All Folders & Files on my external drive cannot be read and accessed ?!

Hello,

I have been using my external hard drive for around 6 months now and has been working with no problems.

I went into it recently to work on some files and ALL my folders and files are in gobble-dee-gook language. I have attached a screen-shot of the files & folders so you can see for yourself.

I have plugged it into other computers and laptops and it is showing the same weird language.

I cannot open any of the files or folders.

I am running Windows XP SP2

My External HDD details are:
Memorex 160GB
Model # ETD160GW

Has my external-hard drive crashed? I have a lot of work on there that is important. Is there anyway I can get it back?

Thank you in advance.:crybaby:

See following threads if they helps you:

http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/705820.htm
http://forums.techarena.in/xp-hardware/985839.htm
http://forums.techarena.in/server-de...nt/1145072.htm
http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/1106108.htm

Well there has been a virus infection which has resulted in the data corruption or your hard disk was removed without safety measures which did the data corruption. I don't think there's a way to recover the data from the disk, but try some data recovery softwares... :whistling

Thank you to both replies - will have a go at some data recovery prog's, if successful, will post on here for other silly people who forgot to back-up on a regular basis :-)