R
Robert
Well, my computer has crapped out on me for the second
time. This time, same as the last time. Windows XP Pro
starts to boot, then the computer suddenly restarts
itself after the little progress meter under the Windows
logo has finished cycling. Last time I had this problem,
I was convinced it was a virus (and it may very well be),
however this time I'm thinking it's not a virus that's
causing this, but hard drive issues. You see, my
Alienware computer came with a Seagate hard drive, but we
sell Maxtor at my work and the 80GB (8MB cache) hard
drive was on sale, so I just had to buy it (and honestly,
it was a worthwhile upgrade: my computer needed the space
and the speed improvements were huge, though I have no
idea why as both hard drives are 7200RPM). Well, I've
heard some people complain about Maxtor as a brand, and
now I'm wondering if I'm causing all my problems. Windows
XP ran a scan disk and found something wrong with a file
and it had to be "truncated" (though the file appeared to
be in C:\Program Files\Netscape, of all places... and
since I don't have Netscape that perplexes me). Thing is,
my brother insists he didn't shut down the computer
improperly when he shut it off last (before I got home
from work). I suppose the scan disk for an improper
shutdown could've come from something happening after I
started the computer up and went to let the dogs out...
but I doubt that, since I would've got the "failed to
boot" message I'm getting now, not an "improper shutdown"
one.
It's sounding more like a virus the more I think about
it, but I'm worried it could be a hard drive problem,
too. Anyone know? Anyone know someone who would know? The
last time I had this problem I simply had someone wipe
out my hard drive for me and basically restore my
computer from the unused Seagate hard drive (long story
why it was unused). I'm hesitant to do that because I'll
lose a bunch of stuff (again!), so I'm saving that as a
last resort. Plus, I want answers this time! If the hard
drive is at fault, its warranty has almost expired (I
bought it in January or early February), and I want to
make use of it if I need to before then.
I don't think I'm gonna be able to fix it, but I'm just
hoping someone out there can help me somehow... (BTW, I'm
on my Dad's notebook writing this, if anyone's wondering
how I can post this and not have a functioning computer.)
time. This time, same as the last time. Windows XP Pro
starts to boot, then the computer suddenly restarts
itself after the little progress meter under the Windows
logo has finished cycling. Last time I had this problem,
I was convinced it was a virus (and it may very well be),
however this time I'm thinking it's not a virus that's
causing this, but hard drive issues. You see, my
Alienware computer came with a Seagate hard drive, but we
sell Maxtor at my work and the 80GB (8MB cache) hard
drive was on sale, so I just had to buy it (and honestly,
it was a worthwhile upgrade: my computer needed the space
and the speed improvements were huge, though I have no
idea why as both hard drives are 7200RPM). Well, I've
heard some people complain about Maxtor as a brand, and
now I'm wondering if I'm causing all my problems. Windows
XP ran a scan disk and found something wrong with a file
and it had to be "truncated" (though the file appeared to
be in C:\Program Files\Netscape, of all places... and
since I don't have Netscape that perplexes me). Thing is,
my brother insists he didn't shut down the computer
improperly when he shut it off last (before I got home
from work). I suppose the scan disk for an improper
shutdown could've come from something happening after I
started the computer up and went to let the dogs out...
but I doubt that, since I would've got the "failed to
boot" message I'm getting now, not an "improper shutdown"
one.
It's sounding more like a virus the more I think about
it, but I'm worried it could be a hard drive problem,
too. Anyone know? Anyone know someone who would know? The
last time I had this problem I simply had someone wipe
out my hard drive for me and basically restore my
computer from the unused Seagate hard drive (long story
why it was unused). I'm hesitant to do that because I'll
lose a bunch of stuff (again!), so I'm saving that as a
last resort. Plus, I want answers this time! If the hard
drive is at fault, its warranty has almost expired (I
bought it in January or early February), and I want to
make use of it if I need to before then.
I don't think I'm gonna be able to fix it, but I'm just
hoping someone out there can help me somehow... (BTW, I'm
on my Dad's notebook writing this, if anyone's wondering
how I can post this and not have a functioning computer.)