It seems like you're facing a perplexing issue with the files on your wife's external drive. You can try few troubleshooting steps to help you determine which files are real and how to proceed:
1. Check the file sizes: Start by comparing the file sizes of the photos on the external drive with their counterparts on the hard drive. If the file sizes are significantly different, it might indicate that the files on the external drive are just placeholders or references rather than actual copies of the photos.
2. Use a different file management tool: If Disk Doctor is not providing accurate information about the files on the external drive, you can try using an alternative file management tool or disk analysis software.
3. Verify file integrity: Check if the files on the external drive are accessible and can be opened. You can randomly select a few files and try opening them to ensure they are complete and not corrupted. If a significant number of files are inaccessible or appear to be corrupted, it might indicate an issue with the external drive itself.
4. Search for hidden or system files: Ensure that you are able to view hidden and system files on both the external drive and the hard drive. Sometimes, files can be marked as hidden, making them appear as if they don't exist when using a regular file explorer.
5. Consider professional data recovery: If none of the above steps help you recover the missing files or determine their status, it may be necessary to try a professional data recovery software/service. You can try using, Stellar Data Recovery software in order to recover lost or missing files from any storage device.
Remember to back up any important files before attempting any data recovery operations to prevent potential data loss. Additionally, it's a good practice to regularly back up your files to multiple locations, including an external drive and the cloud, to avoid such situations in the future.
