> > file was deleted(unlinked), but on EXT2FS, the file could have been being
> > created, or deleted - now what should it do?
> 
> Ext2 sets a dtime field in the inode if the file is meant to be deleted.

oh.. now i understand the message from e2fsck in linux "deleted inode xxx
has no dtime"...
> > > all lossage.
> > 
> > Whose fsck doesn't notice?
> 
> fsck_ffs on NetBSD (without softupdates, that is the comparism) compared
> to e2fsck on whatever OS you want.
> 
> > What doesn't it notice?
> 
> File data.
> 
please read something about how filesystem work - things you telling shows
you do not understand how filesystem (ext2 or ffs or other) work