Hi.
I'm searching for a tool that seems to be impossible to find.
The problem (XP SP2 system with FAT32 disks):
Something (mulfunctioning controller, cacheing or program) has written over a subdirectory's space creating a bunch of ghost files.
Names could be blank or strange, dates are off the wall, starting sector and sizes could be zero or in the terrabyte range.
I've tried everything of course but the files cannot be deleted. The system just doesn't find the file even though it can be displayed.
No chkdsk with any option, not in DOS, no wildcards, not with any utility I've tried.
Only way that worked was by modifying the actual directory entry (they are ghost files after all).
I corrected the dates, the name, file type, set size to zero, etc, and deleted the file. A chkdsk at the end, clears up any conflicts.
So what do I want eh?
To do the above, I used WinHex. It allows editing the directory entry.
The problem is that it is very flakey. It takes multiple tries for the change to stick, if it does, and got fed up with it.
So I'm looking for a replacement. I'd appreciate it if somebody can suggest some tool that does the above.
Thanks.

just my 2 cents You can try old Norton diskeditor,it only well in dos or maybe winxp console give a try

I haven't tested it myself, but I believe RunTime GetDataBack has a recent version for FAT32 which might do the job. There are copies available in the wild, if you know what I mean.

Regards,

Don't know watcha mean LOL

Thanks guys.
None of the Norton editions fill the requirement. The old Norton Disk Doctor that did, doesn't support FAT32.
GetDataBack (I had picked it up off the wild a while ago) can only back up files from disks that are hard to access. Nice tool for sure.
But thanks JMI for making doubt my memory .
That program can call up another one of their programs called Disk Explorer (has also versions for FAT and NTFS).
It got me curious so I unearthed it (I had picked it up at the same time with GetDataBack) and installed it.
Well, this program did the trick.
You can browse to a directory entry and modify its values.
I corrected all the bad entries I had and deleted them with no problems.
Disk is clean again and I'm a happy puppy (make that an old dog).
Take care all.

I'd vote for Ontrack EasyRecovery Pro. Had great success with that tool.

I would give WinHex a shot..

I would read the first post one more time.

Why not actually read the #5 post where raccoon states he has solved his problem.

Regards,

Well, I guess alternative solutions might still be better than the first one found, and interesting for others too if nothing else, so if people want to submit an extra tip or two I'm all for it anyway.

Well, considering you're still relatively young, we can conceed you still have alot to learn.

Regards,

Hi, JMI, what have you eaten for breakfast today?

I've found two more tools which claim to do the (attractive) job (even for NTFS): Acronis Disk Editor and Omnixray (plus LDE for Linux partitions).
Sorry mates, no time to try them...
Regards, bilbo

Probably some gooey stuff injected directly with a tube, considering this ever so reiterated age thing.

Acronis Disk Editor doesn't do it. I had already tried Acronis Disk Director 9 -- contains Disk Editor) and it only works at the partition level.
I had also picked up OmniXRay but never tried it. It looks like a possible according to its write-up but working in DOS with EMS, when the other programs can do it under Windows, makes it a last resort. It's a nice program to have though. It reminds me a lot of the DOS days and the tools that used to go around then. Then I think how long ago that was and I get depressed...

Nah. Those of us here in the cryo facility don't really need breakfast in our frozed state. If they actually thawed us our for a meal, our ancient, decrepid bodies would probably turn to dust.

And dELTA is my friend and we have a tradition of teasing eachother.

Regards,

Are you fu**** sure this can be done? LOL