[JSntgRvr]

Bring the computer to a command prompt in the Repair Console. At the prompt type the following and press Enter:

Diskpart

The prompt will change to Diskpart.

At the Diskpart prompt type the following and press Enter after each line:

Select Disk 0 (That is; Select Disk zero)
List Volume

You will be presented with a list of volumes within the disk. Note the letter assigned to the volume labeled Windows7_OS.

Type Exit and press Enter to leave Diskpart.

At the X:\windows\system32> prompt type the following and press Enter:

CHKDSK A: /R

Where A is the letter assigned to the volume labeled Windows7_OS in Diskpart.

Please let me know if there are bad sectors or clusters on this volume.

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Its at stage 4 of 5 of CHKDSK although it has been sitting on 15% for quite some time now so I'm going to head off to bed and check back on the progress in the morning.

How long should the task take? it has already discovered 2 bad clusters.

[monkeyboyvin]

Its at stage 4 of 5 of CHKDSK although it has been sitting on 15% for quite some time now so I'm going to head off to bed and check back on the progress in the morning.

How long should the task take? it has already discovered 2 bad clusters.

[JSntgRvr]

It shouldn't take more than an hour. If it takes too much time, chances are the hard dive has crashed. In such occasion, you should rescue what you can of your personal data and replace the hard drive.

[monkeyboyvin]

Windows 7 stores some of its files in the libraries, those files are encrypted and can't be accessed without user permission. I'm not sure how to get pass this as I have tried to retrieve lost data such as pictures/documents located in that directory.

[JSntgRvr]

Create a Linux Puppy CD.

http://www.puppylinux.com/install.htm

Boot the computer with the CD and attempt to move those files to a working computer. Sometimes you have to claim ownership of the file to have access to it.

http://technet.micro...y/cc753659.aspx

There is always a way.

[monkeyboyvin]

HALLELUJAH after 2 days of random attempts to search for the files I wanted to backup. Your advice on using linux puppy has helped me find the files I have been dying to find. Honestly I am an IT support myself, I dont mind installing from base but the files were a must find.

Puppy has revealed an invisible file whilst removing access restrictions. The files are clearly there and now all i have to do is figure out how to back them up onto another external hard drive.

That one small advice has made this a successful, the laptop itself can be reinstalled no problem, files will be backed up.

I am satisfied with your help.

[JSntgRvr]

You are welcome.