 Xp Warning Message $mft |
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 Jul 1 2008, 03:11 PM
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New Member  Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 20-June 08 Member No.: 217,423  |
I am hoping someone can help with an error message I've been getting for the last week. I am running XP Sp1 and just started getting the following: $MFT is corrupt and unreadable. I have run chkdsk with f and r switches several times. I alway get a clean disk report when chkdsk completes. When I searched this message, I saw references to a failing hard drive, however chkdsk utility did not find any bad sectors. Thanks, June |
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Jul 1 2008, 03:40 PM
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 Forum Addict Group: HJT Junior Classmen Posts: 3,244 Joined: 7-January 07 From: UK Member No.: 105,123 |
Hello jn516 and welcome.
Can you start the system at all? -------------------- Regards
Alan |
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Jul 1 2008, 04:15 PM
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#3
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 Visually handicapped, hence the avatar :0) Group: Moderator Posts: 13,228 Joined: 2-October 05 From: Southeastern CT, USA Member No.: 35,824 |
If you've run chkdsk with the /f or /r parameter and this didn't fix it, then the problem is likely to go deeper than just a corrupt Master File Table.
I'd suggest first running a free, bootable diagnostic from the hard drive manufacturer's website. If the drive tests good, then I'd suggest booting from your XP installation CD an entering the Recovery Console: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial117.html Once in there, type each of the following commands exactly as they appear, and press Enter after each one. Answer Y and press Enter for the prompts that appear. fixmbr fixboot I don't expect the last paragraph to fix things (it's just a stab in the dark) - but it won't hurt as long as the drive passed the diagnostic mentioned in the second paragraph. If the drive tests good and the MFT is still corrupt (and chkdsk /r doesn't fix it), then that most likely means that both copies of the MFT are corrupt. Rebuilding it manually is possible - but way, way beyond my ability (it involves directly editing the MFT on the hard drive) and requires an in depth knowledge of how the NTFS file system operates and an equally in depth knowledge of the directory structure on your hard drive. I'd suggest slaving the hard drive to another computer to see if it's recognized. And if it's not (this is likely) then you'll have to use data recovery software to recover your data. Finally, you'll have to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows. I'd suggest that you also install Service Pack 2 and 3 when you do - this will help to improve the reliability of your system in the future. -------------------- - John
**If you need a more detailed explanation, please ask for it. I have the Knack. ** |
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Jul 2 2008, 06:10 AM
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#4
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 20-June 08 Member No.: 217,423 |
QUOTE(nigglesnush85 @ Jul 1 2008, 04:40 PM)  Hello jn516 and welcome. Can you start the system at all? Hi, yes the system boots up fine and I am able to access all my files. June |
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Jul 2 2008, 06:13 AM
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#5
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New Member Group: Members Posts: 3 Joined: 20-June 08 Member No.: 217,423 |
QUOTE(usasma @ Jul 1 2008, 05:15 PM) If you've run chkdsk with the /f or /r parameter and this didn't fix it, then the problem is likely to go deeper than just a corrupt Master File Table. I'd suggest first running a free, bootable diagnostic from the hard drive manufacturer's website. If the drive tests good, then I'd suggest booting from your XP installation CD an entering the Recovery Console: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial117.html Once in there, type each of the following commands exactly as they appear, and press Enter after each one. Answer Y and press Enter for the prompts that appear. fixmbr fixboot I don't expect the last paragraph to fix things (it's just a stab in the dark) - but it won't hurt as long as the drive passed the diagnostic mentioned in the second paragraph. If the drive tests good and the MFT is still corrupt (and chkdsk /r doesn't fix it), then that most likely means that both copies of the MFT are corrupt. Rebuilding it manually is possible - but way, way beyond my ability (it involves directly editing the MFT on the hard drive) and requires an in depth knowledge of how the NTFS file system operates and an equally in depth knowledge of the directory structure on your hard drive. I'd suggest slaving the hard drive to another computer to see if it's recognized. And if it's not (this is likely) then you'll have to use data recovery software to recover your data. Finally, you'll have to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows. I'd suggest that you also install Service Pack 2 and 3 when you do - this will help to improve the reliability of your system in the future. Hi, will check WD's site for the diagnostic boot disk and run that. Then try your other suggestions. Thanks, June |
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