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Earlier tonight I was on the internet when I noticed my computer was going a bit slow so I restarted it. However, after the Dell loading screen and before the WINDOWS loading screen, the following message appeared:
"Non-system disk or disk error. Replace and press any key when ready"
I have tried pressing every key but the message keeps RECURRING, and I don't know what to do. I have a Windows XP Dell computer that has a current Norton Antivirus version so I don't think it's a virus, but I am not sure. If you need any other information just let me know.

Thanks for any help!Usually that is a sign of a floppy left in the drive, or a failed hard disk or IDE controller.

Download the diagnosotics from the Dell website or from the hard drive manufacturer's WEB site to test.

Is the hard drive seen in the BIOS? (F2 setup) What is the service tag of the machine (also in the  BIOS, or affixed to the machine)?Yes, there was a floppy disk left in the drive. My brother had left it in there. I feel like an idiot now. Thank you very much!I know because I've done it too!

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone might be able to help me here. Is it possible to restore a folder that was deleted from microsoft outlook 2003? What happend was i accidentally deleted the folder CALLED junk-email.

Also, if i may ask this question. On the folder SAY "junk Email", there is a little circle with a line crossing it diagonally in red ( right on the TOP of the folder image )

Thank you in advanceUninstalled and Reinstalled the SOFTWARE again easy solution
Deleted items in Outlook first go to the Deleted folder.  Find the ITEM in there and restore it.  If it's not there, you can create a new folder with the same name.

[size=18]I don't know what my husband did but when he loaded XP onto his new 80 MG drive he ended up with 2 mg of useable hard drive.

Is there any way I can fix this without starting all over?  

SANDY   :-/[/size]

We need to know what he did. How much free space was on it before? What O/S was on it before? Does it still WORK? Look around for large files. Is WinXP in add/Remove programs? you might get lucky and be ABLE to uninstall that way.

Put him on here.   Quote

I don't know what my husband did but when he loaded XP onto his new 80 GB drive he ended up with 2 MG of useable hard drive.

Is there any way I can fix this without starting all over?  

Sandy

:-?  :-?  :-?


Ok, i have been asking my brother about this one and anyone i know, and they are either really vague about answering it, or they have no idea, so here it goes, i'll try to explain well.

What makes ( like a certain type of memory or something like that ) and/or help makes the PC ( windows XP just in case it might help ) run smoothly and efficiently?! Like my bro's computer is totaly opposite of my moms. my moms is laggy, takes forever to start up, can't store much ( not space in Gigs, but more like not able to handle/support large files because of low something or other ) and just a pain, and super slow. My bro's is fast, smooth, hardly ever freezes if ever at all, can support huge files ( like large Macromedia Flash projects, and test them smoothly and efficiently), instantly can go to one window to another with ease, and totaly can run 1.5 gig games really smoothly. I wanna know how to do that, please help!   How do the specs of the pc's differ :-?  Does your bro's have faster processor, more Ram, more disk space etc :-?

What processes/applications are being started on one but not the other :-?  

In other words are you comparing the speed of a pre-WWII airliner with a modern jet fighter :-?well which one of those ( ram disk space etc. ) will make the computer faster and smoother. that's what i wanna know.  BUT to answer your question(s), my bro's computer has more disk space, that's all I know, i haven't got any specs. on them though.RAM is always a good place to start but it all depends on what is happening on the systems.  If the hardware is identical but one pc is starting a lot more applications then those applications are using RAM and more RAM would be a good idea or a better one would be not to start so many applications at startup.  If the hard disk is smaller or CONTAINS lots of files, especially photos and/or videos and/or music and the swap file is struggling for space then a bigger, or second hard drive might smooth things out.    If the slower pc has an old processor and the faster one has a super gigaHertz model then a change of processors/mobo might be the solution.

You have to compare like with like and without knowing the specs of both pc's it's hard to suggest a solution.  One of the pc's I run uses Win.98 with a P.166 processor & 48mb of Ram, another Win.XP Pro, P4 1.6 processor & 512mb Ram.  Their performances cannot be compared.  Try comparing the performance of a Ford Model T with the latest Ferrari.  As a start you could try running anvirus scan, disk CLEANUP and disk defrag.

Good luck     

( I have windows, if that helps )

THANKS! moms computer does have alotta photo's and stuff, is there another way so that i can store my photos/music/videos, with the same security as a computer? And it does start a bunch of apps, but how do i get the apps not to start at startup, and only when i want them to? And what about stuff from hidden virus's that anchor them selves into ur computer so that it is nearly impossible ( if not, then impossible itself ) to get rid of them? ( important 'cause i noticed they start alot of hidden apps all the sudden next time i turn on the comp, which gets annoying after a little bit )

Oh and how do i get another hardrive?! like link it to the original one? ( and if so, how? ( can answer seperately later if too many questions ))

Sorry if too many questions.   :-?Sorry Wisetom but I get the impression that your level of knowledge just isn't high enough for you to solve the problems on your own.  Is there anyone else, perhaps your brother, who can assist you with this :-?

The first thing to be done is for a FULL anti-virus anti-adware anti-trojan search & destroy mission to be launched.  You will find instructions here.

You must ensure that a Firewall and anti-virus software is installed before connecting to the internet and that they are updated and kept up-to-date.

That is Step number 1.  When you are convinced that your system is malware free post again in this same thread and we will go from there.

Good luckStoring important stuff on a hard drive is not too safe. All hard drives die eventually. A CD or DVD burner seems a much better option.

www.howstuffworks.com
 

ok thanks a bunch guys, i will post again as soon as I am done scanning, forgot 'bout the search and destroy optioni figured out that sadly my bros has tons more disk space/ram/AND a faster prosesor ( spelled that wrong ). And my moms is just too slow, barely any kind of space taken up will slow it down, even if i clear the whole thing. I TALKED to my bro, i understand alot more. I think i'll just get one for myself, a fast one. Thanks all for helping, now i know what to look for when i want a fast computer, and how to clean ( make it faster again ) when it gets slow : ). Thanks.
any other additional info will help if you have any, but inevitably my moms computer is one big giant slow slug. It will always feel as if i am walking in heavy syrup.Wisetom - thanks for coming back with your comments and resolution.  Not too many posters come back to finalise a thread.

We will continue to be of assistance, if we can, when you get your jet propelled system.

Cheers

I am using XP home and the folder date created is for example 31/12/05,
is there a way to make it show a different format like 31 DEC 2005?

THANKS.

can you connect (peer to peer ) one computer RUNNING 2k pro to one running
WIN 98. secend part--and can you transfer OS 2k to win 98. no BURNERS, no cd 2k.
i am over my head trying to fix grand kids computers. need help.

thanks jerryIf you try to tranfer one file to another computer? try using email or MSN
Or if you want to connect it using P2P, download emule 4.6c and you can connect to your grand children by typing his IP adress. Quote

can you connect (peer to peer ) one computer running 2k pro to one running win 98.

and can you transfer os 2k to win 98. no burners, no cd 2k.

i own a tosiba satellite laptop.  not quite sure on the particular type.  It's about 6 months old and it runs windows xp home edition.  My problem occurs in the end of the windows start up process.  Right before windows stops "loading". The "caps lock" key comes on and will not turn off.  Also, the "ctrl" key acts as if it is permanently turned on.  All keys lose function except for those with a control function such as "ctrl+c", "ctrl+v", "ctrl+f", "ctrl+Esc", and so on.  Everything else functions properly.  The other problem is that this phaenomenon only occurs about every other time the computer is turned on.  The only way that i have found to rectify the problem so far is to do a hard shut down and then turn the computer back on and pray that it doesn't happen again.  Simply rebooting widows doesn't solve the problem either. if you do a simple: "start MENU"-"shut down"-"restart", the problem HAPPENS again guaranteed.  I have run several virus scans and even check to see if there were lost drivers or corrupted drivers and nothing came up.  PLEASE HELP, i'm out of ideas.
ThanksLet's find out what machine you have. Download and run Belarc Advisor (free at www.belarc.com) to identifyall the specifics on that machine, including the model number.  the computer is a:

Toshiba Satellite A105-S2716
Intel Pentium® M Processor 740 [1.73GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 533MHz FSB]
Microsoft® Windows® XP Home Edition
1024MB PC4200 DDR2 533MHz SDRAM (Both slots may be occupied)
15.4" Diagonal WIDESCREEN XGA TruBrite™ Display (1280 x 800)
Intel Graphics Media ACCELERATOR 900 with 8MB-128MB dynamically allocated shared graphics memory
100GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA)
DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive
Intel® PRO/Wireless Network Connection 2200BG (802.11b/g)As this is no doubt still under warranty, have you contacted Toshiba?How about tingling a bit with the Ctrl key.

May be its a bit stuck.  i've done everything.  It's nothing physically wrong.  It has to be a corrupted file, virus, or something to that effect.  And i can't get in touch with tosiba.  they have a lovely **cough cough** help response team.it has started doing it when i start up any micorosoft office software.   any idea? i would prefer not to have to reinstall microsoft office.Well that is a HANDY and pertinent bit of info. Cause ----> Effect?

I would uninstall and reinstall just in case something hiccuped during the install. It does not happen otherwise/ And never happened before this?

Hi, I'm using Windows XP Pro in LAN environment.  I found that MAP Network Drive is disable.  

The current REGISTRY setting: [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]

"NoDriveTypeAutoRun"=dword:00000091
"ForceClassicControlPanel"=dword:00000001
"NoNetConnectDisconnect"=dword:00000001
"NoFileAssociate"=dword:00000001
"NoNetHood"=dword:00000001

Anything wrong with this registry or it is related to others.

Please help to enable the Map Network Drive function.

Try changing the DWORD "NoNetConnectDisconnect" and make it 0 instead of 1.
this web page says that this DWORD is a HACK to disable the mapping of network drives...
http://www.windowsnetworking.com/nt/registry/rtips106.shtmlblink, previously i had tried this METHOD and restart pc ,still doesn't work.

Hi.  I am a support person and need to copy Data files created using various programs such as MS Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, etc sent to me as a zip file.  As soon as I copy and paste them to my Windows XP DESKTOP the date on all the files CHANGES to the current date. I need to retain the original dates when copying and pasting.  The OPERATING SYSTEM is Windows XP.  THANK you.

I just scrubbed my renigade hard drive and loaded Windows XP Pro.  On boot-up it says "disk boot FAILURE, insert system disk and press enter".  And I THOUGH scrubbing it would solve all my problems.  

Meanwhile my husband somehow downloaded SypFalcon and he he scrubbing his hard drive to get rid of that.   What a day!

Sandy

Update: I reloaded and it's working now.  9:25 amWell that was an easy fix, question asked & ANSWERED all in one go.
Thanks for the update, it SAVES everyone time.

any form of videos r all too BRIGHT    from wmp mpegs to warcraft cinematics...  anything that is a video
is blurry ... abit and bright y is that??  some plz HELP me :-?PC model and spec ?
Does it happen before ?
When it start HAPPENING ?

Here's the deal, when connecting to the range expander through a statc IP(http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/6564/static5td.jpg) i get a limited or no connection error and I am able to ping the range expander(192.168.1.240) but not the router(192.168.1.1). When I use a dynamic ip I get a limited or no connection message and can still ping the range expander but not the router. I have tried re-arranging the distance of the router from the ACCESS point and I have reset everything to its default settings, including turning of WEP encryption. I have tried reseting the access point and installing any SP2 hotfixes available from forums and troubleshooting sites. I am however able to connect to the internet through the router as opposed to the access point. I have tried on other wireless computers to no avail. The range expander has worked before but after a recent power outage it no longer works. I desperately need help. Feel free to email me at [email protected] or AIM:Slapzstick. Thanks a bundle.have you tried resetting the wireless access point?? i have seen instances of where that is all that was needed after a power surge.Yeah, I've reset everything billions of times any other ideas?have you logged in to the interface and made any settings changes that were in place before hand other than that i would suggest calling linksys sorry work for dell and thats my conclusion. cause if you have to set the ip address statically before it will connect then it sounds like something got fried in the access point; i know if it were a dell id be replacing a router/access point.I called them already and got an RMA NUMBER I was just trying to fix it myself.well i think that the firmware in the linksys wireless router is fried and even a firmware upgrade isnt fixing it.How is it the wireless router if I can connect to it both wirelessly and wiredsorry meant access point. hey try these commands in dos (start>run>cmd) and type:
arp *-d
ipconfig /flushdns
netsh int ip reset rst.txt
netsh winsock reset catalog

where i entered and started a new line do the same in dos other wise it will not work the last command may fail depending on whether or not service pack 2 is properly installed or not and whether it was installed to begin with.
let me know how those commands work for you.
ALSO have you tried a power reset on the linksys access point?if by power reset you mean holding the power button for 10 seconds then unplugging then yes. I'll try those tomorow, it's time for be to head to bed.also try those commands if that does not work try the power reset and then if that does not work try a power cycle (ya know unplug the cable or dsl modem the router and the access point and also TURN off the computers so that you dont have them interfering with each other wait about 3 minutes and plug in the cable or dsl modem let it connect to the internet then power on the router let it connect to the cable/dsl modem and the power on the access point.) wishing you the best of luck in the wireless access point.)

there should be a reset button on the linksys wireless access point. press and hold it pull out the power cable you may have to hold the linksys wireless access point between your legs cause it will take both hands and then immediately after you have the power cable out you WANT to insert it back in and then release the reset button. that is a power reset.

Hello, gotta QUESTION:  I am trying to write a script to delete certain FILES on my XP Pro machine.  I want to SET my scheduler to run several times a day with no input from me.  When I tell it to delete all files in a certain folder, it always asks "Are you sure?" and then you have to put in "Y" or "N" and hit enter.  In OLDER Windows, you could just put "-y" and it would sail right through, but in XP I just can't make it do it.  I was thinking that if I could find the correct command for the "enter" key, that may work.  Or does anyone have any other ideas?
Thanks!  
JimmyRAre you using the Del /q option  :-?

Yes, thanks!  I started digging and found that little /q yesterday afternoon.  I always think of the most IN-direct way of getting it DONE, and it seems there's always a simpler way!Thanks for coming back JR.

NT command-prompt parameters can differ from those in pure Dos.  The NT entries are listed here.

Good luck

if it were my computer, i would purge everything from the hard drive and START from scratch, but my friend has valuable info on the computer and i was wondering if this option would work.

when the computer starts up, there is an error message which states something like "WINDOWS/system32/config/system" file is missing or corrupt.  press r to recover/repair.

pressing r restarts the computer.  going into safe MODE, the boot files run down the screen and stops on windows/system32/config/system

i want to reinstall windows xp with the cd that i have.  going into automated repair mode, the computer puts you into a command prompt.  at that point i doint know what to do.  

i want to SETUP xp again, but it asks me to delete the present partition and start anew.  would deleting the present partition erase all of the DATA on the hard drive?http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm#RI
This should be helpful to you. Quote

would deleting the present partition erase all of the data on the hard drive?

I have a pretty new dell dimension desktop computer using dial -up internet. we already had dial-up for our old computer through EARTHLINK, and just switched it to this one. on the newer computer we also have earthlink totalaccess which came with 6 months free with the computer. ever since we've had the computer, logging into THINGS like msn hotmail, ebay, yourmusic.com, and accounts for ONLINE stores etc. has not worked. using the firefox browser a message would come up saying "the connection had been refused", and usinf internet explorer it would go to a "page could not be diplayed" page. we have contacted earthlink and tried to solve this problem to no avail, disabling sucurity and protections etc. the last time my mom talked to them and they had her disable some sucurity settings using command prompt or something, which i am sure she didi not understand. now when i try to long into msn hotmail, for example, it doesn't say the connectiom has been refused, but says it won't work because SSL has been disabled. please give helpor suggestions as to how to solve this.

I need to make a boot disk for my computer that will make my computer start WINDOWS in safemode.
How can I do this?
All I need is a disk to start windows in safemode.Why do you think this is EVEN possible?  


Here's all the bootdisks possible:

www.bootdisk.com

I really dont know.
I was thinking that mabey there would be a way to make boot disk that would switch from A:\ to C:\ (at command prompt) and then mabey it would start Windows using a switch for safemode.
Well, mabey there isnt a way.
Oh wellzylstra555......  Could you please explain why .....you would want to do this ....... Why not just USE the F8 key ( or whatever ) to start in SAFE mode ??

A lot of us are technicaly challenged , so would appreciate a ANSWER .

dl65  My laptop has a missing RAM chip.
(it got fried)
I cannot run Windows without entering safe mode first.
I would rather have a disk start my computer (so I can leave it unattended)
That way, I will not have to push F8 right after the BIOS load.
I do think that I am doomed, and that there is no way to do this.

Ok, I've only had a computer for a little over a YEAR so I will be the FIRST to admit that I'm a computer DUMMY.  I've been having trouble with my cd-rom.  Any time that I put any type of disc in, my computer does one of two things.  Sometimes it just doesn't do anything.  Most of the time though this is what happens........it will make a noise like it's reading the disk.......then everything completely freezes up and it won't do anything at all and I have to just turn it off.  I have worked the past 2 days on this and I can't get anywhere.  I have uninstalled/reinstalled the DRIVERS, didn't work.  Then as a last resort I did a SYSTEM recovery, restoring it BACK to factory settings and it's still doing the same thing.  The "help and support" from HP is a joke.  Someone help me please??!!! :-?Sometimes a drive just dies. How old is the machine? Has it had a lot of use? You could swap in a known working drive in this computer and try that drive in another machine to see where the problem is.

i have WINDOWS xp and the problem is that when i star the computer it would take around 20 minutes or 30 to start up i just says
phoenix-AwardBIOS u6.00p6 an energy star ally copyrigth
F5565306 SIS 661FX + 515963

an that is where is tops and it would take 20 to 30 minutes to load.

please helpWhat computer or motherboard make/model?my computer is a shuttle
xpc ss56g

is that enough its because i dont know a lot about computersWhat HAPPENED prior to this? Is the problem with getting to the WIndows logo, or after you see the Windows logo? Any recent hardware changes? Do you have any sort of spyware/virus protection?

For a start I would remove the round CMOS battery for 10 minutes (while unplugged) then REINSTALL it and restart.it happends before the windows logo and i havent had a hardware change that i can remember and yes i have norton antivirus Quote

What happened prior to this? Is the problem with getting to the WIndows logo, or after you see the Windows logo? ANy recent hardware changes? Do you have any sort of spyware/virus protection?

FOr a start I would remove the round CMOS battery for 10 minutes (while unplugged) then reinstall it and restart.

My computer keeps looping back to restart after trying to run boot.ini.

Quick History:

Old HD was having issues..so I decided to buy another one. Installed new HD and software that came with it allowed me to migrate all info over and make the new HD the boot drive. So now I have C: which is on the new drive and a partition G: with nothing currently in it. I also have F: which was my old HD. So after new HD install and migration my new C: and F: are identical. I know F: was redundant but left it in anyway. This was all woking fine since late December. Today I COME up to my computer watching it trying to reboot, but having issues with boot.ini. See text below.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

I tried changing boot drives in BIOS to see if I can boot from old drive, which it somehow does. It brings me back to the old state before new HD, minus any new software LOADED in and any files or bookmarks created etc..since then.

I tried rebuilding boot.ini through recovery manager but all it did was add a SIMILAR line as the OS line above.

Upon rebooting it tries to do a chkdsk or scandisk on F: (the old original C:)which I BELIEVE to be totally screwed by now. I skip that sequence and it continues to boot to C: which is my new drive but I still get the state of the system prior to new HD swap over with no files modified past the date of switch over. What is really confusing is that I can not find any reference to any of the newer programs, files, bookmarks, emails  etc...done since I installed the new drive. Have I lost these or are they hidden somewhere or am I screwed? PLEASE HELP!!!

Btw: I Hope this makes sense.

LucianoSomeone throw me a bone here!   If it were me, I would boot with just the old hard drive, backup whatever I needed and reformat and reinstall Windows, etc.

The problem is that you have two boot.ini files on two drives that both think they are the primary drive. What if you take out the old drive and just use the new one (which was a clone of the old one)? Does everything work correctly?Removing the second drive was going to be my next step, but wanted to make sure I wasn't going to screw things up to bad  :-/

It is now booting off the new drive but it is configured like back in December, before I made changes. My concern is losing all the info (programs, files, emails, bookmarks, etc..) I created after I put in the new HD. I am confident that everything that I did install or add after that time was on my new C: as I have seen it there.  I am just wondering if all this info is simply hidden or not available to be seen in the directories.Is it in a separate user account? What O/S? Do you have administrator access?Only one user....Win XP Pro SP2....And yes I have admin rights!

Just remembered there are photos in there I need bad...insurance claim!

It's just so wierd that I can't see any files or directories created since swap over. GrrrrrrWhat about removing the new drive and booting the old one just to get your data?Not sure because now the old drive seems wiped...as I can't access it in My Computer...it sees it...and even says that all 41gb are free...so I guessing it's wiped...I so *censored* sure that the new C had all the latest info...well gonna take out the old drive and see what happens...I was hoping somebody knew something about it....its not so much that I lost stuff...it's just crazy that I only lost stuff from a period in time, forward...The old drive is out and on reboot all I got was what I started with back in December....What a bummer....I can't believe how much stuff I lost....well I guess I'll have to be more diligent in backing up. Like I said I would be pissed off if the HD had just blew up and I lost everything...but to only lose stuff from a certain date ....shheeesssshhh!!!!  :-/

Well time to rebuild!
Quote

If it were me, I would boot with just the old hard drive, backup whatever I needed and reformat and reinstall Windows, etc.

The problem is that you have two boot.ini files on two drives that both think they are the primary drive. What if you take out the old drive and just use the new one (which was a clone of the old one)? Does everything work correctly?

I recently did a SYSTEM recovery on my pc. When i START it up it stays on the black screen saying please wait....nothing ever happens. I tried to go in safe mode and it SAYS system is not set up completely restart to finish set up. I have windows xp. If anyone has any suggestions please HELP.....Do you mean System Recovery as in the MS BACKUP program thingy :-?

Or was this from a restore CD that CAME with your PC? If you posted the computer make/model, operating system or other pertinent details it would be helpful.   Quote

I recently did a system recovery on my pc. When i start it up it stays on the black screen saying please wait....nothing ever happens. I tried to go in safe mode and it says system is not set up completely restart to finish set up. I have windows xp. If anyone has any suggestions please HELP.....

I have a COMUTER with windows xp. I bought it USED, and did not get a disk with it.

It is totally screwed up with some kind of virus. I want to reformat the hard drive, and re-install Windows (I have a Windows 98 disk).

How do I do that?

Bruce Garvin
[email protected]
What computer make/model and some details about it please. Some newer machines do not have win98 drivers, so it could not be entirely functional.Does it have the XP product key anywhere on the computer?   <--------Be sure of this before doing any downloads, this is the most important part.  There may be a sticker with the product key on it.

If so go here for all you need to do an XP fresh install.  I believe you have to make a $4 donation though.

http://www.bootdisk.com/

They have a download on the site below for the 6 Windows XP Home installation disks.  Be sure to get the one called MS Windows XP Home SP1

http://freepctech.com/pc/002/files010.shtml

Does the computer boot into Windows at all?



Do not buy anything, there is no need!!!
If you already own an XP CD, the procedure is simple.
Place the XP CD in the drive and boot from it. FOLLOW the prompts through for a fresh install and elect to format the drive at the appropriate stage.

If you don't have an XP CD or don't want to install XP, then all you need is a suitable bootdisk. Give more info on what you want to do exactly and I'll SUPPLY full instructions.

Greetings,
When i try to log in (after the SELECT User option, On XP), It will show my backround picture, But stops there. NOTHING loads. Only WAY to get around it is to go via Ctrl, Alt, Delete Etc.
There are no toolbars, Shortcuts Etc.
Mouse does not show up either
I've tried to run in Safe mode, But it only fills the screen with white commands. I've tried running in 'Best Known Configuration', But the same problem still occurs

Any HELP would be apprecieted
,SpedzWhat happened prior to this? What adware/spyware/virus protection were you using on a regular basis? Are you the only user of this machinen? Do you have a legal Windows CD to reinstall with if needed?

Hi,

I've got a problem with the new laptop, HP one. It's got windows XP Pro on it.

The problem is

since it's a new laptop, i was transferring all the documents/files from my old laptop to it. I have set up accounts for outlook and transfered all the emails to the outlook. I checked and all the emails were there. All seem to be good. Then, i realised that it's the administrator account not my account. So i went to create a new account with administrator permission. Once that's done, i restarted the computer. After that, i noticed that i was LOGGED in straight into the windows desktop.

I took a LOOK at windows explorer and found that under C drive, there is administrator folder and my folder is there too. But when i tried to look for all the documents and files that i just copied last night are not in my folder. They were in the administrator folder. Then, l tried to open up the outlook, no accounts whatsoever was found there. I wonder if everything that i did is still there.

I don't mind copying or transferring the documents from the administrator to my folder. But my question is why am i getting the administrator folder. Where would it possibly be for all the outlook files i just copied?

Thank you in advanceSee this thread with REGARD to TAKING OWNERSHIP. Otherwise, boot to Safe Mode and log in as administrator.

I run Windows XP SPII.

I have two different sound drivers that I can choose  manually in the tab "Audio" in Audio and Devices in Control Panel.
I WOULD like to BUILD a BATCH FILE that selects the first audio driver and a second batch file that selects the second audio driver.
Any help welcome

dbessisThat will need a lot more than a batch file!

I suspect posting those LINKS WOULD be against the forum RULES as would be imping another member.  
It would be WISE if all other members added no further comments to this THREAD.

Hello there,

I'm just a beginner in programming and lately i have discovered that the .INI file is ACTUALLY some SORT of programming and i'm interested to know more about it. I want to know how to write those instructions and also if possible can anyone show me how windows shell programming works? Or is this windows shell actually is just DOS?Have a read:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=.ini+file+programming


&LT;---------I wouldn't REALLY categorise ini (initialisation) editing as programming. The vast majority of ini files are simple text files that store preferences etc.

Hi,

Had a search on GOOGLE and on this forum but cannot find an answer to my problem. I hope someone can help.

When using Microsoft Outlook 2002 I often receive the same email twice. The details are identical i.e. size, time sent, content and sender. Can anyone tell me why this is happening and how I can resolve this issue please?

Thanks in advance.
DtMUnder Tools, Accounts, make sure the account you're checking only appears once.  They may not have the same name but could contain the same login info.   Quote

Under Tools, Accounts, make sure the account you're checking only appears once.  They may not have the same name but could contain the same login info.  

Double click the last two and uncheck "Include this account........."
If everything seems OK after a while, delete the last two.

Quote

Double click the last two and uncheck "Include this account........."
If everything seems OK after a while, delete the last two.

Hi Backdated,

Thanks for your help.

When I double click the account I have the page shown in the attachment. It doesn't appear to have a "Include this account" box to check or uncheck. Any more ideas please?

Regards
DtM

My PC is screwed up.  I just did a complete reformat of C and the problems I had been having have only been reduced, but aren't gone. My system is Win98SE, 256MB RAM, 80G HD, and I use ZoneAlarm Pro and Firefox (whenever not forced to using IE6).  I can post a .txt file of the basic system I've got, from SiSandra, so you'll have most of what else you might need.  I don't know how this could be a hardware problem, but who knows? I sure don't.  I've been having freezing problems, too, particularly when on the Internet.  My expert switched out my CPU chip, which he said was not compatible with my upgraded system.  The problem had been devastating, but isn't completely gone, even now, though it's more at a nuisance level.  I mention it in case there might be a connection to the problem mentioned below.

A number of software installers can't find system files, even though they're right where they ought to be in C:\Windows\System, and they also tell me that a device attached to my system isn't functioning, which is ridiculous after a clean reboot.  Firefox can't play videos on cnn.com, because it can't "find" my Windows Media Player, even though I have the latest version and it is right where it belongs, too.  IE6 can play the videos, but I hate IE6.  WMP does seem to require ActiveX, and Firefox intentionally doesn't support this open invitation to malware, but has plugins which are supposed to allow WMP to play videos through Firefox.  It doesn't deny access to the videos; it simply gives a new window that says it isn't installed, with a link to MS so I can get it.  But it is installed, and Firefox isn't able to detect it.

The problem seems to me to be coming from the directory tree screwup which forced me to reformat in the first place.  I had several "Desktop" directories.  The one in C:\Windows\All Users, I've learned, belongs there, but not the one I had in C:\windows\Profiles.  There are only the two proper Desktop folders on my system since the reformat, but the problem with the directory tree has not gone away, even though the reinstall of W98SE went without a hitch.

It causes problems, because when I get one of those open or save dialog boxes, it'll show Program Files with a generic icon, not the yellow folder.  If I click it, I won't get to see the subdirectories, nor can anything be opened or saved there.  I have to "browse" to C: first, then to Program Files, and then it operates the way it should.

Something has screwed my directory tree, and I think it's responsible for these installers that can't find the files that are right there, and Firefox being unable to find my WMP.  Apparently some programs browse my directory tree to find what they want step-by-step and others use a different way, perhaps a kind of shortcut.

Whatever it is, I know for certain that Program Files (and possibly System, too) has a doppelganger, a ghost folder with the right name but nonfunctioning.  I can't find the ghost with any method I know, other than bumping into it while using my PC.  It doesn't show up in a search, for instance.

The problem is not the same as it was before the FORMAT, but it isn't much better.  What can survive a complete reformat?  Only something like malware in the boot sector, is my guess.  I'd like to know what some of the real pros will have to say, though, because I'm only at a moderate level of expertise.  Since formatting, many utilities and games have the same install problem - they can't find necessary system files that I actually do have, and some device, which is never specified, is said to be inoperative.  I don't have any way to find out what device they're talking about, so I can't investigate it.

Please let me know if you have any bright ideas about what's causing all of this, and thanks.  I just HOPE I won't have to do the reformat thing again, but a little green voice is telling me I probably will.  That's okay, as long as I can know that THIS time, the problem will be gone.  Until then, reformating is pointless.

Holly B.If you have hardware problems, the operating system cannot function normally.

i am not convinced you do not have hardware problems. With the story of the processor/motherboard switching around I think you should consult your expert again

What motherboard and what processor?
Thanks very  much for replying.

My motherboard is a VIA Technologies, Inc. P4X266E-8235, and I wish I'd never gotten it.  It's totally lousy.

My CPU was just switched out.  It used to be a Intel Celeron 2.4Ghz, and is now a Celeron 2.2Ghz.  I'd been having intense freezes which made my system unusable.  I had to very quickly launch the GAME Dune2000 in order to stop the freezes, and keep it running while I did other things.  Otherwise, the PC would freeze within 15 seconds of bootup.  It was wierd, and rather hard to live with.

My expert said the CPU wasn't compatible with the other pieces of my upgraded system; he swapped it out, and only charged me a tiny bit for his time.  The freezes stopped - for a while, but are beginning again, the same way - first slowly, infrequently, and getting worse and more frequent.  This could indeed be yet another hardware problem.

If you'd like, I have a Sandra .txt report on my basic system.  I don't see how I can attach it here, but if you say it's okay, I can copy/paste it into a reply.

If the problem IS my HD, how can I go about testing it?  I don't know how to use SmartDrive, nor do I know whether it could detect the problem, even if I did.

It would be good to know what the problem really is, before making costly changes.

Thanks again,
Holly B.<>

If that is part of the symptoms, then hard drive would be very low in my list of suspects.

I think we should look at motherboard/CPU/BIOS settings first. Any one else agree?Sorry it took so long to get back.  I don't know jack about dealing with motherboard/BIOS/CPU settings.  Such things stand my hair on end; it's geeky to the max, and the smallest error could ruin my system.

But I'm game to try anything.  What do you recommend I do?  I don't know how to even find these settings, much less improve them.

I've just been living with the problem.  I like the game Dune2000, but having to load it to do anything AT ALL with my PC isn't my idea of fun.  It seems to be the only application which has the magical power to keep my PC from freezing right away.  It still freezes, ESPECIALLY if I go online, but I get much more time with my PC with the game loaded.  Wierd, huh?

One thing I'm considering is a complete reformat of C:/, but this time using the /u switch, which I understand will yield a genuine reformat, rather than one which reuses the old registry.  If you reformatted because of problems, and the problem was in the registry, you could get the problems right back.  I had always thought that a format of C:/ was a complete wipe.  Now I know it isn't, and I'm pretty pissed that this factoid isn't generally available to the public.  I thought I was getting a complete wipe, but wasn't.

But before reformatting - again - I want to dig up some answers first, know what I mean, jellybean?

Tell me what you need from me to find these settings and I'll get down to it right away.

Thanks,
Hollyi think its a bad virus especially since you said it locks often when you go on the internet mabye someones hijacking your comp try going into safe mode (if win98 has it im not sure) and running virus scans and spyware scans. it might be your hardware who knows? if everything fails take it to like a trusted computer store not one of those private ones arund the corner and tell them to wipe your disk COMPLETELY so theres ABSOLUTELY NOTHING on it. if that still wont work buy a new hard driveI'm thinking virus/malware maybe. Is the Win98 CD genuine or copied?

If it's genuine, install your OS, and AV (Certified malware free), anti malware (Spybot and Ad-Aware will be fine) and more importantly, your firewall (Also certified malware free). Now you can connect to the internet but only to Windows Update (Critical updates only!) and to update your AV, malware, firewall defs.
Install nothing else until you've done this.

When I start my computer, a Laptop Compaq Presario V2000, when everything is loaded (it takes a lot of time by the way)I want to start a program(ex: Mozilla Firefox), I click but nothing happens....
only a few works(MSN Messenger...).  I can go in Configuration Panel but when I click on add/delete programs...I freeze and nothing happens...

Can you help me please..

Thanks

LaurentCarry out the procedures listed [highlight]in this post[/highlight] and post a Hijackthis logfile here when done.
If possible, zip the logfile and attach it rather than post it.I don't THINK the problem is COMMING from a spyware or something like that...I ran a lot of scan the day before I noticed that(Norton ANTIVIRUS, Windows Defender, Ad-Aware Se Personnal, Spybot SEARCH and Destroy, Ashampoo AntiSpyWare, ...) and nothing indicates something

Can it be because I have to much STARTUP Program of just to much program installed on my computer...

Because I can go on my computer but when I want to oppen some sort of programs, they don't respond...

Please HelpI have just tried to help.

Hi,

I've got a question here. This is a very new thing for me. I wonder if anyone has heard of UDF. I think it stands for Universal Disc Format.

What happened is i have a few PDF files and i was asked to save them onto a CD. since i have got a rewritable CD-ROM, i said i could do that for them.

After writing all the pdf files onto the CD and gave it to them, SURPRISINGLY they're unable to open it because the files were in an udfreader format.

Is this a very common problem with CD?

I wonder How to open the files then.

By the way, i'm running windows XP Pro.

THANK you very much in advanceAssociates:

UDF = Universal Disk Format.  It's a relatively new file system created by the Optical Storage Technology Association.  Standard CD-ROM drives, drivers, or operating systems such as DOS cannot read UDF-formatted discs.  Recordable drives can read them.

www.osta.org/specs/index.htm

Doc

Most standard CD drives in service today can in fact readily read UDF formatted disks. What usually happens when a UDF disk is INSERTED into an unprepared system is that the UDF reader installer autoruns. If autorun is disabled, the installer appears as the root of the CD.
However, it's much better practice to USE the CDRW as a normal CDR and then erase it when needed again. If you're using XP, the inbuilt CD burning service via Explorer is excellent for this.Backdated:

Right, what i meant is Windows OSes cannot read UDF-formatted discs natively and require drivers to read them.

 Thank you, PCdoc4christ and Backdated for your support.

I've never known about this before but i see now.

Thank you for sharing your info with me.

BTW, if the OS doesnot support it, what sort of driver do i need to be able to read it? if there is, can i download it from the net?

Thank you in advanceIt's not the OS that needs to support UDF; it's the drive unit itself. However:
http://www.roxio.com/en/support/ecdc/software_updatesv4_2.jhtml

Hi all.

I have sorted my previous problem, or should I say my dad just installes windows again!!

The new problem we are having is connecting out BT wireless back on. Because everything has been whiped off we need to install the adapter again. The only problem is that it isnt working.

We have the little green siganl in the bottom, that before all this INDICATED that i was connected to the internet. But when we try to go onto internet explorer it DOESNT work!

We have the wireless adapter. Im on the one downstairs now and the modem down here SHOWS that all 3 lights are on (including local network which is mine upstairs!)

anyone any ideas...dad is going crazy trying to find what they problem is. We have unistalled and installed it about 3 TIMES but nothing happens! We've been trying for 2 days now!!

Thanks all

Laura xare you receiving an IP address?What router are you using?
Did you set up encryption (WEP or WPA) last TIME? You should have! If so, you'll need to reset it. To do this you will need one wired connection unless you reset the router. You should really have one computer wired at all times.

I ran System Mechanic last night and this morning I rebooted to make the changes stick.  When I rebooted my coputer said NTDRL is missing.


I went here http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm and downladed the fix but my luck - 1. Windows could not START because file "\system32\hal.dll was missing or corrupt

I tried reloading Windows Xp Home again (thinking maybe something changed since the last time I reloaded Windows this morning.  Now it says Setup could not read the CD you inserted, or the CD is not a valid Windows CD.

Wel, it's the replacement Cd they sent me when my burner ate the old one!

I can get into safe mode and until now I cold get into Window Repair.  I did copy i386/ntdetec and i386/ntdecect.com into C, but the firect I overwrote and it couldn'd do the second.

I could scrub the drive with System Mechanic but them I would loose the 30 or so movies I downloaded that have been wating for the RMSd Lasonic hard drive to return from RMS STATUS.  I would really not like to LOSE all those.    

So what do you thing?  Is there hope, or do I scrub and start all over?

Sandy in FL



If this is a single partition/single OS system and you can boot to a RECOVERY console, enter the following and hit enter after each line:

attrib -h -r -s c:\boot.ini
del c:\boot.ini
bootcfg /rebuild
fixboot

You may need to use the 6 diskette boot set.

Please throw away System Mechanic and other such destructive weapons.

I'm running XP.   After DEFRAGMENTING files, my Yahoo email text box disappeared.  The address bar and subject bar are still there, but the text box is lost.  How do I get it back?  I am not a techie, and I need help.  Thanks,         Victoria   :-?Victoria, have you stopped your computer and started again after defragmenting files? (It is not needed every time you defrag your computer, but in some occasions)
Computers tend to behave abnormally for no known reason to us... And a restart ussually solves the problem. If it doesn't work, TELL us more.Hi Viking,  Yes, I restarted my computer a couple of times already.  No luck.  Thanks,      V  Victoria, please take a screenshot of your yahoo e-mail = open yahoo mail, press the key Print Scrn, then open the Paint program,  go to Edit menu, choose Paste from there, then go to File menu, choose Save As, choose jpg, give it an easy name (like MailProblem), save it to desktop or My Documents and post it here -- see the attach on the buttom, you'll have to use the Browse button.
If you do that, do not open personal data, because you will present it to us - with the above method you will take a "picture" of your screen. Just be sure that there are no other programs started (like a word document, some important pictures or other documents) on your screen.Dear Viking,
     Thank you so much for all your help.  Actually, I broke down after 18 hours of trying to DEAL with my problem, and purchased an online SPYWARE Remover.  I finally went to SLEEP, and this morning my email text box is back - and some other minor little "tics" are gone as well.  YES!  Thanks again.
                                                 Victoria    There is no need to purchase malware removal tools. In fact, the vast majority of these tools are useless or infected themselves. Does your purchase appear [highlight]here[/highlight] at all?

I decided to scrub my drive and reload windows XP. Simple enough in the past but  today setup FREEZES at 99%.   When I quit it STARTS all over again  and freezes at 99%.  

what can I do to force it to continue?

Sandy Is this a branded computer with a RESTORE disk or is it a no-name BOX with a FUL XP CD?
Do you have a working floppy drive?

Does anybody KNOW how to gain access to the hard DRIVE off of a boot disk that loads command?The OS CD (XP/2K) will give limited access to NTFS partitions and some of the [highlight]SysInternals free utilities[/highlight] will allow read access. Utility CDS such as Hirens Boot CD or The Tech CD will also grant access as will Linux standalones such as Knoppix.
There are methods of granting both full read and write access but it depends on what you're TRYING to do.That's exactly what I was looking for! Awesome! Thanks!

i had an avi file on my hdd ,i changed the format to the mpg2 and every thing was fine now my problem is this:
the file on the hhd  has the SIZE about 1.8 but when i want to write to DvD it indicates that it's 4.9 Gb!!!!!Why is that? :-?
(i tested my burning Program on other FILES and it worked fine)

any ideas that what's going up?It's because it was COMPRESSED as an AVI and you have just decompressed it.u mean when i want to write it ,i DECOMPRESS it? i didn't UNLESS it's done automatically done by the burning program!
would be decompressed when and Avi file is changed to mpg2?
i had converted the file before,i mean i was trying to burn a file that it's extension was .mpg alredy not avi and it was about 1.8 Gb
and in the burning program it indicates 4.8 gb !!! what should i do?

Hi all,

Need help - I can access my hotmail and gmail accounts, received emails, but not view them - am using windows xp home edition, IE6.

Help!!!!!

Did you install, uninstall or update anything immediately prior to this occurring?
What actually is viewable on the page?Just INSTALLED Trend Micro PC-cillin  -  nothing can be seen, the EMAIL doesn't pop up.
There are some problems with Trend it seems but I'm not that FAMILIAR with it. Does it have a POPUP STOPPER etc? Is there provision to allow certain sites etc?

How can windows XP be set up so the login screen does not come up during boot ?  I want the computer to boot right to the desktop without logging on.How is it going Linster?

I would recommend you download the Tweak XP utility from www.totalidea.com or you can get it through my site http://www.totalaccesssolutions.com/modules.php?name=Downloads&d_op=viewdownload&cid=5 .  WITHIN the MULTIFUNCTION utility, there is a function called AUTO logon you can use to automatically log into XP.  I recommend this tool, because it also has MANY other functions that you might fight usefull.  It is a demo and is limited to 50 executions.At a command prompt, type "control userpasswords2" and PRESS Enter to open the Windows 2000-style User Accounts which is winxp??
   application.
2. On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and then
   CLICK OK.
3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name and password for the account you want to be
   logged on each time you start your computer.

Hello.
My O/S is Windows XP Home.
While installing  a Symantec's retail CD, NIS 2004,  I got an Error 1406 "Could not write value " so I could not install it.
After checking with Symantec I was told in order to fix the problem I needed to assign Full Control to the "Administrator" in the registry so that I can install the CD.

I opened the Registry Editor and I went to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE* to assign permissions, in Permissions for SOFTWARE in the Security tab where it says Group or User names, all I found was a Group or User names "Everyone" and no "Administrators" or any other.
On my PC there is only one user account "My name ( Computer Administrator)".
Does anyone  know how can I add the user "Administrators (My Computer name\Administrators)" in the  registry key above* and then assign permissions?  ???Thank YOUCAN you not select the Administrator account in safe mode and install it from there?

Hello Raptor.
Thank you for the advice.
Can you install NIS 2004 in safe mode?I don't think you can.I'll have a go anyway and post the resultsThe reason I asked was because I seem to have (or had) an additional administrator account on top of my (personalized) administrator account when BOOTING into safe-mode.

I have yet to see if it is still there after formatting.Hello again,
thank you  Raptor for your advice and suggestions.
I tried all?? possible solutions: adding (even in Safe Mode) administrator as user,administrators as groups but nothing worked.
I'm taking NIS back for one of the following:

Antigen (by Sybari),  Authentium, avast, AVG Anti-Virus 7.0,  Bullguard, DrWeb32, eScan, eTrust,  F-secure, GFI Mail Security,  H+BEDV's Antivirus, Kaspersky, Mcafee, NAV,  NetZ Antiviral Utilities (Invircible), NOD32, Norman, Trend Micro, Panda, Protector Plus, Quick Heal, RAV Antivirus (GeCAD is gone to MS!), SRN Solo antivirus, Sophos,  SurfinGuard, Synbridge Anti-Virus, V3Pro 2002 Deluxe (by Ahnlab), Vet Antivirus, Vexira Antivirus,  ViRobot Expert, VirusBuster or even get one of the free ones ( ANTIDOTE for PC Viruses - SuperLite, AntiVir Personal Edition, AVG free, VCatch Basic)

For a firewall I'll USE Win XP's after SP2!!  I donot think that even Windows XP SP2 Firewall will be as effective as a firewall created by a company that specializes in security software.

I recommend Sygate Personal Firewall Pro. As for a virus scan , I think Kaspersky is a very good choice. I believe Kaspersky Virus Scan also comes with an (OPTIONAL) Firewall.that one problem with winxp...login this that...when you first load winxp and it ask for password etc just click ok...the login box  goes away never to be seen again and it will boot to the desktop no users ..login...you need now to take  control of your pc &GT;http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=http://support.microsoft.com:80/support/kb/articles/q308/4/18.asp&NoWebContent=1

My friend just gave me his COMPUTER and it's only a year old but, whenever i turn it on only the microsoft loading screen at the beginning of the start up shows up clearly like it would on any other windows xp comp.  After the load screen the screen becomes all jumbled up and there seems to be multiple screens all transposed onto one another across my MONITOR and i can't hardly see the mouse or read any of the text on screen.  I plugged my monitor into my old computer so, it's definatley the computer which has the errors.  If you can look past my vague description of what is wrong with my comp and tell me some suggestions i can try to fix my problem your help would be GREATLY appreciated. TYgo in to safe mode f8 on boot keep tapping it...then type..dxdiag in the run box...it maybe a corupt vid driver causing it..hth.m_2 and  hopefully not the phantom sp2..Did you try setting the resolution a bit lower in Safe Mode?and the question is what pc is this and make and maybe also what operating system?



see below for suggestions































a suggestion to the admin maybe someone could come up with a mulit choice of o/s...or a separate post for winxp etc...just like apple..save server space...just delete one of the scripts for other for example..just a whim.that WAY hopefully we know what we are dealing with..winxp a good system if? not enough time at the present to say.......TY you for the help merlin...
i went into safe mode and ran dxdiag and came across some problems.
1. Sound- Results: failure at step 3(direct sound create):HRESULT = 0x8878000a ( the request failed because directsound resources, such as the priority level, were already in use by another caller)

2. Display- using GENERIC video driver
              - direct 3d functionality not available
I was wondering where i can find the video driver that it is not reading, that might fix my display problems.

some critical errors i found were...
    windows cannot find monitor.exe
when i first ran dxdiag it had problems accesing direct sound, direct3d, and directmusic

the computer is an Emachines my friend got from Wal-Mart...

if i can figure out exactly what these error messages mean im sure i can find the source of the problem...thanks for all the help!  
i maybe wrong but the emachine should have come with a recovery disk.....do panic i am not asking you to re-install...if you load the recovery disk.... on there should the video/*sound* drivers try reload them...if you require in on your system type msinfo32 in the run box...a question did your friend have this pc a setup for mutimonitors? what happens in safe mode f8 key on booting  keeping tapping it and chose last good config...

hi everyone Could there be complete files in UNALLOCATED SPACE?Not that i know of...No.Patio is right.
Exceptions would have to be any attempt to covertly hide information on the hard drive, such a s some KIND of malware programs. But I do not know of any examples.
Here is a recent item that MAKES a claim like that. I do not know if it is really true. You decide.
NSA malware found hiding in hard drives for almost 20 years

You may know NSA is the National Security Agency.  They NEVER spy on innocent people. Just  ask them.

Hello everyone, this is my first post and its because I am desperate.
I am working on a computer that is a HP Pavilion Desktop, 8gb of RAM and a i7 CPU with 1TB of storage with a failing HDD. I was tasked with the job to basically clone or IMAGE the drive but i am unable to. I have tried to force clone it. I was sure to disable any security applications that may stop me from moving certain files as well. I've tried the Reflect SOFTWARE, Clonezilla, Windows XP IMAGING. 12 different methods with no luck. My methods were not working because the HDD is failing and has multiple bad sectors. Its not allowing me to create an image or clone it because of that reason. I ran CHKDSK and it seemed to not have done anything with the recovery of the bad sectors.

I wanted to know if theres some software or other way that I could basically copy the HDD to the new one. I've heard of large program movers like the famous Steam Mover that also is used for program movement however it does not support XP.

Simply put, i want to move everything to a new HDD with XP included.

Any help WOULD be appreciated.The command "chkdsk" does nothing. The command "chkdsk /r" will test the drive and attempt to repair bad sectors or mark them as bad and relocate the data to GOOD sectors. You can also download the diagnostic utility from the website of the hd manufacturer and try that.Right, I ran it in attempts to recover the bad data thats not allowing me to clone the drive.
Ill try using the diagnostic utility for Hitachi.

Thanks

Hi all!

I have a Dell Dimension 3000 running XP Pro - just did a re-instal a few days ago after removing Boot.cidox with Kapersky TDDS Killer.
Dell PS/2 keyboard & Dell USB mouse

I used the computer for several days with no problems, ran great!

I decided to put an Admin password on the computer (in 'Set Up') to keep my grown kids off it.

Big mistake I guess. During boot, and at the Admin logon the keyboard does not work.
It also did not work in safe mode, but did work in Safe Mode with Networking earlier in the day.
Edit: My keyboard works on other computers, tried that already. Tried both USB & PS/2 keyboards on the problem Dell.

I am stuck at Admin Login at boot up before Windows opens.
Black & white screen with command prompt for Password. Key board wont type.
I have a screen shot, but couldn't insert the image in this post.

Screen SAYS: Keyboard Failure
Enter Password


How can I proceed?
Thanks Mike G.



[attachment deleted by admin to conserve space]Find another keyboard.Yes, I have several keyboards, USB & PS/2 none work on the dell machine at boot up, but all work on my newer HP computer.
This seems to be a driver or settings issue, not the keyboard itself.

And ypou tried other USB ports? Power off for each  attempt?
You can contact Dell and explain the problem. They  have a method for forcing the BIOS to use the default values.
BTW: A USB keyboard may fail when other USB devices are connected tot he motherboard. This happens when you forget which USB was for the keyboard. I may take several power on cycles of the BIOS to 'find' the keyboard. Can you get into the bios?

If not, pull the ac power cord from the wall and remove the battery from the motherboard. Press the power button a couple of times and let the unit sit for 10 or 15 minutes. Then REPLACE the battery and reboot. Does either the ps2 or usb keyboard work now?Thanks for the replies.

I will try the keyboards again with power cycle between each one - not sure I did that.
I have to force shut down from the screen I'm at.

Until yesterday I could get into BIOS no problem, now that I have set an Admin password (not in user accounts, but in Set Up) I can't get past the screen asking for the Admin Password. On boot up the computer goes straight to that screen I attached to my post (Im not navigating there manually) asking for the password even when pressing F2 - F8 - F12 keys at boot up.Okay. Let's see what happens after the bios resets.Thankyou guys,

I will follow your sugestions, post back ASAP.

Again, thank you for your time!I almost wonder if his cmos battery is weak... looking at the screenshot its complaining about keyboard but also bios level password questions to the user.

I'd check to make sure the battery is a strong 3 volts and not borderline. 2032 batteries are easy to get if you need to replace it. They are in electronic, photo, and battery sections of stores. Given the age of this computer it might be a tired battery. A tired borderline battery can cause all sorts of weird behavior like what you have.Okay, removed the battery, waited 15 minutes, re-installed battery.
Attached power cord to PS and the computer started up all by itself.
Went  straight to the screen shot I have attached.

I have not tried power cycles with differing keyboards yet, but will right now.

[attachment deleted by admin to conserve space]You don't need to reset the bios more than once (what you're referring to as "power cycles"). The purpose of doing that was to reset the bios to default and you've successfully done so.

Can you get into the bios (does the system accept the keyboard input at boot)? As soon as the system boots start TAPPING the F2 (function)  key. If you can get into the bios, DISABLE "quick boot" and enable "usb on boot" (the settings may not say exactly that, but look for something close).

If you cannot get into bios, try Dave's suggestion and replace the mobo battery.I have now reset the BIOS once, replacing the OLDER battery with a newer 3V battery.

No matter which F keys I press at boot, I get the same screen shot I attached to my above post.
If, I reboot a second time with power button on front of desktop (leaving BIOS battery in of course) & pressing F2 ('setup' on my Dell) I get the screen I have attached to this post.




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Inside of Dell 3000You need to use a PS/2 keyboard, as it seems Legacy USB is not enabled.

here's the thing though- from the sounds of it, previously you hot-plugged PS/2 and USB keyboards to try to find one that worked.

Try shutting the machine off, plug in a PS/2 keyboard, and then power up.

If you still get keyboard failure, and have a second PS/2 keyboard to try, power down, unplug the current one and plug in the new one.

if it still fails, it's possible that hot-plugging of PS/2 keyboards has destroyed the PS/2 controller or nearby circuitry.Back of PC has 4 LEDS - A B C D.
D is amber, not green.



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I wanted to system restore my Xp because it was too full and I need to use XP for a sewing machine embroidery software.  I think I should have found this site first!  It was bought before the XP CAME out as a ME. I upgraded to XP.  I removed everything from the computer and tried to install the ME program and then the upgraded XP.  When it came TIME to START the XP, it has a COMPANION disc to use first and then the XP disc. The computer told me I could not use the Companion disc on that computer so I installed the XP upgrade disc.  When it came time to connect to the internet, I passed to do at a later time.  When I tried to install the wireless program, I believe it was at this time it told me it was MISSING a kernel.  I tried to installed the discs twice without much luck so I'm stuck!  What can I do to get XP program back on this computer.  Thanks for any help you can give me.