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Hey Everyone,

About a week ago I can home and turned on my monitor. On my desktop I had a bunch of errors that I couldn't get out of. I rebooted and ran chkdsk, which fixed a bunch of errors. I tried to get into windows, but was again blocked by all of the errors. Windows recommended using the XP cd to restore some files. After attempting to get into Windows for another hour or so, I gave up and went for my restore cds.

After inserting the disc, I was given the option to "R- for standard system recovery options" or "F- To format drive and perform full system recovery." I chose R first. I attempted to run "R" to recover the items windows needed. The recovery asked me some questions about the recovery I wanted to perform and then started, but ran into errors at 4%. The errors all were in the form "The file: C:\I386\Apps\APP0989\App09894 canno't be recovered!" I clicked ignore but was given the same errors with different directories hundreds of times. I restarted and attempted to perform the "F" function, but ran into the same errors. It seems that when I tried to run the F function, it just tried to perform the R function again. Also, I was initially given options under "Select Recovery Option" but now everytime I attempt to reformat it automatically skips that step and goes to "Hard disk preparation" and "copying files."

I went and bought a new hard drive, fearing the old drive was bad, but the new drive gives me the same problem. I also swapped DVD drives, thinking that might have caused an issue. I just used the cd about a month ago when my old drive bit the dust, and it worked flawlessly. The cd also looks to be scratch and blemish free.

I really don't know what else to do! I just spent a bunch of money about 3-4 months ago on a video card/PSU/ram and really don't want to buy another computer!

Specs:
HP a730n
GeForce 7600GT
430W PSU
2gb RAM

Please help!

Thanks a bunch!
Michael

Hi and welcome to PCHF

Are you prepared to install a fresh Windows installation on your new drive? If you are then have you tried booting from the XP CD and re-formatting the partition during the installation process?

You can always pull off any files from the old drive after you have completed a successful install, on the new drive, by connecting it up as a slave device.

Let me further extend Hengis' welcome to the forum and ask another question.

What kind/brand of memory is the 2gb? how many modules (2x 1gb, 4x 512mb)?

Thanks for the replies!

In regards to the CD reply: A Windows XP CD was never included with my computer bundle. I burned system restore dvds about two months ago and successfully used them last month. I have recently attemped to format and reinstall the OS with the recovery DVDs, but the errors start after 4%.

In regards to the memory reply:
2x256 (memory that came with computer...don't know brand)
1X512 Kingston
1x1gb Crucial

Any other ideas on how I can resolve this issue? If I am unable to resolve my problem with the restore DVDs I might buy a fresh copy of WinXP and ditch the HP dvds. I searched on outpost and found a new copy of XP Home SP1 (what I previously had) for 79.99 (LINK).
I am just afraid that my problem might not be a software issue and I could potentially spend 80 bucks when I don't need to.

Any other ideas before I order the XP cd?

Thanks in advance!
Mike

Yup, I've got a couple

try removing all but the 512mb of memory and try running the setup again.

Make sure that 1 stick is in the slot closest to the CPU.

Yay! I have gotten past 15% without any errors! Thanks gar! I'll make another post if my computer finishes the recovery!

If it succesfully finishes the recovery, what should I do about my memory? I removed the 512mb kingston and the 1gb corsair memory modules, leaving the 2x256 modules in slot 1 and 2. Is one of my memory sticks defective? If so, is there any way to test which one of them is?

Thanks again for all of the help!
Michael

Hi mike, glad to hear you're on the way to recovery now.

regarding the memory, once you've finished recovering, install the memory again, slot1 = 1gb, slot2 = 512mb and 3&4 with the 256mb.

then goto www.memtest86.com and follow the instructions there to find out how to test the memory and see if you have a faulty module.