Re: Configuration Change

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OK, I want to throw out a possibility here.
So far it's working.
Whenever it's crashed the BIOS seems fine. No indication of a battery
problem and loosing settings.
How about this. This is an emachine. When I was last home in late may and
replaced the dead HD I also bought her a USB Hub.
Of course it was 2.0 and powered (always do powered). Now her machine only
has v1.1 ports. It gave me a warning but worked as it (on paper) is supposed
to.
But, I've heard there is a problem with some emachine USB ports.
Now add to this some experience on my own machine with mixing USB 1.1 & 2.0.
Up until ~ Feb I was using a Gateway 400MHZ P2 that I got in 1998. It was
top of the line when I got it (14gb HD, DVD-ROM drive, 19" monitor, 128meg
Ram)
I pushed it as far as I could go; 384 meg RAM, kept upgrading HD's (needed a
card to support larger drives) and had 120 & 80 gb (she got the 80 and I
bought a 250gbwhen her drive died)
Upgraded from Windows 98, to Me, to Xp, etc. Video card from 8 meg to ATI
AIWR.
Plus added CD-RW & even DVD Writers, USB 2.0 PCI Card, etc, etc.
Finally I got in Feb a new bare bones system (Antec P160, 500W PS,
PCI-Express MB, AMD 64 3500+, 2 GB RAM (on two DIMMS so I can easily push it
to 4) , ATI PCI Express AIWR Video Card). Brought everything else over.
It worked great.
I also brought over an old USB 1.1 Hub I had with old system. Only had
"slow" items plugged into it like old webcam, etc).
Everything worked fine for a few weeks until it stopped booting. I unplugged
everything and then started plugging things back in. It was the USB 1.1 Hub.
Plugged in, system would not boot. Unplugged, no problem. There shouldn't
have been a problem but there was. Made me think about that v2.0 USB hub
plugged into the 1.1 port on that emachine. I mentioned it to my wife but I
think when I talk about things like USB Hubs all she hears is "Blah, Blah,
Blah".
I left a message for my pain in the **** son to go over and pull that hub.
Wouldn't hurt and might help.

"mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:KhJVe.70$Q71.49@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Well, it isn't activation.
>
> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <rick@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:eLVGRN$tFHA.3256@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > Hi,
> >
> > Registration and activation are different things. The first is totally
> > voluntary, the latter is mandatory. Have her do this: Click start/run
and
> > type:
> >
> > %SYSTEMROOT%\system32\oobe\msoobe.exe /A
> >
> > If it is already activated or does not need to be activated, this will
> > tell her.
> >
> > --
> > Best of Luck,
> >
> > Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> > http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> > Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> > www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> > Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >
> > "mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> > news:l%cVe.2451$6Z3.645@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >> Well, I talked her through things last night. Took a good chunk of the
> >> evening. First things were not working and we hung up. Then she called
> >> back and said there are two CD's in here! Didn't realize that. She had
> >> put in CD 2.
> >> (Rolling eyes). Well, she did the recovery. I had her load the
> >> firewall/antivirus software (also like pulling teeth), windows updates
> >> (getting low on teeth), entering her e-mail account (toothless).
> >> But I know it never asked for a product ID (I did have her get it off
of
> >> the machine, it was in back) and when it asked her to register with MS
&
> >> emachines the LAN link couldn't be found yet. I'm sure after a while
the
> >> same thing will happen. You still haven't convinced my it's not a MS
"big
> >> brother is watching" situation.
> >>
> >> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <rick@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >> news:uLjMj0ttFHA.2504@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>> Without knowing more, I cannot diagnose it further. I can only tell
you
> >>> what the symptoms would be if it were activation. In addition to what
> >>> I've already stated, if it were an activation issue she would be
> >>> continually reminded that it needed to be activated every time she
> >>> logged on (nagging). What you are describing, at least in its briefest
> >>> form, is not an activation issue.
> >>>
> >>> How does she clear the message? Does she reboot and it goes away?
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Best of Luck,
> >>>
> >>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> >>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >>>
> >>> "mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>> news:HUWUe.1748$6Z3.445@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>> Generally she never shuts the system off. Just lets it run.
> >>>> Typically she would come home and try to use the system and instead
of
> >>>> windows she would get the dos type screen with the "configuration
> >>>> change" notification.
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <rick@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>> news:OjQ1rOttFHA.3628@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>> If it was a "product activation thing", then the message would read
> >>>>> that the product needs to be activated or reactivated and she would
be
> >>>>> given a prompt to follow through with the steps offering a choice of
> >>>>> internet activation or phone activation, not locked on a
> >>>>> "configuration change" screen. Even if she declined to activate, she
> >>>>> would be booted to safe mode, and not blocked from the system.
> >>>>> Configuration change on a black screen says that something in the
> >>>>> system has changed, or is being interpreted as being changed. It may
> >>>>> be something as simple as a CMOS battery failure where the BIOS no
> >>>>> longer retains the settings and reverts to defaults whenever the
> >>>>> system is powered off, this could be interpreted as a configuration
> >>>>> change.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Best of Luck,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> >>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >>>>>
> >>>>> "mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>> news:qDUUe.29357$ih4.16375@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>> My wife has no idea how to add software or hardware. I'm convinced
> >>>>>> it's a product activation thing.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> The first time I redid everything after adding the HD (I was back
in
> >>>>>> Illinois the full week of memorial day) I decided to add MS
> >>>>>> Antispyware later in the week (yes, she's running Antivirus &
> >>>>>> Firewall software).
> >>>>>> I have arthritis in my lower back and right knee. I use a cane and
> >>>>>> they want to do a knee replacement. I also use reading glasses. I
was
> >>>>>> gradually restoring all software and settings (look and feel) to
make
> >>>>>> things easy for her. When I went to the website it said I needed
the
> >>>>>> product key from either the install disk or from the label on the
> >>>>>> machine. Her machine is a 933mhz emachine. The activation code was
> >>>>>> not on the install disk. It was at night in a partially darkened
> >>>>>> room.
> >>>>>> It was hard enough getting down, pulling all off all the cables on
> >>>>>> that stupid machine and taking it to a table the first day I was
> >>>>>> there to replace the HD. (Wife had to carry it. Back is so bad I
> >>>>>> couldn't. Plus with use of cane I only have one hand to use. If it
> >>>>>> doesn't have a handle and I can't get my left arm around it
securely
> >>>>>> I can't carry it).
> >>>>>> Anyway, I wasn't about to try and lower myself to the floor and try
> >>>>>> to read some stupid product code in a darkened room so I just
> >>>>>> cancelled out of the install. As I said I'm convinced it's a
product
> >>>>>> key problem. If I try to talk her through another re-install how do
I
> >>>>>> tell her how to make sure the product key is installed? I suppose I
> >>>>>> could try to talk her through going to MS to get the antispyware.
It
> >>>>>> asked for the product key. (Wow, just the thought of directing her
by
> >>>>>> phone on doing something like that has divorce all over it).
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <rick@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>>> news:OzYDV0mtFHA.3628@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>>> And you are sure she's not adding any software/hardware to the
> >>>>>>> system? Is that all there is to the error message?
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> --
> >>>>>>> Best of Luck,
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >>>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >>>>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> >>>>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>>>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>> "mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>>>> news:oKKUe.1972$Ma.189@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>>>> Boot up. All she gets is a dos type message.
> >>>>>>>> Booting in safe mode doesn't help. Same message.
> >>>>>>>> You know with the usual prompts for safe mode or normal boot.
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <rick@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>>>>> news:%238NTyQktFHA.908@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>>>>> Hi,
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> So when precisely does the "configuration change" message
appear?
> >>>>>>>>> During normal use? Or at boot up? Is this all there is to the
> >>>>>>>>> message? It could be as simple as some piece of installed
> >>>>>>>>> software.
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> --
> >>>>>>>>> Best of Luck,
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >>>>>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >>>>>>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> >>>>>>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>>>>>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>> "mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>>>>>> news:xeDUe.5594$O52.4680@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>>>>>> Few weeks.
> >>>>>>>>>> It works fine for a while then stops and just displays
> >>>>>>>>>> configuration change.
> >>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>> "Rick "Nutcase" Rogers" <rick@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>>>>>>> news:ONm9uZgtFHA.3596@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>>>>>>> Hi,
> >>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>> Define "a while". 10 minutes? A few days? Weeks? Activation
(not
> >>>>>>>>>>> registration) would not be hamstrung by changing the hard
drive.
> >>>>>>>>>>> I doubt that it has anything to do with it. If it did, it
would
> >>>>>>>>>>> occur during installation, not at a later time. I would also
run
> >>>>>>>>>>> a drive diagnostic, as the 80GB may be dying as well.
> >>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>> --
> >>>>>>>>>>> Best of Luck,
> >>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>> Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
> >>>>>>>>>>> http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
> >>>>>>>>>>> Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone
> >>>>>>>>>>> www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>>>>>>>>>> Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
> >>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>> "mcl" <levinemc@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> >>>>>>>>>>> news:KBAUe.35387$1g2.17528@xxxxxxxxxxx
> >>>>>>>>>>>> OK, my wifes hard drive died. She mostly just uses her system
> >>>>>>>>>>>> to browse the internet & e-mail. The HD was a 40gb. So, on my
> >>>>>>>>>>>> system I had a 120 & 80 gb drive. So I bought a new 250gb
drive
> >>>>>>>>>>>> at Sam's for $119 and installed it in my system and gave her
my
> >>>>>>>>>>>> 80gb. Her system only has a system restore CD. So I redid
> >>>>>>>>>>>> everything. Put it back to as it was when new but with this
> >>>>>>>>>>>> "hand-me-down" HD. That worked for a while but then it
stopped
> >>>>>>>>>>>> booting and only showed "configuration change". So I did it
> >>>>>>>>>>>> again. Once again it lasted for a while then did the same
> >>>>>>>>>>>> thing. So I assume this has to do with their registration BS.
> >>>>>>>>>>>> Of course it down't say anything like that. It doesn't say to
> >>>>>>>>>>>> contact MS or anything. So how do I fix it? I know when I
used
> >>>>>>>>>>>> the restore disk it didn't ask for a product key. So how do I
> >>>>>>>>>>>> get it reregisterd?
> >>>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>
> >>
> >
> >
>
>


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