check disk probs on xp

[pottypat]

hi to you all another newbie needing your help

when turning on chk dsk says it need to run so have let it do so for about 3hours

it gets to stage 2 saying correcting error so file25 but it will just not do anymore than that or is this a case of xp needs reinstalling

any advice gladly received

[Tony D]

What was your reason for running chkdsk? Are you have problems?

[AdvancedSetup]

Hello Pat,

 

That is not a good sign. It could be due to severe file corruption and CHKDSK can not correct it.

 

DO NOT touch it though unless it's run for hours as you can cause more damage by turning the system off in the middle of a check.

 

If it just can not go any further and if you reboot and can get past the chkdsk then I would attempt to make sure you have backups of all your files as it could very well be an eminent hardware failure on the drive.

[pottypat]

hi kelly thanks for reply to my problem with this

soon as windows starts up it goes straight into blue chk dsk screen so cant seem to stop that happening have let it run for a few hours but just will not get past stage 2

can not defragment as it just says can not do as dsk check needs to run

hope u can advise further

[pottypat]

hi thanks for your views on this problem is this a case of reinstall xp or is the hard drive had it hope you can help further

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Try using the recovery console to do the chkdsk. Boot with the windows CD and go into the recovery console and type chkdsk /r (note the space between k and /).

 

But you will have to try and back up yor data.

Edited April 19, 2008 by maynardvdm

[RandyL]

Hi pottypat;

As AdvancedSetup stated you are in danger of losing your files as your Windows files are corrupted beyond repair or your hard drive is dying. If I were you I would slave your drive to another computer so you can backup your data. If your drive is dying everytime you start up there is less chance of recovering your data.

 

Try what maynard said. If it completes immediately backup all your data.

 

When chkdsk starts try Ctrl Alt Delete twice to restart your computer.

 

Try tapping F8 at bootup to see if you can get into boot options. Just maybe you can get into Safe Mode. If so maybe you can stop it running from there.

 

However if you did not initiate chkdsk but rather it started on its own then you had better backup your data fast just in case.

[pottypat]

hi maynard only prob is compuer came preloaded so have no disc to use what next starting to lose hair now

[pottypat]

hi randyl yes this comes up on its own yes i can get into safe mode ok what do i do from there please

[RandyL]

Hi again;

Please wait until the techs can review this furthur. In the mean time look here and scroll down to Check Disk - Disk Checking Runs Upon Boot.

 

Although this could just be a dirty query I suspect hard drive issues.

 

RandyL

[pottypat]

hi randyl xp works ok if i cancell the chkdsk upon start up can i just disable chkdsk on start up or is this just hiding a bigger problem can put up with xp being slow but the chkdsk is my main worry thanks again

[Seth]

Potty,

 

You're likely experiencing a failing hard drive. Do you have any personal data that needs to be backed up?

[pottypat]

hi seth yes have loads to save in your comment then does it mean a new hard drive now then

[Seth]

The chkdsk may fix the problem, or it may cause the drive to fail completely, as a chkdsk causes a fair amount of stress to the hard drive.

 

Back up your data, confirm you can see the backup, then post back for further instructions.

[pottypat]

hi seth have saved data now but as said earlier can not run chkdsk as it will not get past stage 2 even after 3 hours what is the next big step

[Guest Wolfeymole]

What size does the data equate to Pat?

 

It may be possible to burn it to a disk.

[Seth]

Ok, you need to get the hard drive error checking (chkdsk /r) to run.

 

You have two options:

 

1) The hard drive can be installed as secondary drive on a different computer to run full error checking.

 

2) You burn a copy of the Recovery Console (burn it as an image) and start the computer using that cd. At the command prompt, type in chkdsk /r (space between the K and the /). When it's finished, type exit and remove the cd as soon as you restart the computer. The Recovery Console image (.iso) is here:

http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso

 

When you click on that link, a popup will appear which prompts you to download the file.

Edited April 19, 2008 by Seth

[pottypat]

hi seth thanks for info and link to download but sorry to say can not get it to download

so for now i feel the only thing to do is to keep skipping chkdsk and just see what happens as said once have skipped chkdsk it works fine so may well be back for more help when it packs in alltogether thanks again

[Seth]

You're welcome Pat.

 

As noted, the chkdsk wants to run because Window's is detecting some sort of file corruption.

 

As long as you have your data backed up, then it's ok to use the drive until it dies. Although I hope you have some recovery disks when that happens. Do you?

 

You can also try this:

 

Before going to bed tonight, go to start, run, type in chkdsk /f and press enter (space between the K and the /) Choose Y at the next screen, restart the computer, confirm that the chkdsk is running, then go to slumber land.

 

...I've seen chkdsk take up to 9 hours to fully complete.

[pottypat]

hi seth thanks for info but think it is time to clear out this mucked up xp on here

which do u think would be best to install vista or xp your reply will be of great help

[Guest Wolfeymole]

What you need to consider Pat is what your system has at the moment to what Vista would require.

Here are the basic requirements to run Vista, I recommend that you multiply them by four.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/systemrequirements.mspx

 

You admit that you have no disk to reinstall XP and that your hard drive appears to be dying.

 

Dependant on your present system hardware it may well be that you could only install XP.

Please get back to us with what hardware your system has at present Pat.

[Seth]

What is the make and model of the PC?

[pottypat]

hi seth its a packard bell extreme i 70 with an 80gb hard drive and 512mb of ram hope this helps

[pottypat]

hi wolfy have just posted the details you ask hope you can see it and advise thanks for your reply and help