Can't boot into XP after doing Error Checking

After running error checking on XP Home, computer screen goes to Hardware Monitor showing CPU temp, fan speed, etc. Verifying DMI Pool then gives message "system operating error can't load operating system, with a blinking cursor at the end. Can't get back into XP. Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

This could mean you have a hard drive about to fail. If you have any critical data on it you should get the drive imaged right away. Alternately you can slave it to another healthy drive and get your data.

Unlike Scandisk, chkdsk does not have an undo feature. I always advise people to refuse to let XP run chkdsk when it recommends it. First run it yourself from within Windows with no boxes tagged. If it then reports errors and recommends that you run it in the repair mode, MAKE BACKUPS FIRST. It could be the last time you see your data.

That message comes a little late for you though Ace.

After you get the drive imaged or slaved and copied, you will need to run the manufacturers diagnostics on it. A complete surface scan is in order. I would probably try a "Bootloader disk" first just in case I got lucky and it was merely bootloader file corruption. Not likely but worth a shot.

Good luck.