I get stuck at 50% when running chkdsk

Hi,

Rerun chkdsk and let it complete this time. Interrupting the routine may have lead to a file system failure. Just because it pauses for a length of time does not mean it's not still running. You may have damaged the installation to a point that will require reinstalling Windows, be prepared to take this step (consult your system documentation on how to use the manufacturer's recovery software).

If you can't access the system to run chkdsk, then boot to a disk to access the Command Prompt in the repair/recovery options and do it from there.

If you don't have a disk, you can make a bootable Recovery Disk using http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/windows-vista-recovery-disc-download/ along with burning software like: http://www.snapfiles.com/get/active-isoburner.html and, of course, a blank CD (perhaps with another computer if necessary).  To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence.  To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup.  Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit.  Put the CD in the drive and reboot.  When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32.While in Command Prompt, type chkdsk /f /r and enter and let it run.  It may take quite a while and seem to stall, but give it some time (under the circumstances, let it run for a full 24-hour day before deciding it is frozen).

If that doesn't work,do a Startup Repair by booting to the genuine Windows Vista Installation Disk (or one you can borrow from ANYONE) or from a Recovery Disk.  Here's the procedure:http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial148.html.  To boot to the CD you may need to change the BIOS to make the CD-drive first in the boot sequence.  To do that, wait for the screen that tells you the F key to push to access the boot menu or boot setup.  Push it quickly. Make the changes, save your work, and exit.  Put the CD in the drive and reboot.  When prompted, push any key to boot from the CD.

If that doesn't work, go back to command prompt.  If using the disk, cd to C:\Windows\System32. Type sfc /scannow and enter and let it run.  It will scan and try to fix some of your system files.  Hopefully it will complete with no corruption it could not repair (if there is such corruption post back here or try to analyze it to find the problem file(s) using http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228.  Try to post any corrupted files here so we can see if they can be repaired with good copies from the installation disk (unless there are too many).

If that doesn't work, try a System Restore to a point in timeBEFORE the problem began.  Here's the procedure:http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/using-windows-vista-system-restore/.  Be sure to check the box to show more than 5 days of restore points.  If the first attempt fails, then try an earlier point or two.  NOTE: You will have to re-install any software and updates you installed between now and the restore point, but you can use Windows Update for the updates.  Use the recovery disk if the system prompt doesn’t work. The recovery disk works a bit different from the above procedures but if you follow the prompts from the System Restore menu option with the above information you should be able to restore with no problems.

At that point, we pretty much have exhausted what can be done with the Recovery disk you made.  Please reply with results at that stage and we'll see what we can do next, but Rick is right and we may need to re-intall Vista to resolve the problem - but we'll cross that bridege when we come to it.

I hope this helps.

Good luck!