I installed some new software for a compact memory card reader and now my system will not reboot. It freezes at the windows 98 screen. I have replaced the registry to yesterdays version and it still hangs up.
I have booted line by line and cannot find the problem.
I do not have a basic copy of 98, just the 2 disk set from compaq with all of the other preloaded programs. Should I buy a newer version of windows and install over my system. I do not want to reformat at this point as I have key data I need. Can I purchase an upgrade to xp without having just the windows 98 cd's? Thanks for help, advice.

Can you start the computer in Safe-Mode?

Mesich

yes, it will start in safe mode. I have tried several boot options in msconfig and still cannot get past the hangup.

Have you tried uninstalling the software in Safe-Mode.

Under the General Tab in msconfig place a tic next to Selective StartUp.

Uncheck all 6 items underneath it.

Reboot and see if it starts.

Mesich

Mesich-- it will not boot with all items in msconfig "unchecked". Thanks for your help.
Unfortunately, I only have the compaq restore cd's which wipes everything out if I reinstall 98.

Try going back to msconfig and select the General Tab at the top.

Select Advanced at the bottom.

Place a check next to the first 5 items and try and start the computer.

Mesich

Mesich-- Ok-- it booted up. Now what? Should I go thru each item and find which one I can unclick and not boot? Thank you!

Ok I have narrowed it down. It will boot if the "force compatibility mode" is checked in the advanced trouble shooting settings. I note that the pc does not recognize my cd and dvd drives. Next step. Thanks!

Right click on My Computer.
Select Properties.
Select the Performance Tab at the top.

Does it list any drive using MS-Dos Compatability Mode?

Mesich

Yes-- drive a, c, and d all say ms-dos compatibility mode file system. Under device manager, there is a yellow exclamation point next to standard floppy disk controller, primary ide controller, and secondary ide controller.
Thanks,
Jeff

Just thought of another easy check.

Go to back to System Properties by right clicking My Computer ect...

Select the Performance Tab at the top.

Select File System towards the bottom.

Select the Troubleshooting Tab at the top.

Ensure Disable all 32bit Protected Mode Disk Drivers is NOT checked.

Mesich

Disable all 32bit protected mode disk driveers was checked. I unchecked and rebooted and the system hung up like in the past.

Was there anything else checked there?

Mesich

No-- nothing else was checked.

Restart the computer pressing the F8 key.

Choose Logged from the Start Menu.

Examine the bootlog.txt file for Init Failure or Load Failure.

Mesich

jsm21, Mesich

Here is a little tool I found yesterday, to help analyzing the Bootlog.txt

"Boot Log Analyzer utility to help in identifying Windows95/98 boot-up problems.
Looks at your Windows95 BOOTLOG.TXT file and calculates the time taken to load each driver etc, in order to help in locating any cause of lengthy boot-up times. The displayed result can be sorted by loading duration, filtered to show only those items with long durations or which reported failure, and saved to a text file."

Boot Log Analyzer
http://www.vision4.dial.pipex.com

Good luck!

Greetz from The Netherlands,
The Count

The saga continues.... I have completely reinstalled windows 98 and continue to have the same problem. The only way my system will boot out of safe mode is when I have the "Force Compatibility Mode Access" checked under the advanced settings in the msconfig section.

I have a yellow asterix next to the primary and secondary ide controller devices in the hardware profiles.

Have you tried to reload your motherboard drivers since that should have the drivers for your IDE controllers?

While your in safe mode, goto the Device Manager ones again.
Delete the primary and secondary IDE controllers, and everything else that appears double in there. But stay away from the System devices.
Also uncheck the Force Compatibility Mode Access.

Reboot into normal mode, at least try to.
Provide Windows the wanted, updated, drivers...

Greetz,
The Count

safe mode always shows ms-dos compatability for the drives.
the bootlog.txt is a good idea, for instance: my English win98 versions hanged. Bootlog.txt shows that none of the true type fonts (ttf) could be loaded. I copied them to the windows fonts folder and win98 again started.

(This time it was a Win98 error after uninstalling some win98 components. It must have damaged the ttf files.)

ding,

"safe mode always shows ms-dos compatability for the drives."
You are right! It slipped my mind.

Greetz,
The Count

Hi All,

Glad to see others stepping in and helping out on Jeffs' problem.

We attempted outside the forum to correct the problem.

Even after diabing Dos compatability Mode within the System Properties he still had the problem.

We attempted to rename the config.sys and the autoexec.bat files.

We have also tried to reload the drivers for the Primary and Secondary IDE Controllers.

We decided to try and reinstall Win98.

I am somewhat to a loss here.

Mesich

Run msconfig in safe mode and goto startup tab. Disable everything except system tray and then reboot. See if there is any change.

Hi Smithdk,

We tried that earlier. Still does not boot.

Thanks for the reply.

Mesich

Is the card reader still connected to the system or has it always been there in the first place?

Does he run mcafee?

You could goto device manager and disable devices that you will not need (just run the minimum what you need to boot up)

You could also change your video driver to standard VGA as a test.

So there is now way to do a fresh install of windows?

When it freezes at the splash screen. Press ESC at the splash screen and maybe we can tell what it is doing when it freezes.

So the bootlog analyzer has not helped? It must freeze someplace.

Hi Mesich. I know he has a Compaq, and he talked about installing win98 from a disk. And you just said that you tried reinstalling win98. Can I ask from where you installed it? If it was from a standard win98 cd it probably won't work well. I ran into that same problem with a Compaq. You can however run his own windows on it by following this command path in dos:
C:\windows\options\cabs\setup.exe. That was the only way I was able to recover the Compaq I worked on well enough to even tackle trying anything in windows because every time I tried opening anything(including desktop icons) I got an explorer illegal operation, and the thing just froze up on me. Maybe you can try that and it will reinstall the device drivers for the IDE controllers. It seems to me that is where the problem is at. Maybe even delete them because you know windows will find them on boot up and then reinstall the drivers. I've been following this post all day trying to think of possibilities for it.

A thought thrown into the ring: Is the Win version FE or SE? The reader is surely USB and FE did not handle it well. Will the machine boot with the reader unplugged? I had a camera do this to me until disconnected.

Thank you for all of your help.

I have removed the card reader from the USB port.

When I try to boot the computer without the Force Compatibility Mode Access checked and get to the windows splash screen, I stall and hit escape, and this is what I read. "ESS PCI Audio DOS" Device Driver version 2.10n. (C) ESS Technology All rights....

When I run the boot log analyzer program, the last entry, where it shows Load Failed reads " LoadFailed = C\ESSOLO.SYS"

I have reloaded windows 98 today from the cab files in my windows directory.

I also have deleted the IDE controller items with the yellow exclamation points and tried to have windows reinstall.

Still the same problems. Computer will not boot out of safe mode unless I have the Force Compatibility... checked.

I guess I need to explore what ESSOLO means.

Another thought here. When you installed the card reader it needed an IRQ maybe? And you maybe didn't have any more left, so it took the sound card IRQ, and the sound card got piggy and stole the IRQ that should be used for the IDE controllers.
My suggestion from here would be a count by count detailed investigation of the IRQ's being used by each device.
The easy way to do it is to highlight the computer in the device manager and then hit properties and that will give you an itemized list from 1 - 15 as to what is using which and how many IRQ's. You may have to go in and disable somethings and reinstall so each device has the IRQ it is designated to have. Are you following me?
Like the IDE controllers can only use 14/15. If all that was left was 3 it can't use it so it is like it is not installed at all. See what I mean?

Terri-- I understand your concept but not sure if I can tell what I am looking at. When I looked at the IRQ's it did have several items assigned to the same number.

I am not really familiar with this and am not sure what is right/wrong in this area. How do I disable devices in the device manager? I have done this before. Just remove?

Right click on the device in device manager and select properties. Click disable in this hardware profile.

Also it seems to load DOS audio drivers. Do you need it to do that? You can run msconfig and check your autoexec.bat or config.sys file for any entries for that.

Its getting late here. I'll check back tomorrow.

Ok, there are certian ones that must be used for certain devices and the others fight among themselves.
Here are the ones that must be:

keyboard - 1
programable interupt controller - 2
floppy controller - 6
parrellel printer - 7
numeric data processor - 13
primary IDE - 14
secondary IDE -15
any one of these may also have an IRQ Holder for PCI Steering. This is ok to share the IRQ with that.

The rest of the IRQ's ranging between 1 - 15 that I didn't mention are being used up by things such as:
sound cards(which if you have onboard sound needs 3 or 4 of them).
video cards(if it needs to have an IRQ assigned to it as mine does).
modems.
network cards.
PCI to USB Open Host Controller.

You are going to have to check these for conflictions of being used for the wrong devices.
Then to disable them, you don't just delete them as they will come right back on reboot.
To disable them you must click open the + next to the device. Highlight the device. Then click properties. Here you will see 2 boxes near the bottom of the box. The top one will say:
[ ]disable in this hardware profile.
The bottom one will say:
[ ]exists in all hardware profiles.
To disable a device just put a check in the disable in this hardware profile box. You will be instructed to reboot. Upon rebooting and checking that same device it will have a button saying: [enable device]. Or it may have a button like this:
[start troubleshooting]. It may also say:
This device is not using any resources. If you would like to assign it one you can do so by changing the resources manually.

My suggestion is to disable all non-nessary hardware. Then to re-enable them one at a time. Most devices aren't picky and will take what is availible. Leave the sound card for last as it uses the most. You will have to reboot after each step of disabling and re-enabling.
I'll hang around and wait for you to try this. I would like to see the results.

OK-- I have disabled the secondary ide controller and unchecked the Force Compatibility Mode box in the advance settings in msconfig and the computer WILL NOW BOOT WITHOUG BEING IN SAFE MODE!

Now what? I still do not have access to the cd or dvd drives.

Terri-I checked all of the IRQ assignments and they look pretty much like you note above. Nos. 14 lists 2-- Intel 82801AB Bus Master IDE Controller and Primary IDE Controller (dual fifo). NO. 15 lists Intel 82801AB Bus Master IDE Controller also. Is this correct?

From your last note, should I disable every device like you say and go back and enable each after rebooting.

How about the fact that I can boot safely if the secondary IDE controller is disabled?
Thanks,
Jeff

I think you found the problem. Your primary IDE controller is hogging 2 resources. It is using both 14 and 15 and should only be using 14. Your secondary IDE should be using 15. I just checked on how to change the resources for this. Go into device manager(or course). It said you have to change the resource of the parent device,which is the:
SIS Dual IDE Controller. When you go to the resources tab on the top you will see this setting has 2 different IRQ's in it. Try to change these to get them the right way.

Another follow up question? Why would this not have all been fixed when I reinstalled windows 98 this afternoon?

Because all your devices were using up all your IRQ's and without removing or disabling any devices no IRQ's would revert back where they need to be because the slots where they were supposed to be weren't availible.

"Go into device manager(or course). It said you have to change the resource of the parent device,which is the:
SIS Dual IDE Controller. When you go to the resources tab on the top you will see this setting has 2 different IRQ's in it. Try to change these to get them the right way."

When I go into device manager, I have three choices-- (1)Intel 82801AB Bus Master IDE controller, (2)Primary IDE Controller (dual fifo) and (3) Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)-- which is currently disabled.

When I click on the resource tab for no.1, I unchecked "use automatic settings" and tried to change the interrupt request settings. I get a comment that "this resource setting cannot be modified".

The resource setting for the primary ide controller is shown as 14.

The secondary IDE controller is disabled so it does not show a resources tab.

I am not sure what the SIS dual controller you mention above is located or if I have the same thing.

I feel like a moron. Thanks for your continued help.
Jeff

I've called for backup. I am the moron. I forgot to tell you that you need to uncheck the "use automatic settings" box.

Ok, just looked at mine. On the tabs at the top it says settings. Go there. There is a pull-down bar. In here it gives you options. Try setting this on both IDE's enabled. Maybe that will kick the primary and secondary back into the holes they should be at.

Terri-- I did uncheck the "use automatic settings" box. It won't let me change the settings.

I saw that when I went back in to try. Try the settings tab. Set it to both IDE's enabled.

Terri-- thanks for your help. I am calling it a night. Perhaps a fresh look at this tomorrow will help. I wonder what the world record for rebooting a pc is in one day?

Not sure but I know when mine is on the fritz I swear I broke it. I'll catch up with you tomorrow. It's late here too.

Hello again everyone,

Thanks again to all who have joined in to help Jeff in resolving this.
I had to leave and attend a family get together, the beer was flowing rather well so when I got home I was in no shape to offer any sound advise.
Also thanks to whomever figured how to take a bean and create such a wonderfull thing as coffee. :)

A couple of things we tried to do off forum:

Renamed the autoexec.bat and config.sys.

Remove the Secondary IDE Controller. Of course this requires you to remove the Dual IDE Controller which removes both the Secondary and the Primary.

Changed the Dual IDE Controller Settings from Default to Both.

Searched for NoIDE in the registry.

We then found the .cab files on the hard drive and attempted to install Windows.
Got an error about a damaged .tmp file and ignored to continue to run the setup.
Got another error, C: drive size is being incorrectly reported. At this point I suggested that we stop the install and backup all of his important data to his second partition then run setup again.

The sharing of IRQ's between the Dual IDE Controller and the Primary is normal, as is sharing between the Dual IDE and the Secondary. My Dual IDE Controller is assigned #14 and #15. Primary is assigned #14 and Secondary is assigned #15.

Something is trying to load the Dos drivers for the sound card.

Go to start and run. Type sysedit, click OK.
REM anything to do with the ESSOLO in the autoexec.bat and the config.sys files.

Go to the system.ini and place a ; in front of anything with ESSOLO.

Mesich

Mesich-- confirming a couple things I have done. I did reinstall windows 98 from the setup files in the cab folder. This seemed to go OK.

We also renamed the autoexec and config sys files. I did not change them back. I followed your instructions above to edit and rem everything to do with ESSOLO and did this. In fact, Device = C:\ESSLO.sys was the only thing in the cofig.sys file.

I REM'd it out, went back and re-enabled the secondary IDE controller, and tried to reboot and it hung up again.

I disabled the 2ndary IDE controller again (because this is the only way I can boot up).

I looked at the config.sys file again, and it had added a new entry below my REM line C:\ESSLO.sys.

Thanks for your help. I will be at work all day so I will not be back until later tonight.

Did you change the settings in your BIOS to enable BOTH Ide controllers or devices? Some boards have such a bios setting and turning it off while hooking devices to both ide slots will force one of them to roll over on the others IRQ.

Larry

I looked at the files you sent me. Only one came through and was viewable. It showed the IRQ14 and 15 in place exactly where it should be. So my deduction from here would be to say it is the ESS sound card causing all the confusion. Try disabling that one and then reboot and see if there are any recovered motherboard resources from it. You may need to reinstall drivers or the device may be bad and need to be replaced altogether. My sound card loads a Dos Enumerator device. It takes up IRQ's 5 and 10. This may be what got pushed out when you tried to install the card reader.
I'll check back later to see if you made any more headway or anyone else came up with other suggestions. Errands to run. Be back later.

Mesich, Terri, Smithdk, and others who have helped and provided advice-- thank you. I think I am ready to throw in the towel and reinstall from the cd's provided by Compaq. I really hate this as it is full of adds and other junk, and I have many hours of software to re-install --some of which I have lost my registration codes for. Perhaps it is in the software somewhere?

Reformatting the C drive should solve the problem, right?

I am sure the instructions on the best way to reformat "C" are located in this forum some place. If you know a good post to walk me thru this that would be great as it has been awhile.

I probably will not do this until the weekend. If one of you comes up with a last idea, I will keep checking back.

For the record, I did disable everything associated with the sound card, games, etc in "Sound, Video, and Game Controller" in the Device Mgr and I could not boot with the secondary IDE controller not disabled.

Regards,
Jeff

Is this system a desktop or laptop? Also what is connected to your secondary IDE? Is it just your cdrom? Formatting your drive is not a guarantee that will fix this problem. There is a way to go back to the very first registry when windows was first loaded if this interests you.

It is a desktop computer compaq presario 5234 Pentium II.

I do not know what is connected to the secondary IDE? How would I tell?

My PC has a dvd drive and a cd rw drive.
I also have a Palm pilot, a scanner, and an intel video camera connected.

Going back to the very first windows registry? Could I try it and then come back to were I am now if I want to?

You could take the case off and see what is connected to the secondary IDE port. It may be the dvd drive and cdrw drive. Typically these are labled IDE1 and IDE2 on the motherboard. Since this has happened, have you been able to use (or at least tried) these devices via a bootdisk with cdrom support. Have you tried to disconnect these and then tried to boot windows (if these are on the secondary IDE port). Hopefully your secondary IDE port is not bad.

I have to agree that being this seems very much like a hardware issue, formatting might not fix it. You should be able to go into the bios though and see what is connected to the primary and seconday IDE's.

I also agree that a format may not fix it and your problems may very well cause Win98 install to not complete.

You do not have to use the restore disk to format the C: drive and install Win98. You can do it the same way we installed Win98 over the top on Sunday only this time first formatting the C: drive. However, I would first try and fix the issue as you may run into problems with the install.

This whole thing started when you went to install the software for the card reader.
Have you completely uninstalled the software?

Stills sounds as though something is be told to load at startup causing the secondary ide to forced into compatability mode. We know it is not the config.sys or the system.ini as we have disabled both of them.

Programs will also install into the C:\Windows\Temp folder as the files cannot be installed while running Windows. It will ask you to restart the computer to complete the installation and install the files before Windows loads up.

After uninstalling the software for the card reader also delete the files in the C:\Windows\Temp folder.

Kinda reaching here but it is something to try.

Mesich

Mesich--

I have deleted all of the files in the temp folder and uninstalled the software that came with the card reader. No luck.

A few questions-- how do your reformat the C drive, and then install windows from the cab files on the C drive. Wouldn't I lose them all in the reformat?

I am working on one more solution to this problem. www.dell.com

Refresh my memory if you would.

Where did we find the .cab files on your hard drive?

Mesich

You could install windows to a new directory. I have booted with a bootdisk before and renamed my windows directory to winold and then installed windows to c:\windows directory.

Did you ever find out what is connected to your secondary IDE port and does your cdrom drive work with your bootdisk?

I have not opened the box up yet. Will have some time this weekend to see what is connected to the secondary IDE port-- assuming I will know what I am looking at.

My windows cab files are located under c:\windows\option\cabs.

I do not have a boot disk. Can I make one now or is it too late?

I use the bootdisk here:

http://support.micronpc.com/downloads/boot.html

Download the top file and save it to your hard drive

To create it type 98bot10a.exe a: (you have to be at a command prompt and in the directory of where you saved the file)

It will format the floppy disk in your disk drive and make it a bootdisk. This makes your cdrom drive letter 'R'. I would suggest to use this to determine if your cdrom works.

Another update.... the CDRW and DVD drive would not work booting from a boot disk.

I have purchased a new PC-- and once I am satisfied I have moved everything from this computer I will try to reformat and reload from the compaq restore CD's. It may be a few weeks but I will post back to say whether this fixed the problem.

Thanks for your help.

Thanks for the update. yes it sounds like that IDE controller is dead.

I shouldn't jump in at such a late date but I have had simular problem with my computer (400mh) opening in safe mode. I found as I toggled through the startup files that it hung on autoexe.bat As windows does not need autoexe.bat I tried to delete it and could not because the path was not found? So I renamed it and it booted. This lasted for about two weeks and then did it again. After six times of this. I opened the autoexe.bat file and all that was in it was the C:\essolo.com line. I renamed the autoexe and all essolo files, and thats where i'm at now. The computer boots to win98. But will it rewrite an autoexe.bat file again and if so, why? I addition why can't I delete these files, and any of the internet favorites for that fact. (may be an unrelated problem).