Solved Odd Windows Behavior After Hard Disk Diagnostic Test

[TVeblen]

For some reason I decided to run a full Extended Scan of my Western Digital hard disks (4 years old) using WD Lifeguard Diagnostic Tool for Windows. The tests ran and the drives passed. (Feb 28)

On the next startup (unfortunately this was partially unattended, I just caught the tail end of it) it looked like chkdsk was running. Some notes I jotted down (not well):

• "Deleting corrupt attribute record (128, " " )
• "One of you disks needs to be checked for consistency"
• "60 reparse records processed"
• "deleting index entry sessionstore.js in index $ "

After that, over the next week, some strange behavior occurred:

• I went to scan some documents and received an error regarding a "bad image" of specific Epson DLLs, and suggestion to reinstall the drivers. The kicker: the scanner worked. I reinstalled the drivers anyway - end of that problem.
• My laser printer disappeared from Devices and Printer. The kicker: I could still print to it from any program. Then it just reappeared, still the default printer.
• Certain programs (Firefox, Thunderbird) do not start, or take quite a while to start (spinning orb). A restart of Windows clears that up when it happens. Watching task manager processes while waiting for the programs to start I noticed 3 instances of Windows Media Player come up and go off, then the program opened.
• Shut Down was delayed on random occasions - in some cases requiring a Hard-Off
• All these symptoms are new and occurred after the test

I did due diligence:

• Ran virus scans and anti-malware. All clean.
• Ran System File Checker. All clean.

Then I ran a chkdsk C: /r .
Checkdisk found "2 unindexed files recovered" and fixed them.
Things seemed to have calmed down a bit after that. But not quite up to normal performance.

So what do y'all think? Have you seen anything like this before? Could a diagnostic test bork a Windows installation?

What other tests can I run to check the integrity of my installation?

 

[UsernameIssues]

...On the next startup (unfortunately this was partially unattended, I just caught the tail end of it) it looked like chkdsk was running. Some notes I jotted down (not well):...

You should be able to see the info in event viewer
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/96938-check-disk-chkdsk-read-event-viewer-log.html

Pretty weird stuff you got going on - media player starting like that. It might take less time to put in a new drive and make a fresh OS build than to ferret out way this stuff is happening. But if you want to play with and learn from the situation that you have, Process Explorer might reveal what is launching media player.

 

[gregrocker]

We tend to forget that both HD diagnostics and Disk Check can make repairs that damage data, so a warning should always be made to back up data first.

It happens so rarely that I can't remember it before, but it can cause data loss affecting the OS.

Now to remember to append "Always back up your data and an image first."

 

[TVeblen]

I guess! Yikes, what a mess. I have an image that is a few weeks old, I guess I will restore that (heavy sigh).

Thanks to UsernameIssues I have a new symptom to report: Event viewer will not open. I get an error message: "One or more snap ins are not responding." Something about MMC. And now that is stuck in a cancel - message - cancel - message loop.

I'm logging off and goin' to bed. Thanks dudes!

 

[gregrocker]

If SFC /SCANNOW Command doesn't find anything to repair, then I'd try a Repair Install which may resolve it without needing to do the Clean Reinstall.

 

[TVeblen]

Thanks Greg. Actually I think I'm going to limp along for a few days until I can get to this. The system works, it's just the quirks. I have my OS isolated on it's own partition, programs on another so restoring the image should be very effective (and easier). I just need time to deal with computer stuff, which is at a premium right now.

My wacky decision making is also due to the fact that I am finishing up a new rig which I plan to switch out with this one. So once that is done and I'm sure all the data is copied or archived I think I might just clean install anyway. Four years is about good for that.

Question for you while I got you: I have a disk image of the original activated installation along with all my basic, needed programs (both partitions) from 2009. Do you think that restoring that would be just as good as a real clean install? None of the hardware has changed.

 

[TVeblen]

And..... today the Event Viewer is working perfectly!

I think the old girl knows she is being replaced with a younger, prettier model and is just acting out!

 

[gregrocker]

Question for you while I got you: I have a disk image of the original activated installation along with all my basic, needed programs (both partitions) from 2009. Do you think that restoring that would be just as good as a real clean install? None of the hardware has changed.

Yes, the image would allow you to skip over the actual reinstall since it was already done but is no worse for any wear.

After imaging and any necessary Startup Repairs, I'd run all rounds of Important and Optional Updates after enabling Automatically deliver drivers via Windows Update (Step 3).

Then I'd run Puran Defrag Download boot time defrag with full Disk Check to make sure it's all set.

 

[TVeblen]

Sounds good. Will do.

A bonus: I have a post SP1 image too. That will save some time on updates!

 

[gregrocker]

That, and always use the latest Win7 installer with SP1 for repairs or reinstalls: Clean Reinstall

 

[TVeblen]

Just an update. After 1 week, restoring the image seems to have cleared up all problems.
Lesson learned.