I am getting and error on startup: disk error serial number 343a windows dump 511.d tmp is cross linked on allocation unit 232006. I have not idea what this means. I hit F8 tried to boot into CD and use restore, could not get there, finally got screen for start in normal, safe, command mode but none will go there, I get a laundry list of windows filews showing on screen but no going to safe mode. Any info appreciated.

Try running chkdsk. To do that boot your computer from your XP CD. When you get to the menu, There should be an option to restore XP or something. It'll take you to a command prompt looking thing. Type in "CHKDSK /P". Then reboot.

Thanks for responding WhiteRaven, It will not let you into anything it keeps recycling and auto starts check disk, my D drive is fine but it keeps giving new cross link errors as it progresses through the check. It got to 34% than gave me a windows dump message such as dump4fe5.tmp is cross linked on allocation unit 1145714 it goes on for awhile and states resolved by copying. Than it will make it to 100% reboot to windows starting screen and than go back and start the check disk again and find a new on at a different percentage. I am beginning to think my C drive is the problem. I could let it do this for a day or so and see if it eventually resolves all thes cross linked allocation units, but I am beginning to think hard drive is corrupted; Either that or a virus. I cannot get CD rom to recognize disk in it so I made the 6 boot/setup disks and will also try that to get to windows. I have backup files program and also just set a restore five days ago, but if hard drive no use. Thanks again.

Sorry about the late reply. I'm still not sure whether you booted up from the XP installation CD. By doing that you bypass the normal windows and you can run some trouble shooting from the CD, not the HDD. There is definitely something wrong with your HDD i'm thinking. Did you do anything to it before this happened ie. partitioning?