very slow laptop

[Gecko]

KenA,

You need to install the recovery console so you can run chkdsk at bootup.

If you are running windows XP Pro then click Start click Run and type:
%windir%\i386\winnt32.exe /cmdcons
and press enter (note the space between e and /)
Reboot the system and select recovery console during bootup
At the command prompt type:
chkdsk /p
and press enter (note the space between k and /)

If you have a windows XP CD then just boot from the cd
# Insert the Windows XP CD into your CD drive and restart your computer. If you are prompted, select any options required to start (boot) from the CD.
# When the text-based part of Setup begins, follow the prompts. Select the repair or recover option by pressing R.
# When you are prompted, type the Administrator password.

At the command prompt type:
chkdsk /p
and press enter (note the space between k and /)

[KenA]

i was prompted to install this during combofix and i thought it installed !

It wont let me install it saying c:\windows\i386 does not exist.

I tried instaling it from the win XP cd but it wont let me either cause ive XP sp3 installed and the disk is XP sp2.

its starting to go over my head now at this stage.

new HD ??

ok..update

When i restarted the computer it gave me the option to enter the recovery console so i did.(it must have been installed already)

I then did "chkdsk /p"

Like before, it found one or more errors. How do i fix this ?

[Axelation]

It should have fixed it on it's own....Download Tufftest here:

Test the drive. It won't correct the errors but it will tell you if you have a bad drive. If the drive is just bad, then there is really no point in trying to repair the file system. If it is good, then maybe a repair install or clean install of windows will fix you up. I know it is a last resort, but hey how much time are you willing to invest n this thing? You could be done already.

[KenA]

[Axelation]

Try downloading the iso for techiez toolkit, burn it from a desktop or something, then boot from it...it will let you run tufftest. it also has ghost, partition magic, and a bunch of other useful stuff.

[Gecko]

KenA ,

Try running chkdsk using the force repair switch like this:
chkdsk /f

That should do it for you.

[KenA]

Update:

Got a new HD recently for this laptop belonging to a friend of mine...did a fresh install and all is well.
Running like a dream.
thanks for all your help.