2000Prof -won't start / no safe mode?

[elle]

After HUGE trouble over last few days, I now can't get my
system to boot AT all. I re-installed Windows after a
failed repair, then had 2 Windows 2000 programs on comp.
I downloaded updates for Win2000 from Microsoft site and
on re-boot found that my Norton Antivirus was disabled
and I was no longer the administrator over the account
(or computer?).

Upon next re-boot I CANNOT EVEN GO INTO SAFE MODE. If a
CD (Windows or Norton) is in the CD drive it gives me a
choice of boot to Hard Disk or CD Rom. I select either
one and I get back a BLANK SCREEN with a blinking cursor -
NADA.

Could someone please help me with this? This is a Gateway
computer, on a network, but thankfully folders / programs
are not shared at this time.

Thanks,
elle

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

If you don't have any local data you care about, I suggest you do a clean
install....hate to say it, but sometimes it's necessary.

 

[elle]

I've tried that and a zillion other things. The computer
is UNresponsive to the following now:

1) Four-disk set of Windows 2000 startup floppy disks
2) One startup floppy disk Windows 98 (there were 98
files in it)
3) Both of the above along with their respective software
CDs (Win2K & Win98)
4) Gateway system restore CD
5) AV Boot floppy disk
6) Combination of any of the above - have tried everything

I have no more ideas to try. All I get now is a blank
screen with a blinking cursor. There is no getting into
safe mode - doesn't happen with F8. Somehow whatever mal-
ware or worm / virus that got into the computer has told
it that I am not the administrator over the thing I
guess????????

lost in louisiana,
elle

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

What happens when you try to boot from the W2k CD and run setup/install from
there? Exact symptoms?

 

[elle]

NOTHING. I get a blank screen with a blinking cursor.
Seems to be dead to DOS, Safe Mode, or any entry into
Windows. And I am not getting any error messages at all.

Kinda wish I were like some of the others here that ARE
getting error messages. ( At least there might be
something more to work with.

Thanks again,
elle

 

[elle]

After all this trouble found IT IS THE HARD DRIVE. Thank
you to Lanwench for all the time and assistance.
Performed a drop fix on the hard drive (seriously -
dropped it once on soft carpet) and it's running, for the
time being. Will get all files off this thing and ditch
for a new one!!!

Thanks again,
elle

 

[Lanwench [MVP - Exchange]]

I was going to suggest a hardware problem as the most likely answer - glad
you got it running long enough to rescue your data. I've had to do the
"drop" thing a couple of times; it's somewhat nerve-wracking. Best of luck!