Corrupted file system after CHKDSK

[pimiimip]

Hi, I need some help!
I have an Acer Aspire 5734Z with Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit installed and ever since I got my computer I've been having trouble starting Windows normally. Like many time before, a week ago my computer started again freezing at the Windows logo every time I put it on. Here's what I tried to do to get things back to normal:

1. I ran CHKDSK /r, and got my computer working.
2. Two days later, I had the same problem. So, I ran CHKDSK /r (found 48 unreadable file segments, deleted 60 index entries, corrected and deleted file names..), but it froze at stage 3 of 5, "verifying indexes", and after 19 hours I shut it down.
2. Still having the same freezing problem, I ran CHKDSK /r once again (found 13 bad clusters..) and I noticed the line "Windows has made corrections to the file system". After the check was complete Windows wouldn't still start.
3. I tried all the different Safe Modes, but got stuck at loading "\windows\system32\DRIVERS\AVGIDSEH.sys" or the file after that.

After several days of CHKDSKs I've somehow been able to log in, but now a pop-up appeared saying: "The file system structure on the disk is corrupt and unusable". I can barely use any programs at all, and those that I can use get errors like "chrome.exe - Corrupt Disk. The file system structure on the disk is corrupt and unusable."

What on earth just happened to my Windows 7?! It feels like Windows/CHKDSK deleted the wrong files or something. Do you have any suggestions how to fix this? I will most likely end up formatting everything and start over fresh (for the 3rd time), but if there is another way, I'd love to hear it!

Thank you in advance!
- Heidi

PS. Does this problem belong in this section of the forum?

 

[richc46]

Welcome Heidi
It sounds like hard drive problems. Take this Hard drive test to be sure. I would back up my stuff, if you can, first, just in case.
Test Hard Drive HD Diagnostic or this test Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

 

[marsmimar]

You may be able to salvage your system with a System File Checker scan.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

If that doesn't work you might have better luck with a Repair Install.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

What concerns me is why you've had to do a format and reinstall 3 times. You may have a bad hard drive. You could also try running SeaTools.

SeaTools for Windows | Seagate

EDIT: Rich's nimble fingers on the keyboard beat me again.

 

[pimiimip]

Richard and marsmimar, thank you for the links, I'll get to them right away!
Yes, a bad hard drive could be the problem, or at least it feels like it.

I'll get back to you asap, thank you!

 

[pimiimip]

Okay, here's an update.
I tried the SFC, but got this: Verification 35% complete. Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation. Also, if I were to try the Repair Install, I'd have to have the installation CD/DVD, right? I don't have one since Windows 7 came with the computer automatically.

With SeaTools: SMART Check and Short Generic worked, but the rest of the tests failed.

I'm still looking at what to do according to Richard's HD Diagnostic link.

 

[marsmimar]

Okay, here's an update.
I tried the SFC, but got this: Verification 35% complete. Windows Resource Protection could not perform the requested operation. Also, if I were to try the Repair Install, I'd have to have the installation CD/DVD, right? I don't have one since Windows 7 came with the computer automatically.

With SeaTools: SMART Check and Short Generic worked, but the rest of the tests failed.

I'm still looking at what to do according to Richard's HD Diagnostic link.

Yes, it would be best to have the install media to do a repair install. How were you formatting/reinstalling before? System image? Recovery partition?

 

[pimiimip]

Recovery partition, I believe.

I tried Richard's HD Diagnostic as well and got as far as booting from the CD I had burned (step 5), but all I got was a black screen. Maybe something went wrong when burning the disk. Also right before the log in screen a pop-up for logonUI.exe appeared telling me that the RASAPI32.dll file was not found. Hmm..

 

[richc46]

There are two tests, try the other.
Burn at a slow speed.

 

[pimiimip]

Okay, burnt it at the slower speed.
I feel really stupid, what am I doing wrong? I booted from the CD by pressing F2 and selecting the CD Drive as the first boot device, but after that nothing special really happens. The log in screen appears, I log in and that's it. From the desktop I can open Seagate SeaTools (the page suggests me to use it since I have a WD) to do the Long test, but it fails like before.

 

[marsmimar]

Before getting too far ahead of ourselves, have you done a full scan for viruses, sypware and other malware? Sometimes they can stop you from performing certain repair tasks. In addition to whatever security product(s) you may already have installed I like to use some additional on demand scanners. They are all free. You may have to go into safe mode with networking to download.

Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Malware is a free download that removes viruses and malware from your computer

Hitman Pro 3 - SurfRight

HouseCall - Free Online Virus Scan - Trend Micro USA

Norton Rescue Tools

SUPERAntiSpyware.com | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!

If Hitman Pro finds anything, it will ask you to get the paid version. You don't have to because it will also give you the complete path of the suspected file.

 

[pimiimip]

I have AVG Anti-Virus and Malwarebytes and none of them found anything special, Hitman Pro has so far only found a lot of cookies. I'll see what it says when it's done. Thank you for the links!

 

[pimiimip]

Hitman Pro didn't find anything harmful.

I give up. I would like to format everything again, it's the easy way out, but since I've had problems even after reinstalling I'm a bit sceptical to doing it. Ah, I might as well send it to be fixed tomorrow.

Still, thank you for all your help, Richard and marsmimar! I've learnt many new ways to check for problems!

 

[marsmimar]

No problem! But maybe you should try the recovery partition one more time just to make sure it really is a bad hard drive. Shouldn't take more than 20-30 minutes to restore your machine to factory specs. If I remember correctly you have to click ALT+F10 at start up and that should open the recovery manager. At some point it will ask for a security code and it's usually six zeros (000000). Just follow the prompts to restore to factory specs. Does this sound familiar?

Once you've done that, my suggestion is to install Microsoft Security Essentials at least for the time being. It's lightweight and plays well with other Microsoft applications (like all the Windows Updates you'll have to get.) Make sure your computer still works. Then install SP1 (it will take care of at least 50% of the updates.) Do not try to install anything else with SP1. It's a big install and things can go bad fast if you try to do too much all at once. After SP1 is installed, see if your computer still works.

If it does, start working on the other Windows Updates. I'd start with the Critical first. Install may 5 at a time ... no more than that. If something stops working you'll know which of the 5 updates it was. Uninstall them and reinstall one at a time, checking computer after each install. If computer breaks again, you'll know exactly which update is the bugger. Don't install that again until you've worked your way through the remaining Critical, Important, and Optional. Yes, it will take a while but you should know for sure if your hard drive is really bad. Some problems are actually corrupt files caused by massive updates.

If you're interested in trying before spending money, I'm sure many people on the forum can help guide you along. But you seem more than capable of doing this!

Any questions?

 

[pimiimip]

Okay, I will try it once more. Thanks!
Oh and the things you mentioned do sound familiar, so I don't think I'll be facing too many problems with it!

 

[marsmimar]

Sounds good, Heidi. If Win 7, MSE, and all updates install OK and work OK, I think that might indicate your hard drive is probably good. I'd make a system image to an external hard drive (if you happen to have one available) so you won't have to go through the time consuming process of installing all those updates again. Once you have the system image, I think it would be OK to start installing any additional programs or applications you need (like Adobe Flash, gadgets, etc.) Again, I'd do them one at a time just to make sure everything still works. If you get a few installed OK, I'd make another system image. No pressures, just some food for thought.