HDD is dirty, chkdsk doesn't work

Hi, I use a 1tb external hard disk. It's WD elements, and exfat format.

Yesterday, I found a problem when I was copying my files to the disk, and it appeared to have an error, the code is error0x80071ac3. so I tried to find a solution using the code to search.

I got a few methods. The first was to use error-checking function in the tool tab in properties windows, and it took too long to try to complete, I've used it once and it didn't take that long to complete (almost an hour) so I quit.

Another one was Chkdsk in cmd. yes, I tried by following this article Hard Drive Error: Volume is dirty 0x80071AC3l . then, when I got to the third step using the cmd and type chkdsk /f /r f: ... it seemed to work but it finally froze with the message 'corruption was found while examining the volume bitmap' ... it stopped very long (about an hour), and I was afraid of the data loss if I quit the cmd then (it's still running now) because when this command is running, I can't access the disk, I don't know whether I can access it again if I quit the cmd.

I will appreciate every help, If there isn't another way, I will resort moving all the data out and formatting my disk.

Thank you in advance every one.

You might give WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics a try - it has repair options. Is it passing SMART tests?

Hello mothzjuu!

The error0x80071ac3 is common with portable hard drives, the cause is bad sectors. Usually, when bad sectors happen, you can use a software to isolate them and prevent the OS from writing on them, but once they occur, they're most likely to continue happening and the drive to become unusable.

I would suggest you running the /B command on chkdsk: chkdsk x: /B. The /B switch will cause check disk to re-evaluate the bad clusters and try to repair them again. (x stands for your drive's letter) While performing the chkdsk task, make sure you're running as Administrator.
Also, @RogerR is right, you should use the WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics and do both Quick and Extended tests. The software should isolate the bad sectors but keep in mind that it' would be quite unpredictable when the drive would give out an error again.

WD Data Lifeguard direct link:
WD Support / Downloads / Other Products / Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows

Hope this helps!
Godd luck!

CK_WD

Hi, thank you for the advice. I'll try both and update the results.

Hi guys, I've tried both methods you gave me, but it didn't work

After using WD Lifeguard Diagnosis, the problem still remains, nothing happens
when I use chkdsk x: /B it said that only NTFS format can be checked.

I think there's no hope for this. I just have to move out all the data, and reformat the disk as soon as possible.

Thank you guys anyway :)

Hi again!

I am sorry to hear that nothing worked! Rereading everything again made me wonder a few things.
Why did you format it in exFAT? Do you work on Mac also? And when you received the error, what else happened and were you able to load your files?

Otherwise, you are probably to just move your information and reformat the disk, see if it works then.

CK_WD

Hi again CK_WD

I've already solved the problem since I use mac pro and my windows is the partition of Bootcamp. I used Disk Utility in mac to verify and repair my disk, and it worked! I can now use my disk normally, I can perform every action again.

I really appreciate your advice. Thank you a lot!

That's great news!

I was about to ask you if you were using Bootcamp and to try and check the drive on a Mac.

I hope you don't have any more trouble with it!

Cheers! :)

CK_WD