Corrupted Windows files?

[mikhayes]

My Vaio laptop is a VGN-FW48E. It came installed with Vista but I got the free upgrade to Windows 7.  It has been superb since I bought it in Septeber 2009.

When I tried to start it today it froze with a black screen - I wasn't with it during the start process.  The only way I could get back to start was by removing the battery and reconnecting it.

I had the screen telling me that it had not started correctly and offering to repair itself.  I ran the repair, selected a System Restore and let it get on with it.

When it restarted it was not right.

• I clicked on Mailwasher to check my emails and got the message, "MailwasherPro.exe is not a valid Win32 application"
• It told me that the Recycle Bin was corrupted
• When clicking Start it would not let me select Documents, Music, Computer, Control Panel or any of the items on that menu
• Windows Installer does not work

I have tried repairing, check disk, etc and The computer is still not working properly.  Obviously some files have been corrupted but how to fix?

I am still able to use the computer and the internet but it is not fully functioning.

Message was edited by: mikhayes

Message was edited by: mikhayes

[Blencogo]

Have you run a full anti-virus scan?  I would eliminate this cause first before deciding on the next step.

It will depend on exactly what has become corrupted - you can repair protected Windows System files/dlls by running the System File Checker with the /scannow option chosen.  Type the following at the Command Prompt: -

sfc /scannow

If non-Windows files are corrupted you may have to reinstall the software.

[mikhayes]

Thanks Blencogo.

My computer is protected by Norton Antivirus and Firewall but I will instigate a full system scan.  I used SFC/scannow: I not sure if it found a fault.