Hi, Patrick:

Most newer systems have the F12 utility partition. Run a custom test on just your drive with a data CD-ROM disc, not CD-R, in the drive.

It would be helpful if you provide the model of your computer and drive when you post back.

The PC is a XPS/Dimension 400/9150.

Please could you explain futher how to distinguish between the types of CD - and exactly how the tests should be performed?

I did manage to get the Dell Resource CD to work despite the lack of documentation.   I carried out a full test on the first hard disk (which was being written to when the problem occured.)  No problem reported.  I carried out just the confidence test on the second hard disk.  No problem observed.  I carried out a test on the CD/ROM no problem observed.  I carried further tests on the motherboard cables etc. Again no problem reported.

I have carried out these additional tests:

1. Played music CD and Video DVD film no - problem
2. Attempted to install Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 and Examples from Micrsoft C# Book Step by Step. The problem occurs.......!!!
3. Attempted to install non Microsoft CDs - Belfield Tide Plotter and Sony Ericsson Mobile Phone Synching Software - no problem.

 I am intrigued by two points:

1. The error message says "No Drive", but gives no reference about which drive it refers to which is odd...
2. The problem only appears to manifest itself on Microsoft CDs

I am not surte if this is a coincidence or not....I have used Microsoft malicious Software Tool and Zone Alarm. Neither shows any sign of malware causing the problem......

Hi, Patrick:

I'm not clear on whether you have one optical drive or two. Would you please provide the model number(s)?

The DVD/CD ROM is a a Phillips DVD 8801 assigned to E: which is read and write.     I have only one DVD drive. I also have one NTFS Hard Drive split into C: and D:    The thing is the original message gives no drive reference, so I cannot be sure if it refers to the DVD or hard drive...just in case you think after the next para, I have lost the plot.

I have been running chkdsk /x on C: and finding lots of errors....and each time I run chkdsk C: /x it clears the first few......such as those listed below...but it could be a red herring...I may have to do quite a few attempts to clear the problem.

Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Deleting an index entry from index $O of file 15856.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 13329.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 13330.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 13331.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 29732.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30033.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30561.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30591.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30592.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30923.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30924.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30925.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30926.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30928.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30929.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30930.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30931.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30932.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30933.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30934.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30935.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30936.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30937.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30938.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30939.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30940.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30941.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30943.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30948.
Missing object id index entry or duplicate object id detected
for file record segment 30952.
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Index verification completed.

Errors found.  CHKDSK cannot continue in read-only mode.

Patrick:

It's definitely time to run the diagnostics on your hard drive. Reboot your computer. At the Dell blue logo screen, press the Ctrl + Alt + D keys at the same time. The computer beeps once to acknowledge that the hard drive diagnostics have been initiated. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Osprey

I think you are right the hard disk is faulty according to chkdsk but it is OK according to Dell Diagnostics.   I think I will install another disk and see if the damaged one can be reformatted successfully.

I am not 100% sure but it seems to me files might not have been written properly - and that makes me wonder if the problem was caused by a piece of software or web site.

While I was trying to repair the disk with chkdsk /p on start up, I got a big blue screen error suggesting I look for updates to the BIOS, Video Drivers and indicating the fault had occured while running NDIS.SYS which is a Network Driver.....