How to Use This:
1) Read the first 3 pararaphs (don't need to do anything yet)
2) Scroll through the [b]bolded[/b] items and locate your error message
3) Do the stuff after the -'s just below your error message.

Disk diagnostic and CHKDSK /F /R are common to all in order to rule out:
- physical disk problems and
- file system problems [b]PRIOR[/b] to trying the fix.

You can download a disk diagnostic tool from the website of the hard drive manufacturer. If necessary you can download a bootable version of the diagnostic from there and boot from it to test your hard drive.

Recovery Console tutorial located here: [url=http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial117.html]http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial117.html[/url]
This is for the chkdsk, fixmbr, fixboot, and bootcfg commands if you can't get into Windows

Here's a link to an ISO of the XP Recovery Console if you don't have an XP CD. Search Google for "burn an ISO" (without the quotes) for tools and instructions on how to make a bootable CD. [url=http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso]http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso[/url]

[u]Common to several fixes[/u]
[b]Black Screen Hang (before splash screen shows)[/b]
- Disk Diagnostic
- CHKDSK /F /R (try to boot)
- fixmbr (try to boot)
- fixboot (try to boot)
- Safe Mode (try to boot)

[u]MBR[/u]
[b]Invalid Partition Table[/b]
[b]Missing Operating System[/b]
[b]Error Loading Operating System[/b]
- Disk Diagnostic
- CHKDSK /F /R
- fixmbr (try to boot)

[u]BOOT SECTOR[/u]
[b]Disk Read Error occurred[/b]
[b]NTLDR missing/compressed[/b] ( [url=http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm]http://tinyempire.com/notes/ntldrismissing.htm[/url] )
- Disk Diagnostic
- CHKDSK /F /R
- fixboot (try to boot)

[u]NTLDR[/u]
[b]Boot Device is Inaccesible [/b](boot.ini)
- Disk Diagnostic
- CHKDSK /F /R
- bootcfg /rebuild

[b]System Hive is Corrupt[/b]
- Disk Diagnostic
- CHKDSK /F /R
- restore System Hive from backup

[b]other File missing or corrupt[/b]
- Disk Diagnostic
- CHKDSK /F /R
- restore copy from backup

NOTE: I got a missing HAL.DLL error when I messed up rewriting a boot.ini file (in the default section) - so I'd suggest checking boot.ini for missing file errors (bootcfg /rebuild would attempt to fix this when in the Recovery Console)

[u]NTOSKRNL.EXE[/u]
[b]Black Screen Hang (after splash screen appears) [/b](usually video driver)
- Last Known Good Configuration
- Safe Mode
- install/reinstall latest version of video drivers.


Please feel free to add recommendations for additions and deletions. Consider this a work in progress. :)
Please do not post your problems/issues on this thread. It'll cause more work when I have to split your topic out of this thread and will delay receiving an answer.

Sorry for the delay

Just a quick note. My primary blog is now located at: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/blogs/usasma/index.php?

Pretty darned slow....

I dunno how much longer I'm gonna keep this up. There's no reward for the effort that I've put out. Blogging seems a bit like yelling in the woods - it lets you vent when no0ne's around.

Bump

Bump - nothing else to say....

Good Eye Day

Previously I had whined about Bad Eye Days. Well, today was a Good Eye Day!

Humidity was at 1oo% all day. For the first time in almost 3 years I didn't have to use steroids in my eyes and I didn't have to wear my sunglasses/goggles while I was outside!

I'm thankful for this and I hope that it'll continue! :)

Just Because I Can!

I'm posting this just because I can!

Is the glass half-empty or half-full?

Well, it seems that the depression is lifting. I've got more energy and am getting more things done than I have in the past 2 years!

I'm letting my internet time suffer in exchange for more work around the house. Also, I've reconnected with my kids (after a 12 year absence) and am loving every minute of it!

Life is changing - for the better. I still have the "bad eye" days - but they don't get me down as much as they used to. I've got a full plate and am never without something to do.

So, rather than drivel on anymore, I'll close for now.

Just another day in paradise!

Well, it's my 2nd anniversary today and I still love my darling wife so very, very much!

The boys (my step-sons, aged 15 and 17) are out of school for the summer. In a week or two summer school will start. They're good kids and I feel bad that they're losing a chunk of vacation for this.

I reunited with my kids from a previous marriage around Christmas time. My son is finally starting to settle down (he's 27) and is doing well at work. My daughter isn't doing as well. She held a job for 4 months and quit it last week because the boss was yelling at her - we'll see how things work out in the long term for her (she's 25).

I'm recovering from a serious series of corneal ulcers that have been going on for the last 6 months or so. The latest one nearly perforated my eyeball, and I'm really grateful to my cornea specialist for saving the eye. I still haven't regained all the vision in that eye (the right one), but it's coming along slowly.

Lot's of work in the yard to do (and in the house too!). I'm feeling better now, and am able to get more done before I collapse for the day. Just finished fixing the garage doors, and then I'll go out and start the wiring for our patio lights and bug zapper!

Not much else to say - I could ramble on for days, but I've got work to do :)