MFT Problems

[Nigel Graham]

I am using XP Pro with an 80GB HDD partitioned to 40GB, 20GB and 20GB all in
NTFS. I kept getting a freeze up when using the computer. I have tied this
down to the C drive and an incorrect MFT but the solution would be to run
CHKDSK on that partition but it does not correct the problem. Using
Partition Magic 8 I have checked the drive and it suggests using CHKDSK to
fix it. I have searched high and low for a solution but although the
Knowledge Base suggests using third party software to correct this there
appears to be no reference to any software capable of fixing the MFT or any
prospect of MS producing a solution. Although they recognise it may be a
problem in the KB [ Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 303079]. Any help
would be useful as my system needs to be up 80% of the time as I use it as a
file server also for my home LAN and when it freezes it does not
automatically reboot it just sits there until I notice it and physically
press the off switch myself. This all began after a failed MS Office
Security patch install which left my system hanging. If it was the
installation of the patch which caused it or the first time my system tried
to read the problem part of the disc I will never know but it is so
infuriating.

 

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

A server is just that, and not a work machine. Why would you put Office, or
any other resource sucking program, on a machine that is to be used as a
server? A good antivirus program is all you need extra, in addition to the
server software.

 

[Frank Jelenko]

If it really is a MFT problem, you could try converting your drive to
FAT32 [hence, removing the MFT] - Partition Magic can convert from NTFS
to FAT32.

Also, I'm wondering if XP repair utility would fix the MFT?

I have seen times when there's a bad sector that chkdsk /f doesn't find, but
chkdsk /r does.

Lastly, you could try restoring your system [after backing it up, of course]
to FAT 32 volumes [remember, XP won't format FAT 32 larger than 32GB].
Then, convert back to NTFS.

 

[CZ]

I am using XP Pro with an 80GB HDD partitioned to 40GB, 20GB and 20GB all
in
NTFS. I kept getting a freeze up when using the computer. I have tied this
down to the C drive and an incorrect MFT but the solution would be to run
CHKDSK on that partition but it does not correct the problem. Using
Partition Magic 8 I have checked the drive and it suggests using CHKDSK to
fix it. I have searched high and low for a solution but although the
Knowledge Base suggests using third party software to correct this there
appears to be no reference to any software capable of fixing the MFT or any
prospect of MS producing a solution. Although they recognise it may be a
problem in the KB [ Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 303079]. Any help
would be useful as my system needs to be up 80% of the time as I use it as a
file server also for my home LAN and when it freezes it does not
automatically reboot it just sits there until I notice it and physically
press the off switch myself. This all began after a failed MS Office
Security patch install which left my system hanging. If it was the
installation of the patch which caused it or the first time my system tried
to read the problem part of the disc I will never know but it is so
infuriating.

Nigel:

Did you run chkdsk with the /r argument?
Did you try to uninstall Office?
Did you (or MS dnload site) make a restore point?

Once you get it working, use PMagic to make a new vol for Ghosting an image
of your server vol.
Then, make an image periodically.

 

[CZ]

Crusty:
or
any other resource sucking program, on a machine that is to be used as a
server?

Because of limited funding, and because the demand for server services is
light, and possibly infrequent.
SOHO and very small businesses often balk at having a computer act as a
dedicated server.
Using a LAN node as both a ws and a server can work well, can be cost
effective, and it has its risk (as OP knows).
software.

Possibly, a firewall, a trojan cleaner, a packer sniffer, a port scanner,
some MS extra utilities, and/or a backup app.

 

[Nigel Graham]

I the reason my XP Pro machine is used as a server is because the cost of
getting a dedicated server is too high. I use it to store documents and at
times for editing documents and as a backup system to my other 3 networked
computers. It also runs my SMTP server and at a cost of about £500 it is a
lot cheaper than £5000 for a dedicated all singing and dancing server. Also
a lot quieter as my business is run from home and a server in the dining
room would be too much.

I have only run chkdsk with the /f switch. I will give it a go with a /r
switch.
Converting to Fat32 and back was my first try.
I ran spinrte when it was in Fat32 and found no physical errors on the disk.
Yes I have already taken a ghost image of the system but was trying to fix
this as opposed to stepping back a month.
I may have to either repair or re-install in the end but will try to run the
/r first.

The MS security patch did make a restore point but it failed to restore
previous settings.
When I ran the patch again it did it in about 1/4 of the time I would have
expected so assume it carried on doing the job from where it fell over.
I have resisted uninstalling Office but that is another possibility but will
not repair the MFT.

Thanks for the advice I am determined to get over this one and will keep
trying.
[/QUOTE] all
in
NTFS. I kept getting a freeze up when using the computer. I have tied this
down to the C drive and an incorrect MFT but the solution would be to run
CHKDSK on that partition but it does not correct the problem. Using
Partition Magic 8 I have checked the drive and it suggests using CHKDSK to
fix it. I have searched high and low for a solution but although the
Knowledge Base suggests using third party software to correct this there
appears to be no reference to any software capable of fixing the MFT or any
prospect of MS producing a solution. Although they recognise it may be a
problem in the KB [ Microsoft Knowledge Base Article - 303079]. Any help
would be useful as my system needs to be up 80% of the time as I use it as a
file server also for my home LAN and when it freezes it does not
automatically reboot it just sits there until I notice it and physically
press the off switch myself. This all began after a failed MS Office
Security patch install which left my system hanging. If it was the
installation of the patch which caused it or the first time my system tried
to read the problem part of the disc I will never know but it is so
infuriating.

Nigel:

Did you run chkdsk with the /r argument?
Did you try to uninstall Office?
Did you (or MS dnload site) make a restore point?

Once you get it working, use PMagic to make a new vol for Ghosting an image
of your server vol.
Then, make an image periodically.
[/QUOTE]

 

[CZ]

Nigel:

Converting to Fat32 and back was my first try.

You used Partition Magic to do the conversion back to FAT32?
will not repair the MFT.

True, but it may stop the file access that is using the MFT.

You might try a Google search for MFT and Partition Magic.

getting a dedicated server is too high. I use it to store documents and at
times for editing documents and as a backup system to my other 3 networked
computers. It also runs my SMTP server and at a cost of about £500 it is a
lot cheaper than £5000 for a dedicated all singing and dancing server. Also
a lot quieter as my business is run from home and a server in the dining
room would be too much.

I have only run chkdsk with the /f switch. I will give it a go with a /r
switch.
Converting to Fat32 and back was my first try.
I ran spinrte when it was in Fat32 and found no physical errors on the disk.
Yes I have already taken a ghost image of the system but was trying to fix
this as opposed to stepping back a month.
I may have to either repair or re-install in the end but will try to run the
/r first.

The MS security patch did make a restore point but it failed to restore
previous settings.
When I ran the patch again it did it in about 1/4 of the time I would have
expected so assume it carried on doing the job from where it fell over.
I have resisted uninstalling Office but that is another possibility but will
not repair the MFT.