I just got the sane problem Fri Nov 01.
doing the 2 suggested fixes did nothing.
I'm limping along by not loading group items. It's the only way I can get ME to complete loading.
I cannot run Windows ScanDisk or Defrag either.
I think there must be a locked file or locked sector, (probably boot sector)
(Both utilities die immediately).

I'm ready to abandon ME and go 2000.
Z.