Repeated Boot Config Corruption in XP Pro

From: dave lonico (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 04/18/04 

Date: Sun, 18 Apr 2004 10:34:55 -0700

>-----Original Message-----
>
>>-----Original Message-----
>>I have now re-installed (clean) WinXP pro 5 times in
>past
>>45 days (only got round to activiting 2x).
>>
>>The problem is that the PC will corrupt and then either
>>the restore program works (partially) or the system will
>>not boot either in Safe Mode or any other mode (at which
>>time I re-install).
>>
>>Config as follows: Asus Asrock P4S61, Intel Celeron 2.4
>>(retail version), 512DDR PC2700 Kingston, Sony 5x DVD
>and
>>WD 10g HD, ATI Radeon 9200SE 128ddr WinXP Pro.
>>
>>The application is my son's PC which because he uses the
>>PC for gaming is using our S Video TV as the primary
>>monitor. WinXP desktop settings altered to improve
>>visibility.
>>
>>I believe that the heart of the problem is MS's digital
>>fingerprinting in XP Pro. The system is installed
>>normally, all Win updates and sec patches applied before
>>installing any software.
>>
>>Because the item is hooked to a TV and that TV may be
>>switched to another video input, the TV is occassionally
>>not "on" as far as XP is concerned when it boots. It is
>>clear that when XP trys to boot and does not detect any
>>monitor that the corruption in the boot sector happens.
>>Today's corruption was the main
>>windows/system32/config/system file (3+mb). WinXP tells
>>me that I could use the "repair" feature, but although I
>>am a pretty advanced PC person, I can't figure out how
>to
>>do it unless I use either the FIXMB or FIXBOOT, but am
>>unsure which to use.
>>
>>What I need to know is how to "turn off" XP's monitor
>>detect at boot so it won't corrupt if my son
>accidentally
>>turns on the computer with the Video Mode on the wrong
>AV
>>input. I know that MS is aware of this problem since
>some
>>of the promo material on their new "Media Center"
>version
>>of XP (for TVs) discuss dealing with these kinds of
>common
>>AV problems (including power on and desktop management).
>>
>>If because of the digital fingerprinting, I can't turn
>off
>>the monitor detect (the effect of this would be that XP
>>would boot completely without detecting a monitor at
>all -
>>which is the default mode for 98SE, Me and 2K) without
>>corrupting the boot file and config, then some
>suggestions
>>on how to do a fast "repair" so that I don't need to
>>reinstall everything, everytime.
>>
>>Right now, I could go back to stable Win98SE for his
>>system since it works fine, but then some of the newer
>>games won't play. This whole process has been very
>>frustrating, and if I ask MS, I am sure they will tell
>me
>>it's either someone else's fault or I should consider
>>upgrading to their new "Media Center" version (which of
>>course does not support Smart Display because it is a
>>variant of Home not Pro).
>>
>>Any assistance / advice (besides downgrading to 98SE and
>>simply using "System Restore") would be greatly
>>appreciated. Unfortunately using System Restore is not
>an
>>option, because only roughly half the time does the boot
>>file corruption involve a lessor file that allows the
>unit
>>to get to a "safe mode" level of boot - the rest of the
>>time you are dead in the water with only "repair" (which
>I
>>don't know enough about) or re-installations as options.
>>
>>My son is getting frustrated with having to re-install
>XP
>>every week, and he already knows far too much than a 6
>and-
>>a-half year old should have to know about PCs.
>>
>>Thx - Dave Lonico
>>
>>(frustrated after paying for XP Pro on the assumption it
>>was a great improvement on stability).
>>
>>>
>>This is a repair not a reinstall, but that really is the
>lesser of your post. I'll keep looking and maybe
>someonewho knows will come along.
>>.http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
>>
>.
>Hey, even if you know how to do a quick repair, it would
be extremely useful. From a standing start install, plus
update patches, plus acrobat, macromedia, & 802.11b
install is 3+ hours (at high speed). If you know how to
use the "repair" facility, it would be greatly
appreciated. Thanks for the reply.

Dave Lonico

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