Chad,

Chkdsk will not run on an external usb drive on bootup.
He can open a CMD prompt and type chkdsk x: /f (x being his usb drive letter)
or he can use /r (bad sectors) and f/ (fix) together; chkdsk x: /r /f
Using /r will, of course, take longer.

Jack, you will probably receive a message in the CMD prompt
that says the volume needs to be unmounted (if it is formatted
in NTFS) just enter y and hit enter.


-Michael

* Chad Harris:
> Hi Jack--
>
> Precisely what log are you checking that gives you the worthless "OS stopped
> working" message? Have you tried typing eventvwr.msc in the run box and
> clicking under Windows Logs on Application and Security and going to the
> time you're getting the blue screen?
>
> Michael has mentioned HDW considerations and temperature. Should the
> problem be software or a driver then take a look at and try the Ten Ways to
> Fix Vista BSOD No Boots or Significant Problems.
>
> I always suggest running a chkdsk /R first. Type cmd into the search box>rt.
> click>run as admin>at prompt type chkdsk /r>do you want to run at next start
> y/n>type y>enter>restart.
>
> You may need to deploy one of the 10 ways to fix a Vista BSOD no start:
>
> ****Ten Methods to Repair BSOD No Boots or Serious Problems in Windows
> Vista****
>
> ***Startup Repair and System Restore from the Win Recovery Environment on
> the DVD***
>
> You can run Startup Repair by putting your Vista DVD in after theanguage
> screen in setup. You can also run System Restore from the same
> location.
>
> You run the startup repair tool this way (and system restore from here is
> also sometimes effective):
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/925810/en-us
>
> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>
> Note The computer must be configured to start from a CD or from a DVD. For
> information about how to configure the computer to start from a CD or from a
> DVD, see the information that came with the computer.
> 2. Restart the computer. To do this, click Start, click the arrow next to
> the Lock button, and then click Restart.
>
> This usually means that you enter bios setup by whatever key or keys
> (sometimes there is more than one key that will do it for your model--go to
> pc manufacturer site) and configure CD to be first in the boot order (this
> will allow you to boot from the Vista DVD as well):
>
> See for ref:
> Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
>
> Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
> http://www.short-media.com/images/mm...ios/bios03.jpg
>
> Note If you cannot restart the computer by using this method, use the power
> button to turn off the computer. Then, turn the computer back on.
>
> 3. Set your language preference, and then click Next.
>
> Note In most cases, the startup repair process starts automatically, and you
> do not have the option to select it in the System Recovery Options menu.
>
> 4. Click Repair your computer.
>
> 5. In the System Recovery Options dialog box, click the operating system
> that you want to repair, and then click Next.
>
> 6. In the System Recovery Options menu, click Startup Repair to start the
> repair process.
>
> 7. When the repair process is complete, click Finish.
>
> Additional References for Startup Repair With Screenshots:
>
> How to Use Startup Repair:
>
> ***Accessing Windows RE (Repair Environment):***
>
> 1) Insert Media into PC (the DVD you burned)
>
> 2) ***You will see on the Vista logo setup screen after lang. options in the
> lower left corner, a link called "System Recovery Options."***
>
> Screenshot: System Recovery Options (Lower Left Link)
> http://blogs.itecn.net/photos/liuhui...4/500x375.aspx
>
> Screenshot: (Click first option "Startup Repair"
> http://www.leedesmond.com/images/img...SysRecOpt2.bmp
>
> How To Run Startup Repair In Vista Ultimate (Multiple Screenshots)
> http://www.windowsvista.windowsreins...rtup/index.htm
>
> 3) Select your OS for repair.
>
> 4) Its been my experience that you can see some causes of the crash from
> theWin RE feature:
>
> You'll have a choice there of using:
>
> 1) Startup Repair
> 2) System Restore
> 3) Complete PC Restore
> ___________________
>
> In addition you can use the Bootsect tool to manually repair the boot sector
> by accessing the command prompt from the DVD or from F8 and typing at the
> prompt:
>
> Bootsect.exe is available from the \Boot\folder of the Windows Vista DVD and
> can be run from within System Recovery or Windows XP on a dual boot.
>
>
> 1. Use Bootsect.exe to restore the Windows Vista MBR and the boot code that
> transfers control to the Windows Boot Manager program. To do this, type the
> following command at a command prompt: Drive:\boot\Bootsect.exe /NT60 All
>
> In this command, Drive is the drive where the Windows Vista installation
> media is located.
>
> Note The boot folder for this step is on the DVD drive.
> 2. Use Bcdedit.exe to manually create an entry in the BCD Boot.ini file for
> the earlier version of the Windows operating system. To do this, type the
> following commands at a command prompt.
>
> Note In these commands, Drive is the drive where Windows Vista is
> installed. • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /create {ntldr} –d "Description
> for earlier Windows version"
>
> Note In this command, Description for earlier Windows version can be any
> text that you want. For example, Description for earlier Windows version can
> be "Windows XP" or "Windows Server 2003".
> • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} device partition=x:
>
> Note In this command, x: is the drive letter for the active partition.
> • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /set {ntldr} path \ntldr
> • Drive:\Windows\system32\Bcdedit /displayorder {ntldr} –addlast
>
> 3. Restart the computer.
> ____________________________
> ******Using the BootRec.exe Tool
>
> Using the System Recovery Tool from the Repair link on the DVD after the
> language choice in the lower left hand corner you can select command prompt
> and you have the following options:
>
> Bootrec.exe (You can use this tool to recover Vista even when you do not
> receive the error message that is the title of the 2nd linked MSKB below):
>
> How to use the Bootrec.exe tool in the Windows Recovery Environment to
> troubleshoot and repair startup issues in Windows Vista
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927392/en-us
>
> Error message when you start Windows Vista: "The Windows Boot Configuration
> Data file is missing required information"
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927391/en-us
> __________________________________________________ ___________
> ***Using the F8 Environment or a Repair Install from the DVD:***
>
> See for ref:
> Access/Enter Motherboard BIOS
> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
>
> Boot Order in Bios (Set Boot from HD 1st)
> http://www.short-media.com/images/mm...ios/bios03.jpg
>
> Repair Install
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/u...ps/doug92.mspx
>
> Repair Install (Method 2):
> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/315341
>
> III Taking Full Advantage of the F8 Options (Windows Advanced Options Menu)
> by startin gth ePC and tapping F8 once per second:
>
> You could also:
>
> Think: I have 4 different ways to get back my XP at F8 and try 'em in order.
> 1) Safe Mode 2) Safe Mode with Cmd to Sys Restore which is simply a cmd
> prompt in safe mode 3) Safe Mode with Neworking 4) LKG or Last Known Good
> Configuration
>
>
> Try to F8 to the Windows Adv Options Menu>try 3 safe modes there (I don't
> use WGA) and Last Known Good>then I go to Win RE in Vista. That gives you a
> choice of Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking,and Safe Mode with Command
> Prompt.
>
> These methods are outlined in
>
> A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP/and Vista
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222/
>
> How to Use System Restore
>
> http://bertk.mvps.org/
>
> Frequently Asked Questions Regarding System Restore from MSFT:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pro.../faqsrwxp.mspx
>
> Using System Restore
>
> http://tinyurl.com/dvekb
>
> System Restore for Windows XP
>
> http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_restore.htm
>
> How to start the System Restore tool at a command prompt in Windows XP
>
> http://support.microsoft.com/default...b;en-us;304449
>
>
> Repair Install: (This option has the best chance of succeeding and it
> preserves everything in your OS--you do not lose anything with this option):
>
> Make sure the DVD you have is a Vista DVD
>
> Pitfalls: If the DVD came from friend or relative or P2P, you may have
> problems. P2P besides being illlegal in many countries including the U.S.
> can be corrupt. If CD came from friend or relative, they may have given
> you the CD to use but if product key is in use, MSFT is not going to accept
> it for activation. Make sure you clean the CD carefully using proper
> cleaning fluid and strokes that radiate from center like spokes on a wheel.
>
> Again a repair install has the most likely chance to succeed in XP, (and can
> work in Vista) but you need
> to have a Vista DVD.
>
> First, in order to do a Repair Install You must boot to the bios setup and
> position booting from the "CD" first in the boot order--it probably will not
> say DVD but might.
>
> Booting to Bios Setup:
>
> For 85% of PC's and all Dells you can tap the F2 key to reach bios setup.
>
> How To Enable DVD/CD Rom Support (put CD boot first) in bios setup boot
> order:
>
> http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how..._support_i.htm
>
> Screen Shot of bios setup boot order:
> http://www.poy.net/proxy/bios2.jpg
>
> Repair Install Does Not Lose Anything; you may need to try 2-3 times but
> that's rare.
>
> How To Repair Install
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3153...22120121120120
> Screen Shot Repair Install
> http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...exfullpage.htm
>
> Good luck,
>
> CH
>
>
> "Jack" <Jack@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F75E7F7A-0553-4DE4-AF77-88F0B7D47719@microsoft.com...
>> after about 10 minutes of my computer running it powers off, there is no
>> warning, for about 1 second i get a blue screen, then its like there is a
>> power cut and it just cuts out, then when i start my computer back up i
>> checked the log and all it says is "OS stopped working"
>> please if you have any info i would be greatful
>> thanks
>