Run your BIOS setup program, typically by pressing the delete key at start
up, and turn on the SMART option.
You will also see lots more stuff...  your hard drives will probably will
need redetecting, etc.  It would be best to locate the manual for your
motherboard or find a technician that is comfortable with it's settings.
Hopefully the hard drive is ok and you have a backup of your data, you may
need to reinstall your operating system too depending on the damage.  With
your light switch setup, I would definately get a uninterruptible power
supply (UPS).
Howard Rubin
The Computer Doctor
Fortaleza, Brazil

RE:  Date:    Thu, 4 Dec 2003 12:51:38 -0800
From:    Mike Corbean <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: smart capability...disabled

hello
my problem is w/ my T2484 Emachine running XP Home.  The machine was
improperly shut off (power switch on the wall was flipped - i know, i know).
when i turned it back on i got the following data on a solid black screen:

Pri Master Disk   HDD S.M.A.R.T. Capability ... Disabled

then a bunch of "pci device" data, "verifying pool data"... & "boot from
ATAPI CD-ROM:"
followed by "a disk read error occurred   press ctrl+alt+del to restart"

so i press ctrl+alt+del, it goes through a series of screens and them comes
right back to the same thing.  any ideas?

thanks,
mike corbean

               The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
              Mandrake Linux or Red Hat Linux CD sets along
             with the OpenOffice CD...  at a great price!!!
             http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml