I have discovered my Windows XP (home edition) starting to break down as well.  I 
would like to summarize what I have learned from the posts above.  Please comment 
if I am on the right/wrong track with these.


=== 1st Suggestion ===
1. Use Windows 98se to FAT32 format larger hard drives
2. Install Windows XP onto the FAT32 formatted hard drive
3. Ask Windows XP to convert my FAT32 to NTFS

- or -

1. Install Windows 98se using FAT32 format for larger hard drives
2. Ask Windows 98se to convert the file system from FAT32 to NTFS
3. Install Windows XP onto the "converted" NTFS

Note:  I have long heard that NTFS is the preferred file system for Windows XP; however, 
after reading several posts I am no longer convinced of the best Windows XP installation 
solution.  Please help me select from the following:
1. Fresh install of NTFS
2. Converted FAT32 to NTFS (using one of the suggestions above)
3. FAT32 only
4. NTFS partition for the Windows XP operating system and a separate FAT32 partition 
for the data files
5. FAT32 partition  for the Windows XP operating system and a separate NTFS partition 
for the data files


=== 2nd Suggestion ===
Just power the computer off without using the standard automated Windows XP shut-down 
feature ... because the automated Windows XP shutdown either saves the "corruption 
/ corrupted files and folders" or Windows-controlled ACPI does not wait long enough 
for the computer to save all it's important settings (ie. the hard drive will still 
be spinning as Windows XP automatically powers off everything) not giving enough 
time for a proper shut-down.

Question ... how do you ask Windows XP to display the "Your computer is now safe 
to shut down" dialog without shutting down the computer automatically?


=== 3rd Suggestion ===
In slight opposition to what was suggested in the "2nd Suggestion" ... unplug/turn-off 
your computer without using the standard automated Windows XP shutdown so that you 
do not give Windows XP a chance to save "corruption / corrupted files and folders" 
to the deteriorating file system/hard drive.


=== 4th Suggestion ===
Apparently, CHKDSK will report errors of different kinds with each running of the 
application when files are currently open and in use (this includes Windows XP operating 
system files which will always be open and in use … so you will continue to see errors 
of different kinds as new files/applications are being run by windows all the time 
in the background).  The work-around for this is to run CHKDSK only when rebooting 
your computer system.  From what I have heard this can be done by:  Right-click on 
the drive in question > Select “Properties” from the menu > Select the “Tools” tab 
> Under the “Error-checking” area select “Check Now…” > Select both “Automatically 
fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”.  During 
this process, I have been told, the computer might let you know that it will need 
to continue running the CHKDSK operation when the computer reboots.


=== 5th Suggestion ===
Check you system’s files and folders using third-party CHKDSK software.  

Question … what is the best third-party substitute for checking the integrity of 
your file system?