System froze up - Windows XP need help, please!!

[MsGiraffe]

Hello! My computer was working fine until yesterday morning. When I turned
on my computer, it froze (locked) up. I was able at one point during the day
to get the computer to let me open up in safe mode. I performed Check Disk
and it told me that the volume in C was dirty. It proceeded on to check the
rest of the disk. However, when it completes and goes to the log in page and
I clik on my icon, the system freezes up. Now I cannot even open up in safe
mode as it freezes (locks) up in safe mode as well. Today,I called Dell as
my computer is still under warranty, and was told she could help me to do a
system retore and I would lose all of my files, etc. She advised that first
I contact a local repair person to get them to help me to back up my files
and then call her back to complete the system restore. I couln't get any
other info or help and ended the phone call more confused and stressed. I
have many files that I have not backed up on any other source and I know I
should have done so all along.

Is this a virus or what? How can I fix this without losing all my files? I
need my computer desparately and need your help even more. I saw a post from
Gerry in January and am wondering if this is how to fix my computer. If so,
how do I get the computer to stay open long enough to get started.

Do I need to open the computer and see if it needs to be cleaned out? Is it
ppossible that is any part of the problem?

I am not computer illiterate totally but I am when it comes to the technical
part of a computer. I follow directions well and am eager for some help to
get my computer fixed soon!

MsGiraffe
Louisville, KY

 

[Leonard Grey]

You could very well have an infection, but there's no limit to the
number of reasons why a computer won't start. Unless you can offer any
clues as to why it might have happened, e.g., recent software or
hardware changes, I suggest you show your computer to a professional
technician.

If you can consistently boot into Safe Mode but not into 'normal'
Windows, that's generally an indication that software loading at startup
- perhaps a driver or a program you have set to start with Windows - is
causing a problem. That's something we can help with.

If you cannot consistently boot into Safe Mode that generally means
there is a fundamental problem with Windows or with your hardware. In
either case, you'll want a professional to look at your machine.

Unless a virus or some other infection is the cause, your data is
probably still intact. Even if you can't boot from the hard disk, you
can pull data off the disk (by putting it into a second computer.) Don't
do anything drastic - get a professional to look at your computer.

If your data is that critical - and whose isn't? - then you really need
to get into the habit of regular backup.

 

[MsGiraffe]

Leonard,

The only things I have added to my computer in the past week is:
- CD for quilt templates from the library
- CD for recipes, bought at store - new
- CD with songs my son brought home from school

All of these had been on my computer for at least 2 days before this problem.

I cannot consistently get into safe mode or regular mode. It freezes up on
me. I am perplexed to say the least!

I am disabled so money is even more tight, is there a way in the meantime
that I can get my files copied out of this computer into another computer or
flash drive, etc?

I know I need to back up on regular basis - what a lesson to learn the hard
way huh!

MsGiraffe

 

[Leonard Grey]

If your computer is infected, the source may have been one of the CDs
you used. Antivirus-type software that was up-to-date and correctly
configured would probably have caught the infection.

If limited funds prevent you from adequately protecting your computer,
you can still use the computer, but you must disconnect it from the
internet and never allow diskettes or CDs to come near it.

The computer science department of a local university may offer
inexpensive or even free help to you. Your local library may also know
of someone who can help you for little or no money.

The procedure for extracting files from a hard disk that won't boot is
easy...when you know how. Essentially, you install the hard disk in a
computer with a known good copy of Windows, as a second ('slave') disk,
and use the good Windows to copy files from the bad disk. Of course,
you'll want to thoroughly scan the bad disk for infection before copying
anything. Once your files have been copied you'll need to 'take
ownership' of them before you can open them, but that's also pretty easy.

The above presumes no physical damage to your hard disk, which is, after
all, a mechanical device with a limited life. The disk manufacturer has
free diagnostics you can obtain from their website which run completely
from a diskette or CD to test your disk. You could try that, as long as
your computer can boot from a diskette or a CD.

 

[guzarva]

You could very well have an infection, but there's no limit to the
number of reasons why a computer won't start. Unless you can offer any
clues as to why it might have happened, e.g., recent software or
hardware changes, I suggest you show your computer to a professional
technician.

If you can consistently boot into Safe Mode but not into 'normal'
Windows, that's generally an indication that software loading at startup
- perhaps a driver or a program you have set to start with Windows - is
causing a problem. That's something we can help with.

If you cannot consistently boot into Safe Mode that generally means
there is a fundamental problem with Windows or with your hardware. In
either case, you'll want a professional to look at your machine.

Unless a virus or some other infection is the cause, your data is
probably still intact. Even if you can't boot from the hard disk, you
can pull data off the disk (by putting it into a second computer.) Don't
do anything drastic - get a professional to look at your computer.

If your data is that critical - and whose isn't? - then you really need
to get into the habit of regular backup.