Then try:
Power off
Desktop:...Open the case and reseat the hard drive IDE ribbon cable at both
ends.
Laptop/Portables:... simply remove and reinsert the hard drive.
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=297185
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315403
Otherwise go to the website of the hard drive manufacturer and download
their hard drive diagnostics.
Do you have a hard drive overlay such as Max Blast?
Windows XP sometimes has issues with overlay software.
You may need to perform a Clean Installation without their overlay software
which is not needed anyway.
--
Jupiter Jones [MVP]
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar
http://www.dts-l.org
"Blempo" <Ble...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FDD657AB-5DD3-4B5F...@microsoft.com...
You need to be able to boot your computer to the Windows XP Recovery
Console or equivalent and then run the following command:
CHKDSK C: /R
Because Dell in their infinite something or other has decided that
their customers should be deprived of this capability (it is readily
available as an boot option from a proper Windows XP Installation CD)
some other means have to be found in order to do this.
1. Download Bart's PE Builder from http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ and
follow the instructions to create a bootable CD with a limited version
of Windows XP included. Boot the problem computer with this CD, open
a Command Prompt windows, and run the above command.
or
2: If your problem computer has a 3.5 inch diskette drive then you
can download a set of diskette images from
http://support.microsoft.com?kbid=310994 and create the diskettes from
these images. Then you can boot the problem computer with these
diskettes and run the above command.
Once CHKDSK has finished running you should hopefully be able to
reboot the computer and have it start up normally.
Good luck
Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair
"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."