Yelp!, Tried to chkdsk and now cannot boot system

[Scotty]

I have been unable to install SP#, so, decided to forget it. I defragged and
found errors so decided to use chkdsk on boot up. this seemed to work well
until it hit 52% checked. At that point it seemed to "stall" and the hard
drive kept wurring until it thunked and whirred some more and then thunk...
not in any specific rhythm. I have rebooted ( or tried to ) three times. Each
subsequent time the chkdsk gets to 52% complete quicker but seems to hang for
hours and hours..... Now I cannot boot up except by putting in a boot disk
which gets me to DOS prompt but will not go to C:.... to say I feel bad is an
understatment...... Does anyone have any thoughts Scouter Scotty Beaton

 

[Bob I]

Sounds like a drive dying. get a drive test utility from the
manufacturers web site and check it.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have been unable to install SP#, so, decided to forget it. I
defragged and found errors so decided to use chkdsk on boot up.
this seemed to work well until it hit 52% checked. At that point it
seemed to "stall" and the hard drive kept wurring until it thunked
and whirred some more and then thunk... not in any specific rhythm.
I have rebooted ( or tried to ) three times. Each subsequent time
the chkdsk gets to 52% complete quicker but seems to hang for hours
and hours..... Now I cannot boot up except by putting in a boot
disk which gets me to DOS prompt but will not go to C:.... to say I
feel bad is an understatment...... Does anyone have any thoughts
Scouter Scotty Beaton

That is bad - and if you don't do the other regular maintenance every
computer user should do (IMO and some would venture to say 'just by use of
common sense') - it culd be very bad...

When was your last backup of your files (documents, pictures, spreadsheets,
favorites/bookmarks, contacts, emails, etc...) done? How much might you
have lost of your stuff at this time (a day, a week, a month?)

Booting to DOS on a modern installation of Windows XP will get you no-where
fast. You need to boot to something that can read the NTFS at least
(although - there is NTFS4DOS...) - I would highly suggest a BartPE CD -
easy enough to make and since it boots into a Windows-like environment - as
long as you understood Windows XP and Windows Explorer (My Computer)
before - you would likely be able to use this to copy your stuff (if the
drive is not completely toasted) from the defunct hard disk drive to an
external medium - like a USB hard disk drive or a location on your
network...

Of course - and the reason I asked - you should aim for the stuff you just
created (between your last backup and the last time the system booted/now)
as the less you try to access the dying drive (or the less you have to get
off of it) the better chance you have of recovering the stuff.

Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVD
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

Get your stuff off that bad disk drive ASAP!

Then download and utilize the hard disk drive manufacturer's diagnostics
utility (usually can be found in the support/downloads section of said
manufacturer's web page) to fully test the drive - even low-level format
(zero-write) the drive to ensure it is back at factory defaults. It is
plausible (although unlikely statistically) that just doing that will fix
the drive so you can cleanly install Windows XP and your applications
again - if the diagnostics say it's okay after that.

 

[Thomas G. Marshall]

That is bad - and if you don't do the other regular maintenance every
computer user should do (IMO and some would venture to say 'just by use of
common sense') - it culd be very bad...

When was your last backup of your files (documents, pictures, spreadsheets,
favorites/bookmarks, contacts, emails, etc...) done?  How much might you
have lost of your stuff at this time (a day, a week, a month?)

Booting to DOS on a modern installation of Windows XP will get you no-where
fast.  You need to boot to something that can read the NTFS at least
(although - there is NTFS4DOS...) - I would highly suggest a BartPE CD -
easy enough to make and since it boots into a Windows-like environment - as
long as you understood Windows XP and Windows Explorer (My Computer)
before - you would likely be able to use this to copy your stuff (if the
drive is not completely toasted) from the defunct hard disk drive to an
external medium - like a USB hard disk drive or a location on your
network...

Of course - and the reason I asked - you should aim for the stuff you just
created (between your last backup and the last time the system booted/now)
as the less you try to access the dying drive (or the less you have to get
off of it) the better chance you have of recovering the stuff.

Bart's Preinstalled Environment (BartPE) bootable live windows CD/DVDhttp://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

[...snip...]

I would suggest instead (perhaps) UBCD4Win (ubcd4win.com). It is a
tremendous undertaking: a later later later generation of the Ultimate
Boot Disk (now CD) and I've used it to extract information from a
horribly dying drive.

25 hours on my hands and knees moving the drive in different
orientations and pulling only a little info off at a time. Saved over
10,300 of a friends *only* copy of the first 4 years of his kids
pictures and movies.

A high end extraction site quoted a minimum of ~2600 just to start and
figured perhaps $5000 by the time they were done. Guys figure they're
the only competitor to the CIA or something.

The *POINT* to such a boot CD is to keep the regular OS out of the
way. It is created from an SP2 slipstreamed copy of your own windows
XP installation cd. Filled with great apps. Boots up and shows you
the drives it finds attached.

I'll bet you could siphon off a considerable amount of info to a USB
external drive.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

if you can borrow a
win xp cd, then you
can boot into the repair
console and run chkdsk /r
from the prompt.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


"Scotty"
<[email protected]>
wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

 

[Scotty]

I am not sure what a repiar console is. I hope to get the cd tonight and see
what comes of it. Many Many thanks to all of you. I am not that savy and at
my age (55+) not afraid to say it!!

Scotty

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

when you get the cd
set your computer to
boot with it.

then you will get a
menu that provides
the option to install
windows or use the
repair console.

if you choose repair
then you will come to
a disk prompt where
you can run the command
like chkdsk /r

also, run a fixmbr and
a fixboot for good measure.

then exit, remove cd and
see if you can boot normally
again.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


"Scotty"
<[email protected]>
wrote in message

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

WTF do you post in free verse, Fishy?

when you get the cd
set your computer to
boot with it.

then you will get a
menu that provides
the option to install
windows or use the
repair console.

if you choose repair
then you will come to
a disk prompt where
you can run the command
like chkdsk /r

also, run a fixmbr and
a fixboot for good measure.

then exit, remove cd and
see if you can boot normally
again.


"Scotty"
<[email protected]>
wrote in message

 

[Anna]

I have been unable to install SP#, so, decided to forget it. I defragged
and
found errors so decided to use chkdsk on boot up. this seemed to work well
until it hit 52% checked. At that point it seemed to "stall" and the hard
drive kept wurring until it thunked and whirred some more and then
thunk...
not in any specific rhythm. I have rebooted ( or tried to ) three times.
Each
subsequent time the chkdsk gets to 52% complete quicker but seems to hang
for
hours and hours..... Now I cannot boot up except by putting in a boot disk
which gets me to DOS prompt but will not go to C:.... to say I feel bad is
an
understatment...... Does anyone have any thoughts Scouter Scotty Beaton

I am not sure what a repiar console is. I hope to get the cd tonight and
see
what comes of it. Many Many thanks to all of you. I am not that savy and
at
my age (55+) not afraid to say it!!

Scotty

Scotty:
Bear with me for a few moments before we get to your specific problem, OK?

May I suggest that when you pose a query similar to the one you just did
it's really helpful to any potential responder that you provide detailed
info about your system and the problem itself? That way you can get
(hopefully!) some intelligent responses that might resolve your problem (or
at least try to diagnose its cause) and avoid the need to ask you continual
questions re your system & the problem(s) you're experiencing. For example,
just as a general proposition...

1. What kind of a system are you working with? A desktop machine? A
laptop/notebook?
2. Is it an OEM machine (Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.)? If so, what's the make &
model?
3. If not an OEM machine, can you tell us something about its components,
e.g., the make/model of the motherboard, your HDDs, etc.? At least generally
describe the system.
4. Did the problem you describe just occur "out-of-the-blue"? One day it was
working just fine; it booted without incident and properly functioned? The
next day the problem arose?
5. Do you have any idea at all what might have caused the problem other than
the failed SP install you mentioned? Any other changes in software or
hardware that might have triggered the problem?
6. Do you have a retail or non-branded OEM version of the XP OS installation
CD or only a Restore or Recovery CD provided by the OEM if that's the kind
of a machine you're working with?
7. Have you checked out the HDD in your machine with the HDD diagnostic
utility you usually can download from the disk's manufacturer to see if it
might be defective?

Now, as to your specific problem...

1. All this trouble you've been experiencing seems to be the result of a
failed installation of a Service Pack? Is that right? You mentioned "SP#";
are you referring to SP3? Did the installed XP OS include a SP?

2. So prior to this problem arising, i.e., the failed installation of a SP,
the system was working just fine? Booted without incident and properly
functioned? Or were you having problems even then? If so, what kind?

3. What exactly do you mean when you say "I defragged and found errors so
decided to use chkdsk ..." The defragmentation process reported errors of
some kind with your system? What kind of errors? You were using the built-in
XP OS defrag utility? Again, all this seemed to be a consequence of a failed
SP installation?

4. As you've been informed by others, with all this "thunking" going on with
your HDD, this could signal a defective HDD. So have you checked out the
disk with a HDD diagnostic utility available from the disk's manufacturer as
has been recommended to you? You should do this, and do it now.

5. I really don't think accessing the Recovery Console and entering some
commands there will resolve your problem. It's possible but most doubtful in
my opinion based upon your description of what's happening in your system. I
think at the very least you will need to undertake a Repair install of the
XP OS (assuming that's possible with the XP installation CD in your
possession). And even that will be iffy re resolving your problem. I guess
you're unfamiliar with the process, although it really isn't very difficult.
Little more than fresh-installing the XP OS onto your HDD, but there's no
guarantee that will solve your problem(s) of course. Anyone around to help
you?

6. Describe the XP installation CD that you have? Home Edition? Pro Edition?
Is it a retail version of the XP OS? Or is it a non-branded OEM version? Or
is it a Recovery-type XP CD provided by the OEM in connection with your PC?
What Service Pack, if any, does it contain?

7. You obviously have another machine at your disposal since you're able to
post a message to this newsgroup. Is it a desktop machine?

Anyway, all the above is for starters so if you want to pursue this line
further respond to the above and we can go on from there.
Anna

 

[Malke]

WTF do you post in free verse, Fishy?

He always does, Bear. He's been asked for years to please fix his line
length and he responds with something along the lines of "I'll do what I
please". Since he never gives any really useful technical advice, he's best
ignored. Anyone who is so ignorant about setting up a newsreader as he is
demonstrates a real lack of technical competence anyway.

Malke

 

[Scotty]

:

Scotty:
Bear with me for a few moments before we get to your specific problem, OK?

May I suggest that when you pose a query similar to the one you just did
it's really helpful to any potential responder that you provide detailed
info about your system and the problem itself? That way you can get
(hopefully!) some intelligent responses that might resolve your problem (or
at least try to diagnose its cause) and avoid the need to ask you continual
questions re your system & the problem(s) you're experiencing. For example,
just as a general proposition...

1. What kind of a system are you working with? A desktop machine? A
laptop/notebook? >>> Laptop
2. Is it an OEM machine (Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.)? If so, what's the make &
model? >>> DELL Inspiron 8600
3. If not an OEM machine, can you tell us something about its components,
e.g., the make/model of the motherboard, your HDDs, etc.? At least generally
describe the system. >>> Sorry unsure.
4. Did the problem you describe just occur "out-of-the-blue"? One day it was
working just fine; it booted without incident and properly functioned? The
next day the problem arose? >>> The system had been sluggish so I defragged the Hard Drive. In the information at the end of the defrag process it stated there were fragments it could not move. I recalled that Chkdsk was a way to "fix" segments which were ?broken? so I went to the run prompt and put in chkdsk. The system told me it would run chkdsk upon rebooting. Which I did. Now every time I boot I run through Chkdsk to the 4th step and I believe the system "hangs" at 52% to the soound of intermittent "Thunks". Now before your message I was given a suggestion to reinstall XP via my disc. Once I found it I did just that and guess what... upon rebooting I get to run CHKDSK just like before. I did let it run til the 52% mark, just like before and then turned it off as the THUNKS began again.
5. Do you have any idea at all what might have caused the problem other than
the failed SP install you mentioned? Any other changes in software or
hardware that might have triggered the problem? >>> no changes in adding software. I had been deleting programs over the past 6 months as I wanted to put this PC in the area where my wife does her quilting so she could check the Internet and begin to use e-mail.
6. Do you have a retail or non-branded OEM version of the XP OS installation
CD or only a Restore or Recovery CD provided by the OEM if that's the kind
of a machine you're working with? Copyrighted 2003 - from DELL O/S "Already installed on your computer" - reinstallation CD XP Professional including service pack 1a
7. Have you checked out the HDD in your machine with the HDD diagnostic
utility you usually can download from the disk's manufacturer to see if it
might be defective? >>> I cannot recall nor get to the point of discovering the brand of Hard drive I have in my system.

Now, as to your specific problem...

1. All this trouble you've been experiencing seems to be the result of a
failed installation of a Service Pack? Is that right? You mentioned "SP#";
are you referring to SP3? Did the installed XP OS include a SP?

2. So prior to this problem arising, i.e., the failed installation of a SP,
the system was working just fine? Booted without incident and properly
functioned? Or were you having problems even then? If so, what kind?

3. What exactly do you mean when you say "I defragged and found errors so
decided to use chkdsk ..." The defragmentation process reported errors of
some kind with your system? What kind of errors? You were using the built-in
XP OS defrag utility? Again, all this seemed to be a consequence of a failed
SP installation?

4. As you've been informed by others, with all this "thunking" going on with
your HDD, this could signal a defective HDD. So have you checked out the
disk with a HDD diagnostic utility available from the disk's manufacturer as
has been recommended to you? You should do this, and do it now.

5. I really don't think accessing the Recovery Console and entering some
commands there will resolve your problem. It's possible but most doubtful in
my opinion based upon your description of what's happening in your system. I
think at the very least you will need to undertake a Repair install of the
XP OS (assuming that's possible with the XP installation CD in your
possession). And even that will be iffy re resolving your problem. I guess
you're unfamiliar with the process, although it really isn't very difficult.
Little more than fresh-installing the XP OS onto your HDD, but there's no
guarantee that will solve your problem(s) of course. Anyone around to help
you?
6. Describe the XP installation CD that you have? Home Edition? Pro Edition?
Is it a retail version of the XP OS? Or is it a non-branded OEM version? Or
is it a Recovery-type XP CD provided by the OEM in connection with your PC?
What Service Pack, if any, does it contain?
7. You obviously have another machine at your disposal since you're able to
post a message to this newsgroup. Is it a desktop machine?

Anyway, all the above is for starters so if you want to pursue this line
further respond to the above and we can go on from there.
Anna

Scouter Scotty

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

lol.

perhaps, too much wine
for you whiners or simply
just professional wino's?

obviously, you drunks
have pirated the microsoft
newsgroups and now
dictate your ill standards of
professionalism herein.

based on what your mvp peers
have posted, you all should
be dictating professional
standards
among yourselves instead.

------------------------

?? "WTF". such language is
audacious and unprofessional.

perhaps referring to
yourselves
as microsoft mvp's is
unfounded.

maybe microsoft monkey's
volleying
poop is more appropriate.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


"Malke"
in message

 

[Tom [Pepper] Willett]

WTF? More hoople-headed rambling from fish-poop for brains dingle berry ben?

" db ´¯`·.. ><)))º>` .. ." <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
: lol.
:
: perhaps, too much wine
: for you whiners or simply
: just professional wino's?
:
: obviously, you drunks
: have pirated the microsoft
: newsgroups and now
: dictate your ill standards of
: professionalism herein.
:
: based on what your mvp peers
: have posted, you all should
: be dictating professional
: standards
: among yourselves instead.
:
: ------------------------
:
: ?? "WTF". such language is
: audacious and unprofessional.
:
: perhaps referring to
: yourselves
: as microsoft mvp's is
: unfounded.
:
: maybe microsoft monkey's
: volleying
: poop is more appropriate.
: --
:
: db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
:
:
: "Malke"
: in message
: : > PA Bear [MS MVP] wrote:
: >
: >> WTF do you post in free
: >> verse, Fishy?
: >
: > He always does, Bear. He's
: > been asked for years to
: > please fix his line
: > length and he responds with
: > something along the lines of
: > "I'll do what I
: > please". Since he never
: > gives any really useful
: > technical advice, he's best
: > ignored. Anyone who is so
: > ignorant about setting up a
: > newsreader as he is
: > demonstrates a real lack of
: > technical competence anyway.
: >
: > Malke
: > --
: > MS-MVP
: > Elephant Boy Computers -
: > Don't Panic!
: > FAQ -
: > http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ
: >

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

obviously you have
reserved a special
pile for occasions
like this.

have a banana instead.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


"Tom [Pepper] Willett"
<[email protected]>
wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

 

[Monitor]

Leave the poor guy alone. A little while ago he admitted that he suffered
from a mild mental retardation and that he was unable to comprehend text if
it contained more than four words on a line. It's his innocent pleasure to
post useless advice in this forum - seems to keep him happy and calm. Best
to ignore him - he is quite harmless.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

He always does, Bear. He's been asked for years to please fix his line
length and he responds with something along the lines of "I'll do what I
please". Since he never gives any really useful technical advice, he's
best
ignored.

Oh, I know & I usually do, but sometimes I find it too hard to resist
yanking Fishy's chain.

...Anyone who is so ignorant about setting up a newsreader as he is
demonstrates a real lack of technical competence anyway.

+1

Clueless is as clueless does.

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Source, please?

Leave the poor guy alone. A little while ago he admitted that he suffered
from a mild mental retardation and that he was unable to comprehend text
if
it contained more than four words on a line. It's his innocent pleasure to
post useless advice in this forum - seems to keep him happy and calm. Best
to ignore him - he is quite harmless.

 

[db ´¯`·.. >]

oh yeah?

you can yank this:

http://tinyurl.com/5gwaxx

and malke can yank
her own.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>


"PA Bear [MS MVP]"
message

 

[Anna]

Scotty:
In view of your responses I wonder if your most practical recourse at this
point is to have a professional PC computer shop take a look at the machine
and see if they can bring it back to life intact with an uncorrupted OS and
all your programs & data in place. It's a possibility (and surely not a
certainty) but obviously there's a cost involved. I have mixed feelings
about the "Geek squad". Some users have reported to me that they were quite
satisfied with their service; others have not been particularly
enthusiastic.

An alternative would be to simply use the Dell recovery CD that will
(hopefully) return the system to its original state. You would understand,
of course, that if this can even be done (we're assuming there's no hardware
problem involved here) this would result in a severe loss of your data.

Another option would be to install the HDD in another machine (presumably a
desktop PC) as a secondary HDD and attempt to access its contents and
(again, hopefully) copy off whatever data you need to either another HDD
(internal or external) or removable media. If successful then you could
reinstall the OS, etc. via the Dell recovery CD.

I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you by asking to provide all that add'l
info and not being able to help you in a more substantive form.
Anna

 

[Scotty]

Hi Anna,

You ahve indeed helped. I know I am over my head and the swamp water is
rising, so time to get a Local Pro here in Calgary to help me out.

Thanks so much. Scouter Scotty