WebJunction

Well I had one problem that escalated to other problem. I tried to run updates on a Gates PC that hasn’t had the latest version of Window updating software. Well it didn't allow me to update the software, so I restarted the machine and the same thing happen. Well when I restarted again I got on the blue startup screen: "CHKDSK is verifying files” and it will start listing “Files record segment 3954...4862…....is unreadable”

I have no idea what this means.

I am from Pennsylvania and the Gates have WinXP. The computer was working fine until I started to run Windows Update. When I try to run windows update I got the screen “checking to see if the machine has the latest version of Windows updating software and Active X and it just stayed on that screen. So I decided to reboot and the same thing happen so the last time I rebooted this is when I got the CHKDSK. I only had been working on these machines since February of this year. I wasn’t here when they first were installed, the former Automation Tech Coord seen that happen.

For what I can tell for the other Gates machine it’s been a while since they were last updated. When I ran the updates the other Gates it was like 47-52 updates needed to be downloaded and installed.

I all new to this, how can I identify what software was written to the affected area?

I am going to give this a try and let you know what happens. I have to see if anyone knows the BIOS password, if not I will try your other suggestion.

Well , I went into the BIOS and I start to follow the directions and by the way the new GWSCAN from Gateway is too large of a file to store on my floppy so I downloaded the older version on the floppy and the newer version on a CD.

So when I get into the BIOS, and once I got to step 6 on "Scanning Your Hard Drive with GWSCan from a Boot Disk" Floppy drive wasn't an option so I couldn't go any further. And when I exited out of the BIOS the DOS prompt (A:\>) comes up but it won't except anything I type in. It just repeats the A prompt cmd.

I have no idea what to do with this machine. Any other suggestions.

Well Dale,

I call Gateway and they believe I need a new hard drive. Because since I last talk to you its making clicking noise when booting and stating bad hard drive. So if my Director approve we going to buy a new hard drive and hope this solve the problem. Thank you for all your help with this issue.

It's actually nice when it gives you clear signs like that. Definitely, clicking and the bad drive message are pretty clear symptoms.

The good new is that you can replace it with any ATA hard drive that is 80GB or larger. I would reccomend buying something that runs at 7200 RPM. This shouldn't cost more than about $50-60.

And once it's in, you just need to boot to and run the 5 Software Upgrade DVD's to get all the software back on.

And Chrystie - moving the thread is fine with me

I'll keep it all together - just want to make sure tfinney sees this before we make the move.

Thanks. Its fine.

These computers originally came with Windows 2000 installed. Sometime in 2004 you got an upgrade to Windows XP. That upgrade came in a white zip-up, 3-ring plastic Binder that is labeled something like "Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Windows XP Software Upgrade." In the binder are all the individual CD's for all the applications, plus the 5 Upgrade DVD's.

The upgrade DVD's are a complete hard drive image. You boot the computer to the first one and follow the onscreen directions, inserting each of the 5 in turn (takes about 40 minutes per disc). Once it's finished, you have everything, Windows, applications, profiles, security, etc. installed. You don't need to use any of the other discs in the binder.

So obviously you want to find that binder. Worst case and you can't, you could try asking around any other libraries near you that have the Gates computers. All the computers and software granted in the state are identical.

As far as the drive, it definitely needs to be an 80 GB drive or larger - the upgrade discs won't work on a smaller drive. You can see a list of the specifications for the granted computers here:
http://pacomputing.webjunction.org/do/DisplayContent?id=7369

If it were me, I wouldn't buy it from Gateway, just because you can get hard drives cheaper elsewhere. As long as it is 80GB+, and ATA (not SATA), you'll be fine.