Help with common Hard drive RECYCLER problem...

Takaaaa · 10 May 2012

Hello,
So my 1TB external hard drive was working fine but then all of a sudden I cant access any folders. When I try to open any folders in my hard drive I get this error:

Windows cannot find 'H:\RECYCLER\e621ca05.exe'. Make syre you typed the name correctly, and then try again.

The files that are not in folders works fine, just cant open folders.

I see many many people with the same problem, and fixed it by downloading a program called "Autorun Earter". But it doesnt find anything wrong. I also ran Malwarebytes and it found 4 things but after removing them, still doesnt work. It just removed some computer game stuff.

Anyone can help me?

Oh Im running win 7 64bit.

[Edit]
I also noticed that in the list of folders in my HD, there is one called "RECYCLER" and I can open that folder. There is also a folder of music before that Recycler folder and I can open that folder as well. But everything after the Recycler folder, gets the error.

seavixen32 · 10 May 2012

Have a look here for a possible fix: 640GB Samsung external hard disk in trouble [Solved] | Kioskea.net

Takaaaa · 10 May 2012

Have a look here for a possible fix: 640GB Samsung external hard disk in trouble [Solved] | Kioskea.net

Sadly, I did try that already. I ran the Autorun Exterminator but found nothing. Typed the command and ran Malwarebytes but still doesnt work.

[Edit]

I noticed that all the folder have been changed to a short cut (with the arrow next to it) and they all have the target: %windir%\system32\cmd.exe /c "start %cd%RECYCLER\e621ca05.exe &&%windir%\explorer.exe %cd%

writhziden · 10 May 2012

You had a fake HDD virus. To get the items to show again, start an Elevated Command Prompt, type in your drive letter followed by Enter, and then type the following command:

attrib /d /s -h -s *

This will remove the hide and system attributes from all folders, subfolders, and files within those folders and subfolders.

You say you already did this, but I wonder if it was done correctly. If it was done correctly, then you had an actual HDD virus that deleted all files and replaced them with shortcuts... An actual HDD virus would be VERY VERY rare. Most of these types of viruses are designed just to scare users.

Takaaaa · 10 May 2012

You had a fake HDD virus. To get the items to show again, start an Elevated Command Prompt, type in your drive letter followed by Enter, and then type the following command:

attrib /d /s -h -s *

This will remove the hide and system attributes from all folders, subfolders, and files within those folders and subfolders.

You say you already did this, but I wonder if it was done correctly. If it was done correctly, then you had an actual HDD virus that deleted all files and replaced them with shortcuts... An actual HDD virus would be VERY VERY rare. Most of these types of viruses are designed just to scare users.

So do I open the command prompt and type
(my external HD is H drive)
attrib /H /s -h -s *

Then run malwarbytes? or do I do the whole Autorun Exterminator, then malwarebytes?

writhziden · 10 May 2012

Malwarebytes first.

Then the following command sequence in an Elevated Command Prompt

H:
attrib /d /s -h -s *

Takaaaa · 11 May 2012

Then the following command sequence in an Elevated Command Prompt

H:
attrib /d /s -h -s *

Worked perfectly! I guess I didnt need those Autorun Exterminator. Thank you so much!

writhziden · 11 May 2012

You're welcome. In my past experience, you may run into the problem again next time you remove the drive. When you plug the drive into the system again, the files may be hidden again. It depends on whether you were able to completely remove the malware/virus that is on the drive. If the directories and files are hidden again, you will have to go through the command prompt process again to unhide them.

Once you are sure the problem is solved, you may mark the thread solved. :)

haashimazeem · 02 Dec 2012

I am having the same problem and don't know how to get this fixed if someone could help me i have very important documents for work that i have on this hard drive! Please help!

abhimanyu998 · 09 Aug 2013

when i tried doing the above mentioned steps it said INVALID SWITCH
what to do now??

Help with common Hard drive RECYCLER problem...

SOLVED! Help with common Hard drive RECYCLER problem...

I HAVE A Western Digital Elements 2TB External Hard Drive

invalid switch