An error detecting and correcting method and mechanism. An error correcting code for data is utilized wherein a special syndrome pattern is used to indicate corresponding data includes a previously detected uncorrectable error. In response to receiving data and corresponding first check bits from a storage device, new check bits corresponding to the read data are generated. Based upon the read check bits and newly generated check bits, a syndrome is generated. If an uncorrectable error is detected, the newly generated check bits are inverted prior to be stored. Subsequent readers of the stored data will generate a syndrome which corresponds to the predetermined pattern and determine that the data includes a previously detected uncorrectable error. Data including an error corresponding to an previously detected uncorrectable error may be discarded and no error reported.