ChkDsk on Startup, deleted "corrupt" files; Programs no longer work.

[Nocturnes]

ChkDsk on Startup, deleted "corrupt" files; Programs no longer work.

So earlier today, Windows told me it had an update to install. So, I shut down my computer like normal, then booted it back up. In the middle of booting, the black Check-disk screen came up (which is unusual), said something about the C:/ drive being NTFS and needing to scan it.

It then proceeded to delete numerous "corrupt/orphan" files, which was even more unusual. Sensing something wasn't right, I hit my reset button to stop it from deleting anymore files, and avoided the check-disk scan during the following bootup.

My instincts appear to have been correct, as numerous programs can no longer function. Firefox fails to start because its "side-by-side configuration is incorrect." Ifranview appears to have had its core program deleted, but left shortcuts. iTunes "was not installed correctly." Those are just a few examples, but there are more programs such as Adobe that appear to have had crucial files deleted/corrupted. Luckily Internet Explorer *shudder*, my pics/docs/vids/music, and a few other programs appear to be working for now. I tried reinstalling Firefox, but that appears to have done nothing.

I already plan on moving/backing up all of my pics/docs/vids/music and project files to an external hard drive before doing anything else, and I've run Avast! and Malwarebytes scans but found nothing...

So here's my question(s): What the heck happened? What caused this, and is there a way to fix it without wiping my entire hard drive, reinstalling Windows 7 and starting over from square one?

 

[richc46]

What happened, dont really know, but it sounds like an imminant hard drive failure. Good move to back up your stuff.
You should test your hard drive. Go to the website of the manufacturer of your drive, there will be a test.
You can try to remedy the software problem with a system restore. This will have no affect of a hard drive problem, however.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

 

[karlsnooks]

Welcome to SevenForums.

Now I have not the slightest idea what happened, however, important is that we rule out a couple of possibilities.

VERY IMPORTANT: Do NOT use the computer for anything other than these corrective measures.


First, the easy one:
Make, on another computer, a CD to test your harddrive.

Download this iso.
http://www.seagate.com/staticfiles/support/seatools/SeaToolsDOS223ALL.ISO

To put that on a CD, on your other Win 7 simply double-click on the iso.
Be sure to chose Verify.

That's going to let you know about your hard disk.

IF your hard disk is ok, then:

Click on the WDO link in my sig. There you will find a program and instructions from Microsoft. Use the usb stick procedure and boot up your bad computer from the usb stick.

In fact, here is the procedure that I use:

HOW TO USE WINDOWS DEFENDER OFFLINE ON A USB STICK
Windows Defender Offline
· is a free standalone, bootable malware and virus remover from Microsoft.
· performs an offline scan of an infected PC to remove viruses, rootkits and other advanced malware.

Download Windows Defender Offline (about 764 kB)

You will have the choice of downloading the 32bit version (x86) or the 64 bit version (x64).
The link will help you determine whether you are running a 32 bit version or 64 bit version of Windows

NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 32 bit version using a 64 bit version of Windows
NOTE!! You can download and prepare a 64 bit version using a 32bit version of Windows.

You run the 32 bit version on a 32 bit version of Windows.
You run the 64 bit version on a 64 bit version of Windows.

The 32 bit download file name is: mssstool32.exe
The 64 bit download file name is: mssstool64.exe

For the curious, this program was originally name Microsoft Standalone System Sweeper.


INSTALLATION:
You will need an Internet Connection.
Insert 512 mB (Microsoft’s 256 mB is no longer accurate) or larger USB stick into a usb port.
Run the downloaded program--mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe
NEXT button
Choose the option On a USB flash drive that is not password protected
NEXT button
NEXT button
.
The install program will format the usb stick using the NTFS format.
The install program will download about 210 mB.
The install program will name the USB stick WDO_Media32 or WDO_Media64
The WDO_Media32 usb stick will have used space of 255 mB (268,140,544 bytes)
The WDO_Media64 usb stick will have used space of 282 mB (296,165,376 bytes)
You can expect the number of mB to increase as more malware appears.

UPDATE Windows Defender Offline USB stick:
· reinsert the usb stick
· run the installation program, mssstool64.exe or mssstool32.exe, again.
· the update will download about 66 mB (mssstool32.exe) and 68 mB (mssstool64.exe).

Since the malware database is sometimes updated several times in a day, always update before running.

PERFORM AN OFFLINE SCAN
Bootup your computer from the USB stick
Windows Defender Offline will automatically perform a quick scan.
After the quick scan finishes, Choose Full Scan
Select all of your drives

The initial, full scan can easily take several hours, but
Remember, your computer is being very thoroughly checked for all types of malware.


RESULTS OF THE SCAN
The results will be in 4 log files in:
\Windows\Microsoft Antimalware\Support
Upload the four log files please.