Error #1520: External attribute header mismatch

Filed Under Geek on 2006-11-30, 13:54

Yay for Partition Magic 8.0. :(
PM is such a fickle utility. In some cases it works beautifully, in other cases it’s like a plane crashing into a train when someone left a semi on the tracks. This time I was lucky though, and it was a quick fix.

I decided late one night that I should merge the two partitions I had on one of my 200gb drives. In the past I had it setup with two partitions, one for an operating system, and one for storage. Now this drive is just pure storage, so there was no point in the two partitions. So I loaded up Partition Magic 8.0 and told it to merge the partitions, putting the files from one partition into a folder on the primary partition. I then rebooted so the changes could be applied when Windows started up. Watching the percentage slowly creep I decided to get some sleep while it worked.

I woke up the next morning to see that the operation had completed 100%, but I had an error. Error #1520: External attribute header mismatch. While I have a background in computer science and know basically how file systems work, I didn’t want to have to sit down and learn the ins and outs of NTFS just to get my 40gigs of music back so I just started poking around.

At first the drive wouldn’t show in Windows. A reboot or two and it reappeared for some reason. The drive was browseable and I could see the directory that the files from the secondary partition should be in. Unfortunately when I tried to open that directory I received an “Access Denied” error message. My first step was to run “chkdsk e: /f” on the drive. Sure enough it found and fixed several errors. But still, access denied. I had assumed there was something up with the allocation table, or maybe an actual hardware issue. However, thinking it was a slim chance, I checked the permissions of the directory, and changed the ownership to myself. Boom, files are back. Rejoice.

For anyone else that runs into this, right click on the folder that Partition Magic created, select Properties, select the Permissions tab, does it say SYSTEM here? Click on the Advanced button, click on the Owner tab, select your user name and check Replace owner on subcontainers and objects. Click Apply and OK to the warnings and then wait as the new owner is applied to the files. Once it’s done, things should be fixed.

Tagged: Harddrives, Partition Magic

Comments

View Comments to “Error #1520: External attribute header mismatch”

Ioan on September 25th, 2007 11:18 pm

Thank you man, it worked for me too! :)
I only want to write about the right path, for I’d describe it like this:
“right click on the folder that Partition Magic created (actualy right click on the new merged HDD partition, from “My Computer”), select Properties, (then go to “Sharing” tab, verify if “Share this folder” is checked – cos mine wasn’t), select the Permissions tab; find the tab where SYSTEM stands to be selected, click on the Advanced button, click on the Owner tab, select your user name and check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”. Click “Apply” and “OK” to the warnings and then wait as the new owner is applied to the files.
Almost forgot to say that my modified HDD didn’t even have a drive letter after Partition Magic did its job..! So I had to first go to PM8, right click on the Disk I worked with then to the “Advanced” and “Change Drive Letter…” from “none” to “D:”
Ioan on September 26th, 2007 2:18 am

Thank you man, it worked for me too! :)
I only want to write about the right path, for I'd describe it like this:
“right click on the folder that Partition Magic created (actualy right click on the new merged HDD partition, from “My Computer”), select Properties, (then go to “Sharing” tab, verify if “Share this folder” is checked – cos mine wasn't), select the Permissions tab; find the tab where SYSTEM stands to be selected, click on the Advanced button, click on the Owner tab, select your user name and check “Replace owner on subcontainers and objects”. Click “Apply” and “OK” to the warnings and then wait as the new owner is applied to the files.
Almost forgot to say that my modified HDD didn't even have a drive letter after Partition Magic did its job..! So I had to first go to PM8, right click on the Disk I worked with then to the “Advanced” and “Change Drive Letter…” from “none” to “D:”
CP on October 30th, 2007 11:37 pm

If you do not have a ‘Permissions’ tab:

In order to regain ownership of a folder, you must first disable simple file sharing.

Double-click ‘My Computer’

Go to the ‘Tools’ menu -> ‘Folder Options…’

Go to the ‘View’ tab -> untick ‘Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)’

Now, when you check the folder’s properties, you should have either a ‘Permissions’ or ‘Security’ tab under which you will be able to assign yourself full control of the folder.
CP on October 31st, 2007 2:37 am

If you do not have a 'Permissions' tab:

In order to regain ownership of a folder, you must first disable simple file sharing.

Double-click 'My Computer'

Go to the 'Tools' menu -> 'Folder Options…'

Go to the 'View' tab -> untick 'Use Simple File Sharing (Recommended)'

Now, when you check the folder's properties, you should have either a 'Permissions' or 'Security' tab under which you will be able to assign yourself full control of the folder.
mike on December 14th, 2007 8:51 pm

Thanks, man. It really works for me. You save me life. Also thank you, CP, I found Security tab.
mike on December 14th, 2007 10:51 pm

Thanks, man. It really works for me. You save me life. Also thank you, CP, I found Security tab.
bobby on December 23rd, 2007 3:30 pm

Thanks man (another !). I thought of the Security tab, but was afraid of screwing it more after the chkdsk /f command fail. Now I get back all my data. Thanks again.
bobby on December 23rd, 2007 5:30 pm

Thanks man (another !). I thought of the Security tab, but was afraid of screwing it more after the chkdsk /f command fail. Now I get back all my data. Thanks again.
Will on January 13th, 2008 4:22 pm

Thank you so much. I was on my last straw there before finding your article. You saved the day. Many Thanks!
Will on January 13th, 2008 6:22 pm

Thank you so much. I was on my last straw there before finding your article. You saved the day. Many Thanks!
Dzung on January 20th, 2008 7:54 pm

Thank you men! You save part of my life too :)
Dzung on January 20th, 2008 9:54 pm

Thank you men! You save part of my life too :)
Narcis on January 27th, 2008 3:56 am

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
This article saved 180Gs of data in a matter of seconds! Many thanks for this! :)
Narcis on January 27th, 2008 5:56 am

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
This article saved 180Gs of data in a matter of seconds! Many thanks for this! :)
Rost on February 9th, 2008 6:27 am

Guys, what shall I do, if the merging operation wasn’t 100% completed?
Rebooting won’t work, and the drive is still not browsable. The PartitionMagic detects it, but any operation (including “check for errors”) returns the error #1520.
Chkdsk also shuts down just after start.
Thank you.
Rost on February 9th, 2008 8:27 am

Guys, what shall I do, if the merging operation wasn't 100% completed?
Rebooting won't work, and the drive is still not browsable. The PartitionMagic detects it, but any operation (including “check for errors”) returns the error #1520.
Chkdsk also shuts down just after start.
Thank you.
vasi on February 21st, 2008 1:29 am

Please help me, I have no partition left, only some unallocated space, what can I do?

http://img70.imageshack.us/my.php?image=61774142eu2.jpg
vasi on February 21st, 2008 3:29 am

Please help me, I have no partition left, only some unallocated space, what can I do?

http://img70.imageshack.us/my.php?image=6177414...
Beatdown on March 9th, 2008 2:10 pm

Yep that did the trick…. Thanks…. Knowledge is power…
Beatdown on March 9th, 2008 5:10 pm

Yep that did the trick…. Thanks…. Knowledge is power…
JC on March 13th, 2008 6:42 am

A phenomenonally simple solution to a VERY troubling issue! THANK YOU Author and CP for the awesome help!
JC on March 13th, 2008 9:42 am

A phenomenonally simple solution to a VERY troubling issue! THANK YOU Author and CP for the awesome help!
GM on April 25th, 2008 3:52 am

Thank’s man.
You saved my files.
GM on April 25th, 2008 6:52 am

Thank's man.
You saved my files.
DJka on May 9th, 2008 10:37 am

THX THX THX THX THX THX THX THX THX :))
DJka on May 9th, 2008 1:37 pm

THX THX THX THX THX THX THX THX THX :))
sky on May 31st, 2008 7:05 pm

Under XP I experimented successfully (though all the while shaking in my boots)and right-clicked \properties then set up the PM folder as a share. XP bitched a little but I ignored it (like I would some crazy girlfriend) and it did come through!
After learning all this here I’m now of a mind to follow the advice of some experts and remove “simple file sharing”. I mean, even the name suggests that it’s a simplistic, frought with security hazards, file sharing strategy that seems taylor-made for Mac users :-)
Thanks to all for all the info – did my heart good.
sky
sky on May 31st, 2008 10:05 pm

Under XP I experimented successfully (though all the while shaking in my boots)and right-clicked properties then set up the PM folder as a share. XP bitched a little but I ignored it (like I would some crazy girlfriend) and it did come through!
After learning all this here I'm now of a mind to follow the advice of some experts and remove “simple file sharing”. I mean, even the name suggests that it's a simplistic, frought with security hazards, file sharing strategy that seems taylor-made for Mac users :-)
Thanks to all for all the info – did my heart good.
sky
Math on June 17th, 2008 5:59 am

MAN!!! I Made it come back all my data!!! Shit dont know how but All Thanks to this man! I thought i was dead.. Like I had to format the disk!! I had like 159 gig of data so just wanna say thanks man. Ur msg or blog did the work!
Im greatful.
/Math
Math on June 17th, 2008 8:59 am

MAN!!! I Made it come back all my data!!! Shit dont know how but All Thanks to this man! I thought i was dead.. Like I had to format the disk!! I had like 159 gig of data so just wanna say thanks man. Ur msg or blog did the work!
Im greatful.
/Math
Artic Ace on June 21st, 2008 2:20 am

Hey Man! Thanks for sharing the info! I almost had a heart attack when I saw that I couldn’t access the folder with the merged files, it had my life’s work on it! Never playing with partitions ever again without a raid system and without backing up my files on a dvd!
Artic Ace on June 21st, 2008 5:20 am

Hey Man! Thanks for sharing the info! I almost had a heart attack when I saw that I couldn't access the folder with the merged files, it had my life's work on it! Never playing with partitions ever again without a raid system and without backing up my files on a dvd!
HenrySun on July 6th, 2008 3:36 pm

Thank u for the info and all those who made the very encouraging followup comments. U guys have tided me over the despair when i suddenly found my data of vital importance lost after i had 2 drives merged with PM.
HenrySun on July 6th, 2008 6:36 pm

Thank u for the info and all those who made the very encouraging followup comments. U guys have tided me over the despair when i suddenly found my data of vital importance lost after i had 2 drives merged with PM.
suri on August 5th, 2008 11:39 am

thnx thnx thnx thnx a tonnnnn guysssssss .. u saved my lifeeeeeeeee … :)
suri on August 5th, 2008 2:39 pm

thnx thnx thnx thnx a tonnnnn guysssssss .. u saved my lifeeeeeeeee … :)
Mr.Jo on August 23rd, 2008 11:54 pm

thx. very much. you save my important data. thx. thx. thx.
el.coyote on August 25th, 2008 4:03 pm

Thank You Very very very much, if You were here I could kiss you(in non gay way). Thnx :-)
ray on October 30th, 2008 12:47 pm

i love u baby
thank u very much….
Artem on December 9th, 2008 6:41 pm

Thank you, man, very much. I was desperate. You saved my 3 year's work. God save YOU man and those who made important comments. THANK YOU GUYS!!!!!!
darkonesS on December 22nd, 2008 6:39 pm

Hi,
thanks man ;)
nice work and tutorial
Greg on February 12th, 2009 5:21 pm

Thanx man!
I've just have simmilar situation, googled your webpage and it's working!
Klim on February 15th, 2009 1:32 pm

Thanks author, loan and CP very much.
Mirdin on May 26th, 2009 5:01 pm

Sadly, this is what happened to me. I had 2 partition. G and J. I wanted to merge J into G. Gave the above error. 1520… I tried what you said, sadly it didnlt work. I had the folder on G, but it was empty once I got persmission to it. I also noticed that the old partition, J, was still there, sadly without a file system. PM8 really screwed it up for me. The interestung part is, that except for that folder, the G partition is very well intact at its old size… But like I said, J has 0 bytes, no FAT and every time I click on it it asks me to format it, like I would do that… Not before I try some paetition recovery programs :P Stay away from PM8. It happened ot me before. Lost 5 years of work, 200 GB of data…
Pbr on June 20th, 2009 12:42 pm

GREAT THANKS!!! It worked :)
afilaj on July 9th, 2009 8:05 pm

THANX A LOT DUDE…HAD 150 GIGS OF IMPORTANT DATA..PHEWWW
Theo on September 15th, 2009 11:11 am

Thanks man. Although your solution worked, I later found that one of the programs, PM8 or Chkdsk had screwed up the two directories on the one partition holding all of my media content. The data still existed; not in a readable format, but as chk files. Not sure if they're recoverable but we'll see.
Ray on November 13th, 2009 10:04 pm

Well I have a different experience to report. After one year this thead was the best on the web for solutions.
I used PM 8.0 to merge 2 partitions, got the the dreaded 1520, couldn't get into the PM folder, no permissions tab etc.
I didn't disable simple file sharing. I actually shared the flolder got some kickback from XP but then the progress window opened and went through resetting permission on subfolders.
The progress window closed and Voila! i had my folders back.
Now though the one folder I really needed would not open and prompted there was corruption.
I tried chkdisk with no switches and it reported errors.
I ran chkdisk /f now it has fixed some things and is going through about 100,000 files recovering.
Chkdisk stopped and I have my files back!!!
trung on February 18th, 2010 6:01 am

i should thx all of u guys, i was depressed when my data was almost gone :)). My treasure is some precious family' photos . Thx
khalid arab on May 12th, 2010 4:58 am

thanks buddy,
it really worked for me, if you were near me then i would have given you the reward for it,but again i would like to thank you very much.
khalid arab on May 12th, 2010 11:58 am

thanks buddy,
it really worked for me, if you were near me then i would have given you the reward for it,but again i would like to thank you very much.