CHKDSK fails to find or fix corrupt directories

[Lucian Dragos]

Do to some BSOD's from a failing video card in the laptop I have to work with, Some system files have been corrupted not allowing windows to boot in ether normal or save modes. I am trying to do a system image restore but it is blocked by a bad directory. CHKDSK was able to find and fix some of the the damaged files but for some reason one directory (the Microsoft folder in appdata\local) is not even detected as corrupt, As in CHKDSK reports no errors found but any attempt to delete it just ends with "The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable",
I have tried the recovery modes command line and even plugging the drive into another computer..
The real problem is a full format and fresh install of windows is not an option right now due to the fact that I do not have the means to reinstall a important program I need at this time and will not for some time yet (witch is the only reason I'm even trying to band-aid this dying laptop) so I need a repair option like an system image restore or a repair install. Of course nether will work until I get rid of this corrupt data.

PS It is 64bit Windows 7 Ultimate and I can make an install disc or USB if needed. And I am aware any repairs are little more then a temporary patch. It only has to live long enough to get passed the new year and the project is done.

Edit: one more bit of info this computer stays offline most of the time and when it is online its not use for web browsing so there is a minimum chance of malware etc.

 

[casper1973]

Instead of trying to repair the filesystem why not just format the disk before running the system image recovery? (assuming your backup is on external media).

The system image recovery can be started from a standard Windows installation disk and you can restore to a completely blank hard drive.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows7/help/videos/restoring-your-pc-after-a-hard-drive-failure#tab=system


PS.
I'd connect your drive to another PC and copy off any important files before formatting. Just to be safe.

 

[Lucian Dragos]

As I said a format will lose a program I need and don't have the means to reinstall it right now.. so repairing with programs intact is really my only option even if I know it's far from an optimal one.. if it wasn't for that I would just abandon the laptop as I have other systems..

 

[casper1973]

I don't think you got my point. I'm not suggesting a re-install.

System image restore does exactly what the name suggests. It restores your system to when the image was taken. This includes data, programs, settings ... everything. Think of it as a snapshot of your system at a certain point in time.

It makes no difference if you restore on top of your current files or to a formatted disk or to a completely new hard drive. The outcome is exactly the same either way = your system as it was when the backup was taken.

 

[USAFRet]

System image (assuming there is one) is the way to go.

But what application is that important than you don't have a backup install media for?

 

[Lucian Dragos]

System image (assuming there is one) is the way to go.

But what application is that important than you don't have a backup install media for?

Well it's a instance of really bad timing and the old oxymoron "corporate logic".. the program comes from their home office on disc that you have to sign for and has a one use key... to reinstall they have to mail you a new disc with a new key.. By itself it's annoying but doable, However they also roll-out a new version every year and while fighting with them I was told the system is already retooled for the new verison so they can't generate a new key for this one... over all I got one long line of corporate speak that when all the bull it cleaned off leaves you with "not our problem fix it yourself"