receive ckdsk error upon startup

[Guest]

When I power on, I see the Dell screen, then black screen, then windows xp
screen, then blue screen with the following error:
Checking file system on C:
Type of file system is NTFS
One of the disks needs to be checked for consistency. You may cancel the
disk check, but it is strongly recommended to continue. To skip, push any
key.
When I let it go and don't push anything it states:
CHDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)
It gets to about 70% then goes black. The next thing I know, I am back
doing it all over again, unless I push any button to cancel the CHDSK.
I am not very computer savvy, but this is driving me crazy. Can anyone help?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

When I power on, I see the Dell screen, then black screen, then
windows xp screen, then blue screen with the following error:
Checking file system on C:
Type of file system is NTFS
One of the disks needs to be checked for consistency. You may
cancel the disk check, but it is strongly recommended to continue.
To skip, push any key.
When I let it go and don't push anything it states:
CHDSK is verifying files (stage 1 of 3)
It gets to about 70% then goes black. The next thing I know, I am
back doing it all over again, unless I push any button to cancel
the CHDSK.
I am not very computer savvy, but this is driving me crazy. Can
anyone help?

Turn off your computer.
Turn on your computer.
As you see the 'Dell" screen, start pressing CTRL+ALT+D (not Delete) about
once per second.
This should bring up the Dell Diagnostics where you can test your hard disk
drive. It is likely bad from the description you have given and this should
be covered by your warranty (and hopefully you have been backing up your
data.)

 

[Gerry]

Shenan

What is the OP saying that gives any clue as to whether the Dell is
within or outside the Warranty period?

--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

I bought this computer 7 years ago. It is no longer under warranty. I am
just trying to keep from paying Geek Squad $295.00 to come out. If I get
Dell Diagnostics to check my hard drive, will I be able to understand what it
tells me? Also, I only have a floppy drive, no burner. I have to buy myself
a flash drive so I can back up stuff. Will I be able to back up games I have
downloaded as well as pictures? Is there an easy way to back up my entire
system without having to go file by file? I told you all I wasn't really
"good" at computers!
Jen

Shenan

What is the OP saying that gives any clue as to whether the Dell is
within or outside the Warranty period?

--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Shenan

What is the OP saying that gives any clue as to whether the Dell is
within or outside the Warranty period?

Nothing - nor does it matter.
If the drive diagnostics indicate the drive is bad - the drive is bad.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I bought this computer 7 years ago. It is no longer under warranty. I am
just trying to keep from paying Geek Squad $295.00 to come out.

If you do ever decide to pay for professional help, let me point out
that the Geek Squad is among your *worst* possible choices. You'd be
much better off using a small local technician, if possible one
recommended by friends or your local PC users group.

However in your case, it sounds like the drive has failed and needs to
be replaced.

If I get
Dell Diagnostics to check my hard drive, will I be able to understand what it
tells me? Also, I only have a floppy drive, no burner. I have to buy myself
a flash drive so I can back up stuff. Will I be able to back up games I have
downloaded as well as pictures? Is there an easy way to back up my entire
system without having to go file by file? I told you all I wasn't really
"good" at computers!
Jen

 

[Gerry]

Jen

I would run Dell Dignostics as Shenan suggests. Others here can help
with what it tells you.

Does the computer have a USB port? Some as old as yours do not.

What is your computer model? Is it a desktop or a laptop?

If your hard disk has to be replaced would you try to do it yourself or
would you take it to a small local computer repair shop?

I can understand you might wish to backup your pictures but why games.
You can download new copies as long as you know where they came from.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I bought this computer 7 years ago. It is no longer under
warranty. I am just trying to keep from paying Geek Squad $295.00
to come out. If I get Dell Diagnostics to check my hard drive,
will I be able to understand what it tells me? Also, I only have a
floppy drive, no burner. I have to buy myself a flash drive so I
can back up stuff. Will I be able to back up games I have
downloaded as well as pictures? Is there an easy way to back up my
entire system without having to go file by file? I told you all I
wasn't really "good" at computers!

It sounds like you have a bum hard disk drive - but you will not know for
sure until you test it. Dell's do usually have that built in test for the
hard disk drive - you should utilize it. If the hard disk drive is dead and
you can boot into safe mode - for example - you may be able to recover your
stuff yourself. If you haven't been making backups - you may lose some
stuff (it may be lost already.) You never stated whether or not you could
boot *if* you skipped the check...

In any case - you should perform the initial test now - see where you stand
with that - further testing may be necessary and you may want to consider
purchasing an external USB hard disk drive (under a $100 for much more size
than you would get for a USB flash drive) and possibly even an external USB
DVD burner and some blank DVDs (should also be well under $100) so you can
have many backup options now and in the future. If you have to purchase a
new hard disk drive at any point - that should be under $100 to replace what
you have with likely a larger drive. Of course - this all means you will be
doing stuff you do not understand and Geek Squad - they should be avoided at
all costs.