Win 7 64 multiple corrupted files

I'm trying to get my brother's PC back in working order, we did a fresh install of Win7 64 home premium and it booted fine but after installing 74 windows updates it crashed on reboot and said wdfldr.sys is corrupt or missing. I tried repair through the cd but it failed to fix anything. Then I ran a memory diagnostic and it crashed saying windows/system32/config is corrupted. We've also gotten messages about disk read errors....

I'm going to try taking all the parts back out and cleaning the case, and after that I should be looking at the hard drives correct? How do i run chkdsk from bootup menu? Other possibilities to consider? Is the RAM another possible culprit?

 

disk read errors have you thought that the disk has failed???
if it is the case have it changed if still in warranty.
to test mem you need to make a boot cd with the diagnostic mem program usually memtest86 or something familiar.
this tool for memory will bypass the hard drive so you can check memory directly.
but i bet the hard drive is finished. well you can lower the timings of ram and see if you can boot then. but start with memtest86. then if it finds a problem with ram lower timings but if mem pass then is definetly the harddrive. or else is there a spare pc to add this drive to check it for malwaere adware and what ever ware

 

samthunder , take a look here !! :major

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm