Vista can't run chkdsk

[vistablues]

I am a novice and have an Inspiron 1525 that my 4 y.o. son shut down while it was running some programs. I started getting lock-ups and error messages. I then ran diagnostics and found error codes 2000-0142 and 0146. Dell (from India immediately said I need a new hard drive and would send one for two day arrival.

I am able to go in under safe mode with networking, as I am right now with no lock ups or problems.

I'd like to run chkdsk as the error messges told me to and then attempt to recover back to a recovery point from the day before the shut down occured.

I have online backup through carbonite and have backed up all my files to an external drive.

Any tips on how to run chkdsk before windows launches or other thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[LookinAround]

See here

Other option is running it from a bootable Vista recovery CD/DVD. But try the above first

 

[vistablues]

Launched chkdsk but computer still failing

Lookinaround, thank you. I tried that method from the command prompt and it still doidn't launch, but I was able to launch the repair function by tapping F8 when I rebooted and it came up as an option on the screen.

It said it found errors and repaired them, I then was finally able to do a system restore to a previous point in time. I picked Oct. 1st, since that is at least two days before all of this started.

I think it successfully did the restore to that date, but when I logged in this morning, I first got a BSOD that shut down immediately and then I logged in and things seemed ok, until it just froze up with IE running.

I am now in safe mode and am thinking I should do a comlete system restore, but if I do that, I might as well just replace the hard drive when it comes.

Any thoughts on other things to try or ideas on what the problem is?

Thanks to all!

 

[LookinAround]

<snip>
I am now in safe mode and am thinking I should do a comlete system restore, but if I do that, I might as well just replace the hard drive when it comes.<snip>

When you say a complete system restore i assume you mean re-installing Vista?

First, double check do you have the installation CDs for Vista? Are you thinking of doing it using what sounds like a recovery partition Dell might have installed on the HD?