Windows Vista Occasional failed boot

[divide0]

Hello, everyone.

I've been having an issue with the Vista partition of my HDD. I'm not exactly sure if this is a Vista issue, HDD issue, or both. Anyway, Vista will occasionally fail to launch past the initial boot screen (the loading bar). However, after waiting some time, my computer (a Sony VAIO vgn-nr260e/w) will cycle back to the boot menu (Windows bootloader) and upon booting into Vista a second time, it will succeed (as long as the power was not turned off after the initial failed boot). This error usually occurs when installing a new application (an error message is given during the process, but the install succeeds), or for an unknown reason when using my other OS, Linux Kubuntu 8.04.1 (although the only occurance of this so far was easily fixed). Now, Linux has access to my Windows partition (Many of my files are on Windows, so I need access), and if Vista fails to load and Linux is booted instead of Vista following, I have to force the Windows partition to mount (Linux will send a message saying that the partition is in use).

As of now, I can only think of two possibilities: Part of the Windows partition has gone bad, or Vista may be missing some files. I have also noticed that sometimes Vista will save a file, and that same file will be missing on the next boot.

I'm sorry; this is alot of text, but any help would be appreciated. If you need any more information, let me know.

THIS IS AN EDIT: Vista is now failing to boot every other time. Also, a few files have gone corrupt. Even though Linux can still access them, Vista cannot. It's looking more like this is an HDD or an NTFS issue rather than a general Vista issue...if anyone knows anything, please let me know.

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you're facing some challenging issues with your Vista partition on your HDD. The behavior you described could indeed point to problems with either the Vista installation, the HDD, or both. Here are some steps you can consider to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue: 1. Check Disk for Errors: - Run a disk check utility in Windows Vista to scan for and fix any potential disk errors. You can do this by right-clicking on the drive in My Computer > Properties > Tools > Error-checking. 2. S.M.A.R.T. Monitoring: - Use tools to check the health of your hard drive. S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) tools can provide insights into the overall health of your HDD. 3. Backup Your Data: - It's crucial to back up your important data from the Vista partition to ensure you don't lose any files if the situation worsens. 4. Update Vista and Drivers: - Ensure Windows Vista is up to date with the latest updates and patches. Also, update your drivers, especially the HDD and chipset drivers. 5. Reinstall Vista or Repair Installation: - Consider reinstalling Vista if the issues persist. Performing a repair installation could also help fix any missing system files. 6. File System Check: - Perform a file system check to ensure the NTFS file system is healthy. You can do this by opening a command prompt as an administrator and running chkdsk /f. 7. Bad Sectors Check: - Check for bad sectors on the hard drive. Use tools like Check Disk or third-party disk checking software. 8. Consider Switching to a Newer OS: - Given that Windows Vista is no longer supported by Microsoft, you might want to consider upgrading to a newer and more secure operating system. If you encounter any specific error messages during these steps, please provide them for further assistance. Let me know if you need detailed instructions on any of the steps mentioned above or if you have any other questions.