Computer Problems! Help! Can You Help Diagnose My Problem?

[the_rev]

[b][b]This is how I got to that: [/b][/b]

[b]Recommended Fix: [url="http://www.vistax64.com/fix-errors.html"]Click here to Fix Vista Errors and Optimize PC Performance[/url][/b]

[the_rev]

On a positive note, I did the Memory Diagnostics tool on my computer where I restarted it, it went into a blue screen thing and did a test, and it yielded that there were no memory problems. Whatever that means or doesn't mean for my problem. I know a friend of mine did that last year when we tried to find out what was wrong with my computer.

Here's my next question: It appears that my virus software is expired and so it won't let me quarentine from my scan. What do you recommend as the best anti-virus/malware/spyware program out there? I have used Webroot in the past, but would be open to trying something else. Although it'd be great to have a free program so I wouldn't have to pay, I'd understand if it would be best for me to have a pay subscription.

[arfink]

OK, take a step back from the problem for one second. Your computer is clearly having problems that are very serious, and it is entirely possible you could lose all of your data. Whether this problem is fixable by you or not, you absolutely positively must MUST get your data backed up. Get/borrow/steal (scratch that, don't steal) a USB flash drive and get all your important files/papers/pictures/music onto it immediately.

As for a reccomendation for anti-malware software, I'll make you a few links in a couple mins here...

[the_rev]

What is the program on my comptuer called "Disk Cleanup" do? will it erase all of my files on my computer or will it get rid of unnecessary things but not documents like my papers or pictures, etc.?

[the_rev]

If I was to back up my entire computer, how would I go about doing that. I have an external hard drive (not to sure how much memory is on there). Can I just drop and drag like "MyName-PC" or would I just do select all on my desktop, drop and drag, and the same thing for the documents folder, pictures folder, music folder, video folder, etc.

[arfink]

OK, so as Groo so aptly pointed out, the error message you are getting is indicating your are probably having drive failure. This is a common problem that happens to all computers eventually, so I'd be willing to bet it's what's wrong. This just means you'll need a new hard drive... probably. There are tests you can do to determine if this is the case.

[quote]
[b][size="6"][color="green"][u]Here's How:[/u][/color][/size][/b]
[b][color="red"]NOTE:[/color][/b] [i]If sfc cannot start or finish, then try running it [b][url="http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/123496-safe-mode.html"][u]Safe Mode[/u][/url][/b][/i].[b][size="3"]1.[/size][/b] Open a [url="http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/181765-elevated-command-prompt.html"][b][u]elevated command prompt[/u][/b][/url].

[b][size="3"]2.[/size][/b] In the elevated command prompt, type the command that you want to do in [b]bold[/b] below in steps A to E to run System File Check.[indent]A) [b][size="3"]sfc /scannow[/size][/b] - Scans the integrity of all protected system files and repairs the system files if needed. (See screenshot below)
[b][color="red"]NOTE:[/color][/b] [i]Restores Vista's original setup of system files. (EX: Fonts, wallpapers, System32 files, etc.)[/i][/indent][indent][indent][url="http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/3073d1205257009-system-files-sfc-command-scannow.jpg"][img]http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/3073d1232212197t-system-files-sfc-command-scannow.jpg[/img][/url][/indent][/indent][indent]B) [b][size="3"]sfc /verifyonly[/size][/b] - Scans and only verifies the integrity of all proteced system files only. (See screenshot below)
[b][color="red"]NOTE:[/color][/b] [i]If it finds anything like in the screenshot below boxed in red at the bottom, you should run step A to see if it can fix it. See how to read the CBS log above for details on the SFC scan results[/i].[/indent][indent][indent][url="http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/3072d1205255108-system-files-sfc-command-verifyonly.jpg"][img]http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/3072d1232212197t-system-files-sfc-command-verifyonly.jpg[/img][/url][/indent][/indent][indent]C) [b][size="3"]sfc /scanfile=(full path of file)[/size][/b] - Scans the integrity of the chosen system file and repairs it if needed.
[b][color="red"]EX:[/color][/b] sfc /scanfile=C:\Windows\System32\kernel32.dll

D) [b][size="3"]sfc /verifyfile=(full path of file)[/size][/b] - Scans and only verifies the integrity of the chosen system file.
[b][color="#ff0000"]EX:[/color][/b] sfc /verifyfile=C:\Windows\System32\kernel32.dll

E) [b][size="3"]sfc /?[/size] -[/b] For a list of all sfc command codes with description. (see screenshot below)[/indent][indent][indent][url="http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/1483d1193198369-system-files-sfc-command-sfc_help.jpg"][img]http://www.vistax64.com/attachments/tutorials/1483d1232211768t-system-files-sfc-command-sfc_help.jpg[/img][/url][/indent][/indent]
[b][size="3"]3.[/size][/b] Press [b]Enter[/b].
[b][color="red"]NOTE:[/color][/b] [i]It may take a while to finish[/i].

[b][size="3"]4.[/size][/b] Close the elevated command prompt when it finishes.

[b][size="3"]5.[/size][/b] If you got a message to restart the computer in the command prompt, then restart the computer to finish the repair.
[/quote]

If you want to try and search for malware, please use the following links:

For an anti-virus software that I can whole-heartedly recommend in every sense of the word, please try using Clamwin:
[url="http://www.clamwin.com/"]http://www.clamwin.com/[/url]

It's open source, free, and from my personal usage, as good or better than anything you can pay for.

Next, you may want to try using Adaware by Lavasoft. I really like their free version, it's been extremely helpful to me.
[url="http://secure.lavasoft.com/"]http://secure.lavasoft.com/[/url]

Edited December 11, 2011 by arfink

[arfink]

[quote name='the_rev' timestamp='1323581483' post='2348988']
If I was to back up my entire computer, how would I go about doing that. I have an external hard drive (not to sure how much memory is on there). Can I just drop and drag like "MyName-PC" or would I just do select all on my desktop, drop and drag, and the same thing for the documents folder, pictures folder, music folder, video folder, etc.
[/quote]

You could backup the whole thing, but really the important stuff is the stuff you have saved onto it. I assume you know where you save your documents, music, and pictures to? If you don't know, it's likely a folder which is marked "My Documents." or somesuch.

EDIT: yeah, you can just drag-drop all your files onto the external drive, that'll work. Make sure you keep things organized so you can find them later.

EDIT2: If you can think of something on your computer now which you absolutely need to have if, say, you got a new computer, then that's something you need to back up. Programs that you can re-install from the original CDs like Microsoft Office you would not have to back up, since the CDs are your failsafe.

Edited December 11, 2011 by arfink

[fides' Jack]

One thing I would be careful of when backing up - make sure you look through all the files you're copying to make sure that you're not copying a virus. It's unlikely that it would be in your documents and music and pictures, but there is a chance.

My guess is there's nothing wrong with your current hard drive, but you should back up just in case (you should always back up, just in case).

You could probably install your new optical drive by yourself. Just open up the case and see how the current one is connected, then disconnect it and connect the new one. Make sure your computer is off and unplugged, of course. And before you go reaching in there touch something metal to discharge any static electricity. Installing a new drive is easier than you would think.

The bad optical drive could be causing the blue-screen as well - that's usually related more to physical damage than to software problems.

[arfink]

[quote name='fides' Jack' timestamp='1323614424' post='2349073']
One thing I would be careful of when backing up - make sure you look through all the files you're copying to make sure that you're not copying a virus. It's unlikely that it would be in your documents and music and pictures, but there is a chance.

My guess is there's nothing wrong with your current hard drive, but you should back up just in case (you should always back up, just in case).

You could probably install your new optical drive by yourself. Just open up the case and see how the current one is connected, then disconnect it and connect the new one. Make sure your computer is off and unplugged, of course. And before you go reaching in there touch something metal to discharge any static electricity. Installing a new drive is easier than you would think.

The bad optical drive could be causing the blue-screen as well - that's usually related more to physical damage than to software problems.
[/quote]

Yeah, there are lots of things that can cause that NTFS system error, but I wouldn't think an optical drive would be one. CDs as a general rule don't use NTFS. I suppose it's possible, but given how common hard drive failure is, I think it's safe to bet on it happening. I'm confident enough to say that it's the #1 most likely hardware failure to happen to any given computer, since it's basically the one piece that's composed of critical moving parts.

If you're suspecting you have a virus, please don't "be careful" about backing up. Take it all, even if you have to take the virus with you. You can always take the backup to someone with a properly secured system to be "cleaned" if you really need to.

Also, I know from personal experience that if you wait until you're getting a BSOD to make backups you've waited much too long. Backups need to happen well in advance of failure, and just as an example, I am making regular backups on average once or twice a month, and for really critical information (business information, financial information, my resume, writings, artwork, and other critical stuff) I'll intentionally back it up from the first time I save it to my hard drive. I started in computers with 5.25" floppy disks though, so perhaps I just have a healthy disrespect of magnetic storage mediums.

Edited December 11, 2011 by arfink

[the_rev]

I have not done the test yet for the harddrive, but will, but let's say that is my problem, how much does a harddrive cost?

[arfink]

It will depend on what standard it is (SCSI, IDE, or SATA) as well as how large a volume of data it can hold. On average, a decent sized hard drive of the SATA or IDE variety (the most common) will cost $20 to $50. It's also possible that your drive simply has some corruption and is not mechanically failing, in which case the software may actually be able to correct the problem itself. You'll know for sure when you run the test.

Edited December 11, 2011 by arfink

[the_rev]

Can I try to run the test before I back up my computer or will I need to back it up first?

[arfink]

Your call. If it was me in that situation I'd be running for a backup to save my precious data first thing, but I'm also totally paranoid of losing data, having had that happen to me way more times than a nerdy soul like myself would care to admit.

[penguin31]

If it's a hard drive failure, you need to back up your data *immediately* anyway - while you still can. If it's a hard drive failure, and like others I strongly suspect it is, you're operating on borrowed time as-is.

[InPersonaChriste]

Hit it a couple of times.. Mine stopped after I hit the top of it...
Never had another problem...