Computer Problems

[Crazy Flamer]

So I've been having some computer difficulties as of late and I was hoping people here with more computer knowledge than myself may be able to help me out.

First of all, when I start my computer I get the following message:

"One or more of your disk drives may have developed bad sectors. Press any key to run ScanDisk with surface analysis and these drive."

So I press a key and get this message:

"There was an error running SCANDISK.EXE, or it was cancelled Run ScanDisk for Windows, as you may still have errors on your disk(s). Please press any key to continue starting Windows."

Anyone have any idea what that means or what's wrong with my machine? I'm also having problems with Internet Explorer (there's a shock!) While I'm running it, every so often, it will shut down and do wierd things to my desktop. My dekstop will disappear and there will be this "Active Desktop Recovery" thing on it saying that IE made an error and as a result, my dekstop was temporarily turned off. What should I do? Reinstall IE, or just get another browser all together?

Any help you can give me would me much appreciated.

Any help yuo can give me would me much appreciated.

[CaptainCrunch]

Hi

How old is your machine?

Is the harddrive the original harddrive?

What antivirus are you running?


What version of windows are you running?

I'm assuming this error comes up right before your windows startup?

[Crazy Flamer]

My machine is about 5-6 years old, IIRC and it runs on Windows 98. Yes, I believe I have the original hard drive in here. As far as anti virus, well, I run ad aware and sybot about once a week, but that's about it. And yes, I get the message right before Windows startup.

[CaptainCrunch]

chances are that your harddrive is going, and thats causing problems with your system. The other problem could be bad ram which would explain your other issues. I'm 99% sure that it is a hardware issue due to the fact that it occurs before windows even starts to bring up your secondary software.

I believe that there is a drive scanning utility in your systems tools menu of windows 98. Your probably going to have to run that from safe mode.

there are a lot of freeware version disk and ram scanners on the internet that are often very good

I'd back up my data if I was you tho.

[Crazy Flamer]

there are a lot of freeware version disk and ram scanners on the internet that are often very good

Can you reccomend one or tell me where I can find them?

[Resolute 14]

The first error message is telling you that DOS's scandsk is not able to complete the scan. Try it through windows (Start --> programs --> accessories --> System Tools --> Scandisk)

It sounds like your hard drive is going. I agree with the suggestion to back up your data ASAP. It sounds like you need a hard drive replaced at least.

[CaptainCrunch]

Scan my harddrive


dude scan check out my ram

[Crazy Flamer]

Okay, I downloaded memtest and i got thouth 130% coverage an no errors on my RAM. The first link, I wasn't sure what to dowlnoad as there was a list of about 30 different downloads.

I ran scandisk in safe mode, but it didn't finish completely. Every time if got to the "scanning disk surface [data area]" it restarted. So maybe I need a new hard drive.

Thanks for all your help guys. Feel free to give me any other suggestions.

[CaptainCrunch]

Hard drives are cheap, however given the age of your computer you might not be able to get a larger sized one 80 GB+ without either flashing your bios or using a drive overlay

[Vulcan]

Originally posted by Crazy Flamer@Sep 28 2004, 01:31 PM
Okay, I downloaded memtest and i got thouth 130% coverage an no errors on my RAM. The first link, I wasn't sure what to dowlnoad as there was a list of about 30 different downloads.

I ran scandisk in safe mode, but it didn't finish completely. Every time if got to the "scanning disk surface [data area]" it restarted. So maybe I need a new hard drive.

Thanks for all your help guys. Feel free to give me any other suggestions.

I find that running Scandisk is often interfered with by running programs causing it to restart. I pull my internet connection out as well as running SafeMode so there is less chance of interferance. I also run disk defrager after scan and this is also interferred with by running programs. I also use Diskeeper Lite which is free and does a better and faster job than Windows defragger. There are other 30 day trial defraggers out there. I also use PCPitstop to analize my computer. My machine is 4 yrs. old and not very powerfull so regular maintenance is needed. I'm no expert but this is what I do.

[Resolute 14]

Originally posted by CaptainCrunch@Sep 28 2004, 08:45 PM
Hard drives are cheap, however given the age of your computer you might not be able to get a larger sized one 80 GB+ without either flashing your bios or using a drive overlay

Even 80GB would be too much given the age of the computer.

I'd go 40GB tops, and hell, for a computer that old, I'd just go to techtronics and see if they have a 10 or 20GB drive.

[KevanGuy]

I had a similar problem with my old computer. One of the hard drives got really screwed up and it eventually screwed up the motherboard too. So much so that I just bought a new comp. I dont remember all the details but it sounds the same as the problem you are having.

Has there been a change in teh BIOS beeps when you start it up?

[FireInTheHole]

Originally posted by Snakeeye@Sep 28 2004, 03:34 PM
I'd go 40GB tops, and hell, for a computer that old, I'd just go to techtronics and see if they have a 10 or 20GB drive.

Is Techtronics still in business? I thought they had shut down?

[photon]

Techtronics is gone from Calgary anyway, they just up and left.

Check the bargain finder if you want a cheaper smaller hard drive, or maybe one of those used computer places.

www.redflagdeals.com has an active buy/sell forum as well.

[Crazy Flamer]

Originally posted by CaptainCrunch@Sep 28 2004, 08:45 PM
Hard drives are cheap, however given the age of your computer you might not be able to get a larger sized one 80 GB+ without either flashing your bios or using a drive overlay

flashin bios? drive overlay? what is that mean in English?