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Disk Error and no Chkdsk available - HELP!
My drive was still working yesterday, even this morning I was still able to boot into safe mode at least. But now it will just hang at the Windows loading screen. I ran the diagnostics and got a drive read error, so I know my drive is bad, but I would still like to recover some data from it. I even hoped to possibly repair it with chkdsk, marking the bad sectors and just go on working, like I did on another system before.
I tried BartPE using the original Dell disk as a source, but it always gives me 4 errors and I cannot resolve them. I tried the recovery console, but it asks for an administrator password although I never entered one and it won't take blank as an answer.
Do you know how to create a simple boot CD that will let me run Chkdsk? I'm not looking for some fancy repair utility, just the regular Windows XP Chkdsk.
Any input appreciated!
dwlovell
196 Posts
1
July 31st, 2009 12:00
Also, on other thing I forgot. One easy thing to do is to take the drive out and install it as a secondary drive in a workign system. Then you can run chkdsk /f from a command window in the working OS. Once it is backed up, you can move it back to the other machine, use it as a door stop, take it apart, etc.
Mary G
4 Operator
4 Operator
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20.1K Posts
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July 31st, 2009 12:00
You should mention your model computer and OS. Access the boot menu, usually by pressing F12 at the first screen and run the Dell Diagnostics, especially the Extended Hard Drive test. These tests can also be run from your Dell Utilities disk, if available.
e.pierce
165 Posts
0
July 31st, 2009 12:00
in a duplicate post in the MS OS forum, the OP stated that diagnostics indicate a failing hard drive.
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19287261/19527784.aspx#19527784
OP stated that he intendes to remove the hard drive and install it in a good PC WinXP environment to attempt repairs.
dwlovell
196 Posts
0
July 31st, 2009 12:00
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
Haven't used it, but it looks spiffy. Just get the ISO, burn to CD and boot on it. Can test memory, run chkdsk, etc.
e.pierce
165 Posts
0
July 31st, 2009 12:00
fwiw / same stuff has been said in the "MS OS" forum:
http://en.community.dell.com/forums/p/19287261/19527784.aspx#19527784
Skarpo2
12 Posts
0
July 31st, 2009 14:00
I downloaded it. There is no documentation and just a number of very old utilities without explanations.
Skarpo2
12 Posts
0
July 31st, 2009 14:00
My computer model and OS has NOTHING to do with the problem. Are you trying to gain points without knowledge? You didn't even read my problem.
e.pierce
165 Posts
0
July 31st, 2009 15:00
Mike, I think that is true.
(for someone with time, it looks like there are nuggets of gold. e.g., most of the big drive manufacturers have free disk utilities that might be useful).
However (I hesitantly mention this), isn't Windows XP also "very old"!?! lol.
Anyways.... Gibson Research would probably greatly enjoy any business that you might want to send their way in the future (should you wish to buy SpinRite.)
http://www.grc.com/sr/spinrite.htm