FAT32 Hack?

[NeedHelp85]

Hey,
If this is in the wrong forum, I apologize and feel free to tell me where to post it or if you're a mod or something, just move it I guess.

Anyway, The other day I was using my desktop with Windows XP and it suddenly started to move pretty slowly with the mouse dragging around the screen. I was connected to the internet. I became concerned so I held the power button until it shut down then started it up again. When it restarted a message came up pretty much right away telling me to check FAT32 for file consistency. I have no idea what that means, but I am not sure if I could have been hacked.

I ran a virus scan and came up with just the usual spyware cookies that I find every time I scan so nothing there. Nothing popped up to make me think I was hacked when it was running slowly, but I had a lot of programs running when it slowed down and was chatting online with people I've met in forums that I have never actually met. They also gave no real indication that they were hacking me, but I am paranoid. A few months ago I reformatted my computer after getting a virus, but I still had older files from before the reformatting leading me to believe that I did not do it properly. It seemed to put everything from before the reformat into a new user account on my computer.

This is way too long. I just wanted to make sure that I explained everything. Could I have been hacked? Nothing seems out of place and I assume that it is probably a hardware issue. The fan has been working very hard recently too. Please let me know if you need more info, if you've even made it this far lol. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[DrB0b]

No you were not "hacked". When you shut down improperly most of the time Windows will do a consistency check, or if you have a usb thumb drive attached I've seen it try to check it under its FAT32 format.
When your doing a completely new install with XP or earlier, get one of the millions of free bootables that will physically write 0's to your drive, or allow you to like Partition Magic. Easy and fast and you know all your previous version data is gone. Vista and 7 "delete & format" tools are adequate enough but I still use the above out of habit.

 

[vacunita]

FAT32 is the method of storing data on some drives. When it loses consistency it mans one or more files may have become corrupt. It cannot be hacked in any way.

As the Good Dr. said above, Windows will do a consistency check when you shutdown like you did.

I would just to rule out any issues run a diagnostic on the hard drive.

As for your formatting, it seems you did not format at all, but merely install on top of the Existing windows installation. This effectively restores Windows to default settings and system files but does not touch personal files or applications.

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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

Behind the Web, Tips and Tricks for Web Development.

http://behindtheweb.blogspot.com/

 

[NeedHelp85]

Thanks guys. I figured I was just being paranoid, but I wanted to ask someone more knowledgeable anyway. I think the old girl is just getting old at this point too as it's been 6 years since I got it. It's no longer my primary computer, but I'll follow your guys instructions and try to keep it working a little longer.

Thanks again.