How to get a log from chkdsk after running chkdsk from the RE?

[DonnaB]

Hi there,

Is there any way to get a chkdsk log from an unbootable computer after you run chkdsk from the Recovery Environment (RE) so it can be posted on a forum?

Thank you,

Donna

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Here's where I look for chkdsk results:

Start/Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Event Viewer and open Windows logs in left pane. Double-click "Application". Look for chkdsk in the source column in the right pane for the time chkdsk was run. Double click that row to bring up details.

If the chkdsk is run on a reboot, as it would for a C drive, the results should be under a “wininit” listing in the source column, rather than under chkdsk.

That's where I look for results. You could just copy the results to a file and upload the file---or just copy the pertinent portion into a post.

I'm not sure how much of that you can get to from the recovery environment.

I'm not sure offhand if there is a more detailed log anywhere.

 

[DonnaB]

Hi ignatzatsonic,

Thank you kindly for your response.

Problem is the laptop is unbootable and I am having my OP run the chkdsk from the recovery console (aka "Repair Your Computer" option on the Advanced Boot Options menu.) I';d like for the OP to be able to obtain and post the log somehow for my viewing pleasure though she can not boot the computer into normal mode to do so.

I though maybe I could type into the cmd prompt to direct the log to notepad and then be placed on a USB though it didn't work for me. Not sure how to get a log....

Any ideas??

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I just looked at the chkdsk switches from the command line and don't see anything pertaining to directing a log file.

I have very little experience with the recovery console.

What's the nature of the hard drive problem?

 

[DonnaB]

Well. After malware removal, which I am trained in, and a clean bill of health, the laptop black screened after running sfc. OP did point out that she was a victim of black screens prior to when the infection was noted. Confidant that all files are legit, none corrupt or missing, now focusing on the hardware side of the issue.

I'll just have to resort to having the OP take note of the chkdsk results and post the info concerning the sectors (good or bad), though I would personally like to view the log for my own viewing pleasure.

Thank you for your time, ignatzatsonic. I truly appreciate it.

 

[derekimo]

Maybe option two of this tutorial will help with that,

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96938-check-disk-chkdsk-read-event-viewer-log.html

 

[DonnaB]

Hi derekimo,

Hm? Not sure that will help. Is it even possible to bring up the Run box in a cmd prompt in the RE? I'll boot my laptop into the RE and experiment a bit, though even if it is possible, still can not access the desktop to retrieve CHKDSKRESULTS.txt.

 

[nommy the first]

Hey Donna, nice to see you over here at SF

I'm not entirely sure, but for as far as I know it should be possible yeah. Although I must say that I am not sure if you can open PowerShell via CMD in WinRE.. But if you can, then you can use this method.

Just make the OP open CMD, and then type the following command:
start powershell

Then, in PowerShell, make him run this command (as explained in Shawn's tut linked by Derek):
get-winevent -FilterHashTable @{logname="Application"; id="1001"}| ?{$_.providername –match "wininit"} | fl timecreated, message | out-file Desktop\CHKDSKResults.txt

This should create a .txt file called CHKDSKResults.txt on the OP his desktop.

You can then make the OP copy/paste it to a USB stick via this tutorial so that he can upload it via another machine.

If the OP doesn't have another machine, or if you can't access the desktop, you can open the .txt file within CMD by typing the following command:
cd c:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Desktop

Then type:
more CHKDSKResults.txt

This should open the first ten or something lines of the CHKDSK log in CMD, you can display more lines by hitting enter. Depending on the size of the log it's not an effective method, but it's better than nothing

Hope that this helps


Nommy

 

[DonnaB]

Hi Nommy!

Yes.... I lurk in the shadows from time to time here, on W8 forums and at Vista, too! I just love reading Brink's tutorials. Very educational, I might add!!

If the OP doesn't have another machine, or if you can't access the desktop, you can open the .txt file within CMD by typing the following command:
cd c:\Documents and Settings\<USERNAME>\Desktop

OP does have another machine though we can't get to the desktop of the W7 laptop that has issues.We did run the chkdsk and no bad sectors were found.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'll have to try that on my machine as an experiment. I'm sure in the future I will come across a similar situation and will need to run chkdsk in WinRE.

Donna

 

[nommy the first]

Hey Donna,

Glad we could be of assistance

Good to hear that CHKDSK didn't find any bad sectors.
Oh, do note that the command that you quoted isn't the full command to open the .txt file though, it's the command to set the location in CMD to the desktop, the command after that, "more CHKDSKResults.txt", is the command to open it.

If you try it, please do report back the results, we'd love to know whether or not it works


Nommy