Is Vista damaging files? More and more damaged files after Vista installation.

Hi, I am planning to upgrade from 2GB to 4GB RAM and I decided to install Vista x64 Business. Instalation run smoothly, I installed NOD32, Opera and then Vista reported, that some files are corrupted and I should run Chkdsk. After reboot, Chkdsk found some problems and repaired them. But then, NOD32 won't run, I opened Opera, wanted to download System Update 3, but had problems where to save it, because Vista reported more and more corrupted files. But I managed to save and also install it, but I couldn't run it, because of corrupted files.

I have a ThinkPad R61, T7100, 2GB RAM, Seagate 160GB 7200.2, Quadro 140M. The disk is 100% ok, there were no problems while running XP (C: XP; D:Music; E:Vista). But Vista reports more and more corrupted files, I should run Chkdsk... and now, I can't do anything in Vista, because of the "corrupted files". I don't get it, everything seems corrupted for Vista... I've also made a "test": downloaded in Vista a file and saved it on the D:\ partition, Vista reportet that the file is corrupted (after download, I tried to open it) but after I went back to XP, the file seems ok and there are no problems to open it in XP.
I decided to format the partition with Vista and make a fresh install of Vista.

And my question is: What could cause that Vista reports more and more corrupted files and XP not? Should I install any drivers first and then install applications? I've searched for some information, but couldn't find nothing useful

I would by grateful for any advice, and sorry for my english if there are any mistakes.

 

Somewhere I think there must be a damaged driver layer.

I've installed many copies of Vista and have never seen file corruption. Have you checked your event log? For both hardware and software problems?

 

It COULD be a RAM problem, vista is usually more sensitive to that. Try removing one of the sticks and download again.

 

2 Renee: No, I haven't checked the log, where/how can I check it? When a corrupted file is reported, it displays just a popup window and then the popup window disappears.

2 FloydTheBarber: Ok, I will try. Or I will wait for the 2x2GB Kingston pack which I recently ordered and then make a new install.

 

Do you have a DVD and can you get a vista distribution disk? Vista has it's own memory tester runnable at boottime,

If memory is in question, it's meaningless to look at finer things right now. I would recommend immediate memory testing.

The memory hypothesis is strange though because you aren't reporting any crashing. Also if memory is in question, I noticed you memtioned other partitions. Stay away from them if you have valuable data on them.

Treat your machine as if it's really sick and run it only when testing.

 

I have a Vista DVD, but it isn't original DVD from Microsoft. It's a burned ISO which I downloaded from my University (my Uni and Microsoft cooperate and we have versions of Windows for free).

I have to travel for 2 days now, so my notebook will stay at home and take a rest and then, I'll do the testing.

I'm quite surprised that this problems could be caused by RAM, because RAM runned without problems several months under XP.

 

It doesn't matter whether you have Vista from MSDNAA, practically it's a retail image.

 

That's so ignorant. You remind me of people who say "It cant be my (insert any device here), it worked yesterday".
and "runned" is not a word.

 

Come to think of it, I had a similar problem around Christmas.

Suddenly one day my system crashed and I couldn't reboot it. My system failed the vista memory test and memtest86. I ordered new memory and had the same crash.

I had file corruption too. The file my memory corrupted was a driver and that's why my system crashed and kept crashing after I got the new memory.

The only thing that would get me going again was Vista Complete PC Backup. I make backups of my system disk about once a month. Thirty minutes after starting the backup, my system was up and running.

Fortunately, I use high end memory and it was replaced for free. Kingston even paid the shipping for the RMA.

So to answer your question, no Vista is not corrupting your files. Bad hardware is.

 

Thanks for your reactions.

I've made several tests and here are the results:

Vista memory test - Passed without problems.
Memtest - Passed without problems.
SeaTools disk test - Short and long test passed without problems.

I've decided to wait for the Kingston 2x2GB RAM pack. Then I'll format the partition with Vista, make a fresh installation of Vista and hope, that the problem won't occur again.

 

This is really strange.....