Computer boot-up problems? Disk check?

ImpossibleDuck

When I start up my computer I get this message:

Checking file system on E:
The type of the file is NTSF
Volume label in Data.

One of your disks needs to be checked for consistency. You may cancel the disk check, but it is strongly recommend that you continue. Windows will now check the disk.
Corrupt master file table. Windows will attempt to recover master file table from Disk.

Then it said:

Windows cannot recover master file tabe. CHKDSK aborted. ...

What does this mean and how can I fix it. I tried System Restore but it didn't help. The computer boots up after this but I don't want to go through this 20 minute process every time I turn on my comuter.

I'm running Vista 32 bit (i think) on a Toshiba Satellite L-300D.

This problem began when I was playing Football Manager 2011 and my power cut out. The computer was running very slowly right before it cut out so it may just be a coincedince. It may be because it cut out or it may have been an existing problem.

Please help...

bonzodog2

Seems like just a software problem so far, as in not a physical problem with the disk.
Run scandisk on the drive after a reboot.
Backup any essential data to external drive/CDR/DVDR ASAP

ImpossibleDuck

bonzodog2 wrote: »

Run scandisk on the drive after a reboot.
Backup any essential data to external drive/CDR/DVDR ASAP

Not sure how to to either of those

brianwalshcork

You'll need to run the fixmbr tool from the recovery console: info here:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bootcons_fixmbr.mspx?mfr=true

You should backup anything of importance first though.

Brian

ImpossibleDuck

brianwalshcork wrote: »

You'll need to run the fixmbr tool from the recovery console: info here:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bootcons_fixmbr.mspx?mfr=true

You should backup anything of importance first though.

Brian

It says I need to name a device...what would it be?

ImpossibleDuck

brianwalshcork wrote: »

You'll need to run the fixmbr tool from the recovery console: info here:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/bootcons_fixmbr.mspx?mfr=true

You should backup anything of importance first though.

Brian

Wait...those commands aren't working and the link was to an XP solution centre...?

brianwalshcork

Sorry, missed the vista bit.

I have used this but from

http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/microsoft-public-windows-vista-general/26168-fix-mbr-vista.html

Bootrec /fixmbr

Seems to be the vista command.... Sounds like that poster had the same issue as you

ImpossibleDuck

brianwalshcork wrote: »

Sorry, missed the vista bit.

I have used this but from

http://www.vistaheads.com/forums/microsoft-public-windows-vista-general/26168-fix-mbr-vista.html

Bootrec /fixmbr

Seems to be the vista command.... Sounds like that poster had the same issue as you

I'm getting: "Windows cannot "example.exe" Make sure you typed the name correctly, then try again" for anything I try

Sorry about this but can you please assist further?

EDIT: what about if I get a Vista installation disc? and repair it from there if I can't get it fixed today.

brianwalshcork

You should already be using the vista instalation disk - you need to run this command from the recovery environment:

Step by step instructions here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392

ImpossibleDuck

brianwalshcork wrote: »

You should already be using the vista instalation disk

Don't have one that's the problem

ImpossibleDuck

What if I download Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK)?

Will I be able to repair it from there?

brianwalshcork

You can download an iso image of the recovery console, info here:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html?ltr=C

Burn it to a disc and boot from that.

ImpossibleDuck

brianwalshcork wrote: »

You can download an iso image of the recovery console, info here:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/141820-create-recovery-disc.html?ltr=C

Burn it to a disc and boot from that.

Ok I'll try that...Can you recommend a good burning program?

ressem

Disagree with brianwalshcork.

It's the master file table, not the master boot record at fault. As the OP's system is booting correctly, albeit slowly, then the MBR is OK.

The MBR is the first sector of the hard drive, which points to how the drive is partitioned, and the OS to run.

The MFT is a list of all the file names and file properties on the partition.
The fact that it's corrupt is bad news that might indicate that some files on your hard drive may already be difficult to read / recover without specialist tools.
It may be relying on just the MFT mirror, which is only a subset of the full MFT.

So, back up everything that you might need. If you have any backups from before this error appearing, then do not overwrite them.
Essentially Microsoft's suggested 'fix' is backup everything, format, reinstall.

ImpossibleDuck

ressem wrote: »

Disagree with brianwalshcork.]

So, back up everything that you might need. If you have any backups from before this error appearing, then do not overwrite them.
Essentially Microsoft's suggested 'fix' is backup everything, format, reinstall.

And how do you suggest i go about doing that? Since Brian's disk did nothing whatsoever, I assume this is correct.

How do I "backup, format, reinstall"?

ressem

I guess that you are using Vista home premium in which Microsoft stupidly removed any decent backup program.

Do you have a portable hard disk onto which your files can be transferred?
If so you can use programs such as Paragon backup and recovery
(link to free, limited, home edition)
http://www.paragon-software.com/home/br-free/download.html

If not, and if you are not willing to buy one, then you may be left with manually copying files from your user folder and burning them on DVD, or USB key.

Is this computer just used for internet access, light document editing and games?

If you are satisfied that there is nothing left of importance on your computer such as email contact lists and archives, online banking / ROS certificates and you have all the license keys required to reinstall your software after resetting it to original factory settings then you can look at following the restore steps in your computer manual.

e.g.
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=DL&os=&category=&moid=2221251&rpn=PSLC8U&modelFilter=L300D-ST3501&selCategory=2756709&selFamily=1073768663

Page 60 tells you how to create recovery DVDs, to allow you to reinstall windows and as a last resort how to use the recovery boot partition to restore your laptop back to it's factory state.

ressem

Hang on a sec...
If the problem drive is E: and I presume that that is not your windows system drive then what is on it?

It would then just be a matter of copying everything from this disk to a temporary drive, formatting E:, and copying the files back.

For all I know, maybe it's just a USB key gone bad.