Hardware/Software?

[Ron]

I have had trouble all week after installing a new hard drive with the
computer suddenly locking up tight (Actually I had the problem before that;
thought the new hard drive would fix it). Still, it froze up every 20 - 30
min. Went in and changed the memory to opposite slots, reseated all cards,
checked all connections, and rebooted!! Hooray, it was fixed. Worked for 4
hrs. Then I installed Cox Internet Security Suite and went to bed. Started
this morning and watched it continually re-boot after the welcome screen.
Went in under Administrator to a C: prompt. Ran CHKDSK. Found errors. Did a
/R switch. Checked and repaired to 71% then would jump back to 50%, and
start again. Between 50 and 71% it took 48 min. Couldn't repair the HD. Went
into restore mode and restored to the last point before the Cox upgrade and
things work fine. I was ready to take the HD back as bad. Question: Even
though restoring back to a point before the Cox software fixed things, the
idea that CHKDSK couldn't repair the HD still worry's me. Do you think it's
a bad drive and I should return it or what are some opinions. Appreciate any
help.

 

[Guest]

Take it xp was installed on new hd...Try clearing the CMOS,use youre 2nd
hd as paging file,if you run intel,download and install the chip set
installation
utility.

 

[Ron]

I'm sorry, you're a little over my head. I'm unsure how to clear the CMOS
and how to do the paging file task. Is the chip set utility something I
download from Intel or from the VIA chipset site? Appreciate your help.

 

[Anna]

I'm sorry, you're a little over my head. I'm unsure how to clear the CMOS
and how to do the paging file task. Is the chip set utility something I
download from Intel or from the VIA chipset site? Appreciate your help.

Ron:
Forget about "clearing" the CMOS and that other nonsense about "use youre
2nd
hd as paging file". Ditto for "download and install the chip set
installation". Those items have nothing to do with your problem.

The first thing you should do is determine whether your new HD is indeed
defective. You didn't mention its brand but nearly every HD manufacturer has
a diagnostic utility that you can download from the manuf. website and test
your drive. Do this. I realize you've stated that you've had problems even
before installing that new drive so there may be other factors here that are
causing your problem(s).

If I understood you correctly, it seems that the problem (at least this
current one) arose after you installed that Cox Internet Security Suite, but
that after you uninstalled it you no longer have the problem aside from the
subsequent erratic nature of the chkdsk function.

Have you been in touch with Cox re this? It probably would be a good idea,
no?

Assuming your HD proves to be non-defective and you're still experiencing
problems, it probably would be worthwhile to run a Repair install. If you
don't know how to do this, do a Google search of "XP repair install" or some
such. You'll be pointed to a number of websites that have detailed
step-by-step instructions for undertaking this relatively simple &
straightforward process. For safety's sake, just make sure before you
perform a Repair install, you back up any important/critical data. Just in
case things go awry.
Anna