My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but still
powerful (or was, anyway).

My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
installed a HP printer last week.

I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says they
no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".

Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
$200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
THEY did not cause the crash.

I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots of
bad stuff about VISTA.

What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether to
buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer and
VISTA.

By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at a
store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
present software will NOT work with VISTA.

Thanks.

"Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...

> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer
> at a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much
> of my present software will NOT work with VISTA.

Certain Dells may still be purchased with XP. See:

http://www.dell.com/content/products...tab=bundlestab

http://www.dell.com/content/learnmor...&~series=latit

HPs also:

http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/us/en...0-3328893.html

> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
> installed a HP printer last week...They are ADAMANT that
> THEY did not cause the crash.

Horse hockey! If you paid by credit card, contest the charge. If you paid
by check, place a Stop order on it.

> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
> a
> store with Windows XP Home already installed...

More horse hockey! Dell, for instance, will be manufacturing WinXP machines
through the end of 2008...even if Best Buy doesn't sell them.

> ...and that much of my
> present software will NOT work with VISTA.

That may be true.
====================================
FYI:

Geek Squad Soaks Your Computer, Blames You:
http://consumerist.com/378522/geek-s...ter-blames-you

Top Geek Squad Stories To Date:
http://consumerist.com/consumer/roun...ate-257316.php

LEAKED: 6 More Geek Squad Manuals:
http://consumerist.com/consumer/geek...als-249910.php
--
~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
DTS-L http://dts-l.net/


Bugsy wrote:
> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but still
> powerful (or was, anyway).
>
> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
> installed a HP printer last week.
>
> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
> they
> no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>
> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
> $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
> THEY did not cause the crash.
>
> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots
> of
> bad stuff about VISTA.
>
> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether to
> buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer and
> VISTA.
>
> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
> a
> store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
> present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>
> Thanks.

If you still have the Application CDs and the associated Key Codes then
those applications can be installed on your Gateway PC once it is back to
working condition.

You need to do a little research as to how much are these applications worth
if you need to replace them if you do decide to get a new PC loaded with
Vista.

Also there is a chance that even if you buy a new copy of XP, your hard
drive could be bad and will need replacement.
The cost of purchasing both Windows XP and a new drive need to be factored
in.

Then it would appear that you have limited knowledge about computer
hardware, as you had the Geeks install your printer.
So are you up to doing the XP Home install, possibly replacing a hard drive
and then installing the application you need as well as the printer by
yourself or do you need to Geek it again?

JS

"Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but still
> powerful (or was, anyway).
>
> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
> installed a HP printer last week.
>
> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
> they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>
> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
> $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
> THEY did not cause the crash.
>
> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots
> of bad stuff about VISTA.
>
> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether to
> buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer and
> VISTA.
>
> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
> a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
> present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
>
>

First, I still have the application CDs for Works Suite 2006, and for
Quicken Basic 2007, which are the programs I use the most.

Second, although I am not an expert, I have been using a computer ever since
my first purchase of the Apple II+ many years ago (I am a 66-year-old Ph.D.
who may be getting a bit senile. . . LOL)

The reason I had the "Geek Squad" install my new HP printer, was because I
could NOT get it to install . . . despite FOUR attempts, including complete
"uninstall" and new "install" attempts.

They said that they had to create a NEW administrator account; then install
the HP software; then remove the new administrator account AFTER
installation.

This tells me that the Windows software MAY have had a problem, which caused
the difficulty with my initial install attempt. The "GEEK" who installed
the HP printer software remarked to me: "we had a hell of a time getting
it on the computer"!

That is why I think that the way they did it may have pushed the Windows XP
HOME program "over the edge" so to speak, causing the OS to crash.


"JS" <@> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> If you still have the Application CDs and the associated Key Codes then
> those applications can be installed on your Gateway PC once it is back to
> working condition.
>
> You need to do a little research as to how much are these applications
> worth if you need to replace them if you do decide to get a new PC loaded
> with Vista.
>
> Also there is a chance that even if you buy a new copy of XP, your hard
> drive could be bad and will need replacement.
> The cost of purchasing both Windows XP and a new drive need to be factored
> in.
>
> Then it would appear that you have limited knowledge about computer
> hardware, as you had the Geeks install your printer.
> So are you up to doing the XP Home install, possibly replacing a hard
> drive and then installing the application you need as well as the printer
> by yourself or do you need to Geek it again?
>
> JS
>
> "Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but
>> still powerful (or was, anyway).
>>
>> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
>> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
>> installed a HP printer last week.
>>
>> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
>> they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>>
>> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
>> $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
>> THEY did not cause the crash.
>>
>> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots
>> of bad stuff about VISTA.
>>
>> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether
>> to buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer
>> and VISTA.
>>
>> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
>> a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
>> present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>

Hi,

Run chkdsk /f

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP/DTS&XP)

Taskbar Repair Tool Plus!
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/taskbarplus!.htm

SupportSpace
www.supportspace.com/pages?aiu=kellyskorner

"Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but still
> powerful (or was, anyway).
>
> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
> installed a HP printer last week.
>
> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
> they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>
> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
> $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
> THEY did not cause the crash.
>
> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots
> of bad stuff about VISTA.
>
> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether to
> buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer and
> VISTA.
>
> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
> a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
> present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
>
>
>

Was it an HP "All in One" (printer, scanner, copier, fax) by any chance?

JS

"Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> First, I still have the application CDs for Works Suite 2006, and for
> Quicken Basic 2007, which are the programs I use the most.
>
> Second, although I am not an expert, I have been using a computer ever
> since my first purchase of the Apple II+ many years ago (I am a
> 66-year-old Ph.D. who may be getting a bit senile. . . LOL)
>
> The reason I had the "Geek Squad" install my new HP printer, was because I
> could NOT get it to install . . . despite FOUR attempts, including
> complete "uninstall" and new "install" attempts.
>
> They said that they had to create a NEW administrator account; then
> install the HP software; then remove the new administrator account AFTER
> installation.
>
> This tells me that the Windows software MAY have had a problem, which
> caused the difficulty with my initial install attempt. The "GEEK" who
> installed the HP printer software remarked to me: "we had a hell of a
> time getting it on the computer"!
>
> That is why I think that the way they did it may have pushed the Windows
> XP HOME program "over the edge" so to speak, causing the OS to crash.
>
>
> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> If you still have the Application CDs and the associated Key Codes then
>> those applications can be installed on your Gateway PC once it is back to
>> working condition.
>>
>> You need to do a little research as to how much are these applications
>> worth if you need to replace them if you do decide to get a new PC loaded
>> with Vista.
>>
>> Also there is a chance that even if you buy a new copy of XP, your hard
>> drive could be bad and will need replacement.
>> The cost of purchasing both Windows XP and a new drive need to be
>> factored in.
>>
>> Then it would appear that you have limited knowledge about computer
>> hardware, as you had the Geeks install your printer.
>> So are you up to doing the XP Home install, possibly replacing a hard
>> drive and then installing the application you need as well as the printer
>> by yourself or do you need to Geek it again?
>>
>> JS
>>
>> "Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but
>>> still powerful (or was, anyway).
>>>
>>> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
>>> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best
>>> Buy installed a HP printer last week.
>>>
>>> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
>>> they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>>>
>>> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well
>>> over $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are
>>> ADAMANT that THEY did not cause the crash.
>>>
>>> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read
>>> lots of bad stuff about VISTA.
>>>
>>> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether
>>> to buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer
>>> and VISTA.
>>>
>>> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer
>>> at a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of
>>> my present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

The Windows Vista software compatibility list:

http://www.appreadiness.com/Lists/Logo/All1.aspx

states that both MS Works 2006 and Quicken Basic 2007 are "Vista ready". I
have neither, so can't verify that. There may be some tricks to installing
them under Vista, like launching the installation application with
administrator privileges. (That may not be necessary or desirable, it's
simply an example.)

I've been using Vista X64 for some time. So far, the only paid upgrade I've
had to do to get a Vista compatible version of my old software was
Photoshop. (CS2 almost worked, but it kept being unable to detect my
printers. CS3 is supported.) Vista is enough different from older versions
of Windows to create some confusion, and not enough different to cause
people to wish to change to it (in my opinion). I went with it because I
wanted to play with a 64 bit OS, and I hoped that the Vista driver situation
would be better than XP64. (So far, I've found Vista 64 drivers for all of
my peripherals.) I don't really recall the transition from Win98 to XP, as I
did it 6 years ago or more, but it probably was more major for me than the
change from XP to Vista.

I see that www.newegg.com is still selling XP Home. Their price is not low
(still $100 for the retail upgrade version), but it's an option. (If you buy
the retail upgrade version, you'll want access to "qualifying media". I use
a CD-R backup copy of my Win98 retail upgrade CD. No license key is needed
for the "qualifying media".)

I hope that you haven't lost data. If so, you may be able to revive the
machine with a repair install of XP (also known as an "upgrade in place").

Good luck.

Return address scrambled. Replace nkbob with bobkn.

"Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> First, I still have the application CDs for Works Suite 2006, and for
> Quicken Basic 2007, which are the programs I use the most.
>
> Second, although I am not an expert, I have been using a computer ever
> since my first purchase of the Apple II+ many years ago (I am a
> 66-year-old Ph.D. who may be getting a bit senile. . . LOL)
>
> The reason I had the "Geek Squad" install my new HP printer, was because I
> could NOT get it to install . . . despite FOUR attempts, including
> complete "uninstall" and new "install" attempts.
>
> They said that they had to create a NEW administrator account; then
> install the HP software; then remove the new administrator account AFTER
> installation.
>
> This tells me that the Windows software MAY have had a problem, which
> caused the difficulty with my initial install attempt. The "GEEK" who
> installed the HP printer software remarked to me: "we had a hell of a
> time getting it on the computer"!
>
> That is why I think that the way they did it may have pushed the Windows
> XP HOME program "over the edge" so to speak, causing the OS to crash.
>
>
> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> If you still have the Application CDs and the associated Key Codes then
>> those applications can be installed on your Gateway PC once it is back to
>> working condition.
>>
>> You need to do a little research as to how much are these applications
>> worth if you need to replace them if you do decide to get a new PC loaded
>> with Vista.
>>
>> Also there is a chance that even if you buy a new copy of XP, your hard
>> drive could be bad and will need replacement.
>> The cost of purchasing both Windows XP and a new drive need to be
>> factored in.
>>
>> Then it would appear that you have limited knowledge about computer
>> hardware, as you had the Geeks install your printer.
>> So are you up to doing the XP Home install, possibly replacing a hard
>> drive and then installing the application you need as well as the printer
>> by yourself or do you need to Geek it again?
>>
>> JS
>>
>> "Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but
>>> still powerful (or was, anyway).
>>>
>>> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
>>> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best
>>> Buy installed a HP printer last week.
>>>
>>> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
>>> they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>>>
>>> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well
>>> over $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are
>>> ADAMANT that THEY did not cause the crash.
>>>
>>> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read
>>> lots of bad stuff about VISTA.
>>>
>>> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether
>>> to buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer
>>> and VISTA.
>>>
>>> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer
>>> at a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of
>>> my present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>>>
>>> Thanks.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Thanks, PA Bear.

I took your advice and called my credit card company, AFTER reading the
fascinating links that you provided for me.

Apparently, my CC company has had many complaints against Best Buy's Geek
Squad in the past. The credit card company promised to take care of the
$39.00 charge to "install" the printer . . . but, of course, that charge is
really minor in view of my total loss of the use of the computer . . .
which, now, I fully believe was caused by Best Buy's "Geek Squad."

Thanks for your advice and your references. Now, I will have to deal with
the decision on how to get my computer working again . . . or, if necessary,
how to replace it.

Further advice would be appreciated.


"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
>> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
>> installed a HP printer last week...They are ADAMANT that
>> THEY did not cause the crash.
>
> Horse hockey! If you paid by credit card, contest the charge. If you
> paid by check, place a Stop order on it.
>
>> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
>> a
>> store with Windows XP Home already installed...
>
> More horse hockey! Dell, for instance, will be manufacturing WinXP
> machines through the end of 2008...even if Best Buy doesn't sell them.
>
>> ...and that much of my
>> present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>
> That may be true.
> ====================================
> FYI:
>
> Geek Squad Soaks Your Computer, Blames You:
> http://consumerist.com/378522/geek-s...ter-blames-you
>
> Top Geek Squad Stories To Date:
> http://consumerist.com/consumer/roun...ate-257316.php
>
> LEAKED: 6 More Geek Squad Manuals:
> http://consumerist.com/consumer/geek...als-249910.php
> --
> ~Robear Dyer (PA Bear)
> MS MVP-IE, Mail, Security, Windows Desktop Experience - since 2002
> AumHa VSOP & Admin http://aumha.net
> DTS-L http://dts-l.net/
>
>
> Bugsy wrote:
>> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but
>> still
>> powerful (or was, anyway).
>>
>> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
>> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best Buy
>> installed a HP printer last week.
>>
>> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
>> they
>> no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>>
>> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well over
>> $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are ADAMANT that
>> THEY did not cause the crash.
>>
>> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read lots
>> of
>> bad stuff about VISTA.
>>
>> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether
>> to
>> buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new computer and
>> VISTA.
>>
>> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer at
>> a
>> store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much of my
>> present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>>
>> Thanks.
>

Yes, it is a model #HP C4280.

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Was it an HP "All in One" (printer, scanner, copier, fax) by any chance?
>
> JS
>
> "Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> First, I still have the application CDs for Works Suite 2006, and for
>> Quicken Basic 2007, which are the programs I use the most.
>>
>> Second, although I am not an expert, I have been using a computer ever
>> since my first purchase of the Apple II+ many years ago (I am a
>> 66-year-old Ph.D. who may be getting a bit senile. . . LOL)
>>
>> The reason I had the "Geek Squad" install my new HP printer, was because
>> I could NOT get it to install . . . despite FOUR attempts, including
>> complete "uninstall" and new "install" attempts.
>>
>> They said that they had to create a NEW administrator account; then
>> install the HP software; then remove the new administrator account AFTER
>> installation.
>>
>> This tells me that the Windows software MAY have had a problem, which
>> caused the difficulty with my initial install attempt. The "GEEK" who
>> installed the HP printer software remarked to me: "we had a hell of a
>> time getting it on the computer"!
>>
>> That is why I think that the way they did it may have pushed the Windows
>> XP HOME program "over the edge" so to speak, causing the OS to crash.
>>
>>
>> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>> If you still have the Application CDs and the associated Key Codes then
>>> those applications can be installed on your Gateway PC once it is back
>>> to working condition.
>>>
>>> You need to do a little research as to how much are these applications
>>> worth if you need to replace them if you do decide to get a new PC
>>> loaded with Vista.
>>>
>>> Also there is a chance that even if you buy a new copy of XP, your hard
>>> drive could be bad and will need replacement.
>>> The cost of purchasing both Windows XP and a new drive need to be
>>> factored in.
>>>
>>> Then it would appear that you have limited knowledge about computer
>>> hardware, as you had the Geeks install your printer.
>>> So are you up to doing the XP Home install, possibly replacing a hard
>>> drive and then installing the application you need as well as the
>>> printer by yourself or do you need to Geek it again?
>>>
>>> JS
>>>
>>> "Bugsy" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
>>> news:(E-Mail Removed)...
>>>> My computer is a Gateway model # MFATXPNT MDW 500S, 5 years old, but
>>>> still powerful (or was, anyway).
>>>>
>>>> My Windows XP Home crashed (error message "C:\$MFT is corrupt and
>>>> unreadable), which started immediately after "The Geek Squad" at Best
>>>> Buy installed a HP printer last week.
>>>>
>>>> I do not have the original disks (lost during a move), and Gateway says
>>>> they no longer have available the "Recovery CDs".
>>>>
>>>> Geek Squad says that a new installation of windows XP will cost well
>>>> over $200.00 and that I should just buy a new computer. They are
>>>> ADAMANT that THEY did not cause the crash.
>>>>
>>>> I am not comfortable with learning VISTA, plus I have heard and read
>>>> lots of bad stuff about VISTA.
>>>>
>>>> What are your expert opinion(s)? Please make recommendation on whether
>>>> to buy a new copy of XP Home and reinstall, or to go with a new
>>>> computer and VISTA.
>>>>
>>>> By the way, The GEEK SQUAD says it is impossible to buy a new computer
>>>> at a store with Windows XP Home already installed . . . and that much
>>>> of my present software will NOT work with VISTA.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>