[md262]

I'm still receiving an error that chkdsk cannot run; even when I check to have it run the next time system restarts, it doesn't run:

The type of file system is NTFS.
Cannot lock current drive.
Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts (y/n)

Sorry!

[Advertisements]

In terms of the CD, I don't recall having any problems with it previously.

[md262]

In terms of the CD, I don't recall having any problems with it previously.

[emeraldnzl]

Hello again md262,

Well I think we have come to my last solution.

Problems of this nature usually indicate hard drive damage and or a boot sector virus and will eventually lead to loss of critical data. We know your machine had a boot sector infection which we endeavoured to fix early on. It was following this that the loop problem began. I think we got rid of the infection but were left with a corrupt boot sector.

A response to this would normally be to repair your boot configuration. Unfortunately, in Vista to do this we need to access your Installation CD using your CD/DVD drive. In your machine we haven't been able to achieve that.

We have canvassed a number of (everything we can think of) other possible causes of the symptoms your computer is displaying. They were always an outside chance but worth pursuing just in case.

They are not the answer. The attempted run of chkdsk again confirms to me the first diagnosis.

Dell machines have (and your one does because we have seen it) a recovery partition. It is Recovery D. You will see it in your screen shot in this thread at post #40.

Go to the link below for a guide on how to restore your Dell machine to its factory settings.

http://www.ehow.com/...y-settings.html

Be warned though: you will lose all your data and programs you have added since you received your machine. Make sure you backup what you want to keep before you proceed. There is a helpful warning at that link too.

It is a big step but from my knowledge all we have left.

Come back and tell me how you got on.

Good luck.

[md262]

Thank you for all your assistance and patience.

[emeraldnzl]

You are very welcome.

[emeraldnzl]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.