Updated my video drivers this morning, and finally got around to restarting m PC this afternoon. When I try to restart the PC does the normal routine right up to the Windows load screen. When it comes time for Windows to start, it waits 3 - 5 seconds, and starts to reboot while the screen remains black.

I have checked the BIOS and all is fine. Tried starting in Safe Mode, but to the same result at the time for the Widnows start, a reboot. Tried using Last Known Good Settings to start also with the same result.

Before I loaded the drivers I had done a restore point. The drivers are the latest ATi 6.5, and I did not remove the old ones prior to install. I have found that usually causes me more trouble than it is worth.

My system:
Sapphire X800XT 256MB
ABIT IC7 Max 3
Intel P4, 2.4 GHz
2GB Corsair
Audigy 2

Thanks in advance for any help. (Thank goodness for my second PC)

hate to say this...

grab your windows install... and do a repair of the os....

Quote: Originally Posted by Foe Updated my video drivers this morning, and finally got around to restarting m PC this afternoon. When I try to restart the PC does the normal routine right up to the Windows load screen. When it comes time for Windows to start, it waits 3 - 5 seconds, and starts to reboot while the screen remains black. I have checked the BIOS and all is fine. Tried starting in Safe Mode, but to the same result at the time for the Widnows start, a reboot. Tried using Last Known Good Settings to start also with the same result. Before I loaded the drivers I had done a restore point. The drivers are the latest ATi 6.5, and I did not remove the old ones prior to install. I have found that usually causes me more trouble than it is worth. My system: Sapphire X800XT 256MB ABIT IC7 Max 3 Intel P4, 2.4 GHz 2GB Corsair Audigy 2 Thanks in advance for any help. (Thank goodness for my second PC)

Reset the CMOS, leave the battery out for at least 5 minutes! I have a problem like that with my laptop and its the only thing that i know of that works!

I would try what Reza said, then if that doesn't work I would try ERD commander. Not sure if you have it or not, but if windows won't boot then it lets you access the partition to make changes and then you could put the old drivers back the way it was.

Foe, as a computer tech, this is what I'd do.

1. Going just on what you've told us, I'm guessing nothing has changed hardware-wise. This would rule out heat, hardware failure, etc. pretty much. Just to make sure, you could test this by entering BIOS and just let it sit at the "System Health" screen if it has one, and watching the temps. This totally bypasses the OS.

2. Next thing is since you changed video drivers, and you can't even boot in safe mode, I'd change the video card (preferrably a different brand), so if it was the drivers, Windows wouldn't use them and it should boot. Once it's booted (if it works) then un-install ALL old video drivers, and start over.

3. If it still won't boot, then I'd suspect something weird... possibly not related to the video card. Boot it in command prompt only and see if running chkdsk -f finds anything, etc.

Hope this helps!

Boot from the cd to get to the recovery console, try using fixmbr and fixboot.

If they don't work then:

attrib -h c:\boot.ini
attrib -s c:\boot.ini
attrib -r c:\boot.ini

del c:\boot.ini

bootcfg /rebuild

fixboot

you will need to use /fastdetect and /noexecute=optin on intel chips that are prescott core or later and on anything after amd rolled out the 64.

If it will start in safe mode try to system restore to prior new driver install.My 2 cents,Jo

If none of the above work, try reseating all of the cards, plugs, and cables. I've had it work before.

Thanks all for your help, but nothing seems to be working. I tried all suggestions, except fixmbr, since i am trying to save my access to the information on the drive.

Funky
I did try that, but with the same brand of card. Will have to find anotheer brand to try it, too.

Thank you all for your suggestions, and help. I am going to keep trying things since I really have loads of things that I cannot afford to lose.

Just a quick clarification, when I mean a "different brand" I mean try to find an nVidia card... if Windows sees an ATI card, it will try to use the same ATI drivers. Though I don't even think Windows is getting that far, it's just something I'd try.

Also, using fdisk /mbr DOES NOT format the drive, it won't hurt anything unless you're running a dual-boot setup. All it does is reset the boot record, and lets Windows load normally.

Oh, and definitely back up everything! You just never know...

You've got Mail, Foe!

TDR

Thanks TDR, but I got it sorted. Tried all suggestions I got here, and at TG. Ended up finding a link that fixed it.
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repa...sting%20Setup:

When it came up all my data was there, just had to re-install SP2.
Thanks to those who tried to help.

Bookmarked! Glad you solved it!

TDR

Glad to see you finally got it sorted Foe

Quote: Originally Posted by Foe Thanks all for your help, but nothing seems to be working. I tried all suggestions, except fixmbr, since i am trying to save my access to the information on the drive. Funky I did try that, but with the same brand of card. Will have to find anotheer brand to try it, too. Thank you all for your suggestions, and help. I am going to keep trying things since I really have loads of things that I cannot afford to lose.

Just for the record fixmbr won't cause data loss as all it does is rewrte a valid master boot record to the drive and doesn't mess with the partiion table.

I noticed you mentioned you did not remove the old drivers first..that is a big no-no!

That may "Seem" like more trouble than it's worth, but it can (And most likely did) screw up windows pretty good.

The proper way to uninstall ATI drivers:

Go into the "Add/Remove programs" in the Control Panel.

1.Remove the ATI Control Panel FIRST!
2.Then remove the ATI Driver
3.Then the ATI Uninstall utility
4.Finally, delete the ATI folder from your C: drive
5.Run "Driver Cleaner" it will remove all the junk registry enties leftover.
6.Reboot
7.Run "Disk Clean Up"
8.Install new ATI drivers (Note: Make sure you have the latest version of the .NET framework installed, and any patches ATI may note on the download page first!)
9.Defrag HD
10. Enjoy!

Wanted to update this problem post I made, n case anyone else had this issue.

To get my PC back up and running I had to do the following:

Repair Install of Windows XP

How to Repair Install: ***Also removes Service Packs***
Sometimes the only way to repair XP is to reinstall. You do not have to wipe your partition and start over. Just as with previous versions of Windows you can reinstall right over top of an existing setup. This has the advantage of retaining your installed applications, data and settings. You will lose previously saved System Restore Points but System Restore will begin creating new restore points again immediately following the Repair Install. You will need to reinstall SP2 and any Critical Updates from the Windows Update Site. Be aware that a Repair Install will leave your system vulnerable to the Blaster and Welchia worms. Do not go on line until you have enabled XP's firewall first. Then visit the Windows Update Site to patch your system It is always prudent to backup important data before you make changes to XP.

There are two approaches. The first one should be used if you can still boot to your Windows Desktop. Simply pop the XP CD into the CD-Rom drive and select Install->Upgrade[recommended]. This will install XP overtop of itself in the same way as upgrading from a previous setup. However if your version is an OEM version then you will not have this option. If you do not see the option to Upgrade[recommended] DO NOT choose New Install as that will either overwrite your current setup completely or give you a dual boot setup. Also if you have an older version of XP and have upgraded to a new service pack you will get a message stating that a newer version of Windows was found and you will not be able to run the Upgrade. Create a Slipstream version to solve this problem

If you cannot boot to the Desktop, or you have an OEM version of XP, or you want to remove a service pack then the following should be used to complete a Repair Install.

Boot with the Windows XP CD and at the Setup Screen press the Enter Key. You will be taken to the Windows XP Licensing Agreement. After reading the agreement press F8 to proceed.

The next screen gives you the option to do a fresh (clean) install or to repair the selected Windows XP installation. To run a Repair Install Press "R" at this time.
***CAUTION*** if you do not see the option to repair the selected Windows XP installation DO NOT choose the option to continue installing a fresh copy without repairing as that will overwrite your data and cause unrecoverable data loss.

Windows XP will copy the necessary files to your Hard Drive to begin the installation and will then reboot. You will see the message that informs you to "Press any key to boot the CD". Do not press any keys this time just wait a few seconds and the Windows Startup Screen will be displayed. Following this you will be greeted by the Windows XP Setup Screens.

When Setup has completed you should find all of your previously installed apps and settings are intact.
================================================== =======================

Once all this was done I was still having problems with programs, games, etc. Using Prime95, SpeedFan and Everest Ultimate I was able to zero in on the root cause of the problem...a bad stick of RAM. So it was not the drivers at all, or the installation itself. Only a combination of things that were exacerbated by the bad memory.

Thanks again to those who tried to help.