Chkdsk Running on my Maxtor OneTouch4

I am hoping that this is posted in the correct category, please feel free to move it to the right place. I really am interested in getting some answers.

I have had a Maxtor OneTouch4 which I use for backups (yes, I am currently switching over to an online service) but mostly for my music for maybe 3 years now. I collect obscure stuff and lots of covers which has taken me hours to find and obtain. I also have years and years of pictures on it.

A couple of weeks ago during an unattended reboot, chkdsk began running on my external drive. I was terrified to "pull the plug" on it so I let it run to completion. Since then I have been having all sorts of problems.
I lost all of my current email backups, it deleted files that belonged to other family members but I wasn't concerned because none the stuff lost was really important.

Now it seems that chkdsk wants to run all the time. When I click on files, mostly those that I have changed or added since the initial chkdsk, I get a message that tells me the file is corrupt. Somehow, I managed to get some of those corrupt files in my Recycle Bin as well. I can not delete any of these files but more importantly, I would think it would be unwise to add anything more to this external drive.

My question is what should I do? Right now I am using an online service to back up everything that is precious. Once that is done should I let chkdsk do it's thing? Should I "wipe" the drive clean and start over? Is this even possible? Or should I just count myself lucky that I didn't lose too much, buy a new drive and use this one as a door stop?

Thank in advance, Brenda:confused

 

I think I have reached the same conclusion. I hate to waste money on something can be repaired but losing my files would be far more "expensive".

Thanks for your help. Brenda