Render Problem on ver 14

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Pat,

Well I finally got all my data backed up and virus check done - nothing found.
I got a step further in Safe mode - it said there was a corrupt sector but then said it could not continue with Chkdsk in Read Only mode.  That sounds logical but how do I set it so that it is not read only? 
Also does it need some extra instructions to actually fix anything it finds - or is Chkdsk enough?

Allan

[Draft Patrick]

Hi Allan,

OK.... I see two things here

1 - yes, you can change the "read only" condition of the system files--> to do this you'll need the Windows installation disks and install the Recovery Console --> note that this is for Advanced Users --> I know how to do this, but I never did. Let me know if you wish the instructions

2 - I was reading again all the posts related with this problem, and I think that your autochk.exe file is corrupted (probably in a bad sector as well). I'd suggest to replace the autochk.exe file --> this is very easy  In this page http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/130824-chkdsk-will-not-run-startup-vista.html there are tutorials, very basic--> I think that # 4 should work in your case

let me know if you need additional help

Pat

[rgathje]

  Allen
   For future reference, Ckdsk looks for bad sectors on your hard drive. When it finds a bad sector it tries to move any files it finds to good sectors. This very seldom works because the bad sectors have corrupted the file. An advanced user can sometimes determine which files these are and replace them. We use to have a problem with Utheme file under XP. All the icons on the windows desktop would be gone and windows would stop loading but the background would be there. We kept a copy in our tech directory on the network so we could just copy it down. Occasionally, if you do a repair under windows it will fix the problem, but it is better if you know the file.

[Draft Patrick]

Hi rgathje,

Just as reference--> in Allan's case, he has the original database in his desktop, and he tried to copy the original db in his laptop and it didn't work --> this is an indicator of a probable bad sector
This is the reason why we are trying to fix his disk, but it seems that the autochk.exe is corrupted as well.
Notice that a bad sector doesn't mean a HD collapsing
The Chkdsk process includes a "verify" step and a "fix" step (optional) . After the fix process you can copy the file again. However, in my experience, I'd prefer uninstall / install

let me know if you need additional help

Pat

[Doug.S]

Not to throw a monkey wrench into the process....as I usually do a chk dsk twice a year for last several years....

BUT, last time during the restart after chk dsk was performed with no issues found, Win XP sp2 would not load.  Final resolve was the chk dsk buggered the startup files and windows was dead and I had to completely re-install windows....per Dell who was still under warranty.  The hard disk tests took a few hours but the HD was completely OK.

I think this is an unusual error/problem....but I no longer do chk dsk unless ready (do serious backup including all data and system (I use Acronis)) to be prepared for a windows re-install.

[Allan Chesney]

Thanks everyone for your input,

I am growing very frustrated at this whole thing!!  

Anyway Pat, coming back to your comments:

Just as reference--> in Allan's case, he has the original database in his desktop, and he tried to copy the original db in his laptop and it didn't work --> this is an indicator of a probable bad sector. This is the reason why we are trying to fix his disk, but it seems that the autochk.exe is corrupted as well.
Notice that a bad sector doesn't mean a HD collapsing

As you said I tried the desktop file on the laptop and it still indicated a corruption (or second copy of the Garden Enc was open - which was not the case). However, would not the copy of the Garden.db, have gone into a different sector on the laptop drive, since many other things would have been installed/created since the original load?  Also, when I installed V15 a few weeks ago, would that not have gone into a different sector to the origianal V14 that was failing before?  These may be wrong assumptions as I know little about the insides of computer as you can tell.

I also did a double cross check and copied the supposedly corrupt Garden.db from the laptop back to the desktop and it worked fine, so the program itself is not at fault - the problem is obviously the laptop.

Back to autochk.exe file. The instructions on the link you provided were very precise and easy to follow (even for me!), but I still had an issue. Having downloaded the new copy it said to Copy /Replace the original and if it did not allow that, to rename the original one first but it did not let me do that either. The site did not say what to do in this case.  I then spent hours trying to sort out Admin privileges because even though it said I was an administrator, I still did not have access to change these things.  Is there any way to log in as a proper administrator?

I do not have much hair to spare these days and I am rapidly pulling it out at the moment!  I rang my local computer shop to check on the costs of them swapping the whole thing over to Win7 but, with the cost of Win7, plus their time finding all the drivers, backing up and reloading all the software and data, it is almost cheaper to buy a new laptop!  I may have to resort to that (if the house sells - can't afford to otherwise).

In the meantime I will just have to do the landscaping on my desktop and the rest of the project on the laptop, since it appears only the Garden.db is affected (unless the autochk.exe is too). Actually Windows Updater has issues too an many files fail to install, so that probably indicates a corrupot sector too (?).

Any other ideas, or a way to log in as an administrator? Or is there some way to force the Garden.db to save in a different sector, eg on the D drive?

Allan

[Draft Patrick]

Hi Allan,

As you said I tried the desktop file on the laptop and it still indicated a corruption (or second copy of the Garden Enc was open - which was not the case). However, would not the copy of the Garden.db, have gone into a different sector on the laptop drive, since many other things would have been installed/created since the original load? Also, when I installed V15 a few weeks ago, would that not have gone into a different sector to the original V14 that was failing before?  These may be wrong assumptions as I know little about the insides of computer as you can tell.
I also did a double cross check and copied the supposedly corrupt Garden.db from the laptop back to the desktop and it worked fine, so the program itself is not at fault - the problem is obviously the laptop.

Not necessarily, if the the bad sector is really bad and large. Anyway, at this point, I am looking for other issues (see below)

Back to autochk.exe file. The instructions on the link you provided were very precise and easy to follow (even for me!), but I still had an issue. Having downloaded the new copy it said to Copy /Replace the original and if it did not allow that, to rename the original one first but it did not let me do that either. The site did not say what to do in this case.  I then spent hours trying to sort out Admin privileges because even though it said I was an administrator, I still did not have access to change these things.  Is there any way to log in as a proper administrator?
Any other ideas, or a way to log in as an administrator? Or is there some way to force the Garden.db to save in a different sector, eg on the D drive?

In my opinion, the problem is looking more and more like a Windows issue, combined or not with a bad sector in the HD. I know that you checked virus and Trojans, but the fact that you can't access your administrator privileges in Windows, is ringing a bell..... can you tell me the name of the AV program you use?
In addition, please, check this--> set the Windows Explorer --> Tools--> Folder options--> View--> uncheck the "hide extensions.." --> select "Show hidden files and folders" --> OK --> Search --> Files and folders --> perform a  search with *.exe created in the last 90 days, for example --> some you will recognize, but verify (but don't open) the location of the ones you don't recognize

Let me know about the results

Pat

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Pat,

Well I did the search, went back to 1 Jan 2010 just be on the safe side and I could recognise, or work out, all the exe files.  Some of the file names were obvious and the ones that weren't, were obviously part of set related to a program I had installed. You could see by where they were installed, being related to the key program and the similar file names were then obvious.

The anti-virus I use is the one that was preinstalled - Norton.  I have had that on all my previous PCs also and so far have never had a virus (that I know about anyway). I only have the internet connected while I am using it and the PC itself is always closed down when not in use, so infection from that source should not be high. I do not share files, CDs etc with others either and only install well know software, so I think the risk level is fairly low. Most of my contacts, email and web, are done on my phone, which includes the forum ones, unless they are long or include images.

Re your comment "the fact that you can't access your administrator privileges in Windows, is ringing a bell.....": I don't know whether is it is that I "can't" access my Admin privileges, so much as I don't know "HOW" to access them!  I tried seting up another user called Admin, gave 'him' full access (so I thought), then started to set up a password for 'him', only to get the message that if I did so I would have to save the password to a bootup disk (or something like that!!!) and would only have standard access. If that is the case, then I certainly did not do anything like that when I first set up my normal access, so is that why I can't get Admin access?  Hope you can follow all that because I can't!!

Does any of the above help? 

Thanks for persisting with me on this Pat.

If this is what people have to go through to consult an on-line doctor, I think I will stick with my real one!!

Allan

[Draft Patrick]

Allan,

no problem! 

The procedure for the Admin rights (I am not a Vista user, so I think  that is in this way) --> Control panel --> System and Maintenance --> Administrative Tools --> open Computer Management --> open System Tools --> open Local Users and Groups --> open Users--> right click on Administrator --> select Properties --> deselect the option "Account Is Disabled"--> log off your computer / log in --> select the Administrator account

Do you use any anti Malware in your computer? If you don't, I'd suggest that you run one

Currently, the Rootkits are a big problem, more than a simple virus, because is a program installed in the root directory. For example, say you work with the hidden file extensions and you receive an innocent file called "floorplan.jpg" , but as matter of fact the file name is "floorplan.jpg.exe"--> if the extension is hidden, you don't see the .exe, therefore, if you open the file.... in a snap, a program is installed in you computer

OK, let me know how if, with the admin rights, your get the check disk

Pat

[Allan Chesney]

Sorry Pat but I am still stuck.

I installed one of the Malware programs you suggested and did a full system scan and it did not find anything, not even a cookie. I know Norten gets rid of them anyway and I thought it did pretty well everything, but anyway it did not find anything which is good. I am glad I did it for the reassurance.

Unfortunately they have obviously changed things with Vista (Surprise! Surprise!) and the order of steps you suggested only goes part of the way. I can get as far as "open System Tools -->" but there is no "open Local Users and Groups -->". (see images)

Tried the search for that but could not find it, Likewise tried searching for Administrator but all were oblique references - not to it as a heading/tool.  (LATER: Local Users and Groups (and Admin) is not available in Vista Home Premium apparently)

Several hours of searching and Googling later:

I came across this -

Here

[Draft Patrick]

Hi Allan,

Probably because the Admin account already exists, but it is hidden for security reasons

Try this --> Start up your computer in Safe Mode (pressing  F8)--> Login screen--> the Admin option should appear--> Click on this option--> Go to Control Panel--> "User accounts" --> Select
"Manage another account" --> select one of the Standard accounts --> select "Change the account type" --> Change the type to Administrator--> Reboot --> log on with the account you changed. 

Pat

[Allan Chesney]

Sorry Pat,

I have tried that - when I come to 'Change Account Type' it is greyed out - and a message says it cannot be changed.
From what I have read that is the situation with Vista Home Premium.  Apparently the only way (from what I have read) is as in the blue text above. I found essentailly the same on several sites.  Does it sound reasonable to you?

Allan

[Draft Patrick]

Hi Allan,

Yes, it sounds reasonable. Specially because, if this doesn't work, the next step would be reinstall Windows..... 

Pat

[Allan Chesney]

Pat - Now you ARE beginning to frighten me!!!

I will give it a go and see what happens.

Assuming I can log on and am actually an Administrator, can I then just run the Check Disk function? or is there something else to do first?

Allan

[Draft Patrick]

Hi Allan,

I didn't intend to scare you  but, in my experience, when Windows starts with an odd behaviour, re-installation is the best policy (and this is why I asked you to do a backup  )

Allan, just one last try before you proceed.... try to use a restore point dated before the date you started with the problem (if this works, you'll need to install V15 again)
Restore point--> Start--> All programs--> Accessories--> System Tools--> System restore--> restore system

Let me know about the results

Pat