Member Avatar for twoyorkie

I had a spring clean with a happy click finger the other day and used Windows install cleanup / smithfraudfix / ccleaner and a defrag....now I cannot browse to change frontpage,No MS Office enterprise,cant uninstall or install office enterprise as blue screen murders one or the other after 10 minutes ,windows startup sound is bad and corrupted (sounds OK in control panel) oh Jeeezz I am ok to fdisk and start again but feel there is a simpler answer..running xp media center ,sp3 ,and running ok till then ...and all go back files went with windows cleaner so that stuffed me a bit more !! Thaks geeks all is wellcome

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Short, practical triage before you wipe the drive (drawing on points already made by , and ).

First — protect data. If Windows is unstable, boot from external media (a Linux live-USB or Windows PE / recovery USB) or pull the drive and attach it to another PC, and copy the whole user profile folders (Documents, Desktop, Favorites, browser profiles, and any mail stores like PST/DBX) to an external disk. Do not try risky repairs until personal files are safe.

Second — quick hardware and file-system checks that often explain intermittent blue screens:

  • Run a full surface and file-system scan from recovery media (chkdsk) and check the disk SMART attributes.
  • Run a memory test (Memtest86+) for at least one full pass.
    If either reports errors, replace the faulty component before spending time on software fixes.

Third — non-destructive Windows repair attempts (backup first). From recovery console or the install media you can attempt repairs to boot and system files; you can also collect a boot log (use the Advanced Boot Options menu) to see which driver or service fails. If a system-file repair is attempted, do it after data is backed up and after confirming disk and RAM are healthy.

If those still fail, a repair install (in-place repair) will replace system files while keeping programs and data — but it is not a guaranteed fix and may require reapplying service packs or updates afterwards. If you prefer a guaranteed clean state, the factory/HDD recovery or a full format + reinstall will do that, but only after you have rescued everything.

Notes and cautions: because ’s SFC attempt blue-screened, that points to deeper corruption or hardware faults; fix hardware first. Keep copies of installer media/keys and create an image backup of the current drive (even a failing one) before destructive steps — it makes later data recovery easier.

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Member Avatar for puddlejumper

Hi twoyorkie,
The problem I had last week with my Toshiba A100, is not all that disimilar to yours. I had a complete disaster and I had no idea what to do. I new my hard drive and cpu were still ok, just the system itself was awry. From the best advice I got, from this forum and other tech people, the ony way to solve these kind of dilemna's is to do a total HDD recovery. But I must point out, that you DO NOT use any of the Windows based recovery media. First of all if you have the manufacturors supplied HDD recovery disk, this is how you must proceed. (If you don't have one, the computer company will supply one for you at a small fee, down here in OZ for example, if I didn't already have mine, Toshiba would supply one for about $15aus).
First of all you insert the disk into a CD drive whilst the computer is on. Then you shut down.
2/ While holding down the 'C' key, press the power button on a continue to hold the 'C' key until the recovery procedure begins. Let it run it's course. Note, on some systems it may be another key, it might be the zero numeric key and others use the 'R' key. This you'll find out from your HDD recovery instructions.
3/Once your recovery has finished, the computer will be back to it's original configuration. A word of warning! DO NOT use the Windows back utility prior to doing the HDD recovery. Instead, copy all your important documents, pictures etc. onto a CD or CD's and reinstall them later. Any software you might have installed after purchase, should be reinstalled from their origonal disks. If you downloaded any software, you'll have to do it again. (Sorry about that part, but it's the only sure way, it will also help you to discover what screwed your computer in the first place.)
I hope this well help, cheers.
Puddlejumper.

commented: thanks ,,,,last resort though...!!!! +3
Member Avatar for Godsp3ed

Well the advice by puddlejumper is as good as a clean format...Why don't you try doing a 'system restore', it won't be of any harm but may get things back to normal...

commented: nice try ,no goback check points !!! +3
Member Avatar for twoyorkie

Thanks puddlejumper and godsp3ed......I think a fdisk moment is coming up and Go-back files do not exist after my clean-up venture ....shame you can't repair windows files without stuffing all the other important bits eh ?...or can you ??

Member Avatar for caperjack

this might help "system file checker" , go to start /run/ type in SFC /scannow ,note there is a space between the C and the /, you will likely need the windows cd in to replace the missing or corrupt system files

commented: thanks for the tuition +3
Member Avatar for twoyorkie

this might help "system file checker" , go to start /run/ type in SFC /scannow ,note there is a space between the C and the /, you will likely need the windows cd in to replace the missing or corrupt system files

Many thanks Caperjack ,never heard of that command.....anyway,did as you said and it got half way through the check files and blue screened.....did this twice ....so I think I have no option no but to start again ........its ok unless I want to do something other than surf or get emails ......so I will hang out a couple more days in case of a solution

Member Avatar for twoyorkie

well this morning the PC (Toshiba sattelite p25) decided that it had had enough and refused to boot to windows ,showing blue SOD before a loggon......so sadly .....here we go again .....format etc ....thank god for foxmarks(Xmarks now) but will have to fight with new hotmail to outlook express settings !! thanks guys for your help

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