Windows 8.1 Disk Read Error

Question

So I have been having issues with any and every Windows update recently, the last update killed my Graphics driver, so everything was black, I managed to fix that issue by rolling back Windows to the last restore point, after that I disabled Windows Updates. Unfortunately one sneaked past and updated my PC last night, not to my surprise my computer was trashed again, this time mere seconds after I boot my PC (Samsung series 7 gamer yellow) I get an error message stating "Disk Read Error. Press cntrl+alt+del to reboot. Well As much as I press them they do nothing, I have tried to enter safe mode and it wont, and yes I know how (even though Windows 8 has hidden it into obscurity) 

I know my hard drive is not dysfunctional because I am currently running Linux from it off of a live disk (thank god for Linux)

Is there any hope of retrieving my files? Or even fixing Windows?

Answer 1

Hi,

The part that is running Windows can be dysfunctional. Or something, such as antivirus,

is really affecting Windows. Even something you have running in Linux could be crossing

into Windows (it happens).

Check the drive : (I would run the manufacturer's diagnostic utilities)

Can you boot to the System Recovery Options? And/or you may need to make a

USB Recovery Drive or a Repair Disk if you don't have one. Installation disc can

also be used.

How to Boot to the "System Recovery Options" in Windows 8

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2269-system-recovery-options-boot-windows-8-a.html

If you need a USB Recover Drive or a System Repair Disc :

How to Create a Recovery USB Flash Drive in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/5132-recovery-drive-create-usb-flash-drive-windows-8-a.html

Download Windows 8.1 ISO Using your Windows 8.0 Key

http://mcakins.com/2013/10/19/download-windows-8-1-iso-using-you-windows-8-0-key/

Download Windows 8.1 iso

http://philipyip.wordpress.com/download-windows-8-1-iso/

Download the Windows 8.1 ISO using a Windows 8 key and some simple trickery

http://betanews.com/2013/10/21/download-the-windows-8-1-iso-using-a-windows-8-key-and-some-simple-trickery/

On Nov. 15, 2013 Windows 8.1 Back-up Media will be available for purchase. Newegg and

others will be offering the disc,

Windows 8.1 'Back-up Media' disc available to buy soon

http://betanews.com/2013/11/05/windows-8-1-back-up-media-disc-available-to-buy-soon/

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Disk issues can get serious very quickly so I would thoroughly check the drive now and

be sure to keep redundant backups of your important data (use several methods).

From within Windows 8/8.1 :

File Explorer (formerly Windows Explorer)

Right Click the C: drive - Properties - Tools tab - Error Checking - Check

Windows 8/8.1 - Improve performance by optimizing your hard drive - see "To repair a drive:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/improve-performance-optimizing-hard-drive

How to Check a Drive for Errors with "chkdsk" in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/6221-chkdsk-check-drive-errors-windows-8-a.html

Try these to clear corruption and repair/replace damaged/missing system files.

WinKey + X (or Right Click in lower left hand corner) - Command Prompt (Admin)

C:\windows\system32>

At the above prompt type in     

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

(note the spaces after c before / after w before / after \ before / )

Or  SFC /scannow

(There is a space between C and /)

How to Run the "SFC /SCANNOW" Command at Boot or in Windows 8 and 8.1

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/3047-sfc-scannow-command-run-windows-8-a.html

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For even better and more efficient checking : (See above for methods to accessSystem Recovery Options or make a Repair Disk.) <- Advanced Methods

From the Command Prompt of the System Recovery Options or from a Windows 8/8.1

Repair Disk - if you do not have a Windows 8 System Repair Disc you can make one. 

chkdsk /f /r

REBOOT

Space after k and before /  and after f and before /

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c:\ /offwindir=c:\windows

(note the spaces after c before / after w before / after \ before / )

Or  SFC /scannow

(There is a space between C and /)

REBOOT

=====================================

If CheckDisk fails to complete as above : <-- Manufacturer's Diagnostic Utilities.

(The old 302602 links is not valid now for the diagnostic links.)

Diagnostic Utilities By Manufacturer - run the one for your hard drive

http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/462298-no-ide-device-found.html 

Corrected list as of 6-09-2010

Fujitsu Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/products/hdd/ 

Hitachi Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/ 

IBM Hard Drives: Use Hitachi Utilities

Toshiba Hard Drives: Use Hitachi or Maxtor Utilities

Maxtor Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here (now SeaGate)

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/ 

Quantum Hard Drives: Use Maxtor Utilities

Seagate Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads 

Conner Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities

Samsung Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/ 

Western Digital Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here

http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=enhttp://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/302602-hard-drive-diagnostic-utilities.html

The trial versions of one of these "might" help.

SpeedFan

http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

HD Tune

http://www.hdtune.com/

Hope this helps.

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Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle <- Mark Twain said it right!