Computer takes a LONG time to boot up, when it finally does... the busy light is illuminated all the time. when I click on something I get an hourglass. That's as far as anything will go.

Sometimes when I boot up I will get a message from Symantec saying that It can't get a crucial file relating to virus protection.

I need help but don't want to pay to take it in. Any suggestions?

Try booting into Safe Mode by repeatedly tapping the F8 key after your BIOS POST but before Windows starts.


Is this a new problem? Were things working OK previously? Any new hardware and or software?

If this is a new problem try a System Restore to a point prior to the problem:

start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore


If that doesn't help:


As a first response you might want to post a HijackThis log for review by our Pros in that section:

Please follow the instructions HERE & then post your log in a new thread in the Spyware, Adware, Viruses and HijackThis Logs section.
(Not in this section please).

Please specify what issues you appear to be experiencing along with your log.


If you cannot work even in Safe Mode a Repair Install would be your best bet.

If you have a Microsoft XP CD this is a good guide:

How to perform an in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP

If XP was pre-installed on your computer you need to follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you need help with this then post the make and model of your computer.

Thanks for the quick reply. First off, gotta apologize for the computer illiteracy... what should I do after I get into safe mode?

To answer your questions: This is not a new problem. It's been doing this since February. I am using two other laptops, not wanting to deal with the problem at the moment. 7 months later... I guess it's time.

No new hardware, some new software, Registry cleaner, advanced registry stuff.... junk like that I paid for online..

Back in February my dvd rom drive quit working entirely... quit reading cd's and DVD's. Someone told me to create a restore point. I did that and it worked for a while... now i'm encountering all kinds of new problems. Also, I can't even get on the internet with that machine, hopefully I don't need to be on THAT computer to post the Hijack log or whatever you are talking about.

ya know that sound makes when the brains of your computer are working really hard? mine will do that for a second or two, then click three times, then back to a second of the "working hard sound" then back to the three clicks... it's the same cycle over and over... The computer can't seem to get to the next step.

anyway, if you have any other ideas or suggestions... please let me know. I'll try booting it in safe mode and see if I can figure something out. In the mean time, i'll be waiting for your reply.

Thanks

The sounds sound like a failing or failed hard drive.

Is this a manufactured computer e.g. Dell; HP; Compaq; etc. ?

Or do you have a Microsoft XP CD?

If you can get into Safe Mode (or if you know otherwise) we can ID your hard drive and test it.

Under the Device Manager: Start/Run/ devmgmt.msc

What is listed under Disk Drives?


Also you can try to run a Check Disk:


start > run > cmd
in the new window type chkdsk /f
when prompted to run on boot choose Y & reboot
this will check for & fix any disk errors.

Ok, It's booting up in safe mode right now. It's taking an eternity...

It is a manufactured computer. Toshiba Satellite Pro Special Edition.

So, a window has popped up: to proceed in safe mode hit "yes" or to use system restore click 'No' which one do I want?

yes to Safe Mode then:

Under the Device Manager: Start/Run/ devmgmt.msc

What is listed under Disk Drives?


Also you can try to run a Check Disk:


start > run > cmd
in the new window type chkdsk /f
when prompted to run on boot choose Y & reboot
this will check for & fix any disk errors.

Damn your good!

gimmie a second...

Toshiba Mk8025gas

As the chkdsk is running it's saying:


File record segment 7712, 7713, 7714, 7715, 8108, 8109, 8110, 8111, 8500, 8501, 8502, 8503..............is unreadable.

This doesn't look good to me. The list continues. The numbers are stacking up and it's not even 14 percent complete.

Check Disk is fixing what it finds to fix. Sorry I do not know what it is doing exactly.

Let it run it's course. Previously I wrote this:
______________________________________

Unfortunately Toshiba does not offer a diagnostic. There is a 3 year warranty:

Hard Disk Drives and Optical Disk Drives purchased as part of a complete system are warranted by the system OEM. Please contact your system manufacturer for further details. 2.5" Hard Disk Drive ("HDD") products purchased in the United States and Canada from Toshiba authorized distributors carry a 3-year limited warranty.

http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx...00659C000026B7

http://www.sdd.toshiba.com/main.aspx...00659c00000f09

You should still try Check Disk and perhaps running the Recovery options but audible sounds from a hard drive are not a good sign for a long life.

Other tips here:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/t...ceghdgngdgnj.0

I was looking for XP recovery options but haven't found any specifics. Did you get any disks with the computer?


If you can get online in Safe Mode you could try HijackThis or if your laptop has a floppy drive you could import it from another computer.

You should also back up to CD's any valuable data on that drive.

Anyway I am out of here for the night. Back tomorrow.