Files are Missing or Corrupt

[Larbo]

Win 7 Ultimate x64

My adventure started with trying to get an app for my new car to work onmy desktop. Would not work. Ran SFC and it said that a file was corrupt or missing and it couldn't be fixed. The logs showed pmcsnap.dll as the only culprit. It is related to printing but I have no printing issues. Could not get SFC to run in Safe Mode or in WRE, only normal mode. So, I hoped that Windows Repair would do the trick as it has always done in the past. Could not get past the opening Startup Check. A bunch of REG files are missing or corrupt.
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\AFD.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\appidsvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\AudioEndpointBuilder.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Audiosrv.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\BFE.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\BITS.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Browser.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Connections.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\CryptSvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\DcomLaunch.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Dhcp.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Dnscache.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\DPS.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\EventSystem.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\hidserv.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\iphlpsvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\lmhosts.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\MpsSvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\msiserver.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\NetBT.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Netlogon.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\nsi.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\NTDS.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\PlugPlay.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\PolicyAgent.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\RpcSs.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\SafeBoot.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Schedule.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\SharedAccess.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\ShellHWDetection.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Spooler.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\sppsvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\StringCacheSettings.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\tdx.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Unmarshalers.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\vds.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\VSS.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\wbengine.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\WinDefend.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\WinHttpAutoProxySvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Winmgmt.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\Winsock.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\WinSock2.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\wscsvc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\11_2009\wuauserv.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\bat.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\cmd.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\com.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\dir.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\drive.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\exe.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\folder.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\inf.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\lnk.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\msc.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\reg.reg
Missing File: Files\regfiles\file_associations\11\scr.reg
MD4 Hash Doesn't Match: Repair_Windows.exe
    (Expected MD4:  5254A9571524D7B12624595B214BDDA2)
    (Returned MD4:  13DF4A0B898AE60E07D533A72FFB827C)

The ony registry related thing I had done was a few weeks ago and was use the Registry Cleaner in CCleaner. But I soon thereafter reversed that (the CCleaner reg backup file) since it has no apparent benefit.

Now I sadly get this message with Windows Repair. Not sure how to proceed.

I also tried to do a Win 7 repair by performing a Repair off an original Win 7 disk or by updating Win 7 via the same disk. The repair was just an WRE format and it didn't work. The upgrade told me that I have a different version that the disk, so no-go. Maybe OEM vs retail?

I did find a full reg backup file from March 2021. Could/should I use that?

Lastly, I was hoping to use a System Restore point but they were all gone! Maybe due to Windows Disk Cleanup.

I am hoping that you have some idea on how to proceed to at least run Windows Repair (that always ran well in the past).

Thanks!!!  Larry

[Boggin]

It's quite possible that your Win 7 install disk doesn't include SP1.

Download sites for Win 7 seem to be very few these days but I've found this one -

https://archive.org/details/win-7-ult-sp-1-english-x-64

When you have created the disk, boot up with it, select Repair your computer and navigate to the Command Prompt and enter these cmds -

bcdedit |find "osdevice"

For clarity, that is a Pipe symbol before find and is the upper case of \

Then using your partition letter instead of the X I have exampled, enter this cmd -

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=X:\ /offwindir=X:\Windows

When that has completed, enter exit to close the cmd window, remove the disk and reboot.

After the reboot, run another sfc /scannow in normal mode to see what it now reports.

If it still shows corruption then try your 2021 back up.

[Larbo]

Hi Boggin. THANKS for the quick reply!!!!

Not sure what your are asking of me with that Windows 7 website. Create a disc from where? A full Win 7 disk from the 3.1 Gb ISO image??  Need a little more direction, sorry. The second part with the command prompt I got.

Thanks!

[Boggin]

Yes, download the ISO Image where you will find the file in your Downloads folder.

You will need Imgburn to create the bootable disk -

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/3285-imgburn.html

[Larbo]

Sadly, same response.  "could not fix them".  Also, I noticed that when the first screen comes up that gives a choice between repair and installing an image, there is a window showing Operating Systems. My window is blank!!!! Maybe there is something there to fix first?

Now Plan B.

If I use the old 2021 reg back up, will some programs not work or work properly? What else should I expect?? Updates... Windows and non-Windows, etc. It is over a year old!

Also, I was going to do another back up first. Can I just go to regedit, highlight "Computer", then File and then Export??

Thanks again!!  Larry

[Boggin]

Some programs may not work properly.

I've never been one for backing up the registry and much prefer to create a system image.

Now that you have a full install disk, can you try a repair install again.

I was never able to get that to complete on my Win 7 laptop but others have successfully been able to do that.

When doing a repair install on Win 7 you will need a product key which you can find by running a command prompt as an admin and copying & pasting this cmd to the prompt -

wmic path softwarelicensingservice get OA3xOriginalProductKey

Another program you can use is Magic Jellybean but I think that just gives you a generic key.

Let me know how you get on.

[Larbo]

No joy on the cmd line..... Invalid Query. I looked at a website and tried the suggested registry method but that key has an appx 150 long alpha/numeric string and is not a product key. I got Keyfinder to work and it gave me valid (looking) key. Apparently, the long string is normal and the app converts it to a std product key format. So, the one I have seems to have been derived from the Digital Product ID registry key.

The repair install, to verify, is to reinstall Win 7 from our new disc, but to install/upgrade when asked?

I proceeded as I am not all that patient , I went for install/upgrade and it said to restart into normal windows and then reinsert the disc. Since I could not find a way to restart, I had to do a hard shutdown. I then did what they said and I got a windows explorer window of the disc. Is setup.exe the next move?? I clicked it but it made me nervous so I cancelled it. Will the lack of Windows Updates be a problem?

Thanks

[Boggin]

For a repair install, open Windows/File Explorer - double click on Computer - insert the disk and double click on its drive then click on Repair your computer which you will see lower left.

From memory the computer will do the rest to reinstall Win 7 without affecting your installed programs.

Hope this helps.

I think it used to take almost 4hrs on my Win 7.

[Larbo]

Just wanted to mention that I haven't had a 4 hr block of time to try the repair install. By next weekend. Thanks for your patience.

[Boggin]

You're welcome.

Let me know how you eventually get on.

[Larbo]

Hi,

Ran the upgrade last night and this morning. Seemed to go well but will not start. Defaults to Start Up Repair which cannot fix it and when done, shuts down. Same with Safe Mode. The Win 7 disc will not work because of the same issue with "non-compatibility" again. Start Up Repair still shows no operating system in that Operating Systems box. Upon starting, Windows shows a quick white progress bar at the bottom of the screen that says "Loading Windows". I don't have an HDD image. I can get to a command prompt via Repair.

Besides a new install, any suggestions?

[Boggin]

At the cmd prompt can you enter chkdsk and let me know what it reports.

This is a read only disk check so should produce its report on screen.

[Larbo]

This volume is in use by another process. Chkdsk might report errors when no corruption is present.

WARNING! F parameter not present.

CHKDSK is verifying files <STAGE 1 of 3>...
29 file records processed
File verification completed
0 large files processed
0 bad files records processed
0 EA records processed
0 reparse records processed
CHKDSK is verifying indexes <stage 2 of 3>...
43 Index entries processed
Index verification completed
0 unindexed files scanned
0 unindexed files recovered
CHKSDK is verifying security descriptors <stage 3 of 3>
29 file SDs/SIDs processed
Security descriptor verification completed
7 data files processed
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

3086 KB total disk space
4 KB in 9 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors
2485 KB in use by the system
2048 KB occupied by the log file
597 KB available on disk

512 bytes in each allocation unit
6173 total allocation units on disk
1195 allocation units available on disk
Failed to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50


Among many other things, it is disconcerting that when Windows starts, the white "windows loading files" progress bar appears at the bottom of the screen... like the first of the two bars when a Start Up Repair Disc is inserted.

[Boggin]

Well at least your HDD is okay.

Can you go Start and type eventvwr and press enter.

If need be,expand Windows Logs then click on Error then on View all instances of this event in the lower right pane.

Look for date and time stamps for when you booted up to see if it reports anything.

[Larbo]

No can do as I cannot access Windows. No home page, no Start, no Safe Mode. Every attempt results in a Startup Repair and ends stating that it cannot fix it. The only portal I seem to have is cmd via a Startup Repair disc.

I tried to run sfc but got his: "There is a system repair pending which requires reboot to complete.  Restart windows and run sfc again."

It is (??) interesting that when I go to cmd when it reverts to Startup Repair upon booting up, it does require my Windows logon.

If all else fails:

1.  I did find a Windows DriveBackupImage of c:/ from 2016 and an Aeomi Backup from 2018, also of c:/.  Those are on external USB 3.0 drives whereas my Data Drive and another smaller SSD are internal Sata drives, hence the desire to see exactly what is on them.

2. Is there an off-board basic windows I can use to access the internal drives via the DVD drive?

Thanks!!

[Boggin]

If you can download it, there is a disk that will get you into Windows and it's the Hiren's Boot Disk -

https://www.techspot.com/downloads/6966-hirens-bootcd.html

Boot up with it and it will load Windows.

You could also see if the cmd chkdsk /f does anything for you.

[Larbo]

For now, Hirens allowed me to export a copy of my Data drive to an external drive and export my data for itunes and Thunderbird, too. Thanks!!!

Now to decide if there is any chance of fixing Windows......

[Boggin]

Can you run a cmd prompt as an admin and enter chkdsk /f to see what it reports.

Follow the prompts for a reboot for it to start.

[Larbo]

CHKDSK is verifying files <STAGE 1 of 3>...
256 file records processed
File verification completed
0 large files processed
0 bad files records processed
0 EA records processed
0 reparse records processed
CHKDSK is verifying indexes <stage 2 of 3>...
292 Index entries processed
Index verification completed
0 unindexed files scanned
0 unindexed files recovered
CHKSDK is verifying security descriptors <stage 3 of 3>
256 file SDs/SIDs processed
Security descriptor verification completed
18 data files processed
Windows has checked the file system and found no problems.

125032447 KB total disk space
24956 KB in 13 files
84 KB in 20 indexes.
0 KB in bad sectors
70019 KB in use by the system
65536 KB occupied by the log file
124937388 KB available on disk

4096 bytes in each allocation unit
31258111 total allocation units on disk
31234347 allocation units available on disk
Failed to transfer logged messages to the event log with status 50

Kinda looks like my 256GB SSD (c:\) looks ok?

[Boggin]

Well it looks like chkdsk /f didn't find anything but that status 50 denotes a problem.

Can you enter this cmd and let me know what it reports -

chkdsk c: /r /f /v

You can copy & paste it to the prompt.

These are a list of repair steps for resolving that error -

https://www.easeus.com/computer-instruction/failed-to-transfer-logged-messages-status-50.html#1

If you can't get into Safe Mode by the normal method, then shut down and reboot - when the logo comes up power shut down.

Do that another twice but on the third one, let it run which should give you the advanced boot options.

[Larbo]

Well, I'll be damned.

I rebooted to get the Startup Repair and Advanced Options screens to get a cmd to run chkdsk. I was messing around with it yesterday and played with some of the other apps in the Hirens disc. Nothing would work or they wanted money. So I rebooted this morning and I got a black "there's a problem" screen saying that one of the MBAM files was missing a digital signature. After a few reboots I noticed that it gave me the option to reboot while ignoring digital signatures. I did so and I got the Windows Setup screen@!@@@@@!.. as if was just simply continuing from its earlier interrupted installation/upgrade process. Wow, that was quite a detour, Windows!!! Remember, this issue went south with the attempt to perform a Windows Upgrade from disk that then prevented Windows from starting at all.

I did what it said, it rebooted and everything is working normally!!!!! I uninstalled MBAM (temporarily) due to the digital signature issue, went to safe mode, ran chkdsk and sfc and all ran perfectly!! OMG!!!

I would note for anyone that refers to this thread that MBAM would re-install but would not accept an important product update unless you have two, still available, Windows Updates... KB4474419 and KB4490628 as noted in this MBAM forums page....  Microsoft-security-update-kb4474419-and-kb4490628/. I was missing those for some reason. Once done, upgrade went smoothly.


I am in shock.

[Boggin]

Glad to see you have found and resolved the problem.

[Larbo]

I am not surprised that you are glad, too!!

Thanks for your thoughtful assistance and patience. Kept me sane! What a journey!

[Boggin]

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