Problems Booting into Windows XP

k_besaw · Trooper Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 11 Location: USA

Okay, i have had a computer problem for about 4 days now. (Note: this post is long because i want it to be as detailed as possible so one of you computer gurus can understand my problem)

My computer: Dell Dimension 8200
Software: Windows XP

Problem: I cant boot my computer and load windows anymore!

When it occured: My little brother was playing Warcraft III on Battle.net when it froze. The problem occured when he restarted the computer. Recently, after talking to a Dell agent (and debugging and reinstalling windows xp), i was able to make it so i could press F1 and continue past the warning message (below).

But more recently, i havent been able to press F1 and continue past the warning message.

This is the warning message i get when i let the computer boot without pressing any buttons:

Initializing Intel (R) Boot Agent version 4.1.04

PXE 2.1 Build 083 (wfm 2.0), RPL V2.74

WARNING: Dell's Disk Monitoring System has detected that Drive 0 on the primary EIDE controller is operating outside of normal specifications. It is advisable to immediately back up your data and replace your hard-disk drive by calling your support desk or Dell Computer Corporation.

Strike F1 to continue, or F2 to run the Set-up utility.

Now, i try to strike F1 and it says, "A disk read error has occured. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart"

So then i restart, and i it does it again...

remember, this is after i have called Dell and their tech service helped me debug and reinstall Windows so i COULD press F1 and continue and load Windows (the same warning always came up about the EIDE controller operating outside of Normal specifications, but the Dell guy said i probably need a new harddrive since debugging and re-connecting the harddrive didnt work, but in the meantime he said i could just keep booting by pressing F1 and ignoring the warning message). But as i said... more recently, pressing F1 has brought the message that a disk read error has occured, so i cant even boot into Windows anymore.

I tried pressing F12 to go to the Boot Device Menu. When selecting 1. Normal or 4. Hard-Disk drive C:, i n the Boot Device Menu, i am presented with the options of striking F1 to continue, or F2 for the set up utility. Then when i try to press F1 to continue, the "A disk read error has occured. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart" message comes up.

So, it seems this is a never-ending cycle.

But, i WAS able to boot it into windows by doing the following (but i fear it wont boot again if i ever restart my computer)...

I went to the Set-up utility and turned the Primary Hard-drive device from 'auto' to 'off.' I then rebooted, pressed F12, and in the Boot Device Menu, selected to boot (1) 'Normal.' My computer then loaded the windows reinstallation CD that i had placed in it earlier, but said it couldnt reinstall because there was no harddrive. I then rebooted and put the Harddrive back on 'auto,' then let it boot without pressing any of the F2, F8, or F12's... After the Warning (about Drive 0 on the primary EIDE controller operating outside of normal specifications ), i pressed F1 to continue (hoping it would somehow FINALLY allow me to continue), and amazingly it booted Windows, and after testing for my Disc/Drive C: consistency, it allowed me to go into windows.

When i was in windows, and my desktop loaded, the following System Configuration Utility message popped up:

"You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way windows starts.

This System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective start up mode, causing its message to be displayed and the utility to run every time windows starts.

Choose the Normal startup mode on the general tab to start windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuration Utility."

So after clicking Okay, i immediately came to this site to seek help. I am currently on the computer that has been torturing me the past 4 days, trying to get help while i can (if i ever restart or shut down my computer, i fear that it wont boot again, and i will be getting the Warning and disc error messages)...

Does anyone have ANY idea what is going on? My hard-drive can't be in need of a replacement!--I have never moved my Tower, and i use Adaware consistently... Is it a virus? trojan? or some other problem that you computer wiz's might think i have?

PLEASE HELP! I would REALLY appreciate it!

k_besaw · Trooper Joined: Mar 14, 2004 Posts: 11 Location: USA

um can somebody PLEASE help me... Sad

magictouch · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 3:26 am Post subject:

Maybe this will help:
Boot using the WinXP cd and use the recovery console (hitting R when it asks). like:

1. C:\WINDOWS
choose which windows you want to use: 1
If you do, then type 1 and hit enter, it will ask for your administrator password which I hope you know . Then at the command prompt enter: chkdsk /r
The /r switch tells chkdsk to scan the entire drive and recover any bad sectors. Depending on the size of your drive this could take a REALLY long time. Once that is all said and done. Reboot the computer and you should not get the error

clambert11 · Cadet Joined: Jun 15, 2004 Posts: 1 Location: USA

k_besaw,

I have a friend with the same problem. What resolved your issue?

-- Craig

capcapt23 · Cadet Joined: Jun 16, 2004 Posts: 1 Location: USA

Hey the error that you see at the begining of boot "WARNING: Dell's Disk Monitoring System has detected that Drive 0 on the primary EIDE controller is operating outside of normal specifications....."
tell you kind of what the problem is , your hard drive is failing, you can do some more diags by hitting control-alt-d (that wold be the D key not delete) when the BIOS screen comes up, this is the diag for the hard drive. It takes a few seconds to run but will tell you a more specific error, if it comes up with (i belive) error 7 then the Hard drive died .. and needs to be replaced.
Hope this helps a little
James


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