Re: XP HOME BOOT FAILURE

From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 09/17/04 

Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 12:39:31 -0700

The only way to source an issue such as this is to start uninstalling things
one by one, reboot once or twice after each uninstall and see if things
improve. This not only refers to software but hardware as well.

As to the nVidia driver, first, with regard to your specific question, when
you remove the driver for the graphics card, a generic VGA driver is
installed. If you have a high resolution monitor and are set to a higher
resolution, this will also set the resolution back to at least 800x600 and
you won't be able to increase the resolution until the proper driver is
installed.

Nonetheless, while this might be a little uncomfortable to read, you would
still have a visible and functional desktop. You could also perform this
procedure from XP Safe Mode, boot the system, start tapping F8, select Safe
Mode when the menu appears. In Safe Mode, only the VGA driver is used so
there should be no issues in uninstalling the nVidia driver.

That said, nVidia cards and drivers have been problematic with XP. If you
have access to a different graphics card, you might try swapping it with the
nVidia card and see if that resolves the issue. If it doesn't, at least
that would rule out the nVidia card as the culprit. 

-- 
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"Hoa" <htle1955@istop.com> wrote in message 
news:ukc6U49mEHA.3684@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> Hi Michael,
>
> I did check both hard drives using the setup CD ROM that came with the new
> 120 Gb Western Digital hard disk and they are both fine in tests.  I then
> downloaded and updated the driver for the original 80 GB Maxtor hard 
> drive.
> As a result, my computer now starts better than previously but still not
> perfectly fast as before.  When I turn on the machine, POST is OK then I
> have to wait for 2-5 minutes between the XP screen and the Welcome login
> screen, as compared to what seemed to be 20 minutes - forever a week ago.
> If I press the reset button then in less than a minute the Welcome screen
> comes on.
> 1) What seems to be the problem now?
> 2) What else do I need to do?
> 3) If I were to download the NVIDIA driver for updating, the manufacturer
> recommends uninstalling the original driver first.  But if I were to do
> this, wouldn't the screen becomes blank and I wouldn't be able to go to
> Device Manager and update the driver?
>
> I would appreciate your advice/suggestions.
>
> Hoa
> leth5591<removethis>@gmail.com
>
> "Beer is living....
>
> -- 
> Hoa
> leth5591<removethis>@gmail.com
>
> "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"
> Benjamin Franklin
>
> "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" <user@#notme.com> wrote in
> message news:uAyabecmEHA.3172@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> You can certainly upgrade to XP Pro but you need to resolve your issues
>> first and you would have needed to create the ASR backup before the 
>> issue,
>> hence it would be useless in your current situation.
>>
>> Also, since you have installed SP2 or have an apparent partial install of
>> SP2, that would have to first be removed before you could upgrade to XP
> Pro.
>> If you run a repair install as I initially described, it should put your
>> system back to Pre-SP condition.  Note, however, if your XP disk did not
>> include SP1, that would be Pre-SP1 as well and all updates though, once
> you
>> resolve your issues, you can install SP2 and that will bring you up to
> date
>> on all updates including of SP1 up to the time SP2 was released.
>>
>> Before you move to XP Pro or even install SP2, you need to figure out 
>> what
>> is the source of your issue.  It appears to be driver related, you should
>> check your various hardware manufacturer websites for updates and
>> compatibility with XP and SP2.
>>
>> -- 
>> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> Windows Shell/User
>> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>>
>> "Hoa" <htle1955@istop.com> wrote in message
>> news:utftZnMmEHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> > Thank you Michael for your prompt response.  Looking in the Event 
>> > Viewer
>> > dialog box, I don't find anything that allows me to copy and paste the
>> > event
>> > log into Outlook Express email.  When I double click on an error, I can
>> > get
>> > to the description and MS help advice as well as reporting the error to
> MS
>> > via the Internet  but I cannot do anything else.  Not yet anyway.
>> >
>> > Although I haven't been able to do much to locate the source of the
>> > problem
>> > reported in my 1st post, the computer does eventually boot up.  The
>> > following is typical for the past few days:
>> >
>> > Sunday Sept. 12 @ 05:25:
>> > Turned computer on, found POST OK. XP screen appeared.  A blank blue
>> > screen
>> > immediately showed up and stayed awhile. Sound of hard drive(s) being
>> > searched/read.  Green reset light ON. Orange light directly beneath ON.
> At
>> > 05:30 a.m. Welcome screen came on and I was able to use the computer.
>> >
>> > A look at the Event Viewer shows the following for 05:26:02: Event 9 -
>> > IdeChnDr
>> >
>> > Can I upgrade from XP Home to XP Pro?  I read that XP Pro comes with 
>> > ASR
>> > (Automated System Recovery).
>> >
>> > -- 
>> > Hoa
>> > ec: leth5591<removethis>@gmail.com
>> >
>> > "Beer is living proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy"
>> > Benjamin Franklin
>> >
>> > "Michael Solomon (MS-MVP Windows Shell/User)" <user@#notme.com> wrote 
>> > in
>> > message news:%239o9fTqlEHA.3016@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> >> A blue screen of death, BSOD, almost always means some sort of 
>> >> hardware
>> >> issue.  It doesn't necessarily mean the hardware is bad but it might
> mean
>> >> you just need updated drivers.  It might be SP2 but given the problems
>> > begin
>> >> before you get to the desktop, it would seem to be hardware related.
> One
>> >> thing you should do is check the computer manufacturer's website for
> any
>> >> issues or updates with regard to SP2.  As to the error message you
>> > received,
>> >> if you added SP 1 as an update and then used your pre-SP1 CD to 
>> >> install
>> > over
>> >> itself, the system wouldn't find all the necessary files, hence the
>> >> instruction you saw.  A repair install should bypass that but it will
>> >> take
>> >> the system back to pre-SP1 state.  I'll post the repair install
>> > instructions
>> >> at the bottom.  If you can get to the desktop, the information below
> may
>> >> help:
>> >>
>> >> Assuming you are able to boot to the desktop, here are some other
> things
>> > you
>> >> can do that might help disgnose as well as possibly fix the problem:
>> >> If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, 
>> >> go
>> >> to
>> >> the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove 
>> >> the
>> >> check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure.  This will
> cause
>> >> the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
>> >> information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
>> >> issue.
>> >>
>> >> Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look
>> >> for
>> >> errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the
>> >> information
>> >> contained within may give a clue as to the
>> >> source of the problem.  If you don't understand the information 
>> >> inside,
>> > the
>> >> third button down in that dialog box will copy the information,
>> >> you can then paste it into a message and post it here and maybe we can
>> >> figure out what is going on.
>> >>
>> >> Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in
> the
>> >> drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System
>> >> Compatibility,"
>> >> the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on
> your
>> >> system.  If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this 
>> >> application
>> >> known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
>> >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
>> >> Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
>> >> download using that as this is a rather large download.
>> >>
>> >> Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your
> graphics
>> >> card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system.  Do
> not
>> > use
>> >> Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and
> if
>> >> you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being
>> > unsigned
>> >> by Microsoft.  *Before installing any drivers, be sure you are well
>> >> backed
>> >> up and it's probably a good idea to manually create a restore point in
>> >> System Restore in case you have problems as a result of the driver
> update
>> >> and note, System Restore is not a substitute for a backup.  Start\All
>> >> Programs\Accessories\System Tools\System Restore
>> >>
>> >> REPAIR INSTALL
>> >> NOTE, while a repair install should leave your data files intact, if
>> >> something goes wrong during the repair install, you may be forced to
>> >> start
>> >> over and do a clean install of XP.  If you don't have your data backed
>> >> up,
>> >> you would lose your data should that eventuality occur.
>> >>
>> >> Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive and you have
> an
>> >> actual XP CD as opposed to a recovery CD, boot with the XP
>> >> CD in the drive and perform a repair install as outlined below.  If 
>> >> the
>> >> system isn't set to boot from the CD or you are not sure, you need to
>> > enter
>> >> the system's BIOS.  When you boot the system, the first screen usually
>> >> has
>> >> instructions that if you wish to enter set press a specific key, when
> you
>> >> see that, do so.  Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence,
> if
>> >> the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence.
>> > Save
>> >> your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive.  The system will
>> > reboot.
>> >>
>> >> When the system boots, a few screens into the process you may see a
>> > message
>> >> instructing you
>> >> to hit any key in order to boot from the CD along with a countdown.
> When
>> >> you see this be sure to
>> >> hit a key on the keyboard, if you miss this instruction and the system
>> > fails
>> >> to boot from the CD, it's too
>> >> late, you'll need to reboot and try again.
>> >>
>> >> Once you have pressed a key, setup should begin.  You will see a
>> >> reference
>> >> asking if you need to load special drivers and another notice that if
> you
>> >> wish to begin the ASR (Automatic Recovery Console) depress F2.  Just
> let
>> >> setup run past all of that.  It will continue to load files and
> drivers.
>> >>
>> >> Then it will bring you to a screen.  Eventually, you will come to a
>> >> screen
>> >> with the option to (1) setup Windows or (2) Repair Windows 
>> >> Installation
>> >> using the Recovery console.   ***The selection you want at this screen
> is
>> >> "Setup Windows,"
>> >> NOT "Repair Windows Installation.
>> >>
>> >> The first option, to setup Windows is the one you want and requires 
>> >> you
>> >> to
>> >> press enter.  When asked, press F8 to accept the end user agreement.
>> > Setup
>> >> will then search for previous versions of Windows.  Upon finding your
>> >> version, it will ask if you wish to Repair your current installation 
>> >> or
>> >> install fresh.  Press R, that will run a repair installation.  From
> there
>> >> on, follow the screens.
>> >>
>> >> Note, in some cases, you won't receive the repair option, only an
> option
>> > to
>> >> reinstall.  We have discovered that sometimes this is caused by 
>> >> damaged
>> >> boot.ini file that can be repaired as follows and also note, in the
>> >> instructions, "K" refers to the CD drive in which you have placed the
> XP
>> > CD,
>> >> replace that drive letter with the appropriate letter on your system,
> "K"
>> > is
>> >> simply an example.
>> >>
>> >> Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option (this is the section I
>> > told
>> >> you to skip above.  In this case, you will need to get to the Recovery
>> >> Console to perform the function below), and if the CD letter is say K:
>> > give
>> >> these commands
>> >>
>> >> COPY K:\i386\ntldr  C:
>> >> COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com  C:
>> >>     (two other files needed - just in case)
>> >> ATTRIB -H -R -S  C:\boot.ini
>> >> DEL C:\boot.ini
>> >> BootCfg  /Rebuild
>> >>
>> >> Once you've completed this function, reboot and see if you can access
> XP
>> > as
>> >> sometimes, the problem is the damaged boot.ini.  If you still cannot
>> > access
>> >> XP, then reboot and re-run the repair install instructions at the
>> > beginning
>> >> of this message.
>> >>
>> >> If you only have a recovery CD, your options are quite limited.  You
> can
>> >> either purchase a retail version of XP which will allow you to perform
>> >> the
>> >> above
>> >> among other tools and options it has or you can run your system
> recovery
>> >> routine with the Recovery CD which will likely wipe your drive,
> deleting
>> > all
>> >> files but will restore your setup to factory fresh condition.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> -- 
>> >> Michael Solomon MS-MVP
>> >> Windows Shell/User
>> >> Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
>> >> DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
>> >>
>> >> "Hoa" <htle1955@istop.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:O8dyTAqlEHA.2224@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
>> >> > Hello there,
>> >> > I have Win XP Home SP1.  I update it quite regularly. Recently I
>> >> > experienced
>> >> > an annoying problem described below:
>> >> > Turned on computer. XP screen appeared and stayed for quite a long
> time
>> >> > but
>> >> > the Welcome screen did not show up. I pressed the reset button
> several
>> >> > times
>> >> > but nothing seems to happen.  Eventually the screen message said to
> the
>> >> > effect Win does not start correctly.  I believe I chose the Safe
> Mode?
>> >> > Still didn't work.  I inserted the OS Cd to re-install XP.  I then
> was
>> >> > prompted to find a file called "usbehci.sys" in
>> >> > "d:\drivers\usb2\winxp_sp1".
>> >> > I couldn't find it anywhere so I ignored the prompt and chose 
>> >> > Cancel.
>> >> > I
>> >> > was
>> >> > then asked to insert Network Adapter Card.  Same thing, so I either
>> > chose
>> >> > Cancel or Next.  Could not connect to the Internet.   BIOS booted
>> > normally
>> >> > but I could not go beyond the XP screen. The 3 green squares in the
>> >> > address
>> >> > window swept so slowly.  I had to re-install XP quite a number of
>> >> > times,
>> >> > so
>> >> > I almost gave up in frustration.  I then called my brother who
> advised
>> > me
>> >> > to
>> >> > insert the support CD that came with the ASUS P4XP-X Motherboard and
>> >> > downloaded the LAN driver. Then I was able to get Win XP and 
>> >> > Internet
>> >> > connection.  I then used Norton AV 2004 to scan for viruses, found
>> >> > none.
>> >> > Used Spybot SD to check for spywares, found none.  My elation was
>> >> > short-lived, since the next day I was not able to boot again. I took
>> >> > the
>> >> > computer to the store where I bought it last year for a check.  They
>> > found
>> >> > nothing wrong with the hardware, and suggested that the 80GB hard
> drive
>> > be
>> >> > reformatted and XP re-installed.  I had them install a new, second
> hard
>> >> > drive (120 GB) and install XP on it.  Everything worked fine when I
> get
>> >> > home. However this morning I watched the blue screen of death. I had
> to
>> >> > reboot and even then had to wait for 10 minutes before the Welcome
>> > screen
>> >> > appears.  This afternoon same thing happened.  Could the new problem
> be
>> >> > due
>> >> > to the SP2 that the store installed in my new hard drive? The
> computer
>> >> > works
>> >> > for now!
>> >> > My apology for being long winded.  This is my first post and I have
> to
>> >> > describe the problem as best as I can remember. I would very much
>> >> > appreciate
>> >> > any helpful suggestions to fix the problem.
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> > -- 
>> >> > Hoa
>> >> > leth5591<removethis>@gmail.com
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>