can't back up my system - check disk wont run?

merlin1

hi all, I'm hoping someone might be able to help me!

i want to back up my system to an external hd, but when i try i get a message telling me to do so i have to run a check disk. this i cannot do - i click to run check disk at start up but it doesn't run.

i have been having a corrupt file message for a while now, not anything major - something to do with one of the inbuilt games. mine sweep or something. i haven't been overly concerned as i don't play it at all, but i am about due a system sort out and back up. however I'm stuck. to do a backup i need to chk dsk.

I'm running vista on an asus laptop if that helps? can anyone advise?

yours miffed...

merlin x

Browntoa

hit F8 at start up and choose Safe mode with command prompt

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/chsafe.htm#03

run chkdsk from there

JJ_Egan

type at the prompt chkdsk c: /f /r
either as said via safe mode or at the command prompt .

fixs any errors found .

jje

merlin1

thank you very much for your replys! i will try what you have suggested and post back.

thanks again:)

merlin1

hello again!

well i tried to get chkdsk to run this evening but its having none of it, even in the command prompt i have to agree to a scheduled check on reboot as the drive is in use.

any other ideas? the only thing i can think to do now instead of using vista back up is to manually transfer all my files etc to the portable hard drive and chuck in the asus recovery disk and start from scratch?

closed

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/What-are-the-system-recovery-options-in-Windows-Vista

command prompt, chkdsk c: /F

merlin1

thanks closed, that command still requires a scheduled check on reboot which it wont do.

after reading the link you posted it seems i have to run recovery from my system/asus disk as i dont have any of the options to repair windows and my system came with factory installed vista?

i've found the inbuilt system recovery and it warns i will lose everything so have cancelled that until i can work out my next move... it's looking like a manual file backup jobby unless anyone can recommend another tactic?

fwor

An alternative approach is to boot the PC from one of the Linux LiveCD's that include the linux partition editor GPARTED (all of the Ubuntu LiveCDs do).

This will allow you to view the content of the PC's hard disk, and if you unmount the main partition, you can choose the "Check" option, which will do the same thing as chkdsk.

Alternatively, if you want a smaller download, SystemRescueCD is small and includes GPARTED too.

Richie-from-the-Boro

merlin1 wrote: »

hello again!

well i tried to get chkdsk to run this evening but its having none of it, even in the command prompt i have to agree to a scheduled check on reboot as the drive is in use.

any other ideas? the only thing i can think to do now instead of using vista back up is to manually transfer all my files etc to the portable hard drive and chuck in the asus recovery disk and start from scratch?

That's ok, what closed fwor & Browntoa are saying is correct. What your windows O/S is telling you is that the issue is one that it feels needs to be addressed in DOS. All your windows wants to do is reboot your system and do the chkdsk before it loads system files.

Try it

Much better that way, before you may need to get into areas of system recovery.

Just noticed you've told it to run in DOS, but you say it won't do so once you re-boot. In that case you should immediately get all your critically important photo's and docs off to an external source before you go further just in case.

sharkie

the other way is to get a windows xp or win 7 PE Boot disk which boots up a cut down version of windows, then do the above, but choose the correct drive.

merlin1

many thanks to you all!

i am currently in the process of sending over all my music pics and documents to the external hard drive as i have decided to do a factory restore and start again!

another quick question if you wouldnt mind answering - the laptops hard drive is factory partitioned, one for vista and one for data. when i restore it will ask me if i want to partition - seeing as i have an external hard drive for back ups etc should i keep the partition or let it restore to a single space?

many thanks again x