Windows Vista Disk Errors
A disk error is a relatively generic term. Not only does it encapsulate physical damage that may have been caused to your hard drive but it also includes damage or corruption that occurs within the files themselves. There are many reasons why file damage or disk errors of this type can happen. A bad installation, infection with spyware or viruses, or a poor removal of applications are just some of the ways this can occur. Even shutting down your system using the power button rather than the Shut Down facility could potentially lead to disk errors.
Determining whether you are suffering from a failing or damaged hard drive or whether you have corrupt files is a difficult process. The most successful way is to work through the following procedures. If the problem persists then there is a very good chance that your physical hard drive is the problem. If this is the case then the only real solution is to use a different hard drive instead.
As ever the first step is to restart your computer. This does genuinely fix a large number of errors because it enables the Windows operating system to reload essential files that may not have loaded properly in the first place.
Like Windows XP the Vista operating system includes the Check Disk tool. This tool is easily accessed and will scan your system in order to determine whether any problems exist that can be quickly and easily resolved. In order to run the Check Disk feature follow these simple steps:
> In Windows Explorer navigate to the partition of your hard drive that contains Windows Vista
> Right click on the partition
> Select properties from the drop down menu
> Select the Tools tab
> Click the Check Now button under the Error Checking Utility header
> Enter your admin password if prompted to do so
> Select the option you wish to use and let Check Disk run to completion
There are two options within the Check Disk utility:
Automatically fix file system errors – enabling this option lets Vista attempt to recover any errors or faults that are found during the scan. Disabling it means that all errors will be reported to you with no further action taken without prompting.
Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors – this lengthy process is a powerful feature that will attempt to find files and folders that are damaged or corrupt and unreadable. In the event that it does find any the Check Disk utility will then attempt to recover these files so that they can be accessed as normal.
When using Check Disk, like any tool that scans your hard drive, it is strongly advised that you do not use your computer while the scan completes. Opening and closing files can cause changes in the areas that are being scanned and this, in turn, can cause the utility to believe there are errors where none exist.
It is highly likely that you run this utility on the partition where Vista exists. In this case the utility will not actually be able to scan the partition straight away. Instead it will provide you with the option to scan the desired area when you net restart your computer. This ensures that the scan will complete properly and fully. If you are provided with this option when you attempt to run the scan ensure that you choose Schedule Disk Check.
Dual Hard Drive Error
A lot more PCs now include dual hard drives in order to beef up the amount of available hard drive space. In most cases this won't cause a problem with the operating system or life with the computer in general. However, when installing Vista on one hard drive it is possible that certain parameters are stored on the other, empty hard drive. This means that formatting that hard drive or removing it from the computer will prevent Vista from booting properly.
If you are installing Vista for the first time then it is strongly advised that you install on a single hard drive. This may require the removal of a secondary or slave drive to be sure that all files are installed on the partition you want them.
If you have already installed Vista and have run into this problem since then your best option is the Vista DVD. In the BIOS settings you should choose to reboot from DVD, and restart your computer with the DVD in the DVD drive.
When your computer does restart select the Repair option, rather than the install option.
Recovery Console Not Recognizing Your Vista Hard Drive
Some users have experienced problems with using the Repair option in this way. Specifically they have reported that the disk will not recognize the drive where Vista is located and, as such, recovery is not an option. There is a temporary work around in the event that this does happen.
> Run the Vista installation disk and, instead of attempting to choose the Repair option, choose the Install option
> When asked whether you want to install or upgrade choose the Install option
> This will “force” the disk to recognize your hard drive
> Cancel the installation and start again from the installation DVD
> This time choose Repair and then Startup Repair
> Your hard drive will now be recognized and you can let the disk repair any problems it finds
