Start Up Problems

[Guest]

I have windows 2000 professional- 8 out of 10 times when I turn on my
computer and 100% of the time if I don't wait at least 30 mins after shut
down: the computer goes into a "checking file system" -then if freezes when
it finishes checking. And lately if it doesn't freeze it moves on then starts
"dumping physical memory".

My main problem is the freezing after checking file system. Sometimes it
takes 2-3 hours just to go through the process of starting, freezing,
turn-off, wait and repeat, if necessary.

UGGGH, please help!
Gina

 

[Steve Duff [MVP]]

You should download a drive fitness test diskette from the website for your disk drive manufacturer and run a comprehensive read
test. I am concerned that you may have a disk drive that is into a failure mode. If so, you have a window of time to replace it
without losing much data, but that window will close as the defect or failure gets worse.

Another option is GRC's SpinRite at www.grc.com. This will cost you a little money, but it is a really remarkable piece of software
I've had recover drives when nothing else works.

If this isn't it, you likely have some other type of hardware problem, possibly power or thermal, but the symptoms you describe are
a 'grown defect' drive failure. Anything can be fixed except missing data. If you are able to, I'd try to get a backup of important
things now.

Steve Duff, MCSE, MVP
Ergodic Systems, Inc.