Couple Things

[Andromedon]

First off, this post isn't about that darned computer that won't work. I've got someone taking care of it and will report later on in this post how its comming along.

Now, for the first question I have. Do any of you know of a program that will make an exact copy of your working operating system in a CD burning format? I've long wanted to make one but haven't come across a program that will do it. I've had to recover my operating system a couple of times from scratch and know that it isn't fun loading up all my programs.

The second question involves Windows XP itself. Everytime I've tried to run my Scandisk I encounter an error when it reboots "cannot open volume for direct access", this has only been happening now for the past couple months and in the past just let it go, its now starting to annoy me and if you guys have a fix, give me the heads up.

Thanks for all your support and help in the past, I've learned a lot from you guys.

[DigitalJunkie]

Regarding your first question, you may want to try Ghost or Acronis True Image to create image of your hard drive that contains the operating system.

However, as to your second question it may depends on what you did before you have the problem using ScanDisk, such as did you install any new software that may causes the MBR (Master Boot Record) to be changed? If so, I believe Windows comes with a utility to fix MBR but I forgot which directory, or someone else that has did it before that could help you.

[Auggie2k]

I find clone cd does an excellent copy of every format of cd's! I'd give it a go. Secondly are you
actually running the original scandisk or the chkdsk command? If its scandisk, its probably because
your trying to work it with windows xp. If its chkdsk, try running it before windows starts or in safe
mode!

[mountain_rage]

Ive used ghost but seems to be glitchy at times with win xp the other one mentioned above to clone your h/d im not sure how it works but im curious to give it a try.

[Andromedon]

Thanks guys, I figured out what locked ScanDisk out from scanning the partition. It was StyleXP, I used it to alter the boot screen, I never would have thought altering it would cause such a problem.

I tried using Ghost before but found it to be a pain in the ass to operate, I had no luck using it. I will try Acronis True Image then. Thanks everyone for your feedback.