Fluckin' Flac!!!!

[mmmatt]

I've been having major flac issues the past month or two.  I flac all my master files to save disc space for storage.  I typically tic the delete original files option because flac verifies before deleting.  I have recently discovered that many of my masters are now shit.  They won't uncompress and the flac verify feature didn't come up with any errors.  I'm now not using the delete original feature but I still can't flac.  I watch the dos windo and all verify OK, mthen I go back and test the files and half of them are bunk.
     Anybody ever had this or have any ideas to fix?

Matt

[F.O.Bean]

 
better media

[Nick Graham]

I flac all my master files to save disc space for storage.  I typically tic the delete original files option because flac verifies before deleting.  I have recently discovered that many of my masters are now shit. 

Are the masters you're using on your harddrive or CD/DVD?

If they're on external media, it's likely a bad burn. If they're still on your HDD, I've got no clue

[mmmatt]

on the hard drive... I'm stumped.  I've had a few problems burning straingt from flac in nero, and I've been having troubles with shn too, and my wavelab is acting wierd.  Is there an f-u audio junky virus out there?

Matt

[Brian]

how old is the hard drive?

could be the HD dying if you are having problems with all those other applications.

just a guess though.

[mmmatt]

drive is over a year but no other problems.   In this case I just flac'd a wav and it verified ok in the compression.  then I take the flac to the program and test.  Here is what I get:

flac 1.1.2, Copyright (C) 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005  Josh Coalson
flac comes with ABSOLUTELY NO WARRANTY.  This is free software, and you are
welcome to redistribute it under certain conditions.  Type `flac' for details.

Bella Trio 2005-07-23 early show.flac: testing, 19% completeBella Trio 2005-07-2
3 early show.flac: *** Got error code 2:FLAC__STREAM_DECODER_ERROR_STATUS_FRAME_
CRC_MISMATCH


Bella Trio 2005-07-23 early show.flac: ERROR while decoding data
                                       state = FLAC__STREAM_DECODER_READ_FRAME

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Press any key to continue . . .


This is fucked up

matt

[Brian Skalinder]

I'd get your data backed up immediately and run HD diagnostics - I bet it's on the way down.  Edit to add:  run diagnostics on your RAM, too.

[Chuck]

I've been archiving in .WAV format lately. A while ago there was a thread on the Oade site that got me thinking...
If you archive in FLAC and there is one small issue with the file, it will not decode. But, if you archive in .WAV you may be able to fix a problem if the file gets corrupted. FLAC is good, because it shrinks files for BT or download, so it easy to share over the internet. I don't think it's the best thing to use to archive however.

Let us know what you find. +T for your troubles.

[dnsacks]

Chuck, etc.  while shorten will not continue to decode a file once an error is detected, Flac provides the option to decode through an error ( -F,--decode-through-errors)

Per FLAC documentation -- "By default flac stops decoding with an error and removes the partially decoded file if it encounters a bitstream error. With -F, errors are still printed but flac will continue decoding to completion. Note that errors may cause the decoded audio to be missing some samples or have silent sections."

FYI . .. .

Darrin

[mmmatt]

I have the decode through errors turned off.  I'm going to try removing and reloading an older version of flac... seems this problem started about the time aI updated.
     Good call on the backup brian... that will be step 2.  Sure would be easier if I could flac these friggin files though!

Matt

[Chuck]

Chuck, etc.  while shorten will not continue to decode a file once an error is detected, Flac provides the option to decode through an error ( -F,--decode-through-errors)

Per FLAC documentation -- "By default flac stops decoding with an error and removes the partially decoded file if it encounters a bitstream error. With -F, errors are still printed but flac will continue decoding to completion. Note that errors may cause the decoded audio to be missing some samples or have silent sections."

FYI . .. .

Darrin

Cool. Good to know. +T

[jbraveman]

run chkdsk on your hard drive.  This was the 1st symptom I had before a crash.

[mmmatt]

well, the plot thickens.  I tried to start pulling wav masters off my main drive and I ran an md5 on each folder.  When I copy/move the folder the md5 gets mostly bad verifications.  This includes going to another drive or trying to burn to dvd.  I had a similar problem going to a server, so I'm guessing that is the same issue.  Running checkdisk now.  I'm on my lappy typing this message.
   In addition to my main 120gb drive I have a 2nd that is 160gb, and a 200gb external.  I've been lazy about backing up to dvd and have tons of stuff on all drives.  I just tried to move something from my external to my 2nd internal and the md5 didn't check out.  Does this still sound like my maind drive?
     I updated my windows this morning as well before I posted this thread.

Couple of things that may be relavant.
I seem to remember starting a defrag about a month ago and having to stop it before it was done.  I don't know that I ever did one since.  Will a partial defrag screw things up?

I replaced my motherboard but used the same chip.  I put the drive in and it booted up no problem.  I just loaded all the motherboard specific drivers and didn't reload windows.  Could that be screwing me up?

Matt

[momule]

try encoding at a lower compression rate.  Im guessing you use over 6 (which is a waste of your time But thats awhole other thread.)

Im betting thats your problem. Seems to bite alot of folks over here.

edit for fat fingers

[kgreener]

I updated my windows this morning as well before I posted this thread.

can you elaborate on this comment Matt?  windows update, i presume?

also, have you tried uninstalling/reinstall the FLAC or Shorten program? 
just a thought.