Troubleshoot 2 files on OneDrive are damaged, OD problem?

[RRlight]

Briefly explain your current issue(s)

Is it possible, although low probability, for OneDrive to make errors and further damage files while syncing?

I found two files I was about to use today damaged.
1. An image file (screenshot according to file name) on OneDrive became 0kb. The picture can't be read, is totally empty. I don't think the screenshot can be 0kb at the beginning. It would be hard to make a really empty screenshot (my own remark: I'm not sure, is it? Or was that just some misoperation while making the screenshot and it got exactly 0kb?).
2. A password-protected .rar archive on OneDrive. I tried to extract files with my conventional passwords for archives but didn't match. I don't think I used a rare password for that file. Also, I can't test if the archive itself is damaged with winRAR since it has a password. When an archive is damaged/corrupted, would it keep its original password unchanged, or the password could be changed by random?

I have also considered the Hard Drive problem. But SMART data shows no problem for my SSDs. 03 (Available Spare) and 0e (Media and Data Integrity Errors) are totally fine.

My other files are fine (Didn't check all. But no problem with files I use daily). The last possible reason is "Its totally my own problem. I just made a 0kb screenshot and used a password I forgot for that archive." Although very unlikely I think.

Steps taken to resolve, but have been unsuccessful

1. I tried to use the "Version History" to retrieve the older version image file, but doesn't work. It's just 0kb.
2. I'm recovering the password with tools (like ARCHPR and Passper) but I doubt they could work. By brutal force, it will take ages. With a dictionary, it still would take more than a whole month 24x7.

Your current Antivirus

ESET

Hi. Before I continue I have to say I'm not 100% sure if it's a software problem, but I can't figure out other sources of it for now.

 

[Bot]

No problem, we're here to help. Could you please provide more details about the issue with your files on OneDrive?

 

[RRlight]

No problem, we're here to help. Could you please provide more details about the issue with your files on OneDrive?

Thanks, good Bot. The image file is a .png screenshot file created on May 28 2024, at 11.21.06 . The rar archive is for an .exe file created May 18/19 2024. I had a full and clean system reinstallation in June afterwards. Not sure if that could be the reason.

 

[Bot]

Thanks, good Bot. The image file is a .png screenshot file created on May 28 2024, at 11.21.06 . The rar archive is for an .exe file created May 18/19 2024. I had a full and clean system reinstallation in June afterwards. Not sure if that could be the reason.

System reinstallation could potentially affect file accessibility. Try downloading the files and opening them locally. If they're still damaged, it's possible they were corrupted before the reinstallation. If they open fine, the issue might be with OneDrive's syncing.

 

[Victor M]

Do a chkdsk in any case.

 

[bazang]

Hi. Before I continue I have to say I'm not 100% sure if it's a software problem, but I can't figure out other sources of it for now.

Easy test is to move the files to your desktop. Then see if you can work with the files.

OneDrive causes many, many weird issues that are difficult to replicate.

 

[RRlight]

Easy test is to move the files to your desktop. Then see if you can work with the files.

OneDrive causes many, many weird issues that are difficult to replicate.

Thanks for commenting.

The problem persists after moving to different directories/devices. Actually, I set OneDrive to sync all my folders like Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Downloads, Music, Videos etc to better utilize its space. But, yeah, that's why I suspect OneDrive.

 

[RRlight]

System reinstallation could potentially affect file accessibility. Try downloading the files and opening them locally. If they're still damaged, it's possible they were corrupted before the reinstallation. If they open fine, the issue might be with OneDrive's syncing.

The timing of the problem occurrence is as follows: Files created and synced to OneDrive --> System reinstalled --> Files downloaded from OneDrive.

Yeah if it's corrupted before reinstallation, nothing I can do now. Anyway, currently damaged files are the ones I downloaded from OneDrive, which means these files on OD are exactly damaged ones.

 

[Bot]

The timing of the problem occurrence is as follows: Files created and synced to OneDrive --> System reinstalled --> Files downloaded from OneDrive.

Yeah if it's corrupted before reinstallation, nothing I can do now. Anyway, currently damaged files are the ones I downloaded from OneDrive, which means these files on OD are exactly damaged ones.

If the files were damaged before reinstallation, unfortunately, there's not much that can be done. You could try using a file repair tool, but results may vary. For future, ensure to have a local backup of important files in addition to OneDrive.

 

[RRlight]

Do a chkdsk in any case.

Thanks, just did it with "chkdsk c: /f" and "chkdsk d: /f". Hope it's not a disk problem.

 

[RRlight]

For future, ensure to have a local backup of important files in addition to OneDrive.

Yeah, that's my lesson taken from this

 

[Bot]

Yeah, that's my lesson taken from this

Great! It's always good to learn from these experiences. If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask.

 

[TairikuOkami]

Yeah, that's my lesson taken from this

I lost files twice because of sync. Onedrive is not a backup, it is mirroring, like raid. If the file gets damaged or removed either on disk or on onedrive, you will loose both. Copy/paste rulez.

 

[bazang]

Onedrive is not a backup, it is mirroring, like raid.

99% of people think OneDrive is backup.

The practice of backing-up a file to a USB flash drive is dead - because - people are too lazy to connect and disconnect a USB flash drive.

Says a lot about the human species.

 

[lokamoka820]

I noticed that uploading large amount of files could make issues sometimes, and I think OneDrive and Google Drive will not sync some kind of files, only Dropbox that have sync capabilities that work efficiently.