Data Error Cyclic Redundancy Check Initialise Disk

by Paul | Last Updated: August 9, 2022

Managing Errors on a Hard Disk Drive. Hard disk drives have served an important purpose over the years and still do till today. Although, the value of this purpose is beginning to be questioned these days as a better alternative; solid state drive gets more popular. The design of the hard disk drive is mechanical, and this means moving parts that are susceptible to “wear and tear”.

Data Error Cyclic Redundancy Check Initialise Disk

Data error cyclic redundancy check initialise disk is an error message that might pop up when you try to copy files to a hard drive. The specific message is a data verification code. This error implies that the files you are trying to copy are corrupt or damaged, it might also be an indicate that the hard drive might have a problem.

A simple approach to solve this issue will be to try and repeat this transfer process with a different drive to eliminate or affirm the hard drive problem assumption. If the problem is the drive, just throw it away (just kidding), you should repair the drive. If the files are the source of the headache, you do not have to delete them either, just recover the file.

Drive Repair

Use the windows option of checking disk via the command prompt to determine the state of your drive. To check the integrity of your disk and fix errors appropriately, open the command prompt.

Search for command prompt in the windows search bar, run it, when it opens insert the command “chkdsk/f d (substitute letter d with the drive you are trying to repair)”

Press the enter button, wait for the process, this might take a while before you click or type any other thing ensure the process has ended. Once it has been completed, restart the computer. After you have done this, if there is still an issue, then format the disk. You can also take it to a repair shop if you are not confident of taking on this task.

File Recovery

For important data, it will be quite an inconvenience to just delete the file. Use file recovery software to perform this activity. Download the software (EaseUs is a popular tool), install it then run it. Run a scan first, check the results, you can use the filter option to make this check easier. If you do not find the file you are looking for, try a deep scan and see the results.

Other Methods

1. System File Checker

You can run a system file checker scan. This is used to repair Windows system files: registry files, DLL files and so on. Once these files are corrupt, you will get the cyclic redundancy check error. This scan is great because it does not just spot damaged files, it also replaces them.

To run this check, run your command prompt as an administrator, input “sfc/scannow” in the command prompt window and click enter. After the scan has completed, restart your PC.

2. Disk Check Utility

On your PC, click the drive with the intention of viewing the drop down menu attached to it. Choose properties, when the box opens, choose the tools tab, there click the check button under the error checking heading. When the process is done, restart your PC. Every process listed above is applicable to external disk drives and internal disk drives.

3. Simple Ways to Prevent this Error

Please note, the tips listed below do not assure a hundred percent prevention but adhering to them will reduce the likelihood of receiving the check initialize disk error by a huge margin.

4. Disk Defragmentation and Optimisation

A moving needle or and spinning disk is the best way to describe the read/write process of hard disk drives. Every time the read/write process occurs this needle keeps moving, the reoccurrence of this process makes the disk susceptible to fragmentation.

Fragmentation is when pieces of data are scattered across sectors of the disk, sometimes these fragments are not useful as they are duplicate files or files that cannot be used. Asides taking up space on your disk, this fragmentation affects the performance of your disk.

This poor performance might cause the disk to exert too much power performing task causing damage in the long run.

5. Disk and Drive Maintenance

The design of HDDs makes them easy to damage as accidental drops, magnetic fields and shocks can damage the data and even the disk. You can maintain your disk by making simple changes.

For an external drive, keeping your drive in a clean space void of dust and away from areas that are exposed to spills will go a long way. It is also good to keep your drive in a pouch.

For an internal drive, cleaning your computer, blowing the vents to get rid of dust helps with the maintenance of your disk. If your system runs too hot, get a cooling fan to put under it, just ensure your PC is clean and cool.

6. File Maintenance

Playing games, watching videos, backing up music files and other types of files take up space as they should. Ensure that the files in your system are useful or valid. Remember, the error might be the data not just the disk. Regular checks using third-party tools; antivirus and file tools will go a long way in preventing this error.

7. Bonus Tip

There are situations where a disk might appear damaged and not suitable for a computing system but before you discard it, ask a professional if it is still useful. If it is, you can purchase an enclosure and convert it to an external hard drive.

Related Question

If my disk is damaged, should I just replace it with another HDD?

Well, a damaged disk gives you the opportunity to weigh your options. If you are not on a small budget, it is preferable you go for an SSD as it does not damage easily. Also, there are no issues with defragmentation as its flash memory design means there are no moving parts resulting in a better PC performance.