"Can't read from the source file or disk" while copying on Windows 10

Question

I recently had to replace my hard drive and reset my PC.  However, I ran into a couple of issues when copying some backed up files from my portable hard drive to the PC.  When I tried to transfer certain files from the hard drive to the PC, this ended up happening with quite a handful of music files (mp3); first, in the middle of copying, it the copying would stop in the middle for about a minute

Then I would get a message saying "Can't read from the source file or disk"

So when I clicked "Try Again" the same message would appear and I would ultimately have to cancel.  But There is nothing wrong with the file as it can open and play if you click on it (though sometimes the files that "can't be read" will make Windows Explorer freeze).  Furthermore, there does not seem to be anything wrong with the hard drive because it is able to connect and copy files onto other computers.  I've searched this issue on Google and the only things I've read so far are checking to see if the drive has bad sectors (which I've checked through the Cmd Prompt and it says there are no issues) or reformatting the drive (which I don't know much about).

Is there any way around this issue, as I've never had this issue before?  Thank you.

Answer 1

Hey CP. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 9 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

Have you played enough of the erroring files that you know they are solidly intact without glitches and therefore this apprently is not a data loss issue?

If so the best fixes I find for this are here: https://www.techjunkie.com/cant-read-from-the-s...

In addition to testing the external and hard drive with Disk check, I would also test the hard drives surface with diagnostics to know for certain their condition:

https://www.lifewire.com/free-hard-drive-testin...

https://www.groovypost.com/howto/check-hard-dri...

Then I would go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Answer 2

You photos are pretty useless. Use snipping tool or screen capture to upload photos.

Try and copy or move smaller amounts of files at a time.

These files that it states can not be read on your external drive, try and play some of the mp3 files from the external drive in Windows Media player.

I would also unplug USB drive and plug it into another USB port and try that. Even unplug it, restart pc and plug in again and restart pc again.

And if you can play them and they will not copy or move, move these files from the folder on external drive to a new created folder on external drive. Then try and copy or move them to the PC Drive C:\

Answer 3

I have transferred on my own PC's and thousands of customers in 20 years and never had to do anything but cut/move or copy and paste.

If the files play from external drive but will not transfer to new PC, then the files are OK. Appears to be a problem with the transfer protocol or possible that you should run disk check and select to fix errors.

Right click on the external drive from THIS PC Location.

Properties>>Tools>>Error Checking.

restart PC when it completes.

Answer 4

Hi Greg, I appreciate your response.  I pretty much went through the steps you laid out for me and everything came up saying that there were no issues with the hard drive.  But I feel like there is something wrong with it and at this point I'm not sure what I can do.  Do you think trying a system restore or a system reset would do anything (though I'm hesitant to do the latter as this hard drive is literally only a couple days old and I'm not sure I want to go about reinstalling all my programs again).

Answer 5

You said you replaced the hard drive and "reset" the PC, but which reset is done when no OS is on the drive? Did you use a Recovery Drive, Windows 10 Installation media, or something else. Please explain fully.

You also said you went through all the steps I gave which confirmed the integrity of the hard drive, but most of the steps I gave were to go over the install integrity which is what matters most in Windows 10, so until those steps are also completed (if not) then you don't know if the install is the problem. What we have found is that in Windows 10 everything depends on the quality of the underlying install.

Compare the install you did with this link which compiles the best possible Clean Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...