Checking Disk - can I cancel?

Question

Hi there!

I bought my 3rd My Passport as previous was causing same problems - in case USB would get out by accident before I would eject disk, the computer wouldn’t find it anymore. This time it’s found but Windows said that it’s corrupted and it has to check it. I checked options: “Automatically fix file system errors & Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”. It’s a 3TB drive, probably about 2TB used. It’s scanning since at least 6h now and the computer shows the progress line, but no progress, so I have no clue where I stand. I could click cancel, but I’m scared. This is the drive where all my stuff is stored and I’m afraid of loosing anything.

Can I press Cancel? How long can chkdsk go?? It was happening with the previous one that while I would move computer the cable would get out for a tiny bit and there would be a problem. I think it’s something that can easily happen. How can I avoid this?? Some other devices to keep my data safe?

I’m afraid now … 

Thank you & have a nice day!

Stela

Answer 1

You can probably cancel with Ctrl+C, and it shouldn't be terrible.  But really, you should not do anything further until you have a backup of all your important stuff.

Go check on Google how long hard drives last -- on average, it's barely 4 years.  And like people and everything else, some die younger and some older.  So it's not a matter of IF you will lose all your important files, it's WHEN.  If you don't have a backup, it's already guaranteed to get lost forever, the only question is how long until that happens. On average, just a few years.  Like the popular company likes to say, "you gotta back it up to get it back."