Re: Yelp!, Tried to chkdsk and now cannot boot system



"Anna" wrote:



Scotty:
Bear with me for a few moments before we get to your specific problem, OK?

May I suggest that when you pose a query similar to the one you just did
it's really helpful to any potential responder that you provide detailed
info about your system and the problem itself? That way you can get
(hopefully!) some intelligent responses that might resolve your problem (or
at least try to diagnose its cause) and avoid the need to ask you continual
questions re your system & the problem(s) you're experiencing. For example,
just as a general proposition...

1. What kind of a system are you working with? A desktop machine? A
laptop/notebook? >>> Laptop
2. Is it an OEM machine (Dell, HP, Compaq, etc.)? If so, what's the make &
model? >>> DELL Inspiron 8600
3. If not an OEM machine, can you tell us something about its components,
e.g., the make/model of the motherboard, your HDDs, etc.? At least generally
describe the system. >>> Sorry unsure.
4. Did the problem you describe just occur "out-of-the-blue"? One day it was
working just fine; it booted without incident and properly functioned? The
next day the problem arose? >>> The system had been sluggish so I defragged the Hard Drive. In the information at the end of the defrag process it stated there were fragments it could not move. I recalled that Chkdsk was a way to "fix" segments which were ?broken? so I went to the run prompt and put in chkdsk. The system told me it would run chkdsk upon rebooting. Which I did. Now every time I boot I run through Chkdsk to the 4th step and I believe the system "hangs" at 52% to the soound of intermittent "Thunks". Now before your message I was given a suggestion to reinstall XP via my disc. Once I found it I did just that and guess what... upon rebooting I get to run CHKDSK just like before. I did let it run til the 52% mark, just like before and then turned it off as the THUNKS began again.
5. Do you have any idea at all what might have caused the problem other than
the failed SP install you mentioned? Any other changes in software or
hardware that might have triggered the problem? >>> no changes in adding software. I had been deleting programs over the past 6 months as I wanted to put this PC in the area where my wife does her quilting so she could check the Internet and begin to use e-mail.
6. Do you have a retail or non-branded OEM version of the XP OS installation
CD or only a Restore or Recovery CD provided by the OEM if that's the kind
of a machine you're working with? Copyrighted 2003 - from DELL O/S "Already installed on your computer" - reinstallation CD XP Professional including service pack 1a
7. Have you checked out the HDD in your machine with the HDD diagnostic
utility you usually can download from the disk's manufacturer to see if it
might be defective? >>> I cannot recall nor get to the point of discovering the brand of Hard drive I have in my system.

Now, as to your specific problem...

1. All this trouble you've been experiencing seems to be the result of a
failed installation of a Service Pack? Is that right? You mentioned "SP#";
are you referring to SP3? Did the installed XP OS include a SP?

The SP# installation failed on two attempts over the months of July and August. After the failures.. I just ignored the MS Update Icon.
2. So prior to this problem arising, i.e., the failed installation of a SP,
the system was working just fine? Booted without incident and properly
functioned? Or were you having problems even then? If so, what kind?

Awesome, I have a work VPN on the system in question (not the one I am typing on currently) to conform with employers need for security. Everything was tickety Boo!
3. What exactly do you mean when you say "I defragged and found errors so
decided to use chkdsk ..." The defragmentation process reported errors of
some kind with your system? What kind of errors? You were using the built-in
XP OS defrag utility? Again, all this seemed to be a consequence of a failed
SP installation?
response as noted above

4. As you've been informed by others, with all this "thunking" going on with
your HDD, this could signal a defective HDD. So have you checked out the
disk with a HDD diagnostic utility available from the disk's manufacturer as
has been recommended to you? You should do this, and do it now.

I do not know whose disk it is or how to do that. - I am begining to think I should be looking at the GEEK Squad ro something like that. My Son, of course, suggests getting into Mac's ASAP....

5. I really don't think accessing the Recovery Console and entering some
commands there will resolve your problem. It's possible but most doubtful in
my opinion based upon your description of what's happening in your system. I
think at the very least you will need to undertake a Repair install of the
XP OS (assuming that's possible with the XP installation CD in your
possession). And even that will be iffy re resolving your problem. I guess
you're unfamiliar with the process, although it really isn't very difficult.
Little more than fresh-installing the XP OS onto your HDD, but there's no
guarantee that will solve your problem(s) of course. Anyone around to help
you?
response above
6. Describe the XP installation CD that you have? Home Edition? Pro Edition?
Is it a retail version of the XP OS? Or is it a non-branded OEM version? Or
is it a Recovery-type XP CD provided by the OEM in connection with your PC?
What Service Pack, if any, does it contain?
response above
7. You obviously have another machine at your disposal since you're able to
post a message to this newsgroup. Is it a desktop machine?

Nope both of my PCS are Dell Laptops - This one is a Dell 9400

Anyway, all the above is for starters so if you want to pursue this line
further respond to the above and we can go on from there.
Anna

Hi Anna, Thanks for your obvious Tech savy assistance. Pending your response I have the offended system shut down. I eagerly await your response. (Oh, I will have to leave to take the "outlaw" to the airport so I may be a bit tardy in replaying)

Scouter Scotty
.

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