Guest Lee MacMillan Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if it starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or 3 times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your hardware vendor." I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that was in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same error. I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome.
Guest Dave Patrick Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up The repair install isn't guaranteed to cover all situations of hardware replacement. I'd backup and start a clean installation. To do a clean install, either boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom or setup disks. The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom; change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe (from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts. (Note: If your drive controller is not natively supported then you'll want to boot the Windows 2000 install CD-Rom. Then *F6* very early and very important (at setup is inspecting your system) in the setup to prevent drive controller detection, and select S to specify additional drivers. Then later you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer supplied Windows 2000 driver for your drive controller in drive "A") Setup inspects your computer's hardware configuration and then begins to install the Setup and driver files. When the Windows 2000 Professional screen appears, press ENTER to set up Windows 2000 Professional. Read the license agreement, and then press the F8 key to accept the terms of the license agreement and continue the installation. When the Windows 2000 Professional Setup screen appears, all the existing partitions and the unpartitioned spaces are listed for each physical hard disk. Use the ARROW keys to select the partitions Press D to delete an existing partition, If you press D to delete an existing partition, you must then press L (or press ENTER, and then press L if it is the System partition) to confirm that you want to delete the partition. Repeat this step for each of the existing partitions When all the partitions are deleted press F3 to exit setup, (to avoid unexpected drive letter assignments with your new install) then restart the pc then when you get to this point in setup again select the unpartitioned space, and then press C to create a new partition and specify the size (if required). Windows will by default use all available space. Be sure to apply SP4 and these two below to your new install before connecting to any network. Internet included. (sasser, msblast) http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx Then Rollup 1 for Microsoft Windows 2000 Service Pack 4 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?amp;displaylang=en&familyid=B54730CF-8850-4531-B52B-BF28B324C662&displaylang=en -- Regards, Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup. Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] http://www.microsoft.com/protect "Lee MacMillan" wrote: > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if > it > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or > 3 > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > hardware vendor." > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that > was > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same > error. > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > >
Guest DL Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up Some motherboards don't like a mix of ram Check the mobo manual specs for supported ram & compare that with what you have "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if > it > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or > 3 > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > hardware vendor." > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that > was > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same > error. > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > >
Guest V Green Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up Lee: Enable Boot Logging as described here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485 Then check the NTBTLOG.TXT file for the last driver that was loaded. You can then often tell what caused the blue screen and troubleshoot from there. "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if it > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or 3 > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > hardware vendor." > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that was > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same error. > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > >
Guest Dave Patrick Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up But keep in mind that's the last successful driver loaded. -- Regards, Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup. Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] http://www.microsoft.com/protect "V Green" wrote: > Lee: > > Enable Boot Logging as described here: > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485 > > Then check the NTBTLOG.TXT file for the last driver that > was loaded. You can then often tell what caused the blue screen > and troubleshoot from there.
Guest Lee MacMillan Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up The RAM is all PC2100 though not all the same brand. I ran all these sticks in this mobo when it was running XP. Thanks. "DL" <address@invalid> wrote in message news:ub$Gc2JfIHA.4728@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... > Some motherboards don't like a mix of ram > Check the mobo manual specs for supported ram & compare that with what you > have > > "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message > news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... > > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if > > it > > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or > > 3 > > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > > hardware vendor." > > > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that > > was > > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same > > error. > > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > > > > > >
Guest Lee MacMillan Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up Not sure if this is significant. On my 2nd startup attempt today, I hit F8 then selected safe mode but it just hung at the "starting Windows" screen. I did a hard reset and then it booted up ok. This was the 4rd try. I will try this the next time it fails to boot. Thanks. "V Green" <vanceg@nowhere.net> wrote in message news:uVjZg5JfIHA.5788@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > Lee: > > Enable Boot Logging as described here: > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485 > > Then check the NTBTLOG.TXT file for the last driver that > was loaded. You can then often tell what caused the blue screen > and troubleshoot from there. > > "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message > news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... > > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if it > > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or 3 > > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > > hardware vendor." > > > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that was > > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same error. > > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > > > > > >
Guest V Green Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up "Dave Patrick" <DSPatrick@nospam.gmail.com> wrote in message news:4E08C70B-196B-4125-B9F1-EB8BEB9EC38F@microsoft.com... > But keep in mind that's the last successful driver loaded. In my experience, not necessarily. When I had to use it once, it was this last driver that was refusing to initialize or something. The driver was loading, but the UI that loads separately to config it was causing the problem. No harm, no foul to try it. And, actually, since he's able to get it to complete the boot process 66% of the time, he could get a complete boot log from that and compare it to the boot log of a failed boot to see what the next driver load will be. > > -- > > Regards, > > Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup. > Microsoft Certified Professional > Microsoft MVP [Windows] > http://www.microsoft.com/protect > > "V Green" wrote: > > Lee: > > > > Enable Boot Logging as described here: > > > > http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485 > > > > Then check the NTBTLOG.TXT file for the last driver that > > was loaded. You can then often tell what caused the blue screen > > and troubleshoot from there.
Guest Dave Patrick Posted March 2, 2008 Posted March 2, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up Good point the compare might help but I suspect the in-place upgrade just didn't work and that the controller driver and or acpi and or hal is at fault. The bugcheck code from the event log may also be of interest. -- Regards, Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup. Microsoft Certified Professional Microsoft MVP [Windows] http://www.microsoft.com/protect "V Green" wrote: > In my experience, not necessarily. When I had to use it > once, it was this last driver that was refusing to initialize > or something. The driver was loading, but the UI that loads > separately to config it was causing the problem. > > No harm, no foul to try it. > > And, actually, since he's able to get it to complete the > boot process 66% of the time, he could get a complete > boot log from that and compare it to the boot log of > a failed boot to see what the next driver load will be.
Guest Frank Booth Snr Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up Lee MacMillan wrote: > Not sure if this is significant. On my 2nd startup attempt today, I hit F8 > then selected safe mode but it just hung at the "starting Windows" screen. > I did a hard reset and then it booted up ok. This was the 4rd try. > > I will try this the next time it fails to boot. Thanks. > > > "V Green" <vanceg@nowhere.net> wrote in message > news:uVjZg5JfIHA.5788@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... > >>Lee: >> >>Enable Boot Logging as described here: >> >>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485 >> >>Then check the NTBTLOG.TXT file for the last driver that >>was loaded. You can then often tell what caused the blue screen >>and troubleshoot from there. >> >>"Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message >>news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... >> >>>Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went >>>well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine > > if it > >>>starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 > > or 3 > >>>times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main > > screen), > >>>I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your >>>hardware vendor." >>> >>>I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that > > was > >>>in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the >>>sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my >>>network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same > > error. > >>>I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 >>>Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. >>> >>>From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but > > since > >>>it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. It sounds like a faulty driver. It's unlikely to be a hardware problem as you are reaching POST successfully on each attempt, ie your BIOS recognises all your essential hardware. Or does it fail before the Windows splash screen? When you boot up successfully it might be an idea to have a look at System Properties/Hardware/Device Manager just to check whether any device is showing up as faulty. It's also possible a memory module or the graphics card isn't properly seated which might explain why there is an intermittent error.
Guest Lee M. Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up "Frank Booth Snr" <fbsnr@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message news:oJ6dnaKB39Uz_VbanZ2dnUVZ8qKvnZ2d@bt.com... > Lee MacMillan wrote: >> Not sure if this is significant. On my 2nd startup attempt today, I hit >> F8 >> then selected safe mode but it just hung at the "starting Windows" >> screen. >> I did a hard reset and then it booted up ok. This was the 4rd try. >> >> I will try this the next time it fails to boot. Thanks. >> >> >> "V Green" <vanceg@nowhere.net> wrote in message >> news:uVjZg5JfIHA.5788@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... >> >>>Lee: >>> >>>Enable Boot Logging as described here: >>> >>>http://support.microsoft.com/kb/202485 >>> >>>Then check the NTBTLOG.TXT file for the last driver that >>>was loaded. You can then often tell what caused the blue screen >>>and troubleshoot from there. >>> >>>"Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message >>>news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... >>> >>>>Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went >>>>well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine >> >> if it >> >>>>starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 >> >> or 3 >> >>>>times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main >> >> screen), >> >>>>I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your >>>>hardware vendor." >>>> >>>>I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that >> >> was >> >>>>in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the >>>>sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my >>>>network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same >> >> error. >> >>>>I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 >>>>Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. >>>> >>>>From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but >> >> since >> >>>>it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > > It sounds like a faulty driver. It's unlikely to be a hardware problem as > you are reaching POST successfully on each attempt, ie your BIOS > recognises all your essential hardware. Or does it fail before the Windows > splash screen? When you boot up successfully it might be an idea to have a > look at System Properties/Hardware/Device Manager just to check whether > any device is showing up as faulty. It's also possible a memory module or > the graphics card isn't properly seated which might explain why there is > an intermittent error. I see the Windows splash screen before I get the blue screen. I did check the device manager and the only thing that shows up as faulty is the multimedia driver. The SDRAM clips are all set as is the AGP card clip but I will push them all down firmly one more time. Thanks.
Guest Lee M. Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up I noted in another post that the only problem in the device manager is the multimedia driver. The IDE/ATA controller drivers show the VIA busmaster controller and the Microsoft drivers. I will report back when I have some more news. "Dave Patrick" <DSPatrick@nospam.gmail.com> wrote in message news:F284FDF4-44F4-440F-81E1-8220F3EB9A71@microsoft.com... > Good point the compare might help but I suspect the in-place upgrade just > didn't work and that the controller driver and or acpi and or hal is at > fault. The bugcheck code from the event log may also be of interest. > > > > -- > > Regards, > > Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup. > Microsoft Certified Professional > Microsoft MVP [Windows] > http://www.microsoft.com/protect > > "V Green" wrote: >> In my experience, not necessarily. When I had to use it >> once, it was this last driver that was refusing to initialize >> or something. The driver was loading, but the UI that loads >> separately to config it was causing the problem. >> >> No harm, no foul to try it. >> >> And, actually, since he's able to get it to complete the >> boot process 66% of the time, he could get a complete >> boot log from that and compare it to the boot log of >> a failed boot to see what the next driver load will be. >
Guest Lee MacMillan Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted 3-3 update Re: Blue screen system halted 3-3 update Today I ran the Windows memory diagnostic test I got from the MS site. It boots from a floppy then runs 6 different tests. Took about 15 minutes for all 6 tests to run and it didn't find any memory problems. The system booted up OK today but it did do a disk check even though it had shut down normally yesterday. Not sure if that was a result of the floppy boot or what. In the past, it has done a disk check when I had to kill power after a system halt. Thanks for all the help & suggestions. I'm sure we will get to the bottom of this eventually. Lee "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if it > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 or 3 > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > hardware vendor." > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that was > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same error. > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > >
Guest Lee MacMillan Posted March 3, 2008 Posted March 3, 2008 Bootlog from successful startup Bootlog from successful startup These are all the "did not load driver" lines from the ntbtlog.txt file from a successful Win2000 startup. Not sure if this tells you anything or not. Service Pack 4 3 3 2008 11:19:54.500 Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\NDProxy.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\lbrtfdc.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Sfloppy.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Changer.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\Cdaudio.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\tga.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\parport.sys Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\Drivers\PCIDump.SYS Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\redbook.sys Did not load driver \SystemRoot\System32\DRIVERS\parport.sys Did not load driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\rdbss.sys Did not load driver \SystemRoot\system32\DRIVERS\mrxsmb.sys Did not load driver \Device\mfefeatk01.sys "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message news:jrWdneqN98KQk1HanZ2dnUVZ_uevnZ2d@comcast.com... > Today I ran the Windows memory diagnostic test I got from the MS site. It > boots from a floppy then runs 6 different tests. Took about 15 minutes for > all 6 tests to run and it didn't find any memory problems. > > The system booted up OK today but it did do a disk check even though it had > shut down normally yesterday. Not sure if that was a result of the floppy > boot or what. In the past, it has done a disk check when I had to kill > power after a system halt. > > Thanks for all the help & suggestions. I'm sure we will get to the bottom > of this eventually. > > Lee > > "Lee MacMillan" <lmacmil@yahoo_X.com> wrote in message > news:sO6dnWZSy-7rclfanZ2dnUVZ_vKunZ2d@comcast.com... > > Recently had to replace a failed mobo and do a repair install. All went > > well and I've got all the service packs updated. The system runs fine if > it > > starts but about every 3rd start up attempt (I only use this machine 2 o r > 3 > > times a week), as soon as Windows starts to load (after the main screen), > > I'll get a blue screen with the message "system halted, contact your > > hardware vendor." > > > > I haven't changed any components other than the mobo (an Epox 8KHA+ that > was > > in my WinXP machine for several years). As noted, if Windows loads, the > > sytem runs fine with no indication of a problem. At first I thought my > > network card wasn't fully seated but I pulled it out and got the same > error. > > I have 3 SDRAM sticks (2x256 and 1x512), a Radeon 9250 video card, 1 > > Seagate 80gig drive, 1 floppy and an HP CDRW. > > > > From my research I assume this is some kind of hardware problem but since > > it's intermittant, I don't where to start. All suggestions are welcome. > > > > > >
Guest Frank Booth Snr Posted March 4, 2008 Posted March 4, 2008 Re: Blue screen system halted message on start up Lee M. wrote: > I see the Windows splash screen before I get the blue screen. I did check > the device manager and the only thing that shows up as faulty is the > multimedia driver. There lies a clue.
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