How to handle defective sectors

[UEZ]

Is it possible to create a file which is not 0 KB over defective sectors?

I got a 2.5" HD which has a lot of defective sectors and when I create a file over the defective

sector then the file will be 0 KB!

Any idea how to create a file which is not 0 KB?

Thanks,

UEZ

[UEZ]

The idea was to replace the defective sectors with dummy files.

Here the code:

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#AutoIt3Wrapper_UseX64=n
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_Description=Defect Sector Replacer by (c) UEZ 2008
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_Fileversion=1.0.0.0
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_Language=1033
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_LegalCopyright=UEZ 2008
#AutoIt3Wrapper_res_requestedExecutionLevel=requireAdministrator
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#AutoIt3Wrapper_Run_Obfuscator=y
#Obfuscator_Parameters=/so
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Res_SaveSource=n
#AutoIt3Wrapper_UseUpx=n
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Change2CUI=n
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Run_After=upx.exe --best "%out%"
#AutoIt3Wrapper_Run_After=del /f /q "Defect Sector Replacer_Obfuscated.au3"

#include <Array.au3>
#include <ButtonConstants.au3>
#include <ComboConstants.au3>
#include <Date.au3>
#include <EditConstants.au3>
#include <GUIConstantsEx.au3>
#include <GuiStatusBar.au3>
#include <ProgressConstants.au3>
#include <StaticConstants.au3>
#include <WindowsConstants.au3>

Global $version = "0.50 Beta Build 2009-01-02"
Global $GUI = GUICreate("DSR by UEZ (c) 2009 v" & $version, 492, 341, -1, -1, BitOR($WS_SYSMENU,$WS_CAPTION,$WS_POPUP,$WS_POPUPWINDOW,$WS_BORDER,$WS_CLIPSIBLINGS))
Global $Label4 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("Defect Sector Replacer", 49, 4, 393, 53)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 32, 400, 4, "Times New Roman")
Global $Statusbar_Parts[2] = [22, -1] ;set position of the statusbar parts
Global $Statusbar_Icon = _WinAPI_LoadShell32Icon(2) ;set icon in the status bar
Global $StatusBar = _GUICtrlStatusBar_Create($GUI)
_GUICtrlStatusBar_SetParts($StatusBar, $Statusbar_Parts)
_GUICtrlStatusBar_SetIcon($StatusBar, 0, $Statusbar_Icon)
Global $Progress = GUICtrlCreateProgress(1, 280, 490, 17)
Global $Start_Button = GUICtrlCreateButton("Start", 16, 240, 75, 25, 0)
Global $Abort_Button = GUICtrlCreateButton("Abort", 104, 240, 75, 25, 0)
GUICtrlSetTip($Abort_Button, "You can press the Abort button during run process but you need to wait sometimes some seconds until it will abort ;-)")
GUICtrlSetState($Abort_Button, $GUI_DISABLE)
Global $Exit_Button = GUICtrlCreateButton("Exit", 400, 240, 75, 25, 0)
Global $Combo = GUICtrlCreateCombo("", 114, 96, 76, 25)
GUICtrlSetTip($Combo, "Please select drive where the dummy files will be created into folder DSR.")
Global $Label1 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("Select drive:", 24, 96, 90, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Label2 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("MB free space on drive", 304, 96, 166, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Output1 = GUICtrlCreateInput("", 200, 96, 100, 21, BitOR($ES_CENTER, $ES_AUTOHSCROLL, $ES_READONLY))
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 8, 800, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Label3 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("Enter file size to be created on disk:", 24, 140, 255, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Input1 = GUICtrlCreateInput("1024", 280, 140, 81, 21, BitOR($ES_CENTER, $ES_AUTOHSCROLL))
GUICtrlSetTip($Input1, "Please enter a valid integer number for dummy file size in kilo bytes (kb). Default is 1024 kb")
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 8, 800, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Label5 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("KB", 365, 140, 25, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Label6 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("Amount of files:", 24, 184, 114, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Output2 = GUICtrlCreateInput("", 138, 184, 81, 21, BitOR($ES_CENTER, $ES_AUTOHSCROLL, $ES_READONLY))
GUICtrlSetTip($Output2, "This shows the amount of files which will be created on disk.")
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 8, 800, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Label7 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("Rest:", 246, 184, 42, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Output3 = GUICtrlCreateInput("", 288, 184, 81, 21, BitOR($ES_CENTER, $ES_AUTOHSCROLL, $ES_READONLY))
GUICtrlSetTip($Output3, "This shows the rest of free disk space where an extra dummy file will be created.")
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 8, 800, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Label8 = GUICtrlCreateLabel("KB", 374, 184, 25, 24)
GUICtrlSetFont(-1, 12, 400, 0, "MS Sans Serif")
Global $Settings = GUICtrlCreateGroup("Information", 16, 72, 457, 153)
GUICtrlCreateGroup("", -99, -99, 1, 1)
Global $MenuItem1 = GUICtrlCreateMenu("?")
Global $MenuItem2 = GUICtrlCreateMenuItem("About", $MenuItem1, -1 , 1)
Global $drive_letter = ""
Global $abort, $deep_scan = 0
Dim $arrDrives[1]
$arrDrives = StringSplit(Local_Disks(), ",") ;read all local fixed drives and split drive names to array
If UBound($arrDrives) - 1 = 1 Then
    MsgBox(16, "ERROR!", "An error has occured. Cannot get local fixed drives!" & @CRLF & @CRLF & "Aborting... :-(")
    Exit
EndIf
For $i = 1 To UBound($arrDrives) -1
    $drive_letter &= $arrDrives[$i] & "|" ;read drive letters with delimeter
Next
$drive_letter = StringLeft($drive_letter, StringLen($drive_letter) -1) ;remove last delimeter
GUICtrlSetData($Combo, $drive_letter, $arrDrives[1]) ;set 1st drive letters to combo box
Global $Drive_Space = DriveSpaceFree(StringLeft($arrDrives[1], 2))
GUICtrlSetData($Output1, Round($Drive_Space, 2))
Global $amount_of_files = Int($Drive_Space * 1024 / GUICtrlRead($Input1)) ;calculate amount of files
GUICtrlSetData($Output2, $amount_of_files)
Global $rest = ($Drive_Space * 1024) - ($amount_of_files * GUICtrlRead($Input1)) ;calculate the rest in KB
GUICtrlSetData($Output3, $rest)
GUISetState(@SW_SHOW, $GUI)
_GUICtrlStatusBar_Resize($StatusBar) ;set status bar
_GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Ready", 1)

While 1
    Global $nMsg = GUIGetMsg()
    Switch $nMsg
        Case $GUI_EVENT_CLOSE
            AdlibUnRegister()
            GUIDelete()
            Exit
        Case $Start_Button
            GUICtrlSetState($Start_Button, $GUI_DISABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Exit_Button, $GUI_DISABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Input1, $GUI_DISABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Combo, $GUI_DISABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($MenuItem2, $GUI_DISABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Abort_Button, $GUI_ENABLE)
            AdlibRegister("Abort_Check")
            Create_Files()
            Sleep(3000)
            If Not $abort Then Test_Files()
            AdlibUnRegister()
            GUICtrlSetState($Start_Button, $GUI_ENABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Exit_Button, $GUI_ENABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Input1, $GUI_ENABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Combo, $GUI_ENABLE)
            GUICtrlSetState($Abort_Button, $GUI_DISABLE)
            MsgBox(0, "Finished", "Done!")
        Case $Exit_Button
            AdlibUnRegister()
            GUIDelete()
            Exit
        Case $Combo
            GUICtrlSetData($Output1, Round(DriveSpaceFree(StringLeft(GUICtrlRead($Combo), 2)), 2))
            Refresh_Values()
        Case $Input1
            If GUICtrlRead($Input1) <= 0 Then GUICtrlSetData($Input1, 1)
            If GUICtrlRead($Input1) / 1024 >= DriveSpaceFree(StringLeft(GUICtrlRead($Combo), 2)) Then GUICtrlSetData($Input1, DriveSpaceFree(StringLeft(GUICtrlRead($Combo), 2)) * 1024)
            If StringIsInt(GUICtrlRead($Input1)) = 1 Then
                Refresh_Values()
            Else
                MsgBox(16, "ERROR!", "Please enter a number (integer)!")
                GUICtrlSetData($Input1, 1)
            EndIf
        Case $MenuItem2
            MsgBox(0, "Information", "Written by UEZ using AutoIt ;-)", 10)
    EndSwitch
WEnd

Func Refresh_Values() ;refresh GUI values
    $Drive_Space = DriveSpaceFree(StringLeft(GUICtrlRead($Combo), 2))
    If $Drive_Space = 0 Then ;disable Start button if no space is left on drive
        GUICtrlSetState($Start_Button, $GUI_DISABLE)
    Else
        GUICtrlSetState($Start_Button, $GUI_ENABLE)
    EndIf
    GUICtrlSetData($Output1, Round($Drive_Space, 2))
    $amount_of_files = Int($Drive_Space * 1024 / GUICtrlRead($Input1))
    GUICtrlSetData($Output2, $amount_of_files)
    GUICtrlSetData($Output3, ($Drive_Space * 1024) - ($amount_of_files * GUICtrlRead($Input1)))
EndFunc

Func Local_Disks() ;get all local connected disks via WMI
    Local $system = "Localhost"
    Local $objWMIService = ObjGet("winmgmts:{impersonationLevel = impersonate}!\\" & $system & "\root\cimv2")
    Local $colItems = $objWMIService.ExecQuery("SELECT Description, DeviceID, FileSystem From Win32_LogicalDisk Where DriveType=3", "WQL", 0x30)
    Local $Local_Disks = ""
    If IsObj($colItems) Then
        For $objItem In $colItems
            $Local_Disks &= $objItem.DeviceID & " (" & $objItem.FileSystem & "),"
        Next
    EndIf
    Return $Local_Disks
EndFunc

Func Sec_2_Time_Format($time) ;convert seconds to hh:mm:ss format
    $sec = Mod($time, 60)
    If $sec < 10 Then $sec = "0" & $sec
    $min = Mod(Int($time / 60), 60)
    If $min < 10 Then $min = "0" & $min
    $hr = Int($time / 60^2)
    If $hr < 10 Then $hr = "0" & $hr
    Return $hr & ":" & $min & ":" & $sec
EndFunc

Func Abort_Check() ;check Abort button; this will be called with Adlib functionality
    $msg = GUIGetMsg()
    Select
            Case $msg = $Abort_Button
                $abort = 1
                GUICtrlSetState($Start_Button, $GUI_ENABLE)
                GUICtrlSetState($Exit_Button, $GUI_ENABLE)
                GUICtrlSetState($Input1, $GUI_ENABLE)
                GUICtrlSetState($Combo, $GUI_ENABLE)
                GUICtrlSetState($MenuItem2, $GUI_ENABLE)
                GUICtrlSetState($Abort_Button, $GUI_DISABLE)
;~              AdlibUnRegister()
        EndSelect
EndFunc

Func Create_Files() ;create files
    Local $i, $j, $k, $file_handle, $file_handle_rest, $drive, $filename, $suffix, $size, $start_time, $duration, $elapsed, $interrupted, $speed, $random_string, $write_string, $part
    $drive = StringLeft(GUICtrlRead($Combo), 2)
    $filename = $drive & "\DSR"
    $suffix = ".txt"
    $size = GUICtrlRead($Input1) * 1024
    _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Creating buffer of " & $size & " bytes for file write process...Please wait!", 1) ;set statusbar information
    $write_string = ""
    For $j = 1 To $size ;create string which will be written to each file
        $write_string &= "x"
    Next
    $part = 1
    If DriveSpaceFree($drive) * 1024^2 = 0 Then $part = 0
    $start_time = _NowCalc()
    _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Elapsed: 0 sec.", 1) ;set statusbar information
    $abort = 0
    $interrupted = 0
    For $i = 1 To $amount_of_files
        If FileExists($filename & $i & $suffix) Then
            $random_string = ""
            For $k = 1 To 4
                $random_string &= Random(97, 122, 1)
            Next
            $file_handle = FileOpen($filename & $i & "_" & $random_string & $suffix, 1 + 8)
        Else
            $file_handle = FileOpen($filename & $i & $suffix, 1 + 8)
        EndIf
        FileWrite($file_handle, $write_string)
        Sleep(10) ;to reduce CPU load
        If $abort = 1 Then
            FileClose($file_handle)
            _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Aborted!", 1)
            GUICtrlSetData($Progress, 0)
            $interrupted = 1
            ExitLoop
        EndIf
        $elapsed = _DateDiff('s', $start_time ,_NowCalc())
        $duration = Round($elapsed / $i * $amount_of_files, 0)
        $speed = Round($i * $size / ($elapsed * 1024), 0)
        _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Elapsed: " & $elapsed & " sec. Est. duration: " & $duration & " sec. (" & Sec_2_Time_Format($duration) & ") ~" & $speed & " kb/s: " & $i & "/" & $amount_of_files + $part & " ~" & Round($i / ($amount_of_files + $part ) * 100, 2) & "%", 1) ;set statusbar information
        GUICtrlSetData($Progress, ($i / $amount_of_files) * 100)
        FileClose($file_handle)
    Next
    ReduceMemory()
    If Not $interrupted Then
        GUICtrlSetData($Progress, 0)
        $rest = DriveSpaceFree($drive) * 1024^2
        If $rest > 0 And $rest < GUICtrlRead($Input1) * 1024 Then
            _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Creating the rest (" & $rest & " bytes)...", 1)
            If FileExists($filename & $i & $suffix) Then
                ;FileDelete($filename & $i & $suffix)
                $random_string = ""
                For $k = 1 To 4
                    $random_string &= Random(97, 122, 1)
                Next
                $file_handle_rest = FileOpen($filename & $i & "_" & $random_string & $suffix, 1 + 8)
            Else
                $file_handle_rest = FileOpen($filename & $i & $suffix, 1 + 8)
            EndIf
            $write_string = ""
            For $j = 1 To $rest ;create string which will be written to each file
                $write_string &= "x"
            Next
            FileWrite($file_handle_rest, $write_string)
            FileClose($file_handle_rest)
        EndIf
        _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Done. All files have been created!", 1)
;~      $rest = DriveSpaceFree($drive) * 1024^2
;~      If Not $interrupted Then
;~          MsgBox(0, "Test", "Finished. Rest = " & $rest & " bytes")
;~      EndIf
    Else
        _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Aborted!", 1)
    EndIf
    Refresh_Values()
    GUICtrlSetData($Progress, 0)
    ReduceMemory()
EndFunc

Func Test_Files()
    Local $c, $search, $file, $file_check, $file_size, $char, $drive, $search_name, $suffix, $corrupt, $temp, $size, $file_counter, $x, $amount_of_corrupt_files, $rest
    $drive = StringLeft(GUICtrlRead($Combo), 2) & "\"
    $suffix = ".txt"
    $search_name = $drive & "DSR*" & $suffix
    $file_counter = Amount_of_Files($search_name)
    $search = FileFindFirstFile($search_name)
    $size = GUICtrlRead($Input1) * 1024
    If $search <> -1 Then
        GUICtrlSetData($Progress, 0)
        $x = 0
        $amount_of_corrupt_files = 0
        _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Searching for corrupt files...", 1)
        While $abort = 0
            $file = FileFindNextFile($search)
            If @error Then ExitLoop
;~          ConsoleWrite("File: " & $file & @CRLF)
            $corrupt = 0
            $file_size = FileGetSize ($drive & $file)
            $file_check = FileOpen($drive & $file, 0)
            If $deep_scan Then
                $c = 0
                While 1
                    $char = FileRead($drive & $file, 1)
                    If @error = -1 Then ExitLoop
                    If $char <> "x" Then
                        $corrupt = 1
                        $amount_of_corrupt_files += 1
                        ExitLoop
                    EndIf
                    $c += 1
                WEnd
                FileClose($file_check)
                If $corrupt = 0 And $c = $file_size Then FileDelete($drive & $file)
            Else
                $temp = FileRead($file_check)
                If @error > 0 Or $file_size = 0 Then
                    $corrupt = 1
                    $amount_of_corrupt_files += 1
                EndIf
                FileClose($file_check)
                If $corrupt = 0 And $file_size > 0 Then ;$file_size = $size Or $file_size = $rest
                    FileDelete($drive & $file)
                EndIf
            EndIf
            $x += 1
            GUICtrlSetData($Progress, $x / $file_counter * 100)
            _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Searching for corrupt files - normal scan: " & $x & " / " & $file_counter & " ~" & Round($x / $file_counter * 100, 2) & "%", 1)
            Sleep(10)
        WEnd
    EndIf
    FileClose($search)
    GUICtrlSetData($Progress, 0)
    If $abort = 0 Then
        _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Done. Found " & $amount_of_corrupt_files & " on " & $drive & " !", 1)
    Else
        _GUICtrlStatusBar_SetText($StatusBar, "Aborted!", 1)
    EndIf
    Refresh_Values()
EndFunc

Func Amount_of_Files ($path)
    Local $search = FileFindFirstFile($path), $z, $file
    If $search <> -1 Then
        $z = 0
        While 1
            $file = FileFindNextFile($search)
            If @error Then ExitLoop
            $z += 1
        WEnd
    Else
        $z = 0
    EndIf
    Return $z
EndFunc

; Reduce memory usage
; Author wOuter ( mostly )
Func ReduceMemory($i_PID = -1)
    If $i_PID <> -1 Then
        Local $ai_Handle = DllCall("kernel32.dll", 'int', 'OpenProcess', 'int', 0x1f0fff, 'int', False, 'int', $i_PID)
        Local $ai_Return = DllCall("psapi.dll", 'int', 'EmptyWorkingSet', 'long', $ai_Handle[0])
        DllCall('kernel32.dll', 'int', 'CloseHandle', 'int', $ai_Handle[0])
    Else
        Local $ai_Return = DllCall("psapi.dll", 'int', 'EmptyWorkingSet', 'long', -1)
    EndIf
    Return $ai_Return[0]
EndFunc ;==>ReduceMemory

Maybe this makes it clear why I asked that question.

Use it carefully because write operation will be done on selected drive when you push the start button!

UEZ

Edited April 15, 2010 by UEZ

[weaponx]

First thing, get a new hard drive. Newegg has 120 Gb 2.5" drives for ~$60.

Second, i'm pretty sure running "chkdsk /R" will flag bad sectors so they aren't used.

Edited February 1, 2009 by weaponx

[Inverted]

Yes, also a full format will do the same.

Edited February 1, 2009 by Inverted

[Melba23]

UEZ,

I would echo WeaponX's advice on getting a new drive- defective sectors nearly always spread rapidly and you risk very quickly finding yourself with no drive left at all. I can remember once formatting a drive that had only a few bad sectors - hoping to get them all noted. Every format turned up more and more until I ended up with a useless chunk of metal. It made a nice noise as it spun - but that was all it was good for.

M23

[UEZ]

First thing, get a new hard drive. Newegg has 120 Gb 2.5" drives for ~$60.

Second, i'm pretty sure running "chkdsk /R" will flag bad sectors so they aren't used.

Of course I did the checkdisk (/b on Vista) and also a low level format.

And probably the best thing is to buy a new HD.

But it was just an idea whether it is possible to code a tool that create files over defective sectors independently of whether that makes sense to use a defective HD.

UEZ

Edited February 1, 2009 by UEZ