Resolved Is format the only solution for corrupt/unreadable folder?

After chasing a corrupt/unreadable folder problem for days, and trying everything I can find, it finally occurs to me this is a hard drive/sector/whatever problem, and there is NO solution other than a format and start over.

Opinions please, before I take the leap.

BTW: to delete or fix that folder, I have tried:

restore
scannow
chkdsk
delete in safemode
delete in safemode elevated DOS

nothing works--they all come back with the msg, folder corrupt and unreadable

so, do I format and copy my backup to the hard drive?

 

I would try 'Move On Boot' first. Free and from http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/MoveOnBoot.shtml

Roger

PS F or some reason the link won't install

 

Many thanks. I tried that link about ten times, but each time it clicked me in odd directions, pdf convertors, registry scan, some g4 mystery, and other sites. I never did find move on boot, although I like the idea

 

Thanks, but chkdsk /F will not run. I have tried about 50 times from several menus, even editing Registry. It just reboots to normal with the message:

"C:\program files \ common files \ ms shared \ windows live.
Folder is corrupt and unreadable "

BTW: this began after installing windows live [or trying to]

No matter what I try to do with that folder, I get the same msg:

C:\program files \ common files \ ms shared \ windows live.
Folder is corrupt and unreadable "

I cannot delete it, even in safemode with elevated DOS mode.

I cannot restore, delete, even open that folder.

The really REALLY odd thing is this:

As I try to open other files, totally unrelated to windows live, like autochk, disk maintenance apps, even my voice recognition to word, I get the same msg:

C:\program files \ common files \ ms shared \ windows live.
Folder is corrupt and unreadable "

I cannot UNinstall windows live becasue it says the folder is corrupt.

I cannot reinstall windows live because it says the folder is corrupt.

Every approach that I have tried results in the same msg: cannot access--corrupt and unreadable

This is why I asked about formatting. After three long days, I have about given up.

 

Can't understand that Robert, works perfectly for me, although reading about your problems maybe MOB won't do it either. The home page for MOT is http://www.gibinsoft.net/gipoutils/ in case you would still like to try it.

Roger

 

Many thanks.

I did run the long diagnostic from Seagate. After a four hour test, it passed. I do not understand that. There is an unreadable folder and Seagate tests do not show it. ,

Yes, I should have said that I've tried the various Win 7 maintenance utilities many times. I have run chkdsk from an elevated common prompt from both normal mode and safemode. It just reboots to Windows. Chkdsk never runs.

BTW: I have run scannow and chkdsk countless times on this and other computers.

But that mystery folder causes nothing but grief. On startup this am, the following files are shown to be corrupt and unreadable:

logonUI.exe
ehtray.exe
systray.exe
autochk.exe

and then states the location of these files:

C:\program files \ common files \ ms shared \ windows live.
Folder is corrupt and unreadable "

which of course is wrong. Over the past few days, I played it safe and copied these files from another computer and pasted them into their correct folder on this laptop.

Please note the file, autochk.exe. This is the file that runs chkdsk which explains why it will not run on reboot. Win 7 "believes" that file is bad.

Rebooting and it continues to state those files are bad. [many other files show as bad, but those are the big ones]

I am quite stumped by this. The WORST part is the inability to delete that bad folder no matter what I do. I fear the scorched earth\format is the only solution.

 

You should follow the advise from Admin, but if you want to delete these files you have to take ownership, this will show you how.

http://forum.thewindowsclub.com/win...ontrol-permissions-files-folders-windows.html

You could also try using Micosoft Security Essentials to check for infections, it is completely free.

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/support.aspx?mkt=en-us

 

Just posted on that forum. Hopefully, I did it right. I have scanned for malware using other apps but these are more thorough.

Many thanks.

And they say things are corrupt and to run chkdsk, which is the problem. It won't run.

 

Thank you, yes, I know how to take ownership. I also did that when replacing windows os files. I will try that ms site.

thanks!

 

Yes, that is my plan, except I have a full file/file dynamic bootable copy made to an external drive. I believe I can boot to that drive and copy back.

I would have done this earlier, but the last backup was well over a month ago, so I need to ensure anything created or saved in the last 45 days is copied to that backup, so the reverse copy will have everything.

Yes, please delete my malware log\post, and many thanks for that link.

Hopefully, I wont need it again.

MS Essentials just finished and found no threats.

 

Heh, well, very good news and a new problem.
[should I post this as new?]

Using bios/setup, I booted to the copy drive, then formatted the first drive using Win 7 > computer > properties > format NTFS. It clicked and formatted, and IMMEDIATELY, that drive disappeared in Computer. ???

Opened Partition Manager and the first drive is there. [all three hard drives show]
Opened my backup program and the first drive is there. [all three drives show up]

Copied backup to the first drive and rebooted to the first drive.

^^^^^update

I noted the screen shots that the mystery drive had no drive letter. Thank goodness for PM. I opened PM and assigned a drive letter to that mystery drive.

It worked! I have no idea why it was dropped. It's been there for two years.

Anyway, this is done, and many thanks

No problem, perfect!

But then I see in Explore that the second drive [the copy] has now disappeared.

All three drives show in bios/setup
All three drives show in PM
All three drives show in my backup program

But one hard drive has disappeared in both Explore and My Computer.

?????

I guess I can't attach screen snap shots of the drives?

 

I don't understand this comment. It DID work. I booted to the second drive, formatted the first drive, and copied the second drive to the first drive.

Then booted to the first drive. Worked perfectly.

I don't know how to show this thread has solved.