Question : NTWKS 3.51 BSOD - UNKNOWN HARD ERROR

Our NT 3.51 + SP4 WKS has been running quite happily for a few months. Over the weekend, the BSOD popped up with a STOP c0000218 Unknown Hard Error. I tried re-booting the system - same again. I tried repairing the system using the ERD - same again on rebooting after the repair.

On cold re-starting, the system memory checks ok. It runs the bootloader ok, NTdetect ok and OS loader V3.51 ok. It does its disk check (three dots) and appears to be about to through up the GUI when it falls down.

Any ideas as to the possible source of the problem?  

Answer : NTWKS 3.51 BSOD - UNKNOWN HARD ERROR

It sounds like some important drivers or files that are required for booting are corrupted. When you used your ERD did you select all the repair options? Did Last Known Good help at all?

Assuming you have a good backup, the best option would be for you to do a reinstallation over the top of the existing nt directory. In theory your registry should still be intact and you shouldn't have to reinstall your software packages for them to work. Like I said that's in theory.

Failing that you'll have to reinstall NT from scratch from restore from your backup.