FIY: I am using an old backup PC from home to access the forum right now.

Dell 3000 Window's v1.5 (I'm pretty sure)
Four years old.
SP3 512 RAM. All original equipment, nothing added no extra video cards so I can't ID the drive or board.

The folks in the spyware department taught me allot thus far:
I was trying to update to AVG free 8.0 (without first deleting 7.5) and was denied. I don't know where all my notes are for the message but its BASIC wording was, "AVG is detecting another anit-virus application--Kaspersky".

History: When I purchased the PC it came with the blasted Norton Symantec trial. I subsequently purchased the full model till I was completely disgusted with them. Long story short; before you guy's taught me how to obtain freeware and use it, three years ago I downloaded a trial of Kaspersky. I obtained tools from them to remove the trial and Broni taught me how to delete its components from the registry.

I ended up installing Avast (I didn't LIKE it). I also used SuperAntispyware, WinPatrol, LavaSoftSE, SpyBot S&D and COMODO Pro Free.
I do have the original Dell O/S CD. If we can get it booted up again you can see all the previous HiJackThis logs, one I ran about a month before the failure.

Last thing I was doing on my PC before it failed about three weeks ago was: I was letting Microsoft perform a scheduled update. I didn't restart immediately but waited 45 minutes before I left for work to shut down just like I'm ready to do right now. I don't know what the update was I just saw the update icon and bubble appear at the lower systray tray by the clock.

During attempted boot, the Dell screen appears and the flashing light bar on the screen stops. If I quickly hit F12 I get into the Boot Device Menu.

1. Normal sends me to the error message "Diskette 0 Seek Failure. NTLDR is missing.
2. Pri Master Dr. Same error message.
3. Hard Disk DR. C: Same ERR msg.
4. IDE-CD-ROM Device. If I press any key real quick I can open the Win O/S disk. I don't want to reinstall. I attempted a Repair (option two on the disk) It won't let me access I don't remember my admin password. Since I am the only user of the PC it has to be something simple or it doesn't remember it either. Someone told me to take out the BIOS battery for a HALF hour. Waiting on your advice.
5. Sys Setup. Allows me access but I don't really know what I'm LOOKING for.
6. IDE-Drive Diagnostic. It passed all the lengthy tests.
7. Boot to utility partition. Same err msg.

That's about it for now, I hope it was enough info to work with. Looking forward to hearing from you when I return from work.

T.



Try here: http://icrontic.com/articles/repair_windows_xpThanks for the article. The repair section of my o/s disk was where I once was. In my problem text I indicated I couldn't remember my admin passward. I spoke of removing the battery. Maybe I input my password in but it didn't recognize it??? Would Dell be able to remind me??? That might be my dumbest question of '09.

Is there a way of getting into that memory?? You may not want to reply to that question--I understand.

TomYou can try removing battery. It won't hurt anything.
With password, I can't help you, and Dell won't either.Thats cool about the paswd. I think I found some notes in my book that may help me remember it. I have to make room to power up the old PC next this old one so i can work as soon as I get the chance. That may be tomorrow or the next. I'll reply when I've achieved the next sucess. Don't forget me and thanks till I reply again.

TNo problem