1 Topic by gypsyhowl

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Topic: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

when I was using GParted Live cd I looked at the drive and saw that it looked very empty?? and had the exclamation point inside an orange triangle instead of a lock sign next to the partition name.  Does this mean my hdd is toast?

2 Reply by class413

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Re: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

This means that GParted detects some problem with the partition filesystem or the partition table.
Be sure to use the latest GParted version. Check the filesystem with the operating system tools.

*** It is highly recommended to backup any important files before doing resize/move operations. ***

3 Reply by gypsyhowl

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Re: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

I apologize - I was not completely clear with my issue.  I am not able to boot up into windows xp with the xp installation disk or on its own.  I am, however, able to boot up to gparted (version 0.3.4-7) but not into the latest version of gparted (0.4.3.1).  When I try to use gparted to boot up with the mbr I get two lines - rootnoverify (hd0), and chainloader +1. 
There was a lot of music and pictures on this hdd, but when I use some utilities off the UBCD live cd, and when I look at the drive with gparted, it looks as if there are none there. 
With gparted, I then found the exclamation point in the orange triangle.
Again, your help is appreciated.

4 Reply by class413

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Re: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

Did you check the latest stable version of the livecd 0.4.1-2?
Anyway you can use the alternate boot option, using VESA graphics driver and resolution no more that 1024x768. It works on nearly every modern system.

The version 0.3.4-7 is quite old. Perhaps some operating system update caused a problem. Anyway, you don't give any info about the source (or probable source) of the boot problem. How this started? Did you make any partition change? any software installation? any worm/virus problem?

It isn't normal that not even the xp installation cd doesn't start. A hardware problem (BIOS, ram, cd/dvd drive, motherboard/controller, even cables) is always possible. A rather easy way to check is by using a Linux live cd like Knoppix. If Knoppix boots up, then there is a problem with the xp installation or boot up. Then, you can even access the hard drive in question and are able to copy content in another internal or external drive.

If Knoppix fails to boot up, you can suspect some hardware issue. Of course, check internal cable connections, as well as the motherboard backup battery.

*** It is highly recommended to backup any important files before doing resize/move operations. ***

5 Reply by gypsyhowl

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Re: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

This is a machine that came from a neighbor... I am no expert, as you can see, but he is desparate, and I just tried what I knew and what I had on hand... He said that his system was working fine until he loaded McAfee Antivirus on (it comes with our cable company now).  He immediately started seeing pop-ups, in oriental text, and they were coming fast.  He said the system went down after that.  I tried running a couple of anitvirus programs... came up clean, but they could just be outdated too... Because that most certainly sounds like virus activity to me.
I got the gparted 0.3.4-7 two years ago but didn't have any blank cds around to make a copy of a newer version - tmi, sorry. 
I will try Knoppix, and the newer stable version of gparted.  I appreciate your help, and the fact that you treat me respectfully in this forum.  It is nice, thank you.

6 Reply by class413

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Re: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

You can try to boot the system in "safe mode". This is done by pressing some special key before the operating system boot up. This key is F8 in many desktop computers, but can differ in laptops.
Under safe mode, you can run more credible antivirus checks.

*** It is highly recommended to backup any important files before doing resize/move operations. ***

7 Reply by cmdr

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Re: exclamation point inside an orange triangle???

Hi,
or you use a Windows Antivirus Software running on Linux. This software is able to virtually scan ALL files, which even "safe mode" in Windows does not allow. I have some positive experiences with Avira AntiVir Rescue System, which is an ISO image like "GParted Live CD".  It gets updated daily. It has a simple GUI for a Linux console program (antivir). Due to this thread, it is also possible to easily install it on an USB stick, if your hardware is able to boot from it. Note, that the link for "rescuecd.iso" in this thread isn't valid anymore for the latest version. Use my first link here instead.

Regards
cmdr