converting folder to file ??? what happened?

[casanovalui]

i am using a maxtor 160gb HDD
recently i face many problem about some of my folders have error. i can't access the file or folder. Then if i scan disk, the folder will be converted to file. I think the data is lost. I don't know what happened. Any way to recover those files.

There are a few possibilities for my HDD being like this, please comment :-
1) i use this HDD as a secondary HDD which i always swith from 1 computer to another. This HDD can be used up to 5 different computers in within 1 month coz i use it to transfer data
2) The prob might due to the movement when i switch the hdd.

Is there any physical problem with my hdd?
Btw normally the folders which has problem are those new folders that i just saved. PLS HELP!!! thanks.

 

[Buckus]

I would reckon all that movement is not good if you're using a bare IDE drive. I would get one of those USB hard-drive enclosures, they run ~$30 - $40 each and provide external protection.

 

[Buckus]

Oh, and another thought that just popped into my mind - folders are really just special files, so recovering a folder results in a file.

 

[casanovalui]

"so recovering a folder results in a file"

so is there anyway to recover my files under the folder which has been converted to file? I don't know the format of the file, seem unable to identify by window. Thanks