Need quick computer help!

[scottie33]

Some girl I know called because her computer wouldn't start up this morning or afternoon. When she started up her computer she got the message "checking file system on c:, then the type of the file is NTFS volume label is acer" She also says it stops at 7% and doesn't go any further for hours. I tried doing a little research on the internet on how to get past this and it looks to be a check that the computer does. I have read some people who when they reboot press F8 to enter into safe mode but from there I dont know where to go or what to do. I've read some other things that mention the harddrive may have just gone bad or been physically damaged.

Also, her OS is Vista

If anyone has seen this before, what have you done to fix the problem or would you just say to buy a new hard drive for the computer

Thank you so much for your quick responses...she is freaking out!!!

 

[TykeClone]

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/off-topic/48251-computer-hard-drive-question.html

You might try some of the tips here too.

 

[Bader]

If you can't get past CHKDSK then it's a problem with the hard drive itself.

 

[scottie33]

If you can't get past CHKDSK then it's a problem with the hard drive itself.

Is CHKDSK the message that I typed that comes up during re-boot?

 

[scottie33]

http://www.cyclonefanatic.com/forum/off-topic/48251-computer-hard-drive-question.html

You might try some of the tips here too.

I read through that, and didn't really find anything that pertained to her specific problem! Thanks though

 

[Bader]

Is CHKDSK the message that I typed that comes up during re-boot?

Yup, it's a utility that is automatically run at the next boot when the computer loses power unexpectedly or a few other situations.

Attempts to check the integrity of the hard drive. If she's getting stuck at that point, I would assume there is a problem with the drive.

 

[isucyfan]

My dad's computer wouldn't boot. He ran CHKDSK, and it kept hanging up at like 80%. Finally, he just let it sit there for hours, and it finally completed the scan and booted up fine. It's been working fine for over a year since that.

 

[CyclonesRule]

Is CHKDSK the message that I typed that comes up during re-boot?

correct. When CHKDSK is ran it will give the message "checking file system on c: just as you are booting up. CHKDSK usually will clean up any problems that are on the hard drive. Since it appears to be failing the hard drive is bad and CHKDSK is unable to repair the problem.

 

[scottie33]

I'll tell her to let it go through the CHKDSK scan overnight and even longer if necessary.

 

[scottie33]

What if she reboots it and it gives her 10-options of like reboot in safe mode, reboot in repair mode etc.

If I got it to safe mode or repair mode, would we be able to do anything from there?

 

[maui6651]

I disagree that a fail there means the drive is bad. I had a bunch of files get corrupted over the summer and ended up having it get stuck in CHKDSK on boot. I was able to bypass the check (it should give you the option by pressing any key before it starts the scan), save my files, and then reinstall the OS.

Just my personal experience.

 

[TykeClone]

What if she reboots it and it gives her 10-options of like reboot in safe mode, reboot in repair mode etc.

If I got it to safe mode or repair mode, would we be able to do anything from there?

Boot to safe mode and copy all of her data off of the machine.

Then you can reimage the machine (either on that drive if you still trust it or on another drive) and be good to go!

edited to add: boot to safe mode because it doesn't load as much "stuff" as it would normally - so if there is a bad spot on the drive or corrupted important files, you might be able avoid them in safe mode.

 

[CycloneErik]

My dad's computer wouldn't boot. He ran CHKDSK, and it kept hanging up at like 80%. Finally, he just let it sit there for hours, and it finally completed the scan and booted up fine. It's been working fine for over a year since that.

Nice thought for a Hawkeye

 

[isucyfan]

Nice thought for a Hawkeye

You could have called me anything that would have been turned into asterisks on this site...but a Hawkeye? Now you've done it.

P.S. I liked you sig better before.:wink::sad:

 

[PolkCityClone]

Tell her to buy a Mac.

 

[scottie33]

the last time it got to where she could click on her profile and it sits there and loads and loads then it says the profile couldn't be loaded correctly or something like that
Posted via Mobile Device

 

[TykeClone]

the last time it got to where she could click on her profile and it sits there and loads and loads then it says the profile couldn't be loaded correctly or something like that
Posted via Mobile Device

Login as admin - you should be able to access her account and do your backup.

 

[cyclonedave25]

Had a similar problem with my computer awhile ago. I'd strongly suggest backing up any important files ASAP. If you can't seem to get it fixed, I'd reinstall windows (repair) and if that doesn't work do a total reinstall of windows. I just did a total reinstall and my computer runs like new again.

 

[TykeClone]

Had a similar problem with my computer awhile ago. I'd strongly suggest backing up any important files ASAP. If you can't seem to get it fixed, I'd reinstall windows (repair) and if that doesn't work do a total reinstall of windows. I just did a total reinstall and my computer runs like new again.

That's good advice - he just needs to make sure that he gets it backed up first.

 

[cyclonedave25]

That's good advice - he just needs to make sure that he gets it backed up first.

Yeah, losing everything sucks. I couldn't retrieve anything on mine, even after taking my harddrive out and putting it in an external case. :sad: Oh well, life goes on I suppose...