Help tracking down corrupted file

[mac_h8r1]

So here's a good one, put on your thinking caps!

I've got a file somewhere on my hard drive which is massively corrupted. When the OS (Windows 7) reads it, it either gets stuck in a CRC loop or locks up the queue, because no other drive access is possible. Can't load programs, can't even access the start menu. It brings the system to its knees.

Running CHKDSK in repair mode, whether from command prompt or from the Windows CD results in it freezing up when it gets to this particular file. Mouse still works, etc, but disk access just dies.

I'm really scratching my head on this one. I can't find any way to log chkdsk to tell where it's failing.

Any ideas?

[Dirge]

Do you have any idea what this file is and under what circumstances it is accessed?

You could try System File Checker

Running console as the administrator type in:

Code: Select all

sfc /scannow

[Aphasia]

Are you sure its actually a file system error and not a lower level error. Although sectors doesnt look the same on newer drives as they did on older, it might have something to do with the drive adressing. I've heard good things about Spinrite, but I havent tried it and it costs a money, but that is something that could probably hande something like that.

Another thing is to put the drive in another comp and try to run utilities on it as a secondary drive.

[morphine]

Sounds like a problem with the HDD itself. I'd just download the manufacturer's tools and run them.

[Evaders99]

This when you break out your drive manufacturer's tools - or just run Ultimate Boot CD