Anyway to fix a corrupted file system?

[ivwshane]

I've got an office computer that has a corrupt file system. It will not boot into safe mode or any other fail safe mode.

I've tried the drive in another computer to see if I could access it's files but I just get a "file system is corrupted" error.

I tried using partion magic to fix errors but it crashes while reading the drive.


What are my options to fix this besides a format and reinstall? Are there any other good tools that might be able to fix this?

The partition is ntfs by the way.

 

[excalibur3]

Can you boot from an xp cd and do repairing options through there? I know it allows you to get to a prompt where you can type stuff in and run certain programs to fix it.

 

[ivwshane]

I haven't tried but my main concern is that I don't have the cd key nor the original windows cd (so I don't know if an oem disk was used or full retail).

If I can do the repair option would I need the above info? and what commands would I be using?

 

[excalibur3]

I don't think it will matter. It will just boot off the cd do dump you into a recovery console. You could try running a scan disk once you are in there. It is completely "dos" based so it won't be asking for any serial. It has been a while since I've done it so I can't remember the commands. Can anyone else lend a hand?

 

[firewall]

Get some file/disk checker from the net and run a scan on it from a cd or floppy. Maybe Bart PE.

Alternatively, put the HD into another PC and run chkdsk with the /r switch on it.

 

[jsalpha2]

http://members.shaw.ca/LeesPlace/mbrwork.htm
maybe?

 

[Smilin]

Uh, why aren't you using a Chkdsk /p from recovery console?

 

[ivwshane]

That's what I ended up doing