A method for handling media errors during a read operation on a data storage device. The method comprises detecting that a first file and a second file are duplicates, wherein the first file is stored on a first storage device. Metadata is written to the first storage device in association with the first file, wherein the metadata identifies the location of the second file that is a duplicate of the first file. Later, an application program requests a first read operation to read the first file. In response to a media error that results from the first read operation, the method reads the metadata associated with the first file to identify the location of the second file, performs a second read operation to read the second file instead of the first file, and provides the second file to the application program in satisfaction of the requested first read operation.