help windows xp

[ann8087]

My system somehow got corrupted about a month ago and the windows help line told me I had to delete everything and start again which included loading windows xp etc.
Since this has been done I keep getting the usual messages telling me when there are updates to be had which I duly do. I now keep getting told that I need sp2 so I click all the usual places and wait on it being done and, that is when I have a problem. First of all my pc wont restart and if I do get it to restart without restoring to an earlier time the sp2 hasn't completed the download, if I try and do it again I get a message which is basically telling me that my pc is unstable and to remove the 'broken' sp2 from my pc.
I have now noticed that on my control panel I have 2 add/remove icons and 2 nvidia icons, I have no clue how this has happened and I have no idea how to fix any of these problems.
I would be very appreciative if anyone can come up with any ideas. I should say that I had sp2 on my pc from a disc before it was corrupted and I have tried using the disc again to see if that made any difference but to no avail.
I am now wondering if something went wrong when everything was deleted after the corrupted registry and if I am going to have to go through that again to fix it.
Anyway thanks for reading this and if you have any ideas I would love to hear them. ann8087

[kern]

Ann,
Welcome to KH!
When you say "everything was deleted", do you mean you formatted your harddrive and did a clean install of XP?

[dbarrow]

You did a "wipe and load" and installed XP fresh from the install cd?
Do you still have the SP2 cd?

I found that a fresh load seems to go smoother if you first complete the install, then run Windows Updates (manually = custom) and do all the pre-SP2 updates it lists, then run SP2 from the cd (as the online download is so big it has lots of potential to stall or get a corrupt file, then do another Windows Update to finish all the current SP2 updates.

[dale@fcg]

Ann,
If you are attempting to download the sp2 from Microsoft's web site, I would suggest trying to install it from a cd. If you don't have one a cd, you can order one from MS I believe- but if not, I'd gladly send you a cd if you'd like.

Also, are you familiar with imaging software such as Acronis True Image or Norton Ghost? The use of such software along with a second hard drive to store the images on really eliminates the need to ever delete your hard drive and reinstall your operating system. We'd gladly expound on this theory more if you are not aware of it.

[mylanta]

We need to see the answer to some of the questions above to be sure, but one thing I can tell you is that SP2 will only install properly to a perfect system with no spyware or virus so I would be running some online scans to be certain here:
www.ewido.com
www.bitdefender.com
and these are the best online scans...then I would clean the cd which you can do with warm sudsy water and a sponge and finally run a cleaner through cd rom as well.
Doug I have found the best installs come from XPcd, mobo drivers and then SP2 before anything else, and heaven knows I have done more installs in the last 6 months then most do in a lifetime. When I sawy from that, I wind up reformatting.

[ann8087]

Yes I had to format my hard drive. I have been running ad-aware for complete scans every time I load anything (I'm just trying to be safe). Even my screen doesn't work too well now it is always like waves when I scroll it.
I have tried to load sp2 both from the cd and Microsoft website and I always get the same problem. I have also noticed that the windows hotfixes on my add/remove page only have the have the number eg KB835732 there is no size, is this correct ? I hadn't noticed this before my problems. I also wondered if the problem could have come about if updates intended after sp2 had been loaded before sp2-if you get my drift.
I have to admit that I know nothing about imaging software such as Acronis True Image so I would be grateful for your help.
I can't think of anything else to say about the problem except I noticed on my original message I put "to add/remove icons" when I meant 2 so I've changed it now.
Thank you for all your help, ann8087

[mylanta]

Yes I had to format my hard drive. I have been running ad-aware for complete scans every time I load anything (I'm just trying to be safe). Even my screen doesn't work too well now it is always like waves when I scroll it.
I have tried to load sp2 both from the cd and Microsoft website and I always get the same problem. I have also noticed that the windows hotfixes on my add/remove page only have the have the number eg KB835732 there is no size, is this correct ? I hadn't noticed this before my problems. I also wondered if the problem could have come about if updates intended after sp2 had been loaded before sp2-if you get my drift.
I have to admit that I know nothing about imaging software such as Acronis True Image so I would be grateful for your help.
I can't think of anything else to say about the problem except I noticed on my original message I put "to add/remove icons" when I meant 2 so I've changed it now.
Thank you for all your help, ann8087


You might have to expand your panel in add/remove programs to see it, but size was never there, date installed should be, but I doubt that is relevant to any of this.
I think you need to reformat install XP, then motherboard drivers, then SP2 and then updates. I just had the exact same thing happen and that's how I got out of it and this time do not allow auto updates when done, you can go into Control Panel, Auto Updates and OK that later.Don't load a single program until you have done all that.

[ann8087]

Hi, Thanks for getting back to me so soon. I just wanted to check that I have got it right. by doing this I have to clean the pc entirely which will mean I will lose all my 'stuff' tho' at the moment I am trying to make back-up discs. I have never tried to make back up discs so I'm not sure if I am doing it properly but hopefully I am.
ann8087

[dbarrow]

You said you did format your drive?
What is still on it you are trying to save?

Following your re-install, did you install all the drivers ...
mobo, vid, sound, and any other hardware drivers that came with the machine?

It sounds as if maybe you missed something in the re-install and SP2 isn't happy with it.
Open Start\Settings\Control Panel\System , HARDWARE tab, Device Manager and see if any devices have a yellow triangle or other error marking. That would indicate a device or hardware driver missing or not installed.

I would start over with a fresh wipe and load and make sure initial XP re-install is all correct and operating before running the SP2 and any updates.

[ann8087]

hi, yes I did reformat it at the time and have been loading stuff since then. I do have a problem with my devices. When I have to restart my pc always I have to reload vga and 2 others, it doesn't matter when I do it I always get a message telling me "new hardware has been found" or words to that effect.
So unless I hear from the contrary I will wipe everything from my pc and start loading xp when I have done that I will then load sp2 from the disc I have and only when I have done that will I load everything else.
One more thought when this happened initially I lost my broadband connection and had to change between my ethernet cable and the one that has similar connections to a phone plug.
Thank you for all your help I will let you know how I get on. I will start doing it around 6.50pm. Ann

[mylanta]

"had to change between my ethernet cable and the one that has similar connections to a phone plug." now I am getting really confused as you are describing an ethernet cable (it really look like a fatter phoner plug).
If you are loading drivers that aren't a keeper, then you really do need to relaod XP or at the very least run a repair.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
But frankly before I would do that I would wipe clean and follow the order I gave you earlier.

[ann8087]

Sorry I meant a USB connection. I will wipe and do a new install.
Thank you for putting up with me.Ann

[dbarrow]

As soon as you finishe the fresh install, get your mobo disks and cds that came with it and be sure to load all drivers and installs. Install any video and sound drivers as well as any other devices, printers, external devices, etc. and check them all in Device Manager to make sure they are up and running BEFORE doing the SP2.

Once SP2 is successful, then run (manual) all Windows updates. Then do any NEW driver updates that you have.

Always best to use a specific hardware update from the mnfr. site download as opposed to one found in an MS update as the mnfr updates are often full featured and more current as opposed to stripped down updates in Windows Updates.

[mylanta]

Yep the way DB says is what I said earlier....when he and I agree,
DO IT!

[Dan18960]

Ann,

Once you get all your files (word docs, spreadsheets, pictures, etc,) copied to either cd or disks (I would suggest getting one of the external hard drives to move everything over to and not having to worry about space since most are 80gb or higher) you need to get all your operating cds, hardware cds, and application cds out.

First:
Boot the computer so that it loads the operating system from the cd (you will see a message to press any key to boot to CD). DO NOT SELECT THE FIRST REPAIR OPTION. Hit enter to continue. You will be prompted to accept AGAIN the Microsoft User Agreement - press F8. You will not be given the option to again repair or delete the partition - delete the partition and Windows will start formatting the drive and continue with the loading of the operating system.

Second:
AFTER the computer is booting to Windows - LOAD ALL OF THE HARDWARE DRIVERS FOR THE MOTHERBOARD, VIDEO, AND NETWORK CARD (nic) in that order.

Third:
Connect to the internet and do ONLY the Windows updates - complete them all in CUSTOM selection option. DO NOT SELECT HARDWARE UPDATES FROM MICROSOFT! Make a list of the hardware updates and see if the manufacturer has updates for your computer hardware.

Fourth:
Load your Antivirus program - do all updates, run a system scan (I know you haven't moved anything in yet - but you want to at least have the antivirus complete it's processes before continuing).

Fifth:
Setup your web browser and email accounts.

Sixth:
Load your applications - do any updates that were done since you purchased them.

Seventh and LAST:
Attach your external hard drive or load your cd's or your disks - and move the application data back into where you copied it from.

Now if you want to avoid all this in the future AND you purchaced an external hard drive - go one step further and either purchase Symantec Ghost or any of a dozen imaging software packages out there (here there is the advise to use Acronis although I have had success with Ghost). Once you have everything up to date, have checked to make sure printer is working, internet is WORKING (didn't say to go BROWSING just working), email is working, your other applications are working, etc - make an image of your hard drive.

In the future, BEFORE you do updates, install new software, add a piece of hardware, etc, make yourself a current image. That way IF your system doesn't work right after the "whatever", you can just blow away the current works and simply restore from your "salvation" image.

[dale@fcg]

Dan,
Not to muddle the pot any more, but it would be an option to make images at various stages of the above process, once Windows is installed and booted into. For example, an image could be made after first log on, then another image made after mboard-video-nic drivers, another after Updates, another after apps, etc.

This may seem a little paranoid- but, believe me, for a novice each step is a hurdle. Images at this point only take a few minutes and you could even go with incremental or differential and be done the successive images in no time flat.

If at any point something goes awry, and I know the distinct likelihood of Murphy popping into my life, bringing back an images is a lot less :mad: :fear: than starting all over again. Even an OS reload is an hour of repetitive nonsense versus a 5 minute roll back to an image.

Once all setting up is done, data brought back over, etc., and YOU ARE SURE ALL IS WELL- I MEAN REALLY REALLY SURE - well, then, make one more image, verify it, and then humbly ( :humble:) , thankfully, gratefully, and happily ( :clap2: ) DELETE all the PARANOI IMAGES

[Dan18960]

Actually Dale making images from a fresh installation without the basic drivers doesn't really assist in the bringing anyone back to an operating system.

Remember you usually have to have most drivers installed to just access some hardware. Network adapters is one that, depending on the age of the NIC, can be loaded or be an "Unknown" hardware issue among others.

Also, remember nothing has been entered into the system that can't be deemed "clean". You have loaded drivers, all windows updates, antivirus, applications (and notice I used CD applications not downloaded IM's or ANY downloads at the point the image is made), and moved data over with antivirus scanning as these are moved to the system.

[mylanta]

Actually Dale making images from a fresh installation without the basic drivers doesn't really assist in the bringing anyone back to an operating system.

Remember you usually have to have most drivers installed to just access some hardware. Network adapters is one that, depending on the age of the NIC, can be loaded or be an "Unknown" hardware issue among others.

Also, remember nothing has been entered into the system that can't be deemed "clean". You have loaded drivers, all windows updates, antivirus, applications (and notice I used CD applications not downloaded IM's or ANY downloads at the point the image is made), and moved data over with antivirus scanning as these are moved to the system.


Compromise guys...run your first image file at system install with updates and mobo drivers as I do...then run incrementals after that with each main stage such as Windows Updates, Word Processing Programs etc....

[dale@fcg]

Dan,
If you had corruption or something while loading the mobo or nic drivers, wouldn't it be a lot faster and easier just to roll back to an image that was made after first login than to take 1 hour to reinstall os :frusty:. then you could try again to reinstall basic drivers. the only purpose of making the image is to avoid having to reinstall the whole os all over again. with each driver install something could easily get fouled up :jaw:. having an image from each step would allow for the chance to go back one step at any point without any remnants of the problem being present. :confused:

[Dan18960]

Dan,
If you had corruption or something while loading the mobo or nic drivers,

Dale,

IF you had a corruption at that point - you have either a driver cd that is hosed or a hardware issue that won't / can't be remedied.

And remember, most hardware drivers have to be loaded to actually "communicate" with external hard drives, network, and video. I have almost never (since never is a dangerous term and I may have had one or maybe two times in ALL of the whack and loads I have done) had a problem with just loading the operating system, hardware drivers, and windows updates.

[mylanta]

Dale,

IF you had a corruption at that point - you have either a driver cd that is hosed or a hardware issue that won't / can't be remedied.

And remember, most hardware drivers have to be loaded to actually "communicate" with external hard drives, network, and video. I have almost never (since never is a dangerous term and I may have had one or maybe two times in ALL of the whack and loads I have done) had a problem with just loading the operating system, hardware drivers, and windows updates.


Then ya never had Windows Update freeze on you as I did on this new board, which my inablity to properly remedy, cause me to have to to a new clean install!

[dbarrow]

Any Windows UPDATES should always come after a successful initial install and image once you make sure all the hardware is ok. Any residual hardware conflicts (yellow triangle in the Device Manager) can lead to the update stalling as Windows attempts to resolve it during the hardware search.

Windows UPDATES are notorious for major malfunctions!
While the latest installer is a huge improvement ...
You never know when the server is under heavy load (like update Tuesdays) or you just have a poor connection.
It only takes slight corruption of the downloaded file to farkle a Windows update. At least the new update installer does a verify prior to running the install.
At one time or another, I think all of us have been stung with the hung update "undo" fiasco where you can't go forward and can't go backwards and the results have farkled your OS.

BEAR IN MIND: you will do a HUGE number of updates following an initial install and the process can run well over an hour!

A "Slipstream install", one that contains all current updates and SP2 is possible, but assembly of a slipstream is not for the novice. If it is something you do on a regular basis, it may be worth the time and trouble to assemble one and park it on a network machine where you can do a "network install" the same way most IT Depts. handle it.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/900871/en-us
How to integrate Windows XP Service Pack 2 files into the Windows XP installation folder

Search the MSKB for "slipstream" and get several pages of results.

[dale@fcg]

any process that takes an hour is worth making an image prior to proceeding with said process. Maybe just for the paranoid folk, but computers are mean, evil, uncaring, unforgiving, arrogant, stupid, cranky machines that all us novices think we can conquer. :rolleyes:

After only one Windows Update malfunction, I was volubly muttering esoteric phrases while I hopelessly searched for an *.tib file that just didn't exist because I had cockily decided I was an expert tech and would wait until all was purring prettily before making my first image. :pray2:

[ann8087]

Hi Everyone, Here is the latest update and actually I had started it before some of you had left your input so I am sorry about that.
I reformatted everything and then I loaded all my windows discs I then started to load winDVD4, QDI Utility CD and I have another one called PixelView which has VGA Driver, DirectX and Manual. It says Quick Installation on it and ver.10.17.
I mentioned in a previous message that whenever I installed the VGA driver I always got an error message telling me it needed to be installed when it already had. Well I tried to load it today and the pc wouldn't restart until I clicked to restore to an earlier time, I tried to complete this one a few times and eventually gave up.
I then connected my broadband loaded ewido, Ad-Aware and registry washer, while I was doing this I kept getting critical messages telling me to get patches from www.patchupdate.info. I didn't do that I just ran the afore mentioned programmes everytime I done anything. I then went onto windows update and manually updated some things and then I tried my SP2 disc.
Everything look great until it came to the end and had to restart, it didn't. I tried to get it to start a few times with no success. I then used safe mode with networking and I checked my add/remove page and SP2 was listed but it had used no mbs used so I assumed it hadn't loaded properly and therefore I decided to uninstall it.
Since reading all the messages that came after I had begun the process I now don't know what I should do. At the moment I don't have the VGA it says on the device manager "This device is not configured correctly. (Code 1)" SM Bus Controller "This device is not configured correctly. (Code 1)" PCI Simple Communications Controller "The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)". I don't have sp2.
When I was trying to find out what to load from windows update prior to SP2 installation I couldn't find that type of info anywhere.
I am using the pc as normal just now and as long as I don't have the sp2 installed its OK but I do keep getting told that VGA has been found and needs to be installed. So I guess it is "HELP" once again as I have no clue what to do next.
I am thinking since I've read the other messages that perhaps I should try another clean install but I feel that all I am doing at the moment is deleting everything and starting from scratch.
Thank you all for your very kind help and support I appreciate it very much. Ann

[dbarrow]

What kind of video card do you have?
Is it "onboard video" or an AGP card?
Is the PixelView cd part of what came with the machine or some program?

Windows will load a generic VGA video driver by default.
You should install the device specific driver set for your vid card.
That should be included on something that came with your machine, unless you have an ATI or Nvidia AGP or PCIe card, in which case, you still need to load the specific .inf file for the card from the install cd that came with it and then update to the latest driver.

Once again,
Install XP from the install cd.
Before installing any programs ...
install the motherboard and chipset drivers from the install cd that came with the machine
install any video, sound, nic drivers from the install cd that came with the machine.
Reboot, make sure it is all working and all devices have been installed in DEVICE MANAGER
Then, run your first batch of Windows Updates.
Reboot, check for any problems
Run the SP2 install from CD.

At this point, you may have a good install but try to locate and identify the VGA video install utility from the original machine install cd and install it.

If you can't locate it, go into Device Manager and find the
DISPLAY ADAPTERS section. If it is marked with the yellow triangle, it needs the correct drivers installed.
Open that up and right click on the item and choose UPDATE DRIVER, and allow it to go to the web to find it.
It should install a correct driver for your video device.

[ann8087]

Hi dbarrow, I am feeling very stupid now.
I am disabled and the pc was built for me with programmes to make things easy for me like dragon naturally speaking, which means I can tell the pc what I want to do and it saves me having to type all the time. I don't know what type of video card I have, I think it is onboard. The PixelView cd came with the pc it was already installed. I have another cd called interVideo WinDVD 4 -Dolby Digital, another one which is QDI Utility CD for Intel 845E/G/GL Series V1.2. It has Chipset Drivers, Device Drivers, Norton AntiVirus, Microsoft DirectX V8.1, QDI QFlash, Utilities, it also says Run setup.exe to setup drivers Pentium 4 Based Mainboard, www.qdigrp.com. Another called FaxTalkModem Drivers, Modem Manual, Fax Talk Communicator, YAHOO Messenger, Microsoft Internet Explorer6.0, Netscape 6.2, FlashGet, AcrobatReader v5.0, Adobe ebookReader, Adobe SVGViewer, and it gives installation instructions on it, it also says Please refer to "readme.wri" for installation.
The only others I have are for my scanner, printer and the natuarally speaking dragon and Inspiration (which I haven't installed).
That's the only ones I have apart from the one for installing my broadband.
Thanks for your help. Ann

[dbarrow]

A quick google of PixelView returns a lot of results related to Nvidia GeForce vid card so I would assume that must be the utility for video.

Is your DISPLAY ADAPTER in DEVICE MANAGER marked with the warning triangle?

If so, right click on it and UPDATE DRIVER,
put the PixelView CD in and point the driver update to that and see if it picks it up
or, try running the cd first if it autostarts.

WinDVD is a DVD player, install after everything else is done.

The QDI utility is the chipset drivers, run that first after XP install. Don't install the Norton or the DirectX or QFlash off it yet.

Don't install any of the others until we determine your initial setup is good and then what you really need.

First objective is to get the chipset and device drivers installed along with the video.

Get that all working and make sure everything in the DEVICE MANAGER is looking ok, then we will proceed to Windows Updates.

[mylanta]

Let's also "nix" the Norton alltogether and suggest you go and download free Avg antivirus for now as that Norton could be pretty old...
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

[ann8087]

Hi, I've checked everything on the device manager and I can't find a display adapter at all. The only things with yellow are the things I mentioned earlier that I had problems with and the yellow is question marks with exclamation marks. I didn't use the norton as I knew it was out of date

[dale@fcg]

Ann,
Perhaps one step at a time as we lead you through it. if you let us know when you are doing the work, we can look here throughout that time period to continue to make sure you come out of this with a good installation.

It seems that maybe you'd be best off reformatting one more time, installing just Windows XP, then using the QDI chipset motherboard cd to just install "Chipset Drivers, Device Drivers" only- NOT Norton, Flash or Utilities- we just want to get the chipset drivers and onboard sound/video etc. drivers working.

It's very important not to get too far along that something gets installed out of order or something with negative results gets installed. So after Windows XP is installed and the chipset/device drivers from the QDI cd are installed, go into Device Manager and give us a detailed description of any Yellow Exclamation signs. Also, even if the VGA display adapter doesn't have a yellow sign next to it in Device Manager, click the plus next to it a and let us know what the details are about make and model of display adapter. (Be sure to reboot)

After we are convinced that the Xp and motherboard drivers part went in ok, then we can lead you to the next step. I would think that we need to be careful using the PixelView CD, as that seems to be the one causing the problems. It may be better to take the info from Device Manager about the display adapter and try to go out to the web to get latest drivers. It may be best to just not install video drivers if Windows gives you enough native drivers to give you the resolution and colors that you want.
(be sure to reboot)
After the video driver issue is resolved, we'll lead you thru the Windows Updates portion, and once again, we'll go verify results before moving on.
(reboot)
After Updates are conquered, then comes sp2.

Then and only then do we move on to NaturallySpeaking or WinDVD and other such application software.

[mylanta]

OK that means you need to install the driver....you should see "vga device" as one of the yellow question marks and if you open that up and clcik update driver with pixel cd in, it should get the driver from there.

[ann8087]

Hi, I've done that and I now have a display adapter with NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X under it and it has no yellow at all. I just have the PCI Simple Comm Controller and the SM Bus Controller with yello question marks with exclamation marks.

[dale@fcg]

Great! now we know the video drivers are good to go.

did you install all the chipset drivers from the qdi cd? usually controller drivers are part of the chipset drivers.

or perhaps you have pci cards installed (not part of the motherboard)?

[mylanta]

Yep sm bus controller is with motherboard chipset driver cd...do you have sound? if not that is the pci driver or could be modem driver needed.

[dale@fcg]

An earlier post mentioned having a cd for fax modem, so that probably accounts for the yellow mark next to the pci, unless you already have modem showing up in your Device Manager.

which brings up the point: since she's using broadband, does she bother installing modem drivers so that it's ready to go if ever needed?

which leads to another question: is it harmful to system to leave yellow signs in Device Manager if it's something you don't have any need for? physically removing a pci card would be an option, but what if it's an integrated item?

[mylanta]

An earlier post mentioned having a cd for fax modem, so that probably accounts for the yellow mark next to the pci, unless you already have modem showing up in your Device Manager.

which brings up the point: since she's using broadband, does she bother installing modem drivers so that it's ready to go if ever needed?

which leads to another question: is it harmful to system to leave yellow signs in Device Manager if it's something you don't have any need for? physically removing a pci card would be an option, but what if it's an integrated item?


Yes I would set the modem up...remember faxing is still a modem function and it isn't a good idea to leave yellow questions anyway since that can slow the boot process amongst other things.

[ann8087]

Hi Guys, Well I seem to be missing some of the messages until the next day. I decided to reformat again. I followed the instructions from the message of dale@fcg. I started with the QDI disc and everything was going fine until I got to the bit where I was to install the USB 2 driver it said it had to be installed manually and i was to click for the instructions, I know when I done this before the instructions were readable but this time I couldn't understand it at all, I tried everywhere to try and translate the code to no avail so I just tried to follow all the other instructions and I rebooted all the time and checked the device manager as well. When I got to the PixelView I ran into trouble with the VGA again it looked fine in the device manager but when I rebooted the pc would not restart so I had to backtrack again. I decided to go on the web and try and get some information on both the VGA NVIDIA and the USB 2, I discovered that the NVIDIA was obsolete so I tried to download the updated version but I don't know as yet whether it has worked or not. The device manager has no yellow on it at all and the display adapter is the same one as always. After I send this message I will try and restart to find out whether everything has worked or not. If I can't "speak" to anyone tonight I will be on all day tomorrow and tomorrow night as well. I don't know if it is OK to leave my email address to make things easier or not maybe someone could let me know, its not that I want to stop others from getting help I just thought that it might help if I could get an email when there is someone online who has been helping me.
Once again I would like to say how much I appreciate the help I have been given. ann

[dbarrow]

Yes 440MX version is old and obsolete but, it should still load the driver ok.

Try this instead.
Skip the QDI disc and let it install a generic driver.
Windows should still come up in basic VGA mode.
After the install and in Windows, with a working web connection...
Go to Device Manager\Display Adapters click to open,
It will show a generic VGA device, click on that and select UPDATE DRIVER, go through that process and allow it to SEARCH THE WEB.
It should go out and find a current compatible Nvidia driver update and install it.

Do the same with the USB device, or, wait until you do the SP2 which should contain the USB 2.0 driver so long as you don't have to have any USB 2.0 devices working at this time.

The MX440 was a very basic desktop AGP card which had a lot of problems and poor drivers anyway ... I know, I stuck one in an old machine as a replacement.

You may seriously want to consider a newer and better AGP vid card.
If you want to do that, we can suggest some alternatives to fit your budget. It would be worth the upgrade and install is just a matter of swapping out the card.

[ann8087]

Hi Guys, Well I'm not out of the woods yet. I loaded everything the way you said but at the end I still had the VGA with a yellow question mark. I decided to ignore it. I got lots of updates manually from windows and then this morning I decided to load the sp2. The problem started when it was to restart first of all when it tried to restart the blue page had lots of sort of black lines running along the top and then it wouldn't start. I reset it on safe mode with networking and opened the device manager and everything is fine, no yellow at all. I then checked the system properties and it says that sp2 is there. I have tried to reset it a couple of times but the only way I can get it on is safe mode. I don't want to do a restore and lose it again so any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Ann

[tonyd]

When you said that it 'tried to restart the blue page had lots of sort of black lines running along the top and it wouldn't start', could perhaps it actually did start but you couldn't see anything that made sense on the screen? If so, we're back to a display monitor driver issue.

Bring it up in Safe Mode and go to Display properties and see where it's set to. It may be too high for your monitor. Set it to 800 x 600, 16 bit. Then try starting normally.

How old is your monitor? Some older monitors can't handle high resolutions. Can you try using another monitor?

... just some thoughts

[mylanta]

I am not sure here but why didn't you simply run the driver fpr pixel view or whatever it was like you did before in Windows to remove the Yellow ? mark and Tony, you won't be able to change resolution in safe mode.
Maybe the video card is bad and has been creating all these problems to begin with.

[dbarrow]

That does suggest to me that maybe you do have a bad vid card.
Windows will load a generic VGA driver that will work with any vid card. You won't be able to do much with it, but it should load a clear and recognizable screen in VGA mode, until such time as you install the correct vid driver.

If there is a hardware problem with the vid card, the install may not be recognizing it correctly causing the problem.
SP2 should contain a correct driver for the MX440 as that pre-dates SP2 and it should be loading a correct driver for it on install.

MX440 was a cheapo desktop workstation card. I had one, used as a quick fix replacement for a burned out card in an old machine. POS!

Pull the card, dust off, reseat.
Better yet, replace with something a little better.

[kern]

When you said that it 'tried to restart the blue page had lots of sort of black lines running along the top and it wouldn't start', could perhaps it actually did start but you couldn't see anything that made sense on the screen? If so, we're back to a display monitor driver issue.

Bring it up in Safe Mode and go to Display properties and see where it's set to. It may be too high for your monitor. Set it to 800 x 600, 16 bit. Then try starting normally.

How old is your monitor? Some older monitors can't handle high resolutions. Can you try using another monitor?

... just some thoughts


I agree with Tony- this sounds like an issue with XP detecting the "wrong" monitor and setting the refresh rate or screen resolution too high for "your" monitor. Boot into safe mode and make sure XP has detected the correct monitor.

[ann8087]

Hi Everyone, I am still in safe mode and I've went through my control panel and clicked display on that I am on 800x600 and color quality is 32bit which I can't change. I then clicked advanced and then adapter which brought me to a apge called VgaSave Properties and I clicked properties and under conflicting device list it has this list which I have copied and pasted incase I got any of it wrong I don't know if this has anything to do with my problems. Input/Output Range 03B0 - 03BB used by:
Intel(R) 82845 Processor to AGP Controller - 1A31
Input/Output Range 03C0 - 03DF used by:
Intel(R) 82845 Processor to AGP Controller - 1A31
Memory Range 000A0000 - 000BFFFF used by:
Intel(R) 82845 Processor to AGP Controller - 1A31

I forgot my monitor is only about 2 years old its a iiyama Vixion Master 1403

[kern]

Hi Everyone, I am still in safe mode and I've went through my control panel and clicked display on that I am on 800x600 and color quality is 32bit which I can't change. I then clicked advanced and then adapter which brought me to a apge called VgaSave Properties and I clicked properties and under conflicting device list it has this list which I have copied and pasted incase I got any of it wrong
I forgot my monitor is only about 2 years old its a iiyama Vixion Master 1403

Ann,
In Display Properties, Settings tab, directly above the Screen Resolution slider bar you should see---> Display: "xxxx Monitor" on "xxxx Graphics Adapter"(video card).

[ann8087]

Hi, I've had a look and it says Display:
[Default Monitor] on
and that is all under that is the screen resolution etc. No mention of Graphics Adapter or video card

[kern]

Hi, I've had a look and it says Display:
[Default Monitor] on
and that is all under that is the screen resolution etc. No mention of Graphics Adapter or video card


ok. this indicates that you have not installed the drivers for your display adapter(video card). You need to install the drivers from the pixel cd, as you did prior to reinstalling XP.
Since you reinstalled XP again, if you havent done so already, install the chipset drivers from the QDI cd.

[ann8087]

Hi, Thanks but can I do this while I am in safe mode or do I need to come out of it, tho' having said that the pc won't start except in safe mode so I suppose I'll have to try it that way.
I'll hang off for a bit in case there is something else I have to do.

[kern]

Hi, Thanks but can I do this while I am in safe mode or do I need to come out of it, tho' having said that the pc won't start except in safe mode so I suppose I'll have to try it that way.
I'll hang off for a bit in case there is something else I have to do.

hmmm, at this point i'm not sure, but if the problem is with the video card, you can uninstall it from within safe mode, reboot. If XP boots normally, it will redetect the vid card. when asked for the driver, insert the pixel cd.

[ann8087]

OK thanks I'll do that uninstall in safe mode and then reboot and take it from there. I'll come back after that and let you know how it goes, many thanks. Ann

[ann8087]

Hi, I was trying to send a reply last night but my ISP went down. Anyway I done as you said and uninstalled it then restarted pc and it worked it restarted and it reinstalled it again without me doing anything, I checked my display properties and it says that my screen reoslution is 640x480 and the color quality is 8bit. I tried to change this but when I did it just turned the pc off and I had to go back to safe mode and start the unistall process all over again. I do know that my screen resolution was nerer that low I think it used to be about 1024x768 and either 16 or 32 bit colour.
Once again I'm sorry I couldn't get back to you last night but it was outwith my control.
Ann

[dale@fcg]

Is there a possibility that you could try another monitor and/or another video card? if not, perhaps you could go try to download the latest drivers for that video card from the manufacturer's web site.

Also, where are you located? In Philly region?

[mylanta]

At the very least, you need a new video card, but actually I am beginning to think you should go to a shop and have it all tested, as these are not normal occurrences and it sounds like the motherboard could also shot.
You might as welll end this effort, it has to be really frustrating for you and it getting you no where

[Dan18960]

I have been following this since my original 7 steps post and agree with Rich.

There has to be a time when a professional must be consulted - that is why we are here. Not because we don't think any one can not fix their own computers, but we have tools and diagnostics that we have spent hundreds and in some cases thousands of dollars to fix computers.

Just think, if you had to buy a code card just to fix your computer that costs the same as 2, 3 or 4 computers (the card and cabling is approx $2,500. and depending what level computer you have - ours go for $1250 - $1300+ you see that you could purchase 2 of our computers for the cost of that single card).

[kern]

...I done as you said and uninstalled it then restarted pc and it worked it restarted and it reinstalled it again without me doing anything, I checked my display properties and it says that my screen reoslution is 640x480 and the color quality is 8bit. I tried to change this but when I did it just turned the pc off and I had to go back to safe mode and start the unistall process all over again. I do know that my screen resolution was nerer that low I think it used to be about 1024x768 and either 16 or 32 bit colour.

Ann,
Before you try to install the vid card drivers, make sure you have installed the chipset drivers from the QDI cd. Without those drivers, XP cannot properly detect the onboard vid card.
If you did install the chipset drivers, try to install the vid card drivers from the Pixel CD as follows:
open Display Properties, click Settings Tab, click Advanced button, click Adapter tab, click Properties button, click Driver tab, click Update Driver button. The Hardware Update Wizard dialog box opens, then insert the Pixel cd, then click Next button - XP will look for and install the appropriate driver from the CD.

[ann8087]

Hi everyone, I am sorry I haven't been on today but I have had a very bad day with my ISP however thats a different story. I think most of the problems are sorted out, I definitely have sp2 and the updates that followed that. The only problem I have left is with the "NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 440 with AGP8X (Microsoft Corporation)". When I am in safemode I uninstall it and then I restart my pc with no problems at all but of course as soon as the pc starts up I get the message that its been detected and it is then installed automatically but it doesn't cause any problems while I am online and there is nothing that has any yellow marks in the device manager. Anyway I think as you all said this is the problem. I went on to the NVIDIA website looking for an updated driver but I am afraid I didn't understand what it was telling me, it had loads of things listed and I just didn't want to chance doing anything that could cause a greater problem. I found this "NGO NVIDIA Optimized Driver v1.8426" I was wondering if anyone new of this and if it is what I am looking for.
I am very grateful for all the help you have given me and considering all the problems I was having at the beginning the problem now seems negligable.
Kern, I followed your instructions about the pixel cd but it just said that there wasn't anything better than I had - words to that effect.
I need to sign off now but I will be on tomorrow for most of the day off and on, so once again I can't tell you all how much it means to me to have it almost running perfectly again, I thought it was never going to work properly again and being disabled I new I couldn't afford a big repair bill. Do you think I should buy a new Video Card and if so could you recommend any.Once again thank you so much, Ann

[dale@fcg]

First off Ann,
Patience, persistence, determination. 3 biggest requirements to resolve pc issues (not that it's any different from real life, I suppose).

Second,
Here's your latest drivers for the 440 (as well as several other cards- see link below)

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_2k_84.21.html

here's all nvidia cards this driver supports
http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_30454.html

[mylanta]

I would bet this will solve all your problems:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814121197

[dale@fcg]

some possible replacement cards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16814127121 ,N82E16814130200,N82E16814130210,N82E16814125204,N 82E16814141016,N82E16814125191&SubCategory=48

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16814130008 ,N82E16814130207&SubCategory=48

[Dan18960]

Ann,

Unfortunately, Nvidia and GeForce both sell their chipsets to other manufacturers (ie ATI, eVGA, ASUS, etc) and you have to actually go to the card manufacturer (which in your case is the motherboard manufacturer - and why I don't like the integrated video connections).

What I have done in the past and works on SOME motherboards is go into the BIOS (the F2 usually gets you there BEFORE the operating system starts to load) and you can see the model and serial number of the motherboard to get the drivers for that exact model. They might have the video drivers specific for your system.

The one thing I don't trust is the drivers Microsoft dumps on users. They are usually old drivers, wrong overall driver for other video sets used, or hose a system. I found this out with MS ATI video drivers - I actually had to restore from the AGP card cd (remember I use Independent video cards so my cd is for that specific card and not a motherboard integrated one).

[ann8087]

Hi Dan, Thanks for that, I have been using the NVIDIA link as Dale suggested but I keep getting the same one so I don't know if I am doing something wrong or if it's just how it works but I'll do as you suggest and hopefully that will help. Thank you, Ann

[dale@fcg]

Dan,
Won't the driver I posted above work, since it supports the MX 440?
Also, I think Ann has an AGP 8x slot that houses her card, not an onboard.

[dale@fcg]

Hi Dan, Thanks for that, I have been using the NVIDIA link as Dale suggested but I keep getting the same one so I don't know if I am doing something wrong or if it's just how it works but I'll do as you suggest and hopefully that will help. Thank you, Ann


Ann,
What happens when you try to install the drivers from the link I posted?

Here's some directions to follow when installing these drivers:

Driver Installation Hints


"Download Accelerator" utilities should be disabled when downloading any drivers.
Do not run virus protection software in the background while installing the drivers. This prevents the driver from configuring itself properly.
Before installing new drivers make sure you uninstall all NVIDIA display drivers from the Windows Control Panel. Browse to the Start Menu > Windows Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs and search for "NVIDIA Windows Display Drivers" or "NVIDIA Display Drivers" and select remove.

[mylanta]

some possible replacement cards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16814127121 ,N82E16814130200,N82E16814130210,N82E16814125204,N 82E16814141016,N82E16814125191&SubCategory=48

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductCompare.asp?CompareItemList=N82E16814130008 ,N82E16814130207&SubCategory=48

Dale you are back to Wanabe again....most of those cards are amongst the worst models ever produced.... Nvidia 5200 is a nightmare, 6200 is better but crap, Geforce 4000 is the crap she has....looks like you are looking for price and that will not help her problem one bit to replace crap with crap!

[dale@fcg]

Rich,
Thanks for the kind words. I know I can always count on y'all to be so supportive. ;)

Also, with each pc component for personal (home) use, there's 3 levels of quality purchasing for anyone in the real world. The top level is just buying the the top of the line item, usually in the hundreds. Second is going the route of the Asus Geforce 6600. Usually there's a third level available, which would be a bit less than the mid-range, but still quite serviceable and of decent quality.

There's gotta be a decent graphics card available for $50, no?

A few things to consider when purchasing pc parts for home pc:
How old is the pc? If you're considering replacing it fairly soon, it makes no sense to invest a couple hundred dollars in the upgrading, unless the upgrade items will be used on new system . If you are going to buy a pre-built system (like a Dell), then the upgrade components you just bought for old pc are of no value.

[mylanta]

Rich,
Thanks for the kind words. I know I can always count on y'all to be so supportive. ;)

Also, with each pc component for personal (home) use, there's 3 levels of quality purchasing for anyone in the real world. The top level is just buying the the top of the line item, usually in the hundreds. Second is going the route of the Asus Geforce 6600. Usually there's a third level available, which would be a bit less than the mid-range, but still quite serviceable and of decent quality.

There's gotta be a decent graphics card available for $50, no?

A few things to consider when purchasing pc parts for home pc:
How old is the pc? If you're considering replacing it fairly soon, it makes no sense to invest a couple hundred dollars in the upgrading, unless the upgrade items will be used on new system . If you are going to buy a pre-built system (like a Dell), then the upgrade components you just bought for old pc are of no value.

Dale,
Sorry I guess I was wearing my "caustic" hat!
I agree with the upgrade bit and with video cards especially buying a really good agp card is like buying an Edsel or Yugo too.
Ok here is a little less $ for you:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814129041
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814125166

Unless you are goping 6600 or up, stay away from Nvidia as there are some real "bombs" there and I was serious, 5200 you have a bunch of was a real "dog".

[dale@fcg]

Sorry I guess I was wearing my "caustic" hat!


No Prob!:smile:

A slice of humble pie keeps us on our toes, off the fat cat's seat.

And one danger the that could happen on a forum such as this is to point someone down the wrong road. So when I or anyone else posts a possible 'dud' :noidea:, others should jump right in with 'dissenting' views. (perhaps without caustic hat :boink::laugh:

[ann8087]

Hi Dale & Mylanta,
I'm sorry I seem to be causing a lot of problems. I have only had this PC for 2 years and apart from this problem it has worked perfectly well. It was custom built for my disabilities so for that I would really like to keep it tho' I have been thinking of maybe getting a laptop at the end of the year but also keeping this. I sometimes do studying at home to while away the hours so a laptop would be handy for when I'm in hospital or away from home in general.
I will check around here (UK) for the replacement cards you have mentioned or I could try and get them shipped over here. Ann

[dale@fcg]

I'm sorry I seem to be causing a lot of problems
No problems, Ann. Rich (mylanta) and I have known each other for years and enjoy the heck out of helping users on this forum. Sometimes sidebars, tangents, old postings, etc, find their way into various threads.

Sounds like it would be worth getting a good quality video card, such as the Geforce 6600 that Rich linked to. I do think you'd be happy with the last two links he posted, as well.

As for in UK, I'm sure there are good retailers. Maybe someone one this forum would know.

Calling Jerome Moran.............

[mylanta]

Hey Ann Dale and I do go way back....and it's good natured.
Good idea Dale I emailed Jerome to pickup here....

[ann8087]

Hi Guys, I meant to say to you all that I hope you all have a Happy Easter. I don't know if you celebrate it over there but we have a long week-end, and lots of lovely chocolate Easter Eggs. Anyway I hope you had a nice time and I'm pleased to say everything is still working fine except for Display Adapters, it still has a yellow ! Video Controller (VGA Compatible) and thats the only thing that is showing. It isn't causing any problems so I just thought I would leave well alone. Ann

[mylanta]

Thank you Ann and yes we celebrate easter here as well, same time you do.
From an associate of ours in UK here is a response on wher to buy video card:

----- Original Message -----
From: Jerome Moran (jeromemoran@hotmail.com)
To: 'Richard' (mylanta3@verizon.net)
Sent: Saturday, April 15, 2006 9:30 PM
Subject: RE: A UK user could use some help...


Greetings, Rich

The main PC parts retailers in the UK are:

dabs.com
microwarehouse
simplycomputers
PC World
Expansys UK
savastore.com
Misco
eBuyer.com

More specialised outlet:

videocardshop.co.uk

If she knows exactly what she wants she should be able to find it from one of these outlets.

Best wishes to you all.

Jerome

[ann8087]

Hi, Rich Thank you for your help on this, some of the places I have heard of and some I hadn't so I think I'll just search them all for the 2 you recomended and check out the prices before I commit to buy. I may as well get the best deal around. Could you tell your friend Jerome Thank you. I'll let you know how I get on. Ann

[mylanta]

Will do Ann....keep me posted.