Hi, this is my first time posting in here. I have been facing a lot of trouble lately. Long story short, I used to downloaded files (mp4) using chrome. But lately, these files downloaded from chrome sometimes causing “current pending sector count” when I transfer (copy and paste) e.g from C: to E: (external HDD) and it happened in 2 of my desktops with different HDD, cables, mp4 files but all 3 of my new external HDD were having “current pending sector count”. I suspect this was caused by Norton 360 or it’s firewall but I’m not sure. Because this is the only thing that linked from both desktops which are using Norton 360 v25. Is there a possibility that the antivurus somehow messed up the file during transfer from C to E drive? The original file is not corrupted because when I copy the file to another location (another external hdd) it doesn’t causing any pending sector. Did anyone of you who are using the new Norton 360 had a similar issue like me? If this is cause by Norton, I’ll definitely switch to another antivirus. Thank you
Hello. What does Norton show ( if anything ) in your history that would suggest its blocking? That’s the first thing I would look at. Also, what is your OS version and build?
The issue is more than likely with your C: drive. Open an elevated command and run this command:
chkdsk /f /r to scan for and attempt to repair bad sectors.
SA
Sorry for the late reply, I’m still testing with the problem. Norton history shows nothing except the “UDP (17) traffic” all over the history. I’m using windows 10.
I don’t think so it’s the C drive problem because I’m testing with 2 desktop and both have the same or similar error while copy and paste from disk to disk. And I don’t think it’s malware or virus because I did a full scan with Norton and Malwarebytes (free version) and used R Kill to test for malware and it all came out clean. But I did noticed a few things that can narrow the problem search. All the files that was corrupted after copied were all MP4 files. When the files corrupted, it can’t copy to any disk or even in the same folder but it still can play without any problem. I’m thinking that maybe it’s the antivirus accidently removed the MP4 metadata/header/atom while doing a virus scan, it’s just my two sense.
I have seen you replied to a lot of post in the Norton community, it seems you’re an expert on their products. Can you help me? I’m not saying it’s fully Norton 360 fault but maybe something from those MP4 files triggered the antivirus/firewall and causing all this error? I always believe you can’t clap with one hand. There must be something to trigger it even if the problem were caused by Norton.
I really feel stressed and heading nowhere other than keep testing/copy “try and error” till I find the culprit.
Thank you for your replied
The netbios UDP17 issue workaround is discussed in this thread:
Did you do this as suggested: The issue is more than likely with your C: drive. Open an elevated command and run this command:
chkdsk /f /r to scan for and attempt to repair bad sectors
SA
I just did a chkdsk on both desktop and found no error
Ok thank you!! Connect the drive you are exporting TO and run the chkdsk /f /r command. You had mentioned other drives don’t see the issue. Just this specific drive if I read correctly.
Edited: Here is why you need to check drive E:
What does “pending sector count” mean?
“Current Pending Sector Count” is a critical S.M.A.R.T. parameter that indicates the number of unstable sectors on the disk drive that are yet to be remapped or reallocated. A rise in “Current Pending Sector Count” may indicate unstable sectors on the disk drive OR pending drive failure.
Forgot to ask what OS you are using, what is its build and version? IE: Windows 11 Home 24H2 as an example.
SA
Actually I already did a chkdsk /f /r /x with 2 of the problematic drives (external hdd) on day 1 and it took almost 50 hours to complete on each drive. It all came out without any error. But if I use HDsentinel S.M.A.R.T info, it shows 6 pending sectors. All caused by the corrupted MP4 files.
I have a few external hdd and i did try to copy the original files from C: drive to another USB drive and it completed without any problem. Then I recopy it to the 2 problematic drives, it also copied without any issue this time. My conclusion is, it happens anytime without warning and if you delete the corrupted files and recopy it, it’ll complete without any problem on the 2nd run. That’s what makes me feel it was caused by the firewall/antivirus. Because when antivirus scanned the file on the first time, it’ll skip the scan for the same file. That’s why I can copy the MP4 file without any error on the 2nd run after deleted the corrupted file. That’s what I think.
The pending sectors are not caused by corrupted MP4 files. It is the other way around. A bad sector caused the MP4 files to become corrupted.
My previous post is about what SMART drive monitoring is about and how it will affect using a computer. Are the pending sectors showing as logical or physical on the affected drive?
Understanding Bad Sectors:
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What they are: Bad sectors are damaged or corrupted areas on a hard drive that can no longer store or read data reliably.
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Types:
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Logical (soft) bad sectors: These are errors in the file system that can sometimes be repaired.
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Physical (hard) bad sectors: These are caused by physical damage to the drive and cannot be repaired.
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Consequences: Bad sectors can lead to data loss, errors, slowdowns, and even crashes.
To my knowledge “current pending sector count” is not consider Bad Sector or at least not yet. It’s known as “weak sector” which means a file or data couldn’t be read and it’s pending on what to do next. If the block successfully rewrite or read on the next scan, the pending sector will move to a different block “relocated sector count” it’s the file that caused the drive “pending sector” not the pending sector itself causing my file to corrupt. You can’t write anything on those sector unless it get relocate. But anyway, let’s not argue on that topic for now. Let’s focus on why my files get corrupted when I copied to a USB drive but not local drive. And it happened on 3 of my external HDD. 1 old and the other 2 was brand new 4TB HDD and they all with “current pending sector count” after the files shown CRC error when doing the checksum after copied. It can’t be that coincidence, 3 HDD 2 desktops with same error? The only thing I can think of is the firewall or the anitvirus and Virus or malware itself. Did all those full scan with Malwarebytes, Norton 360, Bitdefender, Hitman Pro and it says all good.
Btw I just got another corrupted MP4 file while I’m doing some try and error test. I’m now checking on the event viewer and see if any clue
FWIW!! Your last post mentioned the possibility of malware, yet you said you have done multiple scans with more than one tool. If there is nothing in your Norton history, nor viewable in Windows event viewer. Uninstall Norton and be 100% positive Norton is the issue. If that provides no evidence Norton was the cause. Its not if the issues persist. I have had brand new USB drives and HDD’s arrive DOA over the years. And more than once, just start doing weird things out of the blue. No security solution I had at the time was ever the cause. Having asked twice we still do not know what your OS version and build is at this point.
I recommend asking customer support for an answer to the issues you are having. They should be knowledgeable of internal functions of Norton regarding how Norton interacts with file transfers from their end.
SA
One last thing to ask is what format is your E: drive? Is it formatted in NTFS or some other format? TIA!!
SA
@JevinLowWai_Kin Any update with the last suggestions and removal of Norton? Just following up with the thread.
SA
I don’t fully understand your replied earlier. I’m using google translator.
I removed Norton in one of my desktop and the other one still using Norton. Both of the desktops haven’t encounter any error yet but I’m still doing the “try and error” test by copying files from disk to disk. The problem will not always occur but when it does, it’ll cause “current pending sector” even on a brand new HDD (confirmed) A temporally solution for this is to Write/ZORING the particular file. The current pending sector will be gone without relocate or mapping. No more error shows in S.M.A.R.T result and the HDD health is back to 100%. That’s why, I’m sure all 3 of my hard drives are good. It’s clearly an software issue.
Both computers did a full scan and found no threats. So, the issues causing by virus or malware is unlikely. I suggest anyone who using a USB drive (HDD/SSD or pendrive) for copying backups should check your files in those USB drives. The corrupted files will not show any sign or any warning until you copy them to another location. You can use “MD5 File Checksum” to test your files. I’m not sure it was caused by Norton or any other apps that running in the background. It may even be the windows updates itself. I’m still trying to find out the issue or at least to minimize the damage.
For those who are using USB drives to backup data.
1.Do a checksum test after copied. In my case, all the CRC error came from MP4 files.
2. If there’s an error while doing the test, stop testing or rescan the “problematic file”. The “current pending sector” will goes up everytime you run the file, even with a virus scan.
When using a USB drive for storage always format it with NTFS.
SA
All my USB drives are NTFS.