Vista - Whats messed up ?

On start up lately, the computer freezes, goes black, and tower unit beeps.
Unplug it and start up in safe mode, then back to normal start up OK.
First time, all Norton definanitions gone and Vista defender shut off. restored them,
all OK.
Tried to back up files and got i/o device error (Ox8007045D).
Then, tried to chkdsk...and nothing happens. ????
Have run Norton Internet Security full scan, and Lavasoft Ad-aware. Also Registery
Mechanic....



Vista HP, Gateway 5656

What sort of beep is it?

A single short beep is normal.

If it's a single long/longer beep that could indicate a hardware problem.

Read this article
Error message when you try to perform a full backup on a Windows Vista-based computer: "The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error"
Let us know if it helps

As I recall, it was a single longish beep. Nothing worked ...had to unplug the
computer to get it to stop.

I'll read the article listed.

Each BIOS manufacturer has different beeps for different problems. Here's an example:

BIOS Beep Codes - HP technical support (United Kingdom - English)

To me sounds like the hard drive is dying. If you can't run check disk nor can you invoke disk activity by backing it up, those are big hints right there.

Checkdisk is running now...had to do it as administrator. It found no errors.
Haven't tried full backup since though.

if checkdisk runs, then its not the hard drive.

Check your CPU cooling. Is the fan working, is the CPU running hot ?

I would also check for any loose, or not seated fully, cables.

Correct, if check disk runs hd is good. It happens only upon boot up correct?

Yes, only happened that one time a few days ago.
I'm beginning to suspect Norton. At least 2 times a yr it seems to goober up
the system. When this happened, it also had error 3035,2 .
Even chkdsk'ed drive D and compressed it. OK

Thanks all for the feedback.