Security Descriptor Error

[prizm]

Windows XP Home Edition froze up on my new Dell computer. I selected to
turn off the computer via the Start Menu. The prompt came up for
StandBy, ShutDown and Restart. I selected Restart and waited for over a
half an hour for XP to shut down, but it did not. I could also not turn
off the Dell computer by pressing the Off button, so I was forced to
unplug the computer while the hard drive was indexing in the background.
The first thing I did upon reboot was to run Norton Disk Doctor with
Free Space Testing enabled. I now get a security descriptor error each
time Norton Disk Doctor is run, unless I uncheck NDD option for Free
Space Testing during the diagnosis by NDD.

I checked NDD's Fix Error checkbox and NDD prompted me with the message
that the security descriptor error could be scheduled during the next
reboot. I rebooted and Windows ran the Chkdsk program to, apparently,
repair the error. Unfortunately, when I ran NDD again with Free Space
Testing enabled, it reported that the same security descriptor error -
'Volume Bitmap error'.

What is a security descriptor (and error)?. How do I repair this error?

 

[Len Dolby]

Since this post's been here >14 hours without response, I'll offer a couple
of thoughts, but I'm wide open to input from experts - all I have is "user"
experience. I am assuming first, your HDD is not failing.

I'm also assuming you've actually got XP running without apparent problem.
From the Command prompt, run CHKDSK /f (note space - should find AND FIX
hdd errors).
Then from Command line, run SFC /scannow. (note space). This should also
find/fix system problems - be ready with yr XP system disk, it may be called
for.

Taking a long time to shut down anyway? Try aggressive housekeeping (get rid
of all surplus files, internet junk) and defragging - on a regular basis.

I've seen earlier postings which indicate Norton ain't all that clever in
XP. I would not have run 3rd party disk repairs without first exhausting
XP's own installed resources. XP (SP2) has a firewall, or use (free)
ZoneAlarm. AVG is a free and VERY good AV prog, self-updating definitions,
and there's loads of other (arguably better) utilities which replicate
and/or improve on the rest of NU. I use these now - gave up on Norton after
several probs of my own.

Do hope this helps.
Sincerely, Len.