[Ham-Computers] Apparent Hard Drive Failures

[Jim Hill]

I'm having serious problems with something that simulates a hard 
drive failure on my Dell OptiPlex Pentium 3 running Windows XP Pro. 
I'm using Eudora for emails.

When the problem occurs, the initial Dell screen appears, bios is 
loaded, then two beeps are heard and a DOS screen appears with 
wording similar to: hard drive not found, press F1 to continue and F2 
to run the setup utility. Sorry I don't remember the exact wording, 
it's tough getting old!

While experimenting with dual-boot Windows/Linux setups, I set up a 
second drive essentially identical to the one normally used, and I 
connected this drive as the master and the problem drive as the 
slave.  I accessed the problem drive and obtained all personal data 
not previously backed up, then used Casper XP to "copy" the C drive 
from the good to the bad drive. I removed the "good" drive, 
reconnected the "bad" drive, and the system booted and worked fine.

The same problem occurred a few weeks later, I realized the drive was 
probably ok, and used Norton Ghost to return to an earlier 
image.  This fix worked - sort of. I had problems with freezes, etc., 
so went through the two-drive drill again and the computer works fine 
again.  I made a new Ghost image, which I hope will allow recovery in 
the future.

This situation is annoying, but I'm leaving on an extended trip and 
won't be around to keep the computer operational.

Malware is a likely cause, but think I'm adequately protected:
I have a hardware firewall and am running Norton Internet Security, 
and make a special effort to keep updates current. I scan 
periodically, but have not found a virus in years. Windows update is 
set up to run automatically, notifying me when updates are ready to 
be installed. I also run Webroot Spy Sweeper, and sweep regularly, 
but never find anything above the most mild spyware, where presumably 
where someone keeps track of my surfing habits. We stay away from 
dubious web sites. The computer is used to play
kid's games. Checking emails, I get few spam type emails, except one 
type that usually has nonsensical subject lines. The email always has 
suggestions on penny stooocks, and the stooock tips always have a 
multi-colored background. I think I read somewhere that there is 
malware that involves this type email. I have seven email addresses 
to aid in determining the source of spam, and all but one receive 
this type email, probably a total of 3 to 6 emails a day. The address 
still ok is the master or dominant email address which is difficult 
or maybe impossible to change. I check it periodically but avoid 
using it or giving it to others.

Any suggestions?
Jim

Note: the stooock misspellings are intentional to avoid spam filter 
rejects.  I guess that explains the multi-colored background in the 
spam stooock "suggestions" I receive each day.

qth.net has a test reflector, which I used to debug my listing. After 
using it, I log in through qth.net and cancel email deliveries.

Delete my previous post; I neglected to delete "test..." from the title.