Resolved Boot problem

Yesterday, when I went to boot up the screen came on with a DOS message to use boot disk. I could not, at first, boot into safe mode or anywhere else.
I do not have the boot disk the PC was asking for.

I messed around with my machine and was finally able to boot into safe mode then into normal mode where I now am.

The first time I tried to boot into safe mode the DOS message started to
revolve ( I don't know how else to describe it) and the PC made a strange clicking noise. I shut down and started over and after about 45 minuites of start up, F-8, shutdown, start up, F-8, shutdown. etc. I was finally able to get into safe mode.

I have MaxtorHD and a diagnosis disc made from their site and tried it and could only get to the first test page which showed no test functions as previously.

Am I looking at a hard drive failure or if not, how do I resolve the problem. I could leave my PC booted up all the time which I prefer not to do but I just do not have the time or patience to go thru what I did yesterday to enable me to get online.

Any ideas guys?

 

It sounds like a hard drive failure, especially that clicking noise you heard but amongst other things it could be a virus/malware.

I would first suggest: Unplug computer from the mains, take off the left hand side panel and pull out all the connectors and plug them back in again, including the memory sticks, just to rule out any loose connections, reboot and see what happens.

Try the HD diagnostics again, that should boot the computer and run, even with a faulty hard drive. Can you be sure the disc is OK, had it been tested.

Please answer these questions.

Was the computer showing any unusual behaviour prior to this problem?

Could you borrow an XP pro disk from anyone?

Do you have a floppy drive?

 

Please answer these questions.

1- Was the computer showing any unusual behaviour prior to this problem?

2- Could you borrow an XP pro disk from anyone?

3- Do you have a floppy drive?

Answers
1- Yes, it has been a little slow to boot

2- No, but I have the XP Pro installation disk for my machine.

3- Yes

 

All those answers are helpfull. Now check all the internal connections as I suggested, just to rule out a loose plug or memory stick.

Have you got access to another working computer?

Your first task has to be to test your hard drive. As your diagnostics disk did not function fully I suspect it is corrupt in some way. Use the link below, you need to download Seatools for dos and make another bootable CD or a floppy, the floppy will be the easiest option if you can do it. Just incase your computer is infected it would be best to do this on another computer. Please see the instruction next to the download link for seatools.

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.j...toid=720bd20cacdec010VgnVCM100000dd04090aRCRD

 

Boot problems

I ran the Seagate tool and my hard drive passed all tests, yes, I did them all.

I did make what I hope is a bootable floppy.

I haven't yet tried a shutdown and restart but I noted that under System Information, System Restore will not respond although it will under Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore.

I do not have access to another computer other than going to the public library which I would rather not do.

I thought I would ask for any more comments or suggestions before I did a shutdown/boot up.

 

Follow the instructions in this link to run chkdsk (probably best to print it out), this will correct any file corruption on the hard drive.

http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_2052292_run-chkdsk-f-windows-xp.html

If it all comes good after this then it would be a wise precaution to visit the Malware & Virus forum and follow the instructions on the first page of the forum.

If this fails then try to run a 'Repair install' from your XP installation disc.

Try to keep a note of your progress and any error messages you get.

 

To MarkMadras and Tony T.

Per conversation with Microsoft support person, my problem was malware and they resolved the issue totally.

Hard drive is fine, and they did this: performed system restore, removed junk files, then ran safety scan, hijackthis, and kaspersky rootkit remover to completely clean my computer.

All is well.

Close file and mark Resolved.

 

Thats good news, I thought it might be malware especially after your hard drive got the all clear.

 

Admin, I did mark my thread as resolved.