Re: c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours
From: Malke (noreply_at_invalid.com)
Date: 01/24/05
- Next message: Ramesh, MS-MVP: "Re: Add/Remove White Space"
- Previous message: Malke: "Re: IE 6, XP, POP-UPs STILL GET THROUGH"
- In reply to: brbruce: "c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours"
- Next in thread: brbruce: "Re: c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours"
- Reply: brbruce: "Re: c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] [ attachment ]
Date: Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:04:00 -0800
brbruce wrote:
> I am having a strange problem where the c:\ntdetect file mysteriously
> disappears every few hours. It is not found in the recycle bin.
>
> It started happenning a week ago, without any new installation being
> done. I noticed that after a reboot, it continuously reran the
> Poweron
> Self-Test procedure, and Windows would not start up. I used a XP
> quickboot floppy to get into windows and eventually noticed that the
> ntdetect file was missing. I copied it back, but it happened again
> the
> next day. This time, I copied the file back, but kept an eye on the
> c:\ directory. Even without doing anything on the machine, a couple
> hours later, the file was gone! It seems to be consistently
> disappearing every few hours. No other file disappears.
>
> The computer runs WinXP Home edition with SP2 applied. It is used
> only
> for web browsing and email. The computer runs Norton Personal
> Internet
> Firewall, and Symantec Systemworks 2003 with Norton Antivirus. It is
> also behind a router/internet gateway.
>
> I ran Norton Antivirus, Webroot Spy sweeper, Adaware, and Spybot S&D
> with the latest updates, but with no indication of any malware or
> virus which might be causing this. The only thing I can think of is
> that there is some virus that is doing this which Norton is not
> picking up.
>
> There's not much to go on, but if this has happened to anyone else, or
> rings a bell, I'd appreciate any assistance. Thanks.
The fact that the computer dies on the POST (Power On Self Test) before
loading Windows indicates a hardware failure. Here are general hardware
troubleshooting steps:
1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.
2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org - let the test
run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately.
3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.
4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.
5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com.
Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a good local
computer repair shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).
Malke
-- MS MVP - Windows Shell/User Elephant Boy Computers www.elephantboycomputers.com "Don't Panic!"
- Next message: Ramesh, MS-MVP: "Re: Add/Remove White Space"
- Previous message: Malke: "Re: IE 6, XP, POP-UPs STILL GET THROUGH"
- In reply to: brbruce: "c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours"
- Next in thread: brbruce: "Re: c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours"
- Reply: brbruce: "Re: c:\ntdetect.com keeps disappearing every few hours"
- Messages sorted by: [ date ] [ thread ] [ subject ] [ author ] [ attachment ]
Relevant Pages
|
