Hard disk error of some sort? URGENT

[tom_wush]

Hi all :)

Im running a small LAN with 4 computers in my company (a pub).The system is an EPOS one which consists of a server containing my database and administration tools and 3 client computers which are used as tills. I built the system from all new parts around 4 months ago however around a month ago I noticed a problem with my server.

Whilst booting into Windows XP, the computer would not go past the boot screen. The progress bar continued to move however it would not budge. The same thing applied for Safe Mode.

After 10 minutes of restarting I managed to get the computer into Safe Mode where our database service could still work.

From here I tried to run Scandisk which just stops at 2 percent. The crash here allows me to move the mouse still, however as soon as I do anything which requires the Hard Drive the machine just freezes completely. The same applies for Defrag.

SO next step, i upgraded the service pack from 1 to 3..no joy

SO next step, I inserted the XP install CD in an attempt to access the recovery console....however to my surprise after the initial files have been copied I’m asked which partition I want to use and whether I want to format it or not...? at no point am i asked if I want to reinstall windows or use the recovery console.

SO next step (by accident) I select the partition and chose 'Leave the file system intact'...the computer then spent around 1 minute completing the 'Checking your hard disk' stage before prompting me that 'we have completed maintenance on one or more of your disks and the system must restart.'

SO i restart the computer and now Windows boots normally (very odd). From here I try to launch scandisk again....no good! Crashes instantly. Same for defrag.

Next I scheduled a chkdsk for the next boots, this crashed at 2 percent in stage one....then after a few more goes it crashes at 2 percent in stage 3 (This is getting very annoying now!)

After trying a few more disk checking utilities external to Windows which ALL crashed instantly, I decided that, Hey...my epos software is still working and I can boot into Windows so i'll leave it for now.

UNTIL this morning. A normal operation on one of the epos clients on the 3rd customer has had the same effect on the server as trying to run scandisk (nothing works expect mouse UNTIL you try to click something.

This is getting really serious and I need to fix it. The reason I say Re-install/Re-format NOT an option is that this software is registered specifically to that computer and re-installing Windows will mean I have to pay £500 for a new licence.

Just so you have some more background on how I use this system. It is NOT connected to the Internet. It is NOT used for any other purpose than the EPOS system. For the first few months it was switched off at Night but after the boot problems it has been left on.

So i've gone from the software working fine but windows being temperamental to nothing working properly!

Has anyone got any suggestions?

Thank you in advance :(

[-pops-]

As a matter of urgency, please change your on-screen name - remove the hotmail address.

This is to prevent bots scanning the forum and finding the address in order to bombard you with all sorts of unwanted material.

About your problem, do we assume there is no backup of your system? If there is any way of doing so, you should make a clone (copy) or backup of your system as soon as you can.

It is VERY unwise to run a computer with no backup and complete folly to run a business machine in this way.

[tom_wush]

As far as I can tell I can only change my display name if I pay $10 a year?. Its not an account Im perticular bothered about so it will be ok for now :)

RE backup, I backup the system every night and have it hooked up to a UPS. Recovering the software from a backup state will not resolve the issue as the software is registered using a strange algorithm which uses the hard drive (in some way) and installation ID's etc. I attempted this before I deployed the system to get a better understanding of my options and the software became 'unregistered'. I fully understand how much of a problem piracy is but the way the software has been made makes it very difficult for me to create backup servers which can be easily switched over when I'm not around etc...without splashing the cash!

Just to provide little more information from today;

The system crashed 3 times in Windows running the EPOS system. The 4th time I've loaded safe mode with networking and AS YET it has not crashed. In that time we've server around 30 customers so it would apper that although disk scanning programs do NOT work within normal mode OR safe mode, the EPOS software is only playing up in normal mode and appears to work OK in safe mode. I may encounter problems still, I will keep you updated.

Also, I didnt provide any information on the hardware;

WD Caviar Black HDD

AMD Athlon 64 x 2 5000+

High end Asus Motherboard

1GB DDR 800

Server Grade PSU

600VA UPS with AVR

All less than 4 months old, kept in an air conditioned room, backed up every night and not used for as much as calculator if its not part of the EPOS system!

[catgate]

Is your LAN run on cable or wireless?

Also, if it is cable, have you any thing running which could cause interference down an "unchoked" wire.

[tom_wush]

The LAN is ethernet based. I disconnected the server last night and bought it to a different office to take a better look it. Networking was not enabled at this time, thanks :)