You generally don't run a HDD diagnostics utility from Windows...you run it from a bootable floppy or bootable CD.

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Thanks for the reply. Okay, I'm gonna have to chew some of Rocco's behind for that one. Anyway, the fact that I switched out the components of the motherboard for some of my own and then got the 'blinking cursor' kind of seals this deal for me. Thanks for the replies. The knowledge here that I tap sometimes is invaluable. You guys are the cats! Loretta

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Why does it "seal the deal"? You can't just swap a HDD with XP already installed from one rig to another & expect it to boot up.

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Okay, using more than one component to swap with, that is at least 2 hard drives, video cards, cd/dvd burners, keyboard and mice and after interchanging components, I get the same results each time (blinking cursor - I think that I will see this in my sleep tonight) - that tells me that not much is going to work with this motherboard. If I haven't made myself clear on this, I will use this as a lesson-learned. Thanks for the reply. Loretta

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I don't know if I'm misunderstanding or if you are...but generally speaking, you cannot take a functioning HDD with XP installed on it from Computer-A, swap it into Computer-B, then boot into Windows. It doesn't matter if you swap the RAM, the video card, optical drive, etc. The HDD w/XP is configured for the hardware in Comp-A & that it what it looks for...when that config isn't found, it stalls. However, if Comp-A & Comp-B both use the same motherboard, or at least boards based on the same chipset, it *may* work. Can you access the BIOS?

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Thanks for the reply. Can't get to BIOS - won't post. Took battery out and put it back in. Tried new battery. Same result. I also tried just plugging in the keyboard, mouse and video card in and then turning it on...same result. I am stumped at this point, having tried everything I know to try. That's why I am here. Thanks. Loretta

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You "can't get into the BIOS". That could be due to using a USB Kboard or not using the correct keystroke/s. That isn't an indication the MBoard is defective, in itself. A 4 year old computer MAY have a weak or dead CMOS battery. Legusy USB support is not the default in most systems, even today. I suggest you try a couple of things. First, disconnect the power and data cables to ALL drives in the system and try booting. What should happen is the computer should halt at a screen saying something like "no system disk". Second, try a PS/2 keyboard and verify you are using the correct keystrokes to boot to the BIOS screens.

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Thanks for the reply. I will try what you suggested and get back later today. Thanks Loretta

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This rather sounds like a virus or similar. You have not advised what/which programs you used to check for virus's etc. It is best to use one of the 'standards' such as Norton or Macafee. From personal experience I have found the freebies are no comparison when compared to Norton Internet Security. Good Luck - Keep us posted.

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Mike I would have to disagree with you on using the two retail products you mentioned. I have read independent tests that show just the opposite. Additionally, the two you mention are a bear to remove if needed.

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Dear Over, when I posted this, I knew this is one where everyone has their own views. Which is why I was careful to include 'from personal experience'. Also it was the same view from a most knowledgable colleague. I had exactly the same problem as Loretta, following moving to W2000. The freebies did not cure, whereas Norton Internet Security did. Since then, I have used NIS and no more problems, although it can be a bit heavy on resources, particularly when starting up. To remove, one downloads the removal tool from Norton, which can be saved if required. Back to Loretta She states she installed one hdd as a slave on another pc and no problems. This suggests a virus in the original o/s. Check the 'bits sent' when connected to the internet. If a very high number and increasing, this also is a virus. a) I would install NIS on the original pc and run a full system scan. A good move before this, is to delete the internet temporary files and empty the wastebin. b) I would install each hdd one at a time as a slave on another pc and fully scan it with NIS before copying only required folders/files to the master hdd. Then low level format, fdisk, format the hdd and run the makers diagnostic program on it. Another thought, if not already tried, disconnect/reconnect the hdd interface cables at both ends in case there is a poor connection. Regards - Mike Good Luck - Keep us posted.

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Thanks for the replies. I tried what Othehill suggested and still got the blinking cursor. I used AVG which I have used for the last 4 years and it has never failed me. I used to use Norton but it was a tremendous resource hog, and is a bear to remove and it hasn't worked nearly as well as AVG. Now I know that everyone has their preferences for antivirus and spyware killers but AVG, Spyware Blaster and Adaware has served me well also. I also used some programs off of Hiren Boot CD (Fprot) with zero results. So here I am with a machine that won't do anything but 'blink' at me. I am about to give up. Thanks. Loretta

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Concerning AV programs, Did a little googling and it appears in the last year that there have been some changes. Below are two links to commercial AV reviews. http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,1... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6600_7...

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Thanks for the reply. I have seen several reviews on AVG in the last couple of years and sometimes and sometimes it is rated high and sometimes less than average in comparison to the other related programs available. My experience with AVG has sold me on it and it has never failed me in all of my personal machines and friends\family and associates as well. Everybody has their own positive\negative experiences with different brand of antivirus and antispyware and I happened to believe that, for me, AVG serves my purpose very well. That doesn't mean that I don't try other programs, those are just my staples. I am ready to put this Dell in the dumpster after having tried every solution I know and then the solutions that I have been given here and getting basically the same results. If there are no other suggestions, I will part company here and start looking for a replacement for this machine. Many, many thanks to all who had input. The knowledge that is here is invaluable to me when I am stuck. Ringraziamenti molto a tutti. Loretta

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If you need additional storage space, External Hard Disk Drives tend to provide a flexible storage option. In addition to storage, they also provide added security and mobility. But, is there a double-edged sword lurking around somewhere? Are these drives really dependable? The Pros External Hard Disk Drives come in a variety of storage capacity sizes. They allow you to have hundreds of additional Gigabytes storage with high data transfer rates. The best part is that you can plug them into a Laptop , Desktop, Server, Memory card, Camera or IPod. They vary dramatically in actual size as well. A drive could be as small as a pen drive, or large enough to contain terabytes of data. Add to that the fact that they are sold at very reasonable prices have really helped bring about a serious boom in removable storage. In fact, it is no longer a rare site to see removable drives of different kinds being used all around us for different purposes. So, What's the catch? Mystically, external drives have been found to be failing for no apparent reason. Why is that, you wonder? Well, here's the thing. With the advent of technology, bigger and larger removable hard disk drives are being produced to cater to our constantly growing backups and valuable data, music & photo files emerging from both Apple-Mac systems & Xservers, as well as Pc's. As a result, smaller drives are being produced with more and more storage capacity built into them. It has been seen, that as a result of increase in storage capacity being accommodated within a casing of the same size, inherent design flaws are increasingly being noticed. However slick the casings may appear on the outside, they are often have poor ventilation and in some cases, no ventilation at all! When assembling their product, external hard drives assemblers generally tend to pick up the cheapest available drives such as Maxtor & Seagate. When these drives are permanently enclosed in a poorly ventilated casing, this combination is highly potent, and potentially catastrophic for any given user, especially when the external hard disk drive is a high capacity drive which containing crucial back-up data! A good example of this is the 250Gb Maxtor IDE in RAID array. A lot of the 1 terabyte LaCie external drives contain 250Gb Maxtor IDE in RAID array are found installed in badly ventilated enclosures. When used on a regular basis, especially within an office environment, they prove highly disastrous and essentially ineffective. So - now what? Well, for serious about their data backup, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Hitachi has recently unveiled a drive which has a huge capacity of one terabyte (TB). The drive looks just like any other drive, but uses perpendicular magnetic recording to make space for the data contained within. Drives were earlier using LRT-Longitudinal Recording Technology, which records bits of data laying horizontally. This has now been superseded by the recording of bits standing vertically. It's a great package - if you can afford it, as the cost is in the region of just $18,000! data Recovery Labs.

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Loretta, as a matter of interest, where are you based? I am in Hammersmith, West London. I wondered what was the Italian connection. Grazie Mille. Ciao Mike.

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My brothers and I live in the United States. I am 3rd generation Sicilian. My grandparents are from Siracusa, Sicily.

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