Boot Up Problem

From: M W Jochimsen (mwjchmsn_at_bellsouth.net)
Date: 05/15/03 

Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 20:01:00 -0700

>-----Original Message-----
>I've been using XP Pro for about three months on an HP
>laptop. Just this afternoon, it's suddenly stopped
booting
>up to the log on screen. Rather, it's booting to the XP
>logo, but I'm unable to do anything. Start mode, same
>thing. I've booted to the last known good config, no
>change. I've not installed any new software, etc. Any
>thoughts?
>.
>
I have had a similar type problem on hp desktop system. It
started a few weeks after I got system (new). Applications
ceased to run or function properly, files would be
corrupt - spread sheets good one day wouldn't open the
next, .jpeg, .bmp, .tif files had developed lines of
garbage, DXdiag failed some tests, etc. hp tech support
said to do a 'non-destruct' recovery. (how this would fix
corrupt spread sheets I never did figure out).
Applications had to be reinstalled and things worked good
for a short while. Then same sysmtoms-failing apps & more
corrupted files started again. I did a scandisk/surface
analysia and there were more than 150 sectors detected bad
and relocated. hp had me send system to bench repair-all
they did was another non-destruct system recovery (and I
reiinstalled the applications again. Over the course of
the year the system was under warranty, hp's only offered
help was to do another 'non-destruct' system recovery (and
reload ...). Finally the system did exactly what you
indicated yours did-boot to XP logo, and then just sit
there-frozen. From conversation day one w/ hp tech
support I maintained there was a hard drive problem as
indicated by the scandisk messages. They argued aganst it
every time. Solution-replace the HD w/ an exact WD 80G
HD, loaded XP & freebies that came with the original
system, and AGAIN all applications and thankfully some
slightly old data backups. System has worked like a charm
since, in fact better/faster than when first new.

Having spend many years in the dp feild (h/w & s/w, m/f &
PC), I have seen this as the classic indication of a
failed hard drive. They have been few and far between but
still a significant percent of hardware failures.