Dad's computer won't start

Did you do this already then?

Yeah, I have done that, if you look at that new ones that i posted, i will be gratefull!
There are 4 on the last page!
Cheers

Ok i thought i had fixed this... I was wrong! Now, when i go into the Xp CD from boot, it says it can't find a hardrive! I can boot into normal windows after a nights rest, but anything to strenuous, say a full virus scan it BSOD on me!
Please help!

You did mention that you would try this.

What you gotta do is do a Windows Repair install.

Put the CD in, boot of it, and choose to install windows, then say Repair Install , Not repair recovery console thats something else.

Soo that that and in about 40 minutes PC will work again, and you will have to do the updates....

Hey I was reading this thread and wanted to add just 2 things.

1) have you tested the hard drive? if not download DFT from the link below and burn it onto a cd the same way as the memtest then boot off of the cd run a advance test and post back the code it gives you EX: 0x00

2) have you tested for a boot sector virus. If not test for one.

DFT

I ma gonig to try DFT and also what kimsland said earlier. I have a heavy suspicion it is a dieing hardrive and a virus. I downloaded Spyware doctor, and it found 3 elevated items in a quick scan! When i went to do a full scan, it went blue screen.

How do i check for a boot sector virus?

more info on boot sector virus

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/82923

NEW: I looked at task manager when the computer started to non respond and every process was average memory usage, e.g. 1,000-10,000k. But One was 101,000k which was spyware doctor. Funny thing is, is that i had recently installed this, so this hasn't caused the problem.
memory leak?

did you run DFT

Website was down, Downloading now...
EDIT: The file isn't on the server!

Yes I noticed that too

It's still down for my side at the moment

hey try again it looks like it is up now if not I can upload it to a site and then give you the link

I have done it now, don't worry!
It took ages, so i had to quit.
But i am going to leave it on while at school, so if you could tell me if it has some finish screen that will be there still when i get back? Or will it restart without me knowing the results?

Here's that link again DFT (original link not exactly right)

Also here's the guide for that Drive Fitness Test ISO
And some important info from it:
Running the Erase Disk, Erase MBR or Sector Repair functions on non-Hitachi/IBM disk drives is not supported by DFT.
This program is only designed to work with HGST hard drives

For that reason, here are some more Drive Diagnostic test disks: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic7602.html

dont worry about that I use it on any hdd it is my #1 tool for HDD Diagnostic. Yes it will have a finish screen just post the code it give you here

It found an error:
Disposition code: 0x72
How do i fix this?

0x72
Device S.M.A.R.T. Error.
The Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (S.M.A.R.T.) has detected a drive problem. The
drive may fail soon and should be replaced as soon as possible.

Can't log-on to windows without freezing! Arggh.
I'll try to buy a new one.
My parents think it is my fault! My dad has been away, and my mum is saying "Your the one who has been using it"!
I try to tell them about the bootable cd's but they won't listen...