find file data integrity errors,"flow chart" for disk repair
Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2014 5:40 pm
I have a failing HDD and it corrupted Windows Backup/Restore function. I’m currently doing a low level format to try to fix any HDD errors (hopefully, but new drives ordered anyway!) but I could use some help. I copied all my data files to my newer PC and since the failing HDD also had a virus, I ran Avast (DOS mode) on the data which was copied to a newer PC. While Avast didn’t find any destructive viruses, it did find a lot of corrupted data files as well as files that were too large for it to check( forget the phrase it used = ”decompression bomb”?) and I cannot save Avast (DOS) logs on my PC (needs floppy or bootable USB).
ChkDsk failed to find any errors; it was Seagate Tools found intermittent drive issues (1st run failed,2nd run passed, but decided to do low level format in an attempt to fix disk errors).
1) Is there any specific software on UBCD that would be best for checking “file integrity” for every file - to discover the corrupted files Avast found that obviously were affected by the HDD failings? Remember, chkdsk did NOT find problems.
Fwiw: Since I have many older backups, I can likely find good copies of corrupted files… once I find out which files were corrupted by my failing disk.
2) Vista repair (on the installation CD) found no errors but apparently I can run the Vista installation disk from within windows and presumably this could correct my Backup/Restore issue. Can anyone confirm this can fix errors not found using the installation DVD repair (I suspect other Windows errors due to failing HDD?
3) If #2 can’t fix my Windows, can I reinstall Vista on top of itself without damaging existing data or other installed software?
4) Is there any forum here that discusses the best “flow chart” for fixing errors? Or how does this look(?):
4a) backup everything (often and especially before starting a repair attempt).
4b) Check for viruses (1st=ALWAYS have/use anti-virus software. fwiw: I’ve owned PCs since the 1970s and as long as you’re “not stupid”, viruses are not typically a problem, especially when you have active anti-virus software).
4c) Windows Backup/Restore (this is a “must use”).
4d) Windows Repair (from installation disk within Windows).
4e) Windows Repair from Installation DVDs.
4f) Reinstall windows over itself (can anyone confirm that this won’t data existing data or other software).
4?) Check for hardware issues: I’m not sure where this should go in the process because, in “all my years”, “real” hardware issues are rare or they are obvious; failing RAMM and HDDs are the exception, because they start slow and BEFORE they become obvious, you’re looking “in a haystack” (4b-4f+).
Thank you for any advice. And fwiw, low level format will not finish for 3 days so I can’t try fixes until then.
ChkDsk failed to find any errors; it was Seagate Tools found intermittent drive issues (1st run failed,2nd run passed, but decided to do low level format in an attempt to fix disk errors).
1) Is there any specific software on UBCD that would be best for checking “file integrity” for every file - to discover the corrupted files Avast found that obviously were affected by the HDD failings? Remember, chkdsk did NOT find problems.
Fwiw: Since I have many older backups, I can likely find good copies of corrupted files… once I find out which files were corrupted by my failing disk.
2) Vista repair (on the installation CD) found no errors but apparently I can run the Vista installation disk from within windows and presumably this could correct my Backup/Restore issue. Can anyone confirm this can fix errors not found using the installation DVD repair (I suspect other Windows errors due to failing HDD?
3) If #2 can’t fix my Windows, can I reinstall Vista on top of itself without damaging existing data or other installed software?
4) Is there any forum here that discusses the best “flow chart” for fixing errors? Or how does this look(?):
4a) backup everything (often and especially before starting a repair attempt).
4b) Check for viruses (1st=ALWAYS have/use anti-virus software. fwiw: I’ve owned PCs since the 1970s and as long as you’re “not stupid”, viruses are not typically a problem, especially when you have active anti-virus software).
4c) Windows Backup/Restore (this is a “must use”).
4d) Windows Repair (from installation disk within Windows).
4e) Windows Repair from Installation DVDs.
4f) Reinstall windows over itself (can anyone confirm that this won’t data existing data or other software).
4?) Check for hardware issues: I’m not sure where this should go in the process because, in “all my years”, “real” hardware issues are rare or they are obvious; failing RAMM and HDDs are the exception, because they start slow and BEFORE they become obvious, you’re looking “in a haystack” (4b-4f+).
Thank you for any advice. And fwiw, low level format will not finish for 3 days so I can’t try fixes until then.