Update has caused corruption

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  1. Posts : 7
    Windows Home 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #1

    Update has caused corruption


    Hi,

    Firstly sorry that I can't give a more specific title thread at the moment - I'll explain why below.

    Secondly apologies if I have posted in the wrong forum, I had a skim through them and this seemed then most appropriate though I wasn't too sure.

    So here's the problem:

    Over the last few days I've been getting a whole host of error messages, and lots of strange going ons. I believe -though I'm not entirely sure - it all started when a (Critical) Windows Update automatically run and restarted my laptop on 22nd December.

    The first and most noticeable thing to happen was that my desktop picture had disappeared. Then came the error messages - eg when I open iTunes the pop-up message "DDE Server Window: iTunes.exe - Corrupt File...The file or directory C:\users\matt\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows is corrupt and unreadable. Please run the Chkdsk utility."

    I tried to run a scheduled Chkdsk but it did not run at start up. I then learnt that one could be scheduled via Command Prompt, but had problems with this also as many of the suggested ways of getting to the command prompt as none of the methods suggested here: Command Prompt would work. Eg if I type CMD into the search box in the start menu I receive the message "Windows cannot find 'search:query=cmd'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again".

    Assuming that this meant that I had really big problems I attempted to try a system restore, but that won't run either as I get the following message: "The disc TI106139W0E (C:) has errors" and the instruction to run chk disc! Round and round in circles.....

    I've had a bit of a look around these forums, but every thing I try doesn't work. Eg:

    I was led to try System File Checker (System Files - SFC Command - Vista Forums), and managed to get a command prompt via a download someone had posted on here but when I type SFC /SCANNOW I get the message "Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service".......so then - as per the tutorial - I attempt to run it in safe mode (Safe Mode - Vista Forums) but this doesn't work either as when I type MSCONFIG into the search box in the start menu I receive the message "Windows cannot find 'search:query=msconfig'. Make sure you typed the name correctly, and then try again".

    I had recently run Microsoft Security Essentials - which is reporting to be all up to date, and protected - so assume that's all good.

    PLEASE can anyone help at all? You'd really make my Christmas.

    Thanks in advance.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #2

    Please follow the instructions in Windows Updates & Activation - Windows 7 Forums and post the requested data.
    You may find it better to try running CHKDSK and SFC in offline mode....


    Your best option in that case is to run the CHKDSK and SFC in offline mode from a Recovery Environment boot.

    Reboot the computer, and tap the F8 key until you get the advanced boot menu up - one option should be 'Repair your computer'. Pick that one.

    Log into your normal account.
    You'll get a set of options - pick the Command Prompt one.
    At the command prompt, type DIR C:\
    - if we're lucky this will bring up a listing of your normal C: drive contents, including the Program Files folder(s) and the Windows folder.
    If not, try D:\ or E:\ (etc. until you get the right letter)
    then type the following command

    CHKDSK <drive>: /R

    and wait for it to complete - it could take a few hours, depending on the size of the drive.

    Once complete, type

    sfc /scannow /OFFBOOTDIR=<drive>:\ /OFFWINDIR=<drive>:\Windows

    where <drive> is the letter you found above.

    Wait for the command to complete. (make a note of the response!).

    Once it has, type EXIT and the pick the option to reboot.

    then post again, and include the data from the instructions.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7
    Windows Home 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Hi Noel,

    Thanks a billion for your response - you're a good man.

    I went through your instructions and was all good up to the point at which I needed to enter CHKDSK <drive>: /R. At this point I got the message: "The system cannot find the file specified" (see attached screenshot).

    Can you recommend anything to try next?

    Very best wishes,
    Matt
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #4

    You have a syntax error there. Replace <drive> on Noels instructions with the drive letter, without less than and greater than tags.

    In other words, when instructions tell you to type CHKDSK <drive>: /R and the drive you need to check is C:, your command should be CHKDSK C: /R

    Kari
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #5

    The command you need is
    CHKDSK C: /R

    (I see Kari beat me to it - thanks Kari!)
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #6

    Saw OP hanging online, thought he might sit there just waiting an answer and this was so simple even I knew it .
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 279
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    also recommend you to make another fresh user and log on to it. sometime this can help...
    then for the check disk see the following picture.. after ticking these restart your system and let it check disk you. it takes a big time
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 7
    Windows Home 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    I'm not stupid...honestly! ;-)

    Will try again right now. Thanks both.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 7
    Windows Home 7 Home Premium 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Oh Lordy.

    So I entered the check disc command correctly and it begun to run - wey hey! As you warned it took time, lots of time; so I figured I'd do some stuff (I had a bath and watched some TV, relaxing not just in hot water but also in the knowledge that I'd return to a completed disk check).

    I've just come back to the computer and instead of finding it in the command prompty thing it was turned off. Now I've rebooted to turn it on it's in the same state as it was before the CHKDSK - ie no change, no fix.

    What do you think happened and what do you suggest I do next? Do I need to run CHKDSK again but not be tempted by a relaxing bath and instead wait for the process to complete so I can immediately pounce on it and complete your suggested actions? Or should I pick up from the CHKDSK (ie run the Scandsk from offline mode)?

    Thanks all - it's genuinely appreciated.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 21,482
    Win 7 x64 Home Premium (and x86 VirtualBox VM)/Win10
       #10

    It sounds as if you may have some hardware problems - try running the less intensive test

    Same procedure, but this time use the command

    CHKDSK C: /F

    see if that completes properly, then try the SFC /SCANNOW
      My Computer


 
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