Just Reinstalled Windows 7 64bit -- Hard Disk Corruption

[oddrobb]

First of all, I wasn't exactly sure where to post this problem, since I have been having so many (I think they're related), but I have been forced to reinstall windows twice now and the problems continue.

The first time I reinstalled windows was only because I was having several problems with directx, file corruption, and failed windows updates. Some of my games would crash and give me errors referencing different directx files, and no matter how many times I reinstalled directx or the game itself, I kept getting those errors.

As for the file corruption, about every time I started my computer, it wanted to do a checkdisk, even after it had already done that and "solved" the errors.

The failed windows updates related to the .net framework 4.0 (Or something like that) causing the entire updates to fail every time I turned off my computer. For the most part I ignored this. So I reinstalled windows (first reinstall) and that seemed to solve those mentioned problems except for the checkdisk always wanting to run.

Fast forward a month to just the other day - I was actually FORCED to reinstall windows because it would not even boot up in normal or safe mode, and all my restore points had been deleted somehow. The problems started after I tried to install Terraria, which needed to install the .Net framework 4.0 to work. So once again, the .net framework was causing problems. I solved this by downloading some software that completely removed the .net framework (I think), and letting Terraria configure it itself. This worked, however after a couple hours of playing the game, nothing else did. I turned off my computer, and when I booted it the next day, windows wouldn't load.

This is why I reinstalled the 2nd time. Now, I am having many more problems even after a fresh installation. I am getting all kinds of errors on corruption in certain files, my video drivers are failing to install, restore points being deleted, checkdisk is still trying to run (which I am letting it do), windows updates are failing, and both Chrome and Firefox gave me error messages like "Your profile could not be opened correctly" after I installed them. My 1TB hard disk still has about 300gb of space, so space shouldn't be the source of any those problems.

I don't even know where to begin solving these problems, so I am very tempted to format my hard disk. So my question basically is would just completely wiping my HDD and then reinstalling windows from scratch be a good idea, or is the problem beyond that? Any suggestions are welcome and THANK YOU!!

Windows 7 Professional 64-bit
4Gb Ram
AMD Phenom X II @ 3.7Ghz
2 x ATI HD 6870 in crossfire
1 TB HDD at 7200rpm

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Have you done thorough virus and malware scans?

Is your Windows install DVD known to be legitimate?

Does your hard drive pass the tests available from the manufacturer's software?

 

[gregrocker]

Where did you get WIn7. How is it activated?

I would test your HD first running Disk Check then booting maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan.

Use the same CD to wipe the HD to clear the boot sector.

I'd also test the RAM for 5-6 passes or overnight to stress test it just to be thorough: RAM - Test with Memtest86+

This time adapt these steps as closely as possible to get a perfect baseline reinstall: Reinstalling Windows 7

 

[oddrobb]

I purchased my copy of Windows directly from Microsoft online. I burned the files to a CD and installed it that way and it was verified through the internet to be a genuine copy.

Unfortunately, my PC just got through a Disk Check... It is now unable to boot up at all once again. Startup repair says it cannot fix the errors, there are no restore points to revert to, and I am now at the same point that I was two days ago where I had to reinstall Windows again. fml.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

my PC just got through a Disk Check

Were you able to read the results of that Disk Check? What application did you use to check the disk?

 

[oddrobb]

No, all I saw was that it was repairing orphaned files and things like that... when I came back it was in recovery mode. I think it was a windows check. I think it was the "chkdsk" utility.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'd go to the HD manufacturer's web site and download and run their disk utility.

 

[gregrocker]

The links to run these tests are all in my earlier post - click on the light blue type.

 

[oddrobb]

Thanks. How can I back up my data though without being able to boot into windows?

 

[gregrocker]

Use the Win7 DVD or System Repair Disk to rescue files to external USB drive this way: Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console

Or use Paragon Rescue Disk CD freeware.

 

[oddrobb]

When I used the Data Lifeguard (DOS) from http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=608&sid=30⟨=en for my hard drive, I got "DLGLICE.txt unable to locate License Agreement"

From what I've read, its because the utility I downloaded for my drive is not compatible the SATA models for some reason. Is there any other resources I could use to check/correct my hard disk errors without booting?

 

[gregrocker]

Are you burning the ISO file to CD using ImgBurn at 4x speed, or Windows Image Burner?

If it boots and still errors, try Seagate Seatools which seems to work on most models. SeaTools Seagate

 

[oddrobb]

I used powerISO to burn the files to a DVD. I give those SeaGate tools a try.

 

[oddrobb]

After running a test from the Seagate SeaTools diagnostics in DOS, it was reported that there were bad sectors found on my Hard Disk. But I actually can't use this software to repair the bad sectors tough since it's a Western Digital drive. Is there any other software that I could download to repair these bad sectors, or am I going to have to replace the whole drive?

 

[oddrobb]

bump

 

[gregrocker]

Data Lifeguard is very good and can do the job if anything can.

You're going to need to burn the DOS download ISO slow using ImgBurn at 4x speed from here HD Diagnostic or here Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp

If this fails let me know and I'll upload briefly GWScan which is a version of DL that works on all models but isn't posted online any longer that I can find.

You'll need to eventually pass HD scan and Disk Check to consider it a keeper.

Even if you can repair it I would keep backed up frequently and look for a replacement HD.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Even if you can find a utility that will "repair" the bad sectors, I would not put a lot of faith in the longevity of the drive.

I'd start looking for a replacement.