Program Files Missing?

[apjones0804]

I posted this on the Vista site accidently, so here we go on the XP site.

I recently started up my computer, and noticed that a bunch of files are now
corrupt, and most of my shortcuts are gone. I went into Program Files and
discovered the whole folder completely empty. The computer is saying to run
chkdsk b/c the Program Files are corrupt. When I run chkdsk /r it says that
the NTSF is locked and I have to reboot to run chkdsk. When I reboot, the
chkdsk never runs.

My wife has all her graduate work on the computer, which I have since backed
up, but I"m trying to avoid doing a complete system restore. Can you help?

 

[Randem]

Boot from a CD like Bart PE or Linus System Rescue CD or place the drive in
another computer or usb enclosure to see if you can see the data with
Windows running on that drive.

--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
Disk Read Error Press Ctl+Alt+Del to Restart
http://www.randem.com/discus/messages/9402/9406.html?1236319938

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

I posted this on the Vista site accidently, so here we go on the XP site.

I recently started up my computer, and noticed that a bunch of files are
now
corrupt, and most of my shortcuts are gone. I went into Program Files and
discovered the whole folder completely empty. The computer is saying to
run
chkdsk b/c the Program Files are corrupt. When I run chkdsk /r it says
that
the NTSF is locked and I have to reboot to run chkdsk. When I reboot, the
chkdsk never runs.

My wife has all her graduate work on the computer, which I have since
backed
up, but I"m trying to avoid doing a complete system restore. Can you
help?

I do not have an answer to your main problem but I urge you to take a long,
hard look at your backup philosophy. A 2.5" disk in an external USB case is
a highly effective but low-cost backup solution. Having all graduate work on
a single PC without backing it up once every few days is IMHO grossly
negligent. Remember to keep the backup medium well away from your PC for
most of the time.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Please state the full Windows version (e.g., WinXP SP3; Vista x64 SP2) of
the machine in question.

Has Automatic Updates always been enabled and has the computer always been
kept fully-patched?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)?

Has a Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on this machine
(e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought it)?

PS: I'd very much doubt that System Restore (or a Repair Install) will come
to the rescue here. That being said, using a Restore Point will have no
affects whatsoever on any saved documents.

 

[apjones0804]

Fortunately, I was able to save those (and learn a valuble lesson), as well
as about 500 pictures of my toddler. I'm in the process of throwing all
important data and info on CD's for backup. I have a feeling a full system
restore is going to be the final resolution, but I'm just reaching out to see
if anybody else has any last minute ideas.

 

[apjones0804]

I'm currently running WinXP SP3, and yes the computer has always been kept
fully patched.

I've got Norton systemworks/anti-virus 2009, as well as spy sweeper
currently installed.

If doing a full system restore won't come to the rescue, what are my options
here?

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Do not confuse System Restore with System Recovery (i.e., using the
installation media that came with the computer to do a Repair Install or a
clean install).

PS: If you're seeing the effects of a hijackware infection, a Repair Install
is NOT going to help!

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

See previous reply.

I'm currently running WinXP SP3, and yes the computer has always been kept
fully patched.

I've got Norton systemworks/anti-virus 2009, as well as spy sweeper
currently installed.

If doing a full system restore won't come to the rescue, what are my
options
here?

 

[apjones0804]

Your right, I had those confused. I meant to say System Recovery....ie.,
getting everything back to factory settings.

 

[Randem]

See my previous post...

--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
Disk Read Error Press Ctl+Alt+Del to Restart
http://www.randem.com/discus/messages/9402/9406.html?1236319938

 

[apjones0804]

Randem/PA Bear. That should give me plenty to do tonight! I don't know if
this makes a difference or not, but the battery on the laptop recently went
the way of the wind. Thus it has run out of power quite a bit, thus not
being shut down recently. Could this have caused the corrupt files, or
should I count on this being a virus/hijacked?

 

[Gerry]

I don't know the answer yo your question but read this link before
attempting a system restore:

http://bertk.mvps.org/html/symantecdoc1.html

--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Randem]

Battery running out should have shut down the laptop gracefully. Corrupt
files don't have to happen at the last thing that was done, it could be
cumulative.

--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
Disk Read Error Press Ctl+Alt+Del to Restart
http://www.randem.com/discus/messages/9402/9406.html?1236319938