ABSENT FOR A WHILE DUE TO COMPUTER PROBLEMS:

[TC]

Having to post this from work as my home PC is seriously on the blink

Might not be back on the site for a while.......depends how long it takes to find out WHAT the problem is and how / if it can be resolved.

Just incase anybody knows the answer........this is the problem:

When I start the computer, instead of going to the normal screen (ie desktop), it goes to a black secreen with the title \"MS Windows ME Startup Menu\"

A box is displayed showing the following choices:
1. Normal
2. Logged (\\BOOTLOG.TXT)
3. Safe Mode
4. Step by step cinfiguration

NOTE....safe maode is hi-lited.

The screen also says:
\"Windows has detected a registry / configuration error.
Use SCANREG to correct this error\"


The machine automaticall goes into \"safe mode\" after several seconds..........BUT........Nothing is shown on the safe mode screen.......other than the words \"safe mode\" in each corner and the cursor arrow. There are no icons shown at all.

Going back to the opening black screen (startup menu)....when I select \"1. Normal\" instead of safe mode, a box opens \"Add new hardware wizard\". This says -

\"Windows has found the following new hardware\"

What is doesn\'t say is WHAT the \"new hardware\" is.

It also says -

\"Windows can automatically search for and install software that supports your hardware. If your hardware came with installation media, insert it now and click NEXT\"

\"What would you like to do?
o Automatic search for a better driver (Recommended)
o Specify the location of the driver (Advanced)\"

After selecting the Atosearch option, an icon appears to show the computer searching the \"A\" drive. A report comes back saying -

\"Windows was unable to locate the software for this device\".......IT STILL DOESN\'T SAY WHAT THE \"DEVICE\" IS !!

It goes on to say -
\"If you don\'t want to install the spftware now, click FINISH. To search again, click BACK\"

When I click \"FINISH\", the following report opens in a box with the heading -

Enum\\HTREE\\ROOT\\O

\"SURegCreateKeyfailed\"

The only option you have with this box, is to click \"OK\".

Clicking on \"OK\" JUST LEAVES A BLANK, GREY SCREEN.


NOTE: I have NOT installed any \"New hardware\" on my machine.




Anybody got any ideas????????????????

[Norman]

TC, try Normal mode before it clicks into safe.

This message of options is because the last time you were switched on windows failed to complete it`s load and the machine fears you may (probably not) have a hardware problem.
The safe mode disables a number of device drivers so that you can explore and test for the fault, you will not have any usb etc so if you dont have a mouse that plugs into ps2 socket that will not work either.

try as I say the normal mode first and se what happens, it`ll still probably have to go through the new hardware etc since by the sound of it it`s lost it`s driver database, but keep accepting and clicking ok, it`ll probably find most or all of them itself.

Since you`ve been through the safe mode bit already then any screen resoultion or icon settings will be lost and require re-setting but should be ok ....... fingers crossed


Not that this is any help to you at the moment but , what I do is ......
I fitted a spare drive (D: ) and re-installed software from manufacturers recovery disk.
I then built up and installed all I want on machine ie office, broadband connection, network to another pc etc etc .
all my data is stored on new D: drive and only system and base software is stored on C:
Then ghost the C: drive when you have all you want set up to an image file on new D:

then play and go anywhere virus or no virus on the net, use pc however you like just store any data on D:
then if you get a problem (similar to yours) , or if registry gets screwed or if you get spyware thats difficult to erase, or a virus even, all you do is ghost the image back from D: and your back clean in 5 mins to the position you want as you set it up (with all your data intact on D: ).

All this ease of mind for about £40 per 120Gig drive.


[Edited on 7/4/2005 by Norman]

[mark]

Wow!, after nearly 20 years you\'d think microshaft might have managed to stop things like that. I can only sympathise, and be glad I\'ll never suffer the same.

[bribones]

i had that found new hardware thing a while back and couldnt for the love of god find out what it was,i ended up backing up my files to disk and formating in the end

[willywetegg]

Hope you get sorted soon mate.

Jim.

[TC]

Well.......that was a shorter \"while\" than I thought it would be :P :P

Thanks to one of the lads I work with and following his instructions when I got in tonight, I\'m back in the land of NESA, again

[TC]

Thanks for the info Norman........unforunately, I didn\'t get a chance to read it before I got the PC back up & running again.

[willywetegg]

Nice to see you got sorted mate.

Jim.

[TC]

Good job the Toon match was on the telly last night, Jim.......I would\'ve been up the flamin\' wall, not being able to get on me computer.......lol.

Wednesday night was terrible, m8........was like trying to give up the fags.....lol

[willywetegg]

Yes I remember when mine was off, right pain in the proverbial lol.
Off out for some ale shortly might catch you when I get in mate.

Jim.

[Norman]

TC, read the second reply I made about spare Drive and ghost ............... its a winner , I never worry about trashing anything



LOL I mean second half of my post

[Edited on 8/4/2005 by Norman]

[Paula]

TC....
so come on...... what was the problem and the solution?.... i am dying to know

[TC]

Well as for the cause of the problem........I\'m stumped

As far as the problem itself goes..............I\'m stumped

As for the solution...........you guessed it......I\'m stumped


Mentioned the problem to one of the lads I work with (bit of an IT wiz)........downloaded something onto a disk for me and \"Said stick this in your PC and follow the prompts\".

Was a bit concerned at first as it took me into the registry (I thought that was something to do with fishing competitions)......anyway......5 minutes of following his instructions and following the prompts and HEY-PRESTO.......the machime kicked into life again. It was like watching an episode of Casualty.........sats normal, breathing regular and pulse detected.........and that was only me......lol

[Paula]

at least you are back with us TC
glad it is sorted though