Re: Startup problems, corrupted system files, black screen and updates

So, to recap, the current problem you are having is drive error messages every time the system starts?

It is possible that it may be a drive starting to fail, you can find diagnostic programs online from drive manufacturers that can check the drive very thoroughly for physical errors. For instance if it is a Seagate or Maxtor drive, they have a free tool call Seatools.

Might be work eliminating the possibility of the problem being a hardware issue.
--
James
Orlando (Goofy says "Hey!"), FL


"Preston Hamlin" <PrestonHamlin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:5939D37A-7423-40B1-A5AA-BC2E1C03EFDD@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Norton Antivirus Scan Results: Clean
Malwarebytes' Antimalware Scan Results: Clean
NVidia Drivers: Up to date

OS: Microsoft Windows XP ~ Media Center Edition (Version 2002)
Processor: Intel Pentium Dual Core

Please ask if you need other information.

A couple weeks ago, I started up my computer; all was normal, until I
noticed that it took 5 seconds to move the mouse across the screen. After
about a minute of confusion, a Windows Bubble popped up in the corner, saying
that the file run-something was damaged. The name consisted of "run" and
numbers. I spent the next 5 minutes stuck in the Start Menu, trying to shut
my computer down. When I rebooted, the system took about half an hour
replacing the file. Afterwards, all was fine.

Last week, I let my brother get on my computer, because his computer lacks
the RAM capacity to play his games. He constantly complained about my slow
startup times (it always takes about 5 minutes to finish startup loading, and
initiating any programs before loading is finished will cause excessive lag
and annoyance). He probably tried to start up his games right after the icons
finished loading.

We later got into an argument, and he pressed the power button while I had
multiple internet windows open.

Ever since he did that, my screen has remained blank upon startup. I
replaced my Dell Widescreen Flatscreen with an older Dell E551c (curved glass
screen) a few months ago. When I start up my computer, the screen starts up
as well, but then all the adjustment lights flash in unison and the power
indication light dims. I know that my computer is functioning as this
happens, because after I wait a bit, enter my password and login, the
computer begins working (loading desktop icons, internet, ect...) The
physical connection to my computer is secure.


After I shut down my computer (hold down the power button for about 7
seconds) I will wait a bit, then reboot it. The screen then works, but greets
me with a relative of The Blue Screen Of Death, listing corrupted indexes and
files, and then retrieving orphaned files. This happens every day. Blank
screen --> corrupted list. Blank screen --> corrupted list. Whenever I go to
shut down, I am given the suggested option of Install Updates And Shut Down,
which (if chosen) spends about 1 minute installing update 1/1 then shuts
down. I have run multiple diagnostics (drivers, gaming compatibility, virus
and malware scans, updating, ect...) but none have explained the reason for
the constant corruption of files and failure to update. I want to fix the
issue before too many System files become corrupted (because some have, and
it was a VERY long wait to fix them).

I had worried that my brother may have caused it (unintentional, of course)
because last year he was infected with a supervirus.

The next paragraph is about the supervirus, it can be skipped;
The said virus opened countless of hidden windows and processes, downloading
hundreds (YES HUNDREDS) of viruses, malware, adware and worms. His desktop
image was changed into a hyperlink (a working one), instances of Internet
Explorer were opened, even when internet was disconnected, webpages were
saved (so that they could be opened even with internet down), virus scans
were aborted or terminated, a 15 second Norton scan would turn up about 20
viruses. An administrator disabled Windows Task Manager (even though there
was no administrator profile on his computer). It was pretty bad. The issue
was solved when my brother was granted an update from Norton that could
combat the virus, finding the original and curing from there. Afterwards, he
told me that it had prompted him with windows about saving files to disk.
With a gaunt look on his face, we opened the disk drive to find Oblivion in
there. Afterwards, he joked around about having a supervirus to use as a
weapon, as he had an inert copy of the main virus quarantined.

Although doubtful now that I think about it (because Norton would recognize
the virus if I indeed had it) it worried me that I might have been infected
by it.

Any solutions to the corrupted files, black screen or updates problem should
help me a lot. Sorry if the length of this post made you mad.

.