Chkdsk mystery error: "USA check value 0x0 at block 0x3 is incorrect"

[Arthur]

This has had some recent attention at microsoft.public.win2000.general
without any satisfactory solution other than to do a clean reinstall of
the entire HD. I and at least one other poster, possibly after
installing Window Washer program, have encountered error messages on
running chkdsk, (my hard drive) >Properties > Tools > Error checking >
Auto fix errors, which read as follows: “The USA check value, 0x0, at
block 0x3 is incorrect. The expected value is 0xe.” There are about 200
similar entries.

The errors are not fixed by chkdsk, nor by deleting Window Washer and
restoring to a previous date. Operation of my computer and that of the
other posters does not (yet) appear to be impaired. Searching Microsoft
and Googling the rest of the universe suggests that no others have ever
mentioned this message. (See the topic "USA Check Value Error Messages"
in microsoft.public.win2000.general) I am told that Webroot Software,
makers of Windows Washer, claims their software is not at fault. If I
don't ignore the message and decide to reformat and reinstall
everything, can I use an imaging program such as Norton's Ghost to
reinstall, or might this also reinstall the offending code which started
this mess? I own the program but don't yet know how to use it. Does
anyone know what "USA check value" means, since apparently no Microsoft
web site references it?

TIA

Arthur
drartieAtATTd0tnet

 

[paulmd]

This has had some recent attention at microsoft.public.win2000.general
without any satisfactory solution other than to do a clean reinstall of
the entire HD. I and at least one other poster, possibly after
installing Window Washer program, have encountered error messages on
running chkdsk, (my hard drive) >Properties > Tools > Error checking >
Auto fix errors, which read as follows: "The USA check value, 0x0, at
block 0x3 is incorrect. The expected value is 0xe." There are about 200
similar entries.

The errors are not fixed by chkdsk, nor by deleting Window Washer and
restoring to a previous date. Operation of my computer and that of the
other posters does not (yet) appear to be impaired. Searching Microsoft
and Googling the rest of the universe suggests that no others have ever
mentioned this message. (See the topic "USA Check Value Error Messages"
in microsoft.public.win2000.general) I am told that Webroot Software,
makers of Windows Washer, claims their software is not at fault. If I
don't ignore the message and decide to reformat and reinstall
everything, can I use an imaging program such as Norton's Ghost to
reinstall, or might this also reinstall the offending code which started
this mess? I own the program but don't yet know how to use it. Does
anyone know what "USA check value" means, since apparently no Microsoft
web site references it?

TIA

Arthur
drartieAtATTd0tnet

I found a few things on google. One is a an nForce motherboard. The
solution proprosed is to flash the bios. THis came from a Greek
language fourm. But the Error mesage, and ane of the responses were in
english.

"
SiI3112A: nForce Data Corruption
Data corruption problems can occur with nForce-based motherboards such
as the Asus A7N8X when multiple hard drives are attached to the SATA
controller. This problem is related to an issue with the PCI controller
in the nVidia chipset and can be fixed with a system BIOS update.

For the latest BIOS updates for your nForce motherboard that fixes the
data corruption problem, please visit the website of your motherboard
maker for the appropriate BIOS and flash utilities. Silicon Image
cannot provide the solution to this issue since it involves a change to
the system BIOS settings on the motherboard. There were no revisions
made to the drivers for the SiI3112A"


http://www.awmn.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=9199&sid=14cc9b4d2e42437d1fc8500908d6b1cc

Another has to do with a promise ultra100 controller

http://forums.storagereview.net/lofiversion/index.php?t7250.html

 

[Arthur]

I found a few things on google. One is a an nForce motherboard. The
solution proprosed is to flash the bios. THis came from a Greek
language fourm. But the Error mesage, and ane of the responses were in
english.

Thanks. Right now, it's all Greek to me (hehehe) but I'll do more

exploring of the BIOS upgrade issue, although my Dell Dimension 8400 is
only about 16 months old.

Art

 

[paulmd]

exploring of the BIOS upgrade issue, although my Dell Dimension 8400 is
only about 16 months old.

Art

The BIOS update in Dells has always gone painlessly for me.

Go to support.dell.com

Type in your service tag, express service code OR model number.

The latest bios revision in the 8400 is A08. This was released
12/19/05. About 4 months ago. At 16 months old, you probably have
revision A02.

This is a list of bugs fixed since purchace.

Revision A08. 12/19/05

1. Add support for newer processors
2. Add help text during password change
3. Improve boot sequence for CD ROMs
4. Removed dialog pop-ups from flash program when -NoPause is used
5. Improve S3 resume timing

A07. 8/25/2005


1. Prevent boot issues when USB devices with media readers are present.

A06. 5/18/2005

1. Fix hang condition during POST with fibre channel adapters.
2. Improve processor reporting in BIOS SETUP.
3. Improve support for 64-bit operating systems.
4. Updated SMBIOS structures for 2.3.4 compliance.
5. Add support for newer processors.
6. Fix video initialization search routine.
7. Prevent false NMI error for some add in cards.
8. Improve memory information reporting.
9. Fix various USB problems.
10. Fix keystroke for password entry in setup.

A05. 3/28/2005

1. Fixed a problem with drive spin-up detection
2. Fixed a problem with NX support enabling in setup

A04.2/21/2005

1. Updated newer CPUs detection and micro code
2. Improved network wake control functionality
3. Improved SMBIOS CPU speed reporting
4. Fixed a problem with USB remote controls
5. Improved USB hub support
6. Improved PCI space allocation
7. Fixed a problem with old, small hard drives
8. Made the BIOS update program more robust
9. Allow USB keys to boot on systems with no video
10. Improved ATAPI device detection

A03. 11/8/2004

1. Added advisory text when changing the hard drive controller mode
2. Fixed problem with long S3 resume times with older OSes
3. Improved boot list management
4. Updated newer CPUs detection and micro code
5. Corrected minor problem with slot reporting in SMBIOS
6. Fixed a problem with password entry on some international keyboards
7. Modified floppy error reporting to lessen confusion
8. Improved USB interoperability
9. Improved fan diagnostics interface

 

[Arthur]

The BIOS update in Dells has always gone painlessly for me.

Go to support.dell.com

Good grief! I'll check it out. I've never done any flash upgrading since
I read, years ago, about situations in which the procedure was
irreversible and could turn the computer into a paperweight with a mere
slip of the finger.

Thanks again for your interest and help.

Art drartieAtAttd0Tnet

 

[paulmd]

Good grief! I'll check it out. I've never done any flash upgrading since
I read, years ago, about situations in which the procedure was
irreversible and could turn the computer into a paperweight with a mere
slip of the finger.

The procedure has SOME risk. But it's usually if you are unlucky enough
to be in the middle of it when the power goes out. BUT, most programs
do not overwrite the "boot block" which means that you will be able to
have a second go at it if it fails. Just let it do its thing, and don't
reset the computer or anything like that, and you'll be OK.

 

[Arthur]

The procedure has SOME risk. But it's usually if you are unlucky enough
to be in the middle of it when the power goes out. BUT, most programs
do not overwrite the "boot block" which means that you will be able to
have a second go at it if it fails. Just let it do its thing, and don't
reset the computer or anything like that, and you'll be OK.

Thanks. I have BIOS Ver A03. I'll keep you posted, but I won't do
anything radical until I get my taxes done on this machine Art