Re: Strange Fields

From: R. C. White (RCWhite_at_msn.com)
Date: 02/19/04 

Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 09:49:57 -0600

Hi, LJB.

Have you run the System File Checker? At the Run prompt, type: sfc
/scannow

SFC will compare each Win2K operating system file with the "known good" copy
held in your on-disk cache and replace any missing or damaged ones. Have
your Win2K CD-ROM handy; SFC probably will need to see that.

Of course, your IT guys could be right about the failing hardware. The
first access of your HD may require so many retries that My Computer gets
tired of waiting. After the first successful (or partly-successful) read,
Windows may be able to load at least some of the MFT or whatever other
structure is in the hard-to-read area; later accesses are read from the
cache - until the computer is shut down or rebooted. (If the system can
read and remember all of Column A, but only part of Column B, but all your
future orders are from Column A, then you may never miss Column B. But you
should probably replace that failing HD, or at least backup and then test it
thoroughly before you permanently lose your files.)

RC 

-- 
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@corridor.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
"LJB" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:11b0b01c3f62a$9f8ec8a0$a101280a@phx.gbl...
> When I start up my (work) computer in the morning, some
> very strange things occur.  At first everything looks
> fine.  If I run a program and go to file-open, I get a
> huge gray screen with nothing, nothing on it.  No buttons,
> no boxes, nothing.  I hit escape to cancel.  I then end
> the program.  Here is how I fix it (only temporary).  I go
> to my computer, do a ctrl-f to find, I get a blank gray
> screen.  Then do a task manager and it will say "My
> Computer.... Not Responding"  I then click End Task
> for "My Computer"  At this very moment, the search screen
> shows up and my programs work great.  Now later in the
> day, I can read any text that is highlighted....  My IT
> guys say bad hard drive.  Has to software.  They tried
> reinstalling Windows 2000 Pro.....  What to do?