windows won't start

[pegi0809]

Hi all
Every time my computer stays idle for a little while, I have a message saying " error disk...press ctl.Alt.Del. to restart" Why does it do that? But still does not start

The Pc shows regularly also the error: 0X000000F4...blue screen with a ping square. Is this real bad?

and 9 out 10 pc will not start. BRRRRRR. IS it time for a new one?

HAve XP Service pack 3 installed. 1gb of RAM , CpU 3.15GHtz
Can someone tell me what could be done. Thks all of you for your help and your site.
Pegi

[DaniWeb4Jim]

Try a few of these site and see if you can get help.

error disk...press ctl.Alt.Del. to restart

What is the complete message? Without the dots after disk...????

Did you do a CHKDSK? You may have a BAD HARD DRIVE, CHKDSK will tell you that.

You could also try changing option in the BIOS to defaults (or "optimized default" if this is an option) first.. if this works, then great. note that sometimes defaults are to boot from CD or a floppy first, so if this is the case, change the boot order to have the hard drive go first.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/Windows-XP/relative-subject-83110.htm

http://forum.soft32.com/win4/disk-read-error-occured-ftopict181605.htm

Let me know!

[DaniWeb4Jim]

Hi all
Every time my computer stays idle for a little while, I have a message saying " error disk...press ctl.Alt.Del. to restart" Why does it do that? But still does not start

The Pc shows regularly also the error: 0X000000F4...blue screen with a ping square. Is this real bad?

and 9 out 10 pc will not start. BRRRRRR. IS it time for a new one?

HAve XP Service pack 3 installed. 1gb of RAM , CpU 3.15GHtz
Can someone tell me what could be done. Thks all of you for your help and your site.
Pegi

One more question:
Are you using Partition Magic?

[pegi0809]

Try a few of these site and see if you can get help.

error disk...press ctl.Alt.Del. to restart

What is the complete message? Without the dots after disk...????

Did you do a CHKDSK? You may have a BAD HARD DRIVE, CHKDSK will tell you that.

You could also try changing option in the BIOS to defaults (or "optimized default" if this is an option) first.. if this works, then great. note that sometimes defaults are to boot from CD or a floppy first, so if this is the case, change the boot order to have the hard drive go first.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/Windows-XP/relative-subject-83110.htm

http://forum.soft32.com/win4/disk-read-error-occured-ftopict181605.htm

Let me know!

Hi and thks for the reply. As I am novice in the pc world can you tell me what is a CHKDSK?

[DaniWeb4Jim]

CHKDSK=CHECK DISK
NOVICE or ASLEEP?
Sorry but that is a DOS COMMAND around since 1980. I tend to think that everyone would know that by now. :-) Lol
How old are you? I have been doing computer stuff since 1989.
When you can go to the RUN command on your Start Menu.
Type 'CMD' and hit enter.
You will get a lookalike DOS screen.
Then Type HELP/?
You should go to a list of common commands with their description.
You want to then type 'CLS' which wikk clear the screen and type CHKDSK/F or just CHKDSK and see what happens. It should check your hard disk and tell you it can only finish when you reboot so DO NOT have any programs open.
Let me know.
Jim