chkdsk parameters?

[Jo-Anne]

I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP computer. I installed a
bunch of programs and datafiles and then tried to back up with Acronis True
Image. It stopped at around 45% with an error message of

E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector 88,109,519 of the hard disk 1

I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new drive. Would running
CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go at this point? Are there any other
parameters I should include (especially so I can get a report on where the
problems were)?

Thank you!

Jo-Anne

 

[Twayne]

In

I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP computer.
I installed a bunch of programs and datafiles and then
tried to back up with Acronis True Image. It stopped at
around 45% with an error message of
E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector 88,109,519
of the hard disk 1
I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new drive.
Would running CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go at this
point? Are there any other parameters I should include
(especially so I can get a report on where the problems
were)?
Thank you!

Jo-Anne

That should do what you want quite well. FYI if you open the command prompt
and enter "chkdsk /?" (without the quotes" you'll get the list of possible
commands as listed below. It works the same for all DOS commands that work
in XP. Many, not all, of the DOS commands will work. Several others wouldn't
make sense to work on XP so they were removed. Also there are many more
commands available for the Command Prompt (DOS-like) window in additioin to
those but Help doesn't show them.
NOTE: IIRC You'll have to do a Restart to do the chkdsk on C; it'll tell
you onscreen when it's ready for restart. Chkdsk runs after the Restart.
NOTE: If you enter chkdsk without any switches,, it'll do a read-only
test but doesn't fix anything. /r is the better switch to use.
NOTE: If you do have bad sectors, continue to minitor the drive for a few
months; if more appear over time, the drive is failing - get it replaced on
warranty.

HTH,

Twayne`
==============

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Twayne>chkdsk /?
Checks a disk and displays a status report.


CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]


volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to check for
fragmentation.
/F Fixes errors on the disk.
/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path and name of every
file
on the disk.
On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if any.
/R Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information
(implies /F).
/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size to the specified
number
of kilobytes. If size is not specified, displays current
size.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid
(implies /F).
/I NTFS only: Performs a less vigorous check of index
entries.
/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles within the folder
structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required to run Chkdsk by
skipping certain checks of the volume.

===============

 

[Jo-Anne]

In

I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP computer.
I installed a bunch of programs and datafiles and then
tried to back up with Acronis True Image. It stopped at
around 45% with an error message of
E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector 88,109,519
of the hard disk 1
I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new drive.
Would running CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go at this
point? Are there any other parameters I should include
(especially so I can get a report on where the problems
were)?
Thank you!

Jo-Anne

That should do what you want quite well. FYI if you open the command
prompt and enter "chkdsk /?" (without the quotes" you'll get the list of
possible commands as listed below. It works the same for all DOS commands
that work in XP. Many, not all, of the DOS commands will work. Several
others wouldn't make sense to work on XP so they were removed. Also there
are many more commands available for the Command Prompt (DOS-like) window
in additioin to those but Help doesn't show them.
NOTE: IIRC You'll have to do a Restart to do the chkdsk on C; it'll tell
you onscreen when it's ready for restart. Chkdsk runs after the Restart.
NOTE: If you enter chkdsk without any switches,, it'll do a read-only
test but doesn't fix anything. /r is the better switch to use.
NOTE: If you do have bad sectors, continue to minitor the drive for a
few months; if more appear over time, the drive is failing - get it
replaced on warranty.

HTH,

Twayne`
==============

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Twayne>chkdsk /?
Checks a disk and displays a status report.


CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]


volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to check for
fragmentation.
/F Fixes errors on the disk.
/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path and name of every
file
on the disk.
On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if any.
/R Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information
(implies /F).
/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size to the specified
number
of kilobytes. If size is not specified, displays current
size.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid
(implies /F).
/I NTFS only: Performs a less vigorous check of index
entries.
/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles within the folder
structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required to run Chkdsk by
skipping certain checks of the volume.

===============

Thank you, Twayne! The problem has turned out to be much worse than I
imagined. I ran CHKDSK/R--and just as it reached 95% of "CHKDSK is verifying
free space (stage 5 of 5)," the computer shut itself off. It started again
on its own and showed errors. Then, suddenly, my Uninterruptible Power
Source started screaming as the computer turned itself off and on again.
Then it did it again (with more screaming from the UPS).

This time, I manually turned off the computer and unplugged it. I replugged
it into a regular outlet and turned it on, and it showed that my graphics
card (I think) wasn't working (NVIDIA?). It also said the audio wasn't
working. At that point, I emailed myself all my new datafiles, so they'd go
to my laptop, and I turned the computer off. It's been off the rest of the
day.

Any chance it might be the power supply (as well as hard drive bad sectors)?
I had told the repair shop that the computer had been turning itself off
almost every day before I brought it in. They blew out the dust with a
compressor and said the computer stayed on more than 24 hours at the
shop--but here I go again, only much worse. A programmer friend said they
should have been running some long program on the computer to check it, not
just let it sit turned on for 24 hours.

Any suggestions at this point???

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

 

[SC Tom]

In

I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP computer.
I installed a bunch of programs and datafiles and then
tried to back up with Acronis True Image. It stopped at
around 45% with an error message of
E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector 88,109,519
of the hard disk 1
I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new drive.
Would running CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go at this
point? Are there any other parameters I should include
(especially so I can get a report on where the problems
were)?
Thank you!

Jo-Anne

That should do what you want quite well. FYI if you open the command
prompt and enter "chkdsk /?" (without the quotes" you'll get the list of
possible commands as listed below. It works the same for all DOS commands
that work in XP. Many, not all, of the DOS commands will work. Several
others wouldn't make sense to work on XP so they were removed. Also there
are many more commands available for the Command Prompt (DOS-like) window
in additioin to those but Help doesn't show them.
NOTE: IIRC You'll have to do a Restart to do the chkdsk on C; it'll
tell you onscreen when it's ready for restart. Chkdsk runs after the
Restart.
NOTE: If you enter chkdsk without any switches,, it'll do a read-only
test but doesn't fix anything. /r is the better switch to use.
NOTE: If you do have bad sectors, continue to minitor the drive for a
few months; if more appear over time, the drive is failing - get it
replaced on warranty.

HTH,

Twayne`
==============

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Twayne>chkdsk /?
Checks a disk and displays a status report.


CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C]
[/L[:size]]


volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to check for
fragmentation.
/F Fixes errors on the disk.
/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path and name of every
file
on the disk.
On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if any.
/R Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information
(implies /F).
/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size to the specified
number
of kilobytes. If size is not specified, displays
current
size.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid
(implies /F).
/I NTFS only: Performs a less vigorous check of index
entries.
/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles within the folder
structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required to run Chkdsk by
skipping certain checks of the volume.

===============

Thank you, Twayne! The problem has turned out to be much worse than I
imagined. I ran CHKDSK/R--and just as it reached 95% of "CHKDSK is
verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)," the computer shut itself off. It
started again on its own and showed errors. Then, suddenly, my
Uninterruptible Power Source started screaming as the computer turned
itself off and on again. Then it did it again (with more screaming from
the UPS).

This time, I manually turned off the computer and unplugged it. I
replugged it into a regular outlet and turned it on, and it showed that my
graphics card (I think) wasn't working (NVIDIA?). It also said the audio
wasn't working. At that point, I emailed myself all my new datafiles, so
they'd go to my laptop, and I turned the computer off. It's been off the
rest of the day.

Any chance it might be the power supply (as well as hard drive bad
sectors)? I had told the repair shop that the computer had been turning
itself off almost every day before I brought it in. They blew out the dust
with a compressor and said the computer stayed on more than 24 hours at
the shop--but here I go again, only much worse. A programmer friend said
they should have been running some long program on the computer to check
it, not just let it sit turned on for 24 hours.

Any suggestions at this point???

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

Is this the same PC that you posted about a while back saying "I may need a
new one soon"? If so, I think it may be time :-(

If there are no storms in the area, leave the UPS out of the loop and leave
it plugged directly into the wall. How old is the UPS? They don't last
forever, either, unfortunately.

Try disconnecting everything that's not necessary, like printers, external
drives, etc. and see what happens. It may be the power supply, but it could
just as easily be the motherboard . Your friend is right; they should have
been running a stress test to see if it would stay on, not just stick it in
a corner and power it up.
Good luck!

 

[Jo-Anne]

In Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com> typed:
I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP computer.
I installed a bunch of programs and datafiles and then
tried to back up with Acronis True Image. It stopped at
around 45% with an error message of
E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector 88,109,519
of the hard disk 1
I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new drive.
Would running CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go at this
point? Are there any other parameters I should include
(especially so I can get a report on where the problems
were)?
Thank you!

Jo-Anne

That should do what you want quite well. FYI if you open the command
prompt and enter "chkdsk /?" (without the quotes" you'll get the list of
possible commands as listed below. It works the same for all DOS
commands that work in XP. Many, not all, of the DOS commands will work.
Several others wouldn't make sense to work on XP so they were removed.
Also there are many more commands available for the Command Prompt
(DOS-like) window in additioin to those but Help doesn't show them.
NOTE: IIRC You'll have to do a Restart to do the chkdsk on C; it'll
tell you onscreen when it's ready for restart. Chkdsk runs after the
Restart.
NOTE: If you enter chkdsk without any switches,, it'll do a read-only
test but doesn't fix anything. /r is the better switch to use.
NOTE: If you do have bad sectors, continue to minitor the drive for a
few months; if more appear over time, the drive is failing - get it
replaced on warranty.

HTH,

Twayne`
==============

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Twayne>chkdsk /?
Checks a disk and displays a status report.


CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X] [/I] [/C]
[/L[:size]]


volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon),
mount point, or volume name.
filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to check for
fragmentation.
/F Fixes errors on the disk.
/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path and name of every
file
on the disk.
On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if any.
/R Locates bad sectors and recovers readable information
(implies /F).
/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size to the specified
number
of kilobytes. If size is not specified, displays
current
size.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary.
All opened handles to the volume would then be invalid
(implies /F).
/I NTFS only: Performs a less vigorous check of index
entries.
/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles within the folder
structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required to run Chkdsk by
skipping certain checks of the volume.

===============

Thank you, Twayne! The problem has turned out to be much worse than I
imagined. I ran CHKDSK/R--and just as it reached 95% of "CHKDSK is
verifying free space (stage 5 of 5)," the computer shut itself off. It
started again on its own and showed errors. Then, suddenly, my
Uninterruptible Power Source started screaming as the computer turned
itself off and on again. Then it did it again (with more screaming from
the UPS).

This time, I manually turned off the computer and unplugged it. I
replugged it into a regular outlet and turned it on, and it showed that
my graphics card (I think) wasn't working (NVIDIA?). It also said the
audio wasn't working. At that point, I emailed myself all my new
datafiles, so they'd go to my laptop, and I turned the computer off. It's
been off the rest of the day.

Any chance it might be the power supply (as well as hard drive bad
sectors)? I had told the repair shop that the computer had been turning
itself off almost every day before I brought it in. They blew out the
dust with a compressor and said the computer stayed on more than 24 hours
at the shop--but here I go again, only much worse. A programmer friend
said they should have been running some long program on the computer to
check it, not just let it sit turned on for 24 hours.

Any suggestions at this point???

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

Is this the same PC that you posted about a while back saying "I may need
a new one soon"? If so, I think it may be time :-(

If there are no storms in the area, leave the UPS out of the loop and
leave it plugged directly into the wall. How old is the UPS? They don't
last forever, either, unfortunately.

Try disconnecting everything that's not necessary, like printers, external
drives, etc. and see what happens. It may be the power supply, but it
could just as easily be the motherboard . Your friend is right; they
should have been running a stress test to see if it would stay on, not
just stick it in a corner and power it up.
Good luck!

Thank you, SC Tom! Yes, it's the same computer. I was hoping to keep it
working just a little longer, but that may not be possible. If I can get it
to work again plugged in to a regular outlet, I'll do what I can with it
(run chkdsk etc.). The UPS is definitely old, so it too could be an issue.
The screaming I heard, though, occurs, according to the manual, when there's
a power overload. I'll run my own stress test--constant backups if that's
all I can do--while the computer is plugged into a regular outlet and see
what happens.

Jo-Anne

 

[Twayne]

In

In Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com> typed:
I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP
computer. I installed a bunch of programs and datafiles
and then tried to back up with Acronis True Image. It
stopped at around 45% with an error message of
E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector
88,109,519 of the hard disk 1
I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new
drive. Would running CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go
at this point? Are there any other parameters I should
include (especially so I can get a report on where the
problems were)?
Thank you!

Jo-Anne

That should do what you want quite well. FYI if you
open the command prompt and enter "chkdsk /?" (without
the quotes" you'll get the list of possible commands as
listed below. It works the same for all DOS commands
that work in XP. Many, not all, of the DOS commands will
work. Several others wouldn't make sense to work on XP
so they were removed. Also there are many more commands
available for the Command Prompt (DOS-like) window in
additioin to those but Help doesn't show them. NOTE:
IIRC You'll have to do a Restart to do the chkdsk on C;
it'll tell you onscreen when it's ready for restart.
Chkdsk runs after the Restart. NOTE: If you enter chkdsk
without any switches,, it'll do a read-only test but
doesn't fix anything. /r is the better switch to use.
NOTE: If you do have bad sectors, continue to minitor
the drive for a few months; if more appear over time,
the drive is failing - get it replaced on warranty. HTH,

Twayne`
==============

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Twayne>chkdsk /?
Checks a disk and displays a status report.


CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X]
[/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]


volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by
a colon), mount point, or volume name.
filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to
check for fragmentation.
/F Fixes errors on the disk.
/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path
and name of every file
on the disk.
On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if
any. /R Locates bad sectors and recovers
readable information (implies /F).
/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size
to the specified number
of kilobytes. If size is not
specified, displays current
size.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if
necessary. All opened handles to the
volume would then be invalid (implies
/F). /I NTFS only: Performs a less
vigorous check of index entries.
/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles
within the folder structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required
to run Chkdsk by skipping certain checks of the volume.

===============



Thank you, Twayne! The problem has turned out to be much
worse than I imagined. I ran CHKDSK/R--and just as it
reached 95% of "CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5
of 5)," the computer shut itself off. It started again on
its own and showed errors. Then, suddenly, my
Uninterruptible Power Source started screaming as the
computer turned itself off and on again. Then it did it
again (with more screaming from the UPS). This time, I manually turned
off the computer and
unplugged it. I replugged it into a regular outlet and
turned it on, and it showed that my graphics card (I
think) wasn't working (NVIDIA?). It also said the audio
wasn't working. At that point, I emailed myself all my
new datafiles, so they'd go to my laptop, and I turned
the computer off. It's been off the rest of the day. Any chance it might
be the power supply (as well as hard
drive bad sectors)? I had told the repair shop that the
computer had been turning itself off almost every day
before I brought it in. They blew out the dust with a
compressor and said the computer stayed on more than 24
hours at the shop--but here I go again, only much worse.
A programmer friend said they should have been running
some long program on the computer to check it, not just
let it sit turned on for 24 hours. Any suggestions at this point???

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

Is this the same PC that you posted about a while back
saying "I may need a new one soon"? If so, I think it may
be time :-( If there are no storms in the area, leave the UPS out of
the loop and leave it plugged directly into the wall. How
old is the UPS? They don't last forever, either,
unfortunately. Try disconnecting everything that's not necessary, like
printers, external drives, etc. and see what happens. It
may be the power supply, but it could just as easily be
the motherboard . Your friend is right; they should have
been running a stress test to see if it would stay on, not
just stick it in a corner and power it up. Good luck!

Thank you, SC Tom! Yes, it's the same computer. I was
hoping to keep it working just a little longer, but that
may not be possible. If I can get it to work again plugged
in to a regular outlet, I'll do what I can with it (run
chkdsk etc.). The UPS is definitely old, so it too could be
an issue. The screaming I heard, though, occurs, according
to the manual, when there's a power overload. I'll run my
own stress test--constant backups if that's all I can
do--while the computer is plugged into a regular outlet and
see what happens.
Jo-Anne

I agree with SC-Tom's comments. If you've been considering a new machine,
this might be the time for it, unfortunately. Although, if you had
overloaded your UPS, that could have been the only problem you had. I'd be
interested in knowing if plugging into the wall seems to fix it. It's
possible you've been teetering right on the edge of overload for some time
and this hot weather is just enough to push it over the edge. Or it's just
plain getting ready to quit period.
And you're right, backing up is the very next thing you need to do
anyway. If you're using regular backup or imaging software you should be
fine but if you're doing it manually, don't forget your Address Book
(*.wab), your folder called "Favorites" for your browser, things like that.

HTH,

Twayne`

 

[Jo-Anne]

In

In Jo-Anne <Jo-Anne@nowhere.com> typed:
I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP
computer. I installed a bunch of programs and datafiles
and then tried to back up with Acronis True Image. It
stopped at around 45% with an error message of
E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector
88,109,519 of the hard disk 1
I'm guessing that there are bad sectors on this new
drive. Would running CHKDSK C:/r be the right way to go
at this point? Are there any other parameters I should
include (especially so I can get a report on where the
problems were)?
Thank you!

Jo-Anne

That should do what you want quite well. FYI if you
open the command prompt and enter "chkdsk /?" (without
the quotes" you'll get the list of possible commands as
listed below. It works the same for all DOS commands
that work in XP. Many, not all, of the DOS commands will
work. Several others wouldn't make sense to work on XP
so they were removed. Also there are many more commands
available for the Command Prompt (DOS-like) window in
additioin to those but Help doesn't show them. NOTE:
IIRC You'll have to do a Restart to do the chkdsk on C;
it'll tell you onscreen when it's ready for restart.
Chkdsk runs after the Restart. NOTE: If you enter chkdsk
without any switches,, it'll do a read-only test but
doesn't fix anything. /r is the better switch to use.
NOTE: If you do have bad sectors, continue to minitor
the drive for a few months; if more appear over time,
the drive is failing - get it replaced on warranty. HTH,

Twayne`
==============

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Twayne>chkdsk /?
Checks a disk and displays a status report.


CHKDSK [volume[[path]filename]]] [/F] [/V] [/R] [/X]
[/I] [/C] [/L[:size]]


volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by
a colon), mount point, or volume name.
filename FAT/FAT32 only: Specifies the files to
check for fragmentation.
/F Fixes errors on the disk.
/V On FAT/FAT32: Displays the full path
and name of every file
on the disk.
On NTFS: Displays cleanup messages if
any. /R Locates bad sectors and recovers
readable information (implies /F).
/L:size NTFS only: Changes the log file size
to the specified number
of kilobytes. If size is not
specified, displays current
size.
/X Forces the volume to dismount first if
necessary. All opened handles to the
volume would then be invalid (implies
/F). /I NTFS only: Performs a less
vigorous check of index entries.
/C NTFS only: Skips checking of cycles
within the folder structure.

The /I or /C switch reduces the amount of time required
to run Chkdsk by skipping certain checks of the volume.

===============



Thank you, Twayne! The problem has turned out to be much
worse than I imagined. I ran CHKDSK/R--and just as it
reached 95% of "CHKDSK is verifying free space (stage 5
of 5)," the computer shut itself off. It started again on
its own and showed errors. Then, suddenly, my
Uninterruptible Power Source started screaming as the
computer turned itself off and on again. Then it did it
again (with more screaming from the UPS). This time, I manually turned
off the computer and
unplugged it. I replugged it into a regular outlet and
turned it on, and it showed that my graphics card (I
think) wasn't working (NVIDIA?). It also said the audio
wasn't working. At that point, I emailed myself all my
new datafiles, so they'd go to my laptop, and I turned
the computer off. It's been off the rest of the day. Any chance it
might be the power supply (as well as hard
drive bad sectors)? I had told the repair shop that the
computer had been turning itself off almost every day
before I brought it in. They blew out the dust with a
compressor and said the computer stayed on more than 24
hours at the shop--but here I go again, only much worse.
A programmer friend said they should have been running
some long program on the computer to check it, not just
let it sit turned on for 24 hours. Any suggestions at this point???

Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

Is this the same PC that you posted about a while back
saying "I may need a new one soon"? If so, I think it may
be time :-( If there are no storms in the area, leave the UPS out of
the loop and leave it plugged directly into the wall. How
old is the UPS? They don't last forever, either,
unfortunately. Try disconnecting everything that's not necessary, like
printers, external drives, etc. and see what happens. It
may be the power supply, but it could just as easily be
the motherboard . Your friend is right; they should have
been running a stress test to see if it would stay on, not
just stick it in a corner and power it up. Good luck!

Thank you, SC Tom! Yes, it's the same computer. I was
hoping to keep it working just a little longer, but that
may not be possible. If I can get it to work again plugged
in to a regular outlet, I'll do what I can with it (run
chkdsk etc.). The UPS is definitely old, so it too could be
an issue. The screaming I heard, though, occurs, according
to the manual, when there's a power overload. I'll run my
own stress test--constant backups if that's all I can
do--while the computer is plugged into a regular outlet and
see what happens.
Jo-Anne

I agree with SC-Tom's comments. If you've been considering a new machine,
this might be the time for it, unfortunately. Although, if you had
overloaded your UPS, that could have been the only problem you had. I'd be
interested in knowing if plugging into the wall seems to fix it. It's
possible you've been teetering right on the edge of overload for some time
and this hot weather is just enough to push it over the edge. Or it's just
plain getting ready to quit period.
And you're right, backing up is the very next thing you need to do
anyway. If you're using regular backup or imaging software you should be
fine but if you're doing it manually, don't forget your Address Book
(*.wab), your folder called "Favorites" for your browser, things like
that.

HTH,

Twayne`

Thank you again, Twayne! Actually, I had already taken everything I needed
from that computer and put it on my laptop. All I'd been doing was
downloading and installing programs. If I can run chkdsk without the
computer turning itself off, I'll then try to do a full backup. If that goes
OK, what else can I do as a stress test for the computer? Also, when you
mention teetering on the edge of overload, are you referring to the UPS or
the computer? I suspect the UPS, which definitely also needs replacing. I
just wish it weren't necessary to replace everything at once!

Jo-Anne

 

[philo]

I just had a new hard drive installed on my WinXP computer. I installed a
bunch of programs and datafiles and then tried to back up with Acronis True
Image. It stopped at around 45% with an error message of

E000101F4: Failed to read data from the sector 88,109,519 of the hard disk 1

That does not look good

I'd go to the website of your hard drive's manufacturer and get their
diagnostic utility and run it.
If it finds any errors I'd RMA the drive and get a new one

 

[Yousuf Khan]

Thank you again, Twayne! Actually, I had already taken everything I needed
from that computer and put it on my laptop. All I'd been doing was
downloading and installing programs. If I can run chkdsk without the
computer turning itself off, I'll then try to do a full backup. If that goes
OK, what else can I do as a stress test for the computer? Also, when you
mention teetering on the edge of overload, are you referring to the UPS or
the computer? I suspect the UPS, which definitely also needs replacing. I
just wish it weren't necessary to replace everything at once!

Jo-Anne

Well, if you already have all of your data safely on your new laptop, I
don't know what else is left for you do with that hard drive? But if you
still need anything off of it, you can possibly just buy an USB hard
drive enclosure, put the PC's hard drive into it, and then plug the
enclosure into your laptop via an USB port. You can run chkdsk to your
heart's content that way. You could even run the GUI version of chkdsk,
since it won't be the system disk on the laptop.

As for what you can run to stress test your old PC, you can download a
copy of Ubuntu Linux Live CD. They have an option on it called
"Memtest86+" on it that tests the memory of any machine, and you can run
it for hours or days if you like.

Yousuf Khan

 

[Jo-Anne]

Well, if you already have all of your data safely on your new laptop, I
don't know what else is left for you do with that hard drive? But if you
still need anything off of it, you can possibly just buy an USB hard drive
enclosure, put the PC's hard drive into it, and then plug the enclosure
into your laptop via an USB port. You can run chkdsk to your heart's
content that way. You could even run the GUI version of chkdsk, since it
won't be the system disk on the laptop.

As for what you can run to stress test your old PC, you can download a
copy of Ubuntu Linux Live CD. They have an option on it called
"Memtest86+" on it that tests the memory of any machine, and you can run
it for hours or days if you like.

Yousuf Khan

Thank you, Yousuf Khan! The problem is that the computer I'm having trouble
with is my main computer, used for business. I put everything on the laptop
when it began to go bad, so I could work from the laptop if necessary. I'll
check out Memtest86+. Thank you again!

Jo-Anne

 

[Jo-Anne]

That does not look good

I'd go to the website of your hard drive's manufacturer and get their
diagnostic utility and run it.
If it finds any errors I'd RMA the drive and get a new one

Thank you, Philo! I hadn't thought to run the manufacturer's diagnostic
utility, but I'll look for it right away.

Jo-Anne