Unable to run a "Repair Install" of Windows 7

[sfleury]

Hello
having problems with my Windows 7 (some functions not working like "Personnalmize" where I get an error message from explorer.exe telling that "the interface is not supported", or unable to acces some functions of the User Account management...), I decided to apply a "Repair Install", as explained in the tutorial published by Brink on February 2009
It started correctly, up to Step 8 and then, I got a message telling something like (sorry about my translation, but I'm french) "Windows can't get information about disks on this computer" and then, the process stops.
I tried to boot from a Windows 7 with SP1 CD. And then to ask for a repai, but to no avail

My computer has the following configuration :
1) Connected to the main board
- 2 hard disks installed in extractible racks, so I can easily remove them
- One has the Windows 7 system installed on it
- The other one has the data
- 1 hard disk permanently connected. This disk has a "small" Windows 7 I could use in case of failure of
the "normal" system
2) Additional disks connected via USB ports (one for photos, one for vidéos, one for audio)

So, in cas of some problem, I can always run in "degraded" mode

But I would really like to brmy "normal" Windows 7 system to its full functionnalities and thus would like to
repair it, while keeping all user profiles and programs installed these last 4 years !

If any one had an idea on how I could perform this repair, it would be great !!!

Thanks everybody for your help have a good day

 

[gregrocker]

Unplug all other HD's and peripherals, Test the HD with a full Disk Check and the maker's HD Diagnostics, establish a Clean Boot, run SFC - all from the Troubleshooting tutorial in my signature pic below.

 

[sfleury]

Tnank you for your advice
A lot of interesting information ... and things to do ! Will start this evening
I have some hope, as WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING (!) a problem seems to be fixed !
I can now access the "personnalize" my desktop (the explorer message disappeared), even if I cannot display the gadgets on the desktop

One important poblem remains : I need to create new User Accounts, because some programs I need to use, don"t install because my current user name contains "foreign" character (I'm french and the company who built my computer gave the name "Propriétarie") and the "é" seems to be a troublemaker
So, when I go to >>Control panel >> User accounts, I can access :
- Create a password for your account
- Change my image
- Chage the parameters (UAC)

But I CAN NOT
- Change my account name
- Change my account type
- Manage another account

I can click on these lines, but nothing happens

This is really the most important problem I'm facing (there could be some others I'm not even aware of, but if I don't know them, they are probablly not important

If you have any idea where I could look at, this would be great !

Thanks again for your help and your time have a good day

 

[gregrocker]

Be sure to include Malwarebytes full scan in addition to SFC. These are preliminary to a Repair Install in such cases. To try to force Repair Install establish a Clean Boot from those Troubleshooting Win7 steps also, follow the steps Brink gives for troublehooting.

You can also enable http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/507-built-administrator-account-enable-disable.html to try to create a new account to see how it functions, copy over files if necesary then later delete the old one once you know for sure you have everything and that was the problem.

 

[sfleury]

Hello
Thanks
I've been away for a few days (and had no ay to access my computer
Before I left,
I ran a CHKDSK /F on all my hard drivres : no problem
I ran Malwarebytes on System disk : no problem
I ran SFC / SCANNOW : it seems that it stopped at about 12% and in the CBS.LOG file, I've seen 2 "failed members"
So, there could be a problem on this side
I'll now proceed with the clean boot
I'll keep you posted
Have a good day