hardware problem may be related to the disk.
>> It could also be related to memory, power supply, overheating, or a
>> number of other things. If you regularly lose clusters when you have to
>> illegally shut down, that creates some suspicion for the disk or the disk
>> controller.
>>
>> You should get some disk drive diagnostic software from your hard disk
>> drive manufacturer and run an extended test. You should also run a
>> memory diagnostic, and check that all your fans are working, the cabinet
>> and vents are free of dust, cables are in good condition and connectors
>> are firmly pushed home.
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
>> "tempest" <tempest@nospam.microsoft.news> wrote in message
>> news:ujZSw9DzJHA.5032@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> computer freezes, I force restarting, and ScanDisk show there is
>>>
>>> 'There were 31 lost clusters in 2 chains. ScanDisk reclaimed the lost
>>> clusters as free space.'
>>>
>>> I noticed that the amount of lost clusters increases compare with
>>> previous
>>> ScanDisk reports.
>>> (10 lost clusters in 2 chains, one lost cluster, etc).
>>> Does the lost clusters reflects a hard disk condition, more lost
>>> clusters
>>> means more losses of data? And which data has been lost, the data that
>>> was
>>> in active programs opened before pc freezes or any old data stored
>>> anywhere
>>> on PC?
>>>
>>> thanks.
> ------------
>
> I use Firefox, it use many system resources(especially on old PIII with
> win98). When I have opened two or more tabs, and some other program, like
> Outlook, etc, Firefox sometimes freezes, so I restart PC. I recently had
> a same problem, Firefox freezes and after rebooting I checked ScanDisk
> log, there was 2 lost clusters in 2 chains. So, it seems that these lost
> clusters do not increase constantly, and most likely lost clusters is the
> result of the application freeze, I think. I have Everest Home Edition,
> will try test HDD. I have only 1,9Gb free space from 20Gb hard drive. Dont
> know does it make sense run disk defragmenter, because it probably will
> not work due very small free space.
>
> Thanks.