Strange results using synchronize directories command

[smfabac]

I use TC 8.0.1 to copy my Canon SD memory cards to my computer (win XP SP3) and the attached USB3 external hard drive. I have three external USB drives that I use for redundant storage. I use TC to copy the card to the USB drive mounted as E: and then from E: to the USB drive mounted as M:. Later, I remove the E: drive and connect the third USB drive as E: and copy the files from M: to it as well.

At a later date after more subdirectories have been created on the camera SD card, I copy the new directories and check existing directories to see if any files were created in directories previously copied and thus needing to be copied (synchronized) amoung the three external USB drives. I've noticed that when I run the command "synchronize directories" I see jpeg and video files that TC displays the "not equal" sign.

In the case of subdirectory 101___09, synchronize directories finds:

[face=courier]files found: 156 (identical: 149, Different: 6, Unique left: 0, Unique right 0)[/face]

When I play the subject video file, it plays correctly from each drive. Same for viewing any of the jpeg image files that are "not equal."

Running "fc MVI_0208.mov e:\SX40HS\Raw 8G HDSC\101___09\\MVI_0208.mov" from "M:\OLD-R\SX40\RAW8GH~1\101___09" directory shows differences in the files even though they were copied using TC.

The following example is from files copied from M: to E: via TC and then checked via "synchronize directories." MVI_0208.mov is not equal (M: to E: ) but MVI_0207.mov is equal.

[face=courier]Comparing files MVI_0208.MOV and E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\MVI_0208.MOV
***** MVI_0208.MOV
@ ╠-Φ
^D⌠¬-y╫█ôq1╕▌^V^B^W¼▀^B^Tº╚<80>
@^X░<98>8C
***** E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\MVI_0208.MOV
@ ╠-Φ
^D^B^Tº╚<80>
@^X░<98>8C
*****

***** MVI_0208.MOV
&╚2"┌╦╙^W+¡
1H!≤Y<¬∞^Xn╜7¼Hσ0ƒ4^Kª^ák┬
^Ba┼0£▒╓âòV<8F>^^Bâ^Q│T
***** E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\MVI_0208.MOV
&╚2"┌╦╙^W+¡
1H!≤Y<¬∞^Xö[zå▄^Cá¡░#L8M ^U╦n╜7¼Hσ0ƒ4^Kª^ák┬
^Ba┼0£▒╓âòV<8F>^^Bâ^Q│T
*****

***** MVI_0208.MOV
<90>DF╫âë_^₧&3n▌│|w▐╫$▐εhçxH┌%GK┬ôΓ%2α~>4^FDB┤^MâXn=#_╣^YJ:a┌_4»▄^CσïG▒G^Rt┐^]^W
;Äc^X½ⁿ{_╞r`⌠^Bw^_ Y⌐óoera┐⌠<Llv║^E╤╔{└x░┘^LbIcº∞└▀¡ó<à░╕E░~
^?e4q^B^F╒±fc2<8D>%░7n^^╪√^DzJ$^U1)╚Ü«└─^S^\^╫½ghM²^N>(SLRZ^Re^ù^_▓Gë<8D>ö^SX═S╚
^E╞B■
┬ª╓·^R^Gp7ûN┘`^R±fixöR^_;Æ^C^D^\ⁿ╟v≡
***** E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\MVI_0208.MOV
<90>DF╫âë_^₧&3n▌│|w▐╫$▐εhçxH┌%GK┬ôΓ%2α~>4^FDB┤^MâXn=#_╣^YJ:a┌_4»▄^CσïG▒G^Rt┐^]^W
;Äc^X½ⁿ{_╞r`⌠^Bw^_ Y⌐óoera┐⌠<Llv║^E╤╔{└x░┘^LbIcº∞└▀¡ó<à░╕E░~
^?e4q^B^F╒±f╪√^DzJ$^U1)╚Ü«└─^S^\^╫½ghM²^N>(SLRZ^Re^ù^_▓Gë<8D>ö^SX═S╚^E╞B■
┬ª╓·^R^Gp7ûN┘`^R±fixöR^_;Æ^C^D^\ⁿ╟v≡
*****
[/face]

Yet when I FC a file shown by TC as "equal" FC shows:

[face=courier]Comparing files MVI_0207.MOV and E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\MVI_0207.MOV
FC: no differences encountered

(END)
[/face]

And checking with sum -r I see:
[face=courier]
sum -r mvi_0207.mov mvi_0208.mov E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\mvi_0207.mov E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\mvi_0208.mov

62006 33753 mvi_0207.mov
62006 33753 E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\mvi_0207.mov
63909 23428 mvi_0208.mov
50168 23428 E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\mvi_0208.mov

dir mvi_0207.mov mvi_0208.mov E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\mvi_0207.mov E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09\mvi_0208.mov

Volume in drive M is Seagate Expansion Drive
Volume Serial Number is 10BE-3955

Directory of M:\OLD-R\SX40\RAW8GH~1\101___09
09/22/2012 07:34 PM 17,281,408 MVI_0207.MOV
09/22/2012 07:34 PM 213,321,584 MVI_0208.MOV
2 File(s) 230,602,992 bytes
0 Dir(s) 56,819,650,560 bytes free

Volume in drive E is Seagate Expansion Drive
Volume Serial Number is FC9B-FEF2

Directory of E:\SX40HS\RAW8GH~1\101___09
09/22/2012 07:34 PM 17,281,408 MVI_0207.MOV
09/22/2012 07:34 PM 213,321,584 MVI_0208.MOV
2 File(s) 230,602,992 bytes
[/face]

So there are unexplained differences in the files copied with TC that "synchronize directories" shows as "not equal."

Please explain what is going on and how do I get TC to faithfully copy my images and video files.

[HolgerK]

This sounds like a hardware or driver problem while reading and writing of large files to your second USB drive (M: )

The sequential copy sdcard->drive1->drive2->drive3 is not the best idea.
Any error at the begin of the chain will be copied to the whole rest of the chain.
sdCard->drive1
sdCard->drive2
sdCard->drive3
may be a better strategy.

1) Use only the standard or compatibility copy method for your external USB drives!
TC main menu: "Configuration->Options...->Copy/Delete"

2) Switch to TC 8.51!
This version has a verify option in the copy dialog.

3) Check the SMART status of your external devices!
CrystalDiskInfo (Standard Edition)

4) If your external USB drives are not self powered (e.g. 2.5" drives), it may be that the power supply over USB (especially if your computer is a notebook) is not sufficient to delivery enough current for simultaneous connection of 2 external drives. Connect one of the drives via a self powered USB hub.

5) Never place a cell phone or similar radio transmitter near the external drives or USB cables!

6) Replace the USB cables (short as possible, not longer than 2 meter, no cable extender)

7) In case you are using an USB 3.0 adapter card: update the drivers or try to use the USB 2.0 ports of your computer instead.

Regards
Holger