Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

[Guest Will]

Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I get a

message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll" is

missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

 

I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt for

administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments and it

simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to change

into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps me

locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

 

Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I normally

associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures, empty

space on the disk, etc.

 

It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system, possibly

relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that system

last Monday.

 

I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to reinstall

from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches given

my symptoms?

 

--

Will

[Guest JS]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

Hal dll missing or corrupt:

Suggested sites:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm

and: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

and: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm

and: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

 

JS

 

"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

> Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I get

> a

> message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll" is

> missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

> CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

> unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

>

> I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt for

> administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments and

> it

> simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to change

> into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps me

> locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

>

> Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

> normally

> associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures,

> empty

> space on the disk, etc.

>

> It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system, possibly

> relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that system

> last Monday.

>

> I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

> reinstall

> from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

> given

> my symptoms?

>

> --

> Will

>

>

[Guest Will]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

An update on this problem: I booted ERD Commander 2005, and the entire

SYSTEM32 folder of the affected system is gone. The folder is not empty.

The folder simply does not exist.

 

I ran CHKDSK /R from ERD Commander, and I get a full CHKDSK, but the

SYSTEM32 folder is still gone.

 

Any thoughts on what to do next?

 

--

Will

 

"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

> Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I get

a

> message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll" is

> missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

> CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

> unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

>

> I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt for

> administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments and

it

> simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to change

> into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps me

> locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

>

> Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

normally

> associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures,

empty

> space on the disk, etc.

>

> It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system, possibly

> relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that system

> last Monday.

>

> I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

reinstall

> from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

given

> my symptoms?

>

> --

> Will

[Guest Will]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

The entire system32 folder has gone missing. It is no longer about

recovering a single file.

 

--

Will

 

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:udkqgbA1IHA.1572@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Hal dll missing or corrupt:

> Suggested sites:

> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm

> and: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

> and: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm

> and: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

>

> JS

>

> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

> news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

> > Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I

get

> > a

> > message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll" is

> > missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

> > CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

> > unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

> >

> > I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt for

> > administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments

and

> > it

> > simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to

change

> > into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps

me

> > locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

> >

> > Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

> > normally

> > associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures,

> > empty

> > space on the disk, etc.

> >

> > It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system,

possibly

> > relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that system

> > last Monday.

> >

> > I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

> > reinstall

> > from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

> > given

> > my symptoms?

> >

> > --

> > Will

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest Malke]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

Will wrote:

> An update on this problem: I booted ERD Commander 2005, and the entire

> SYSTEM32 folder of the affected system is gone. The folder is not empty.

> The folder simply does not exist.

>

> I ran CHKDSK /R from ERD Commander, and I get a full CHKDSK, but the

> SYSTEM32 folder is still gone.

>

> Any thoughts on what to do next?

>

 

Back up data from ERD if you need to. Then do a thorough scan of the hard

drive using the mftr.'s diagnostic utility. You want to do this because

there's no point in messing about with software if the drive is physically

failing.

 

If the drive is good, you can try a Repair Install. Otherwise, it's a full

clean install for you. Sorry.

 

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install

How-To

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What

you will need on-hand

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

Don't Panic!

[Guest JS]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

If you have another PC move the hard drive to it and copy any data files

that are of value off the drive. (May need to set the drive jumper to

'slave')

Then as a long shot copy the System32 folder and files from the good

PC's hard drive to the drive with the missing System32 folder.

Next you can try a Repair Install, but if that does not work then mostly you

will need to perform a Clean Install of Windows XP

Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.

Then see below:

 

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

 

Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video

card, sound card, Etc.

 

JS

 

"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

news:DcWdnWJnaeQ8LMDVnZ2dnUVZ_qjinZ2d@giganews.com...

> The entire system32 folder has gone missing. It is no longer about

> recovering a single file.

>

> --

> Will

>

> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:udkqgbA1IHA.1572@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> Hal dll missing or corrupt:

>> Suggested sites:

>> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm

>> and: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

>> and: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm

>> and: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

>> news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

>> > Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I

> get

>> > a

>> > message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll"

>> > is

>> > missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

>> > CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

>> > unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

>> >

>> > I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt

>> > for

>> > administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments

> and

>> > it

>> > simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to

> change

>> > into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps

> me

>> > locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

>> >

>> > Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

>> > normally

>> > associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures,

>> > empty

>> > space on the disk, etc.

>> >

>> > It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system,

> possibly

>> > relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that

>> > system

>> > last Monday.

>> >

>> > I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

>> > reinstall

>> > from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

>> > given

>> > my symptoms?

>> >

>> > --

>> > Will

>> >

>> >

>>

>>

>

>

[Guest Will]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

The drive is hardware RAID and there is no indication from either SMART

about individual physical volumes failing, nor from CHKDSK about the logical

volume failing. What good would a much more generic manufacturer

diagnostic do in this case? I'm more inclined to believe that the O&O 8.5

defrag tool had some incompatibility for SP3, since I had not updated it in

years.

 

Is the Windows XP Media Center product distributed by anyone in an SP3

slipstreamed into the release? If I'm going to do a repair, I want it to

be from a recent service pack.

 

Is the Windows XP "Repair" tool able to cope with catastrophic failures that

include the entire system32 folder missing?

 

Moreover, what good would such a "repair" do when the system registry is a

folder under system32?! All of the installed applications on the system

would be gone, and doing a repair as you suggest makes recovery of deleted

folders even more difficult after the fact. If I am going to find deleted

folders, it seems to me that now is the time to do it, and repairing would

not be the best solution since that only does a stupid copy of files from

the install CD to the hard drive.

 

Can someone recommend a utility to visualize all deleted folders on a disk?

I would like to see if I can at least find an intact system32 folder out

there somewhere.

 

--

Will

 

 

"Malke" <malke@invalid.invalid> wrote in message

news:%23ozsE0A1IHA.5472@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> > An update on this problem: I booted ERD Commander 2005, and the entire

> > SYSTEM32 folder of the affected system is gone. The folder is not

empty.

> > The folder simply does not exist.

> >

> > I ran CHKDSK /R from ERD Commander, and I get a full CHKDSK, but the

> > SYSTEM32 folder is still gone.

> >

> > Any thoughts on what to do next?

> >

>

> Back up data from ERD if you need to. Then do a thorough scan of the hard

> drive using the mftr.'s diagnostic utility. You want to do this because

> there's no point in messing about with software if the drive is physically

> failing.

>

> If the drive is good, you can try a Repair Install. Otherwise, it's a full

> clean install for you. Sorry.

>

> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm - Repair Install

> How-To

> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To

> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows - What

> you will need on-hand

>

> Malke

> --

> MS-MVP

> Elephant Boy Computers

> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

> Don't Panic!

[Guest Will]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

Again, that won't work because the system registry is a folder under

system32, and if I copy it over from another system, I have by definition

wiped out the target systems configuration in registry, and that is not

"repairable".

 

--

Will

 

"JS" <@> wrote in message news:OJT1C%23A1IHA.548@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> If you have another PC move the hard drive to it and copy any data files

> that are of value off the drive. (May need to set the drive jumper to

> 'slave')

> Then as a long shot copy the System32 folder and files from the good

> PC's hard drive to the drive with the missing System32 folder.

> Next you can try a Repair Install, but if that does not work then mostly

you

> will need to perform a Clean Install of Windows XP

> Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.

> Then see below:

>

> From Michael Steven's:

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

> more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

> and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

> also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

>

> Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video

> card, sound card, Etc.

>

> JS

>

> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

> news:DcWdnWJnaeQ8LMDVnZ2dnUVZ_qjinZ2d@giganews.com...

> > The entire system32 folder has gone missing. It is no longer about

> > recovering a single file.

> >

> > --

> > Will

> >

> > "JS" <@> wrote in message news:udkqgbA1IHA.1572@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> >> Hal dll missing or corrupt:

> >> Suggested sites:

> >> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm

> >> and: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

> >> and: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm

> >> and: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

> >>

> >> JS

> >>

> >> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

> >> news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

> >> > Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and

I

> > get

> >> > a

> >> > message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll"

> >> > is

> >> > missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable

by

> >> > CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which

corrected

> >> > unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

> >> >

> >> > I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt

> >> > for

> >> > administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments

> > and

> >> > it

> >> > simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to

> > change

> >> > into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS

keeps

> > me

> >> > locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

> >> >

> >> > Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

> >> > normally

> >> > associate with that utility, such as crawling the security

structures,

> >> > empty

> >> > space on the disk, etc.

> >> >

> >> > It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system,

> > possibly

> >> > relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that

> >> > system

> >> > last Monday.

> >> >

> >> > I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

> >> > reinstall

> >> > from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

> >> > given

> >> > my symptoms?

> >> >

> >> > --

> >> > Will

> >> >

> >> >

> >>

> >>

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest Charles W Davis]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

Will,

 

You didn't mention the brand of computer. If HP or Compaq, when you attemp

to boot the computer, is there an immediate message regarding Boot Mode

(F1), Set up (f9) and PC Recovery (F10 or F11)? If so, press F10 or F11

when you see that message and it will recover your operating system from a

recovery partition on the hard drive. Eliminating a clean install. Takes a

bit of work to get SP3 installed though. Good Luck!

 

"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

> Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I get

> a

> message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll" is

> missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

> CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

> unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

>

> I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt for

> administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments and

> it

> simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to change

> into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps me

> locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

>

> Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

> normally

> associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures,

> empty

> space on the disk, etc.

>

> It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system, possibly

> relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that system

> last Monday.

>

> I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

> reinstall

> from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

> given

> my symptoms?

>

> --

> Will

>

>

[Guest Will]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

"Charles W Davis" <Anthemwebs@lvcoxmail.com> wrote in message

news:FE8378B3-D1EF-4AAB-A7BA-5F48FDBF6910@microsoft.com...

> You didn't mention the brand of computer. If HP or Compaq, when you attemp

> to boot the computer, is there an immediate message regarding Boot Mode

> (F1), Set up (f9) and PC Recovery (F10 or F11)? If so, press F10 or F11

> when you see that message and it will recover your operating system from a

> recovery partition on the hard drive. Eliminating a clean install. Takes a

> bit of work to get SP3 installed though. Good Luck!

 

Install is on a Dell Precision 380, but I think a generic retail CD was used

for install.

 

I am not able to boot even safe mode, since the system32 folder is gone.

 

--

Will

 

> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

> news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

> > Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and I

get

> > a

> > message that it cannot boot because "<Windows Root>\system32\hal.dll" is

> > missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable by

> > CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which corrected

> > unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

> >

> > I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt for

> > administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no arguments

and

> > it

> > simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to

change

> > into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS keeps

me

> > locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

> >

> > Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

> > normally

> > associate with that utility, such as crawling the security structures,

> > empty

> > space on the disk, etc.

> >

> > It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system,

possibly

> > relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that system

> > last Monday.

> >

> > I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

> > reinstall

> > from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery approaches

> > given

> > my symptoms?

> >

> > --

> > Will

[Guest JS]

Re: Cannot Boot Recovery Console Windows XP

 

See this article from Kelly's Korner.

http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_sys32.htm

 

If you still have access to the Restore Points then you can get back the

correct hive files (registry) as they will replace what you copied from the

other PC by the one in the Restore Points if they are still accessible.

 

JS

 

"Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

news:_sqdndobiJ2bIcDVnZ2dnUVZ_qLinZ2d@giganews.com...

> Again, that won't work because the system registry is a folder under

> system32, and if I copy it over from another system, I have by definition

> wiped out the target systems configuration in registry, and that is not

> "repairable".

>

> --

> Will

>

> "JS" <@> wrote in message news:OJT1C%23A1IHA.548@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> If you have another PC move the hard drive to it and copy any data files

>> that are of value off the drive. (May need to set the drive jumper to

>> 'slave')

>> Then as a long shot copy the System32 folder and files from the good

>> PC's hard drive to the drive with the missing System32 folder.

>> Next you can try a Repair Install, but if that does not work then mostly

> you

>> will need to perform a Clean Install of Windows XP

>> Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.

>> Then see below:

>>

>> From Michael Steven's:

> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

>> more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

>> and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

>> also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

>>

>> Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video

>> card, sound card, Etc.

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

>> news:DcWdnWJnaeQ8LMDVnZ2dnUVZ_qjinZ2d@giganews.com...

>> > The entire system32 folder has gone missing. It is no longer about

>> > recovering a single file.

>> >

>> > --

>> > Will

>> >

>> > "JS" <@> wrote in message news:udkqgbA1IHA.1572@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

>> >> Hal dll missing or corrupt:

>> >> Suggested sites:

>> >> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_repair_a_missing_or_cor.htm

>> >> and: http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_haldll_missing.htm

>> >> and: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/pcrepair/a/missinghal_dll.htm

>> >> and: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;330184

>> >>

>> >> JS

>> >>

>> >> "Will" <westes-usc@noemail.nospam> wrote in message

>> >> news:ysSdnVT5XLmIB8DVnZ2dnUVZ_jednZ2d@giganews.com...

>> >> > Starting today I turn on a Windows XP Media Center home computer and

> I

>> > get

>> >> > a

>> >> > message that it cannot boot because "<Windows

>> >> > Root>\system32\hal.dll"

>> >> > is

>> >> > missing. At first I thought I had a simple disk error recoverable

> by

>> >> > CHKDSK, so I booted recovery console and ran CHKDSK /R, which

> corrected

>> >> > unspecified errors on the disk. Rebooting I get the same error.

>> >> >

>> >> > I then noticed that when I go to recovery console there is no prompt

>> >> > for

>> >> > administrator password. I tried the LOGON command with no

>> >> > arguments

>> > and

>> >> > it

>> >> > simply returns the recovery console boot prompt. All attempts to

>> > change

>> >> > into a folder on the boot volume get "Access is Denied" So NTFS

> keeps

>> > me

>> >> > locked out of the system, but I cannot force a login to get access.

>> >> >

>> >> > Then I realized that my CHKDSK never really did do all the steps I

>> >> > normally

>> >> > associate with that utility, such as crawling the security

> structures,

>> >> > empty

>> >> > space on the disk, etc.

>> >> >

>> >> > It appears that something may be extremely fried on this system,

>> > possibly

>> >> > relating to an O&O Version 8.5 COMPLETE/NAME defrag I ran on that

>> >> > system

>> >> > last Monday.

>> >> >

>> >> > I really hate the idea of losing this entire system and having to

>> >> > reinstall

>> >> > from scratch. Can someone suggest some possible recovery

>> >> > approaches

>> >> > given

>> >> > my symptoms?

>> >> >

>> >> > --

>> >> > Will

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >>

>> >>

>> >

>> >

>>

>>

>

>