Why me?

[Detox]

Wahhh not again! Here I am online with my old HP Pavilion once more!

Here's the story - Poking around my University page I found we have a license for McAfee to install on our home puters. I have only AVG free so I figured I could grab it and have a backup to piddle with, right? I did so, installed and it called for a reboot of course. Right after reboot and a couple splash screens I cant figure out how to turn off (versato keyboard etc)... Sygate pops up saying some windows file is trying to send a packet somewhere or another.. I say no and WHAM blue screen of death... upon reboot attempt I am told that Windows 2000 cannot start b/c this file is either missing or corrupted - WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMd

sooo then it says It might be repaired if I start from original floppy or CD-ROM.. of course I was too cocky to look into a floppy boot disk so I am thinking I need to get into BIOS and make the thing boot from CD-ROM if possible to try and repair the file with setup CD? I"m looking for my last disaster thread to refresh my memory on getting into BIOS and I'll be checking here to see if I get any replies telling me good idea/bad idea/go away Detox or whatnot :-*

[Detox]

OK well I went to BIOS and set to boot from CD - press any key to boot from CD and used the Windows 2k setup CD - when I hit R for "repair" the thing told me I didn;t have any hard drives installed and to check them etc... FFS I know my hard drives are fine - they worked until I rebooted after installing McAfee!! Now, I had to shutdown the repair/setup thing and I got thie "DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" blue screen with

Address BFF765EE base at BF765EE, DateSTamp 00000000 - pmcia.sys

that line shows twice in a row

then it goes on to tell me to make sure any new hardware or software is config correct blah blah blah then remove any new hardware or software if that doesnt work.. that's great I'd love to remove McAfee and go back to normal times again but since I can;t start the computer it seems a little tough to do.

[Mr.Blaze]

:-\ dont you have system restore or put your pc in safe mode disk

so that av software missed up your pc?

[Mr.Blaze]

:-\also reinstakling from cd wouldnt that wipe out everything and give you basicly a dirty install

[Dan Perez]

Hey Detox,

I am unclear on where things stand at present. You indicated it was able to see the HD previously when booting to it and when you tried the CD-boot repair it could not see it.

But now when you return to a hard drive boot can you see it once more?

Have you returned the BIOS setting to the way it was before?

Did you attempt to boot into Safe Mode? This would allow a safe removal of McAfee. Given that you have Win2K and assuming you have not changed the default system directory from Winnt to Windows, it appears from the path of the offending file that the McAfee version you installed is a 16-bit version for Win9x.

[JimIT]

Detox,

The first thing I would try is to boot to Last Known Good Configuration, and choose the profile listed.

An IRQ_NOT_LESS is usually caused by a driver conflict, and this *may* put you back where you were before.

Definitely can't hurt! ;)

[Detox]

Darn, you moved it right as I tried to post my reply so I lost it.. hehe oh well here goes again... That was confusing tho.

Anyway - I'm sure I hit the right link for NT McAfee but then I can be wrong and they could also have the wrong version at the end of that link I suppose.

Now, the normal boot procedure checks and detects my mobo then hard drives and the stripe on them perfectly - says functional and then when windows tries to start it won't b/c of this file; and if i boot with the cd (still after hard drives have been checked!) windows setup and or repair both swear I have no hard drive!

[Detox]

-{ Quote: " quoting: JimIT link=board=9;threadid=13042;start=0#msg83622 date=1062172229]
Detox,

The first thing I would try is to boot to Last Known Good Configuration, and choose the profile listed.

" }-

doesn't sound bad - but I dunno how :-[

[Detox]

hm think i need to get bios changed back to be able to use safe mode cause it does the "any key" to boot from cd so everything makes it go to cd argh

[Dan Perez]

-{ Quote: "Darn, you moved it right as I tried to post my reply so I lost it.. " }-

Oops! :o Sorry about that, I should have moved it before I replied :-\

Okay, if it detects it than you are not in that bad of shape. You need to go into safe mode (by pressing) F8 when it first boots up (it is okay to hit the key repeatedly to make sure you don't let it go too far into the boot process). Once there, use the Add/Remove Programs applet to remove the offending software ;D

[Detox]

changed BIOS back - still same thing... stripe found functional then windows fails... cant seem to get to safe mode.. after it syas about the file it says "startup options for Windows 2000, press F8."

but nothing happens ???

[Detox]

ill try it some more maybe ill wear out f8 hehe

[Detox]

OK - I hit f8 at just the right moment this time and got to pick Windows 2000 for OS to start (only option) and it gave me the same no start message :'(

[Detox]

I think this means I'm really screwed, doesn't it

[Dan Perez]

Sorry Detox, I had to step away for a bit...

No, you didn't get the right F8 menu yet, when you see the one option you saw you should be able to press F8 again and have a list of about 8 or so options, one of which will be "Safe Mode".

You might want to keep playing with the F8 key

[Detox]

Hm I wrot eit a bit wrong - but it was the right menu - I picked "safe mode" from some other options but then the OS came up to pick (Maybe b/c the puter used to have 98se???) but the only OS to pick was win2k...

It was right after I picked "safe mode"

:-/

This really concerns me but I guess since the boot sees the drives my info should be safe..

[JimIT]

When 2k starts up you'll have a black screen with the left-to-right "meter" at the bottom in white. That's when you want to hit F8.

You'll only have about 3 seconds, so watch carefully. That's where the Safe Mode and Last Known Good sets are.

I'd try LKG first though. Might save some time. Once you get the computer to successfully boot, then LKG will not be an option. :-\

[JimIT]

Ah well...I can't type fast enough! ;)

[FanJ]

Hi Detox,

I don't know whether this might help you:

At the DSLR-security-forum was just a thread about removing McAfee:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,7819424~root=security,1~mode=flat

I hope it might help you, but I'm not sure; sorry!

All the best !

[Dan Perez]

Hey all,

Yeah, I think we are left with the Last Known Good at this point. I thought that safe mode might be IMO a better first shot since you would then be more certain of a complete ininstall of the McAfee. Last known Good would leave you without any offending reg entries / file envocations that the McAfee introduced and might cause any subsequent uninstall to have problems.

I do think, however that there is a good chance that any data is intact. If all else fails, you can install Win2k in a parallel fashion (selecting as the install point c:\parallel2k or something like that) so you will be able to see all the data. This might also allow you to try to troubleshoot the other by removing the offending files and reattempting booting into the original 2k load.

[Primrose]

You have the CD but no boot disk right..so get some clean floopies and make a boot disk downloaded from here...
http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm


Welcome to Bootdisk.Com
The majority of tips, tweaks, files, bootdisks, instructions, utilities, links, patches, updates, and all other information contained on this site are posted for experienced DOS and Windows users.

We favor non-invasive applications. Keep in mind tho that some of the best non-invasive programs can also be some of the most powerful.

Certain browsers and websites require that you hold down your Shift key when you click on a file you want to download.

Most of the bootdisk files are self extracting images of bootable floppies. After you download the image file, insert a fresh floppy in your A: drive and click on the file to make the disk.

NT and XP bootdisks come in sets. You first have to download the set, then most often click on the file to extract the individual images, then click on each image to make each disk in the set.

No matter which site you find them at, original bootdisk.com disks have 4 cdrom drivers on them. If the default cd1.sys driver does not find your cdrom then just change config.sys to use cd2.sys etc. Our disks always name your cdrom letter R:

Windows OEM bootdisks load basic tools like format, etc to a ramdrive. Watch the last line it will say "The diagnostic tools were loaded to your drive E:" or similiar. Go there to find the tools.

Utilities or suggested links in {brackets} on our How To Guides are available for download or viewing from either the HOME or Utilities page.

McAfee gives false alarms for some older dos utils on the bootdisks. If you want to be sure check the files with another anti-virus program.

At least 4 times per month I publish a PC Techletter called The BootLIST that addresses some of the most commonly asked Windows and PC hardware issues.

End User License Agreement: If you host the applications or utilities that I produced on your site than you agree to allow me to directly link to them for download.

Thanks for visiting and remember: Don't fix a system that's not broken :)

[Detox]

er, I just tried "last known good configuration" and I got the same msg about that stinking file!

guess I'll be makin' a boot disk

[Primrose]

also see these to make a boot disk and then also how to use it..and keep the cd handy..


If you are unable to boot up your Windows 2000 PC, it may be because the boot sector has become corrupted (yet the operating system and data may still be OK). If that is the problem, then this boot disk will enable your PC to ignore the hard disk boot sector, and instead use the boot sector on this boot floppy in order to still boot successfully into Windows 2000.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Downright_pages/downrights_bootdisks.htm

Using Your Boot Disk
http://www.simsmith5.fsnet.co.uk/Windows/Dos_boot.htm

[Primrose]

Using Your Boot Disk
Before you use your boot disk, make sure that it is supported in your BIOS. When you turn on your computer, you will see a message such as 'Hit Delete to enter setup'. Press the required combination, and browse the different screens until you find an entry such as boot order. There should be a value of 'A:, C:' here - if there isn't, change the value until it has A: first and C: second (don't worry about any other values), then save and exit setup. Note - do not change anything other than the above, as this could prevent your computer from working properly!

Once this has been completed, you are ready to use your boot disk. Simply insert it into your drive, and turn on your computer (or restart it from within Windows). This will bring you to a DOS prompt (C:\>) where you can type any commands. To turn off your computer from here, simply switch it off from the prompt (not when your computer is doing something!). To reboot into Windows, take out your boot disk, and press the key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del.

[Primrose]

Using The Boot Disk
Step 1: If the PC Won't Start

If your computer refuses to start off the hard drive as it should, insert the boot diskette in the A drive. Press the computer's start button or simultaneously press the Ctrl/Alt/Del keys. When the computer reboots you will be at the A prompt.

Step 2: Conduct A Probe



The first thing to do is to probe the hard drive to see if the crash was caused by a total hard drive failure or a Windows problem. One way to do that is try to get a directory of the C drive. At the A prompt type the following: Dir c: Your screen should look like this: A>dir c: Then press the Enter key. Did you get a directory? Then the drive is probably OK and the crash was software-based.

Step 3: Check for Errors



It may be that, somehow, some important files got clobbered. To determine if that caused your crash, type the following at the A prompt: Scandisk c: The screen should look like this: A:>Scandisk C: Then press Enter. If ScanDisk finds errors, it will offer to fix them. Give it the go-ahead. If you still can't get the computer running, you may have to reinstall Windows.

Step 4: Lights On, No One Home

If commands issued from the A drive result in a message that the C drive cannot be found, stand and observe a minute of silence because something, most probably, is dead: Your hard drive, or The device that links the drive to the motherboard, or The motherboard itself.
http://howto.lycos.com/lycos/step/1,,5+32+135+23825+16275,00.html
(http://howto.lycos.com/lycos/step/1,,5+32+135+23825+16275,00.html)

[Primrose]

Other Uses for A Boot Disk

http://howto.lycos.com/lycos/step/1,,5+32+135+23825+16279,00.html

[Mr.Blaze]

:D yup good stuff how far back can you go with system restore i usealy pick the farthest back i can go to make sure it all good

[Detox]

just finishing making the 4 disk set from bootdisk.com - gonna be giving it a go.. ill try not to hold my breath tho cause i might be on the floor when its time to change disks ::)

[Detox]

oh good lord... i made the 4 disks.. booted with the first disk, and when prompted i put in disk#2 (yup all labeled correctly etc) and after 10 seconds or so the screen went black. Now trying to start with boot disk #1 in the drive does nothing.. the computer hums but the disk drive isnt reading the the monitor just sits there asking me if the cable is plugged in.

-edited to put the 2nd p back in "prompted" ::)

[Primrose]

What OS did you have on that PC...was it Window 2000 Pro??? i did not think so..hmmm.


Try here.... for a download
Boot Disk - Windows 2000 boot disk 200K (7-July-2002)
If you are unable to boot up your Windows 2000 PC, it may be because the boot sector has become corrupted (yet the operating system and data may still be OK). If that is the problem, then this boot disk will enable your PC to ignore the hard disk boot sector, and instead use the boot sector on this boot floppy in order to still boot successfully into Windows 2000.

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Downright_pages/downrights_bootdisks.htm

[Detox]

Yup, win2k pro on that one... I tried the download from that link you justposted earlier - looked better to have one disk; but it requires Floppy Disk Manager to read the file and I haven't got that b/c I'm on my old puter with win98se :-(

[Detox]

Well, tried the 4 disks again but its stuck right now on first disk.. bottom of screen says

"Setup is loading files (Windows 2000 Executive)...


anywya don't see why I got to 2nd disk the first time... Nor do I know if win2k executive is the same as professional or not? I have my original packaging and disk and they both say professional on them.

[Primrose]

Yes..so you need then a win 98 boot disk and you can get them from both those places... or try that single disk for win2000

[Detox]

the broken computer is the Win2k machine - so i havent got the floppy disk manager to get the single 2k boot disk :-(

I'll try the 4 disks some more and then call the shop if it still doesn't work.

Thanks for all help/advice/links folks!

[Detox]

Hmph; in the hopes that the 2nd boot disk simply had a writing error on it, I've re-formatted it and written it again a few times.. However, every single time the first boot disk works and after a little reading on the 2nd one the computer freezes and the screen goes black. Really strange.

A friend told me I might try using the hard drive form this puter to boot the other one - but this is win98 and that's win2k...

I'm afraid I'll bite the bullet again. I don't have problems very often but when I DO have a problem, I really have a problem.

[TAG97]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Detox link=board=9;threadid=13042;start=0#msg83582 date=1062167288]
Wahhh not again! Here I am online with my old HP Pavilion once more!

Here's the story - Poking around my University page I found we have a license for McAfee to install on our home puters. I have only AVG free so I figured I could grab it and have a backup to piddle with, right? I did so, installed and it called for a reboot of course. Right after reboot and a couple splash screens I cant figure out how to turn off (versato keyboard etc)... Sygate pops up saying some windows file is trying to send a packet somewhere or another.. I say no and WHAM blue screen of death... upon reboot attempt I am told that Windows 2000 cannot start b/c this file is either missing or corrupted - WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEMd
I followed this thread and was hoping for a happy ending. :(
Then I was thinking today *I wonder if Detox Scaned that download?*

"Sygate pops up saying some windows file is trying to send a packet somewhere or another.. I say no and WHAM blue screen of death... "

Does that seem like Trojan Like activity or am I mistaken?
Detox, I hope all ends well and please keep us updated.
Best regards
Tim


" }-

[Detox]

Hm I must confess that I did not scn the download :-\

I rather assumed it was safe since I got it by password and username through the computer lab at the university... I guess it's never good to assume but they really do keep themselves clean; attachment stripping and all that.

I guess I just have to hope I find out after labor day.. But I will certainly update.

[JimIT]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Detox link=board=9;threadid=13042;start=30#msg84157 date=1062353973]
Hm I must confess that I did not scn the download :-\I guess I just have to hope I find out after labor day.. But I will certainly update.
" }-

Hope it all worked out, Tox... ;)

[Detox]

Well, it's about noon right now; dropped my sweety at the shop almost an hour ago - it's on the othr side of the capitol of Texas from me ::)

Anyway they said it wasn't exactly uncommon lately for McAffee 7 to corrupt Windows system files - from what they've been seeing anyway ???

So... While I was there I opted to have 'em toss in another hard drive (40 gig) and install my operating system there and I'll use my striped 120's for everything else - hopefully simplifying any trouble like this in the future with a format of the 40 gig "OS only" hard drive.

[JimIT]

-{ Quote: " quoting: Detox link=board=9;threadid=13042;start=30#msg84705 date=1062521381]
Well, it's about noon right now; dropped my sweety at the shop almost an hour ago - it's on the othr side of the capitol of Texas from me ::)" }-

Well, howdy then, from another Texan...
-{ Quote: "
Anyway they said it wasn't exactly uncommon lately for McAffee 7 to corrupt Windows system files - from what they've been seeing anyway ???
" }-

Hmm. I had been debating picking up 7.0 as a toy. Maybe I'll rethink it.

Sounds like you're machine will be better than ever.

Glad to hear it. ;)

[Detox]

I figured a single $100 hard drive might save me one trip to the shop - then it pays for itself double probably!

I know we don't software bash here but the folks at the custom puter shop verbally abused McAffee at the shop for a few minutes or so... I won't ever touch one of their products again; not even with the neighbor's computer lol

[Detox]

Well, I got it back today - humming along like a dream again but MAN I got some reinstalling/moving around and setting up to do!

[Cochise]

Hi Detox,

Glad to hear your back on full song and a happy man again. :D ;D

Regards Cochise. 8)

[Detox]

Thanks 8)

Sometimes I lose my cool a little bit because I really have found I hafta reinstall just about everything; Proxomitron has been the exception so far - all it needed was a nice new shortcut on desktop ;D

Then I remind myself how much easier any future probglem should be, and then I updated my sig in here... I feel the abundance of HD space!