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XP Questions, I need help please!

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18 replies

by cglrcng9

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

I will adjust and award points based on amount of help for each who contributes to the solutions.

A relative has XP Home, am trying to transfer files from an old Win95 puter via an External Iomega Zip 100 Parallel drive, (files are on 2 Zip 100 media disks as Backup Job #1 & #2). He had activated XP long ago, then added his a printer after purchase & activation, then much later an older Scanport 300 scanner, then a digital camera on a USB port (3 hdwre. changes from orig. hdwre config.?) Hehad the wrong drivers for the scanner in, leading to 2 separate (!) points in the device manager. Also file system was @ FAT32, I converted the drive to NTFS. But the following was happening before the conversion also.

I downloaded the correct XPdrivers called for which changed the scanner to be recognized by XP as a Microtek scanner (I think they wrote the XP driver). The scanner & printer now work fine & there are no hdwre. issues there. (I think this would be noticed by XP as a 4th Hdwre. change from activated config.) Also cleaned up the registry & Start up folder. (WinDr. found & fixed 82 errors, most being invalid reg. entries & Active-X files). DiskDr. say?s disk is fine & NTFS.

When I attempted to install the Iomega software, shut down & hooked up the External Zip 100 Parallel via the printer port (w/ or without the printer & scanner attached), and restart, I get a situation of a normal request to boot to XP Home, then it attempts to boot into windows normally, then a screen flash (too fast to read any of the writing) of a blue screen, then it goes into a restart loop (repeat?s), that won't allow booting into windows. Restore to previous config. brings me out of the event (and allows windows to boot normally), if I shutt down & disconnect the external drive and hook the scanner & printer back up w/out the ZIP drive. (Cont.)

18 replies

by cglrcng9

My questions. (1.) Has a reactivation event been triggered due to Hdwre. Config. changes, and is this what I'm witnessing? If so, how can I solve it?(Steps to take?) Anyone else dealt w/ this particular problem before?

(2.) Ctrl+Alt+Delete does not bring up the Task Manager, nor does Clicking on Launch Task Manager. Is there a trick that I am not aware of to launch the task mgr. or turn on the command Ctrl+Alt+Delete to launch it?

This particular machine recently had the W32Klez virus & it's buddy, but was cleaned w/ Symantec's removal tool and seems to work fine after the cleaning except for these 2 items. Most of the affected files (337) were temp or temp inet files, some removed, some repaired. Checked clean on a re-run of the tool & an updated full AV run.

Any ideas or input on the problems are appreciated fully.

Thanx everyone.

by cglrcng9

I Also downloaded and installed the latest Via chipset 4 in 1 driver pkg. for the Mobo, which helped clear up the other hdwre. (!) point. (Simple SCSI miniport drivers) Replaced w/ SCSI/RAID interface under the SCSI Controllers in Device Manager...But since the boot isn't successful w/ the External ZIP attached, I have yet to see the Iomega Parallel port Zip Interface installed under the same heading (SCSI Controllers).

by duskos

Hi,

I don't have XP Home, but XP Pro, but I think you may find following info usefull.

1. Activation
You don't have to be afraid of this process. You may activate as many times as you wish and process is free. They may ask you for a proof of purchase after you call in several times, but a simple fax with your invoice is usualy all you need.

2. I don't think you have problem because of activation, but because od hardware (IO Mega on parallel port), so you should try to fault find in that direction. To disable reboot after blue screen, you should:
Open System Properties, click Advanced tab, click Settings in "Startup and Recovery". In "Startup and Recovery" window, uncheck "Automatically restart" checkbox. You may also adjust quantity of debugging information (I have "Small memory dump"). This arrangement will allow you to read the blue screen. You may then use this information to search Google and/or support.microsoft.com.

3. You may also open Task Manager with a key combination Ctrl+Shift+Esc

4. You may consider other transfer methods for transfering data like writing a CD, 2 network cards + crossover cable (my favorite), parallel cable or null modem serial cable (my least favorite, but simplest). You may also use XP features like "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" and User State Migration Tool (USMT) which is available on XP Pro CD (I don't know if it's available on XP Home CD) You may wish to search Microsoft XP Expert zone to find usefull downloads and tips.

Good luck,
Dusko

by btrue

I don't know this for sure, however I wouldn't think a hardware change of external hardware would trigger activation. It would only make since for that to be dealing with Internal hardware... video, sound, motherboard, processor, things of that sort. External hardware is just changed so frequently... I would think it could tell the difference. Am I totally wrong here?

by opatzg9

Something else to check, the zip drive requires the parallel port to be set specifically to something bpp?or someother so find that out first for the setting from the win95 machine. Another option would be to just install the hard drive from the win95 machine? Or network the two and pass the files that way? I don't have xp yet but do have the zip drive, if you can't find the setting for the parallel port in bios leave a note and I'll check my settings at home.
Good luck.

by opatzg9

Now that you've mentioned your pass thrus, stop that! I thought you could only chain 2 devices through the parallel port!!!! Only connect up the zip drive when you need it or add another parallel port! And as for scanners, usb scanners are so much faster, upgrade and enjoy it. They're relatively cheap as well $29 buys faster and better than the old parallel ones. I've had both and would never go back, gave the old one away with a printer card. Don't think they're using it anymore either.But mostly why connect up the zip drive other than when needed, it tends to slow the system down as well. Other articles are out here referring to how video's get choppy and games slow down while they're connected.

by sgt_shultz

try removing and redetecting parallel port in device manager? and/or try the zip drive on another machine, any machine.
it is not an activation issue, imho

by cglrcng9

TY Dusko. This was very helpful info, I don't have access to the box until later today but will try what you said (I do need access to the blue screen message), and will try what you said to get that access. Not really "afraid" of reactivation in this case, just that it's a locally purchased oem machine and just trying to get the user, his purchase documents & myself together in one place (not to mention the unknowns of the actual process by this old fool. Who, when, & where to call, etc.) Am even considering transferring the data to my puter, using the iomega packet drag & drop process & burning a cd of it & installing the software on his, just didn't want to put the hammer on either of our burner software (both use nero). Will try the task manager combo also. TY, I'll rate the answer later and credit you some points. Do appreciate the help.

by cglrcng9

TY btrue. I don't know for sure, but I once read that XP recorded the beginning hardware inventory @ the time of activation of XP and was comparing it @ every boot and just thought it might be an "activation type event I may be witnessing", not surewhat it is, could simply be an older hardware issue. I'll rate the answer later and credit you some points. Do appreciate the help.

by cglrcng9

Thanx opatzg. Can the Win95 drive in FAT be installed as a slave to the Win XP Home Drive in NTFS? I've never had to ever set the parallel port as long as there was an active printer set up. Ususlly just install the iomegaware v-2.0 software from disk w/ the Zip drive not connected, it asks for a shutdown, then install the drive in between the puter & printer (in this case between the puter & scanner then printer). Boot up and the drive is usually seen by the software interface. At this point aline in the Device Manager is usually added under SCSI Controllers that reads "Iomega Parallel Port Zip Interface" and am usually off & running. I don't usually even uninstall the interface (just disable it in device manager, "just in case I need tohook it back up in the future for one reason or another"), or the software. I'll rate the answer later and credit you some points. Do appreciate the help.

by cglrcng9

Thanx sgt...The Zip drive works on every other machine I've tried to connect it to...It installed (using the printer parallel port normally), & pulled off the info just fine as a backup job from the Win95 machine, just checked it on my Win98 & 2K dual boot machine also in both OS'es. So I know the drive & software works fine. This is however the first time I have attempted to install it on an XP machine. I'll rate the answer later and credit you some points. Do appreciate the help.

by thechas

Product activation uses only Internal hardware, and not all of that, for the hardware list.

Here is a link to a good FAQ on Windows Product Activation.

http://www.aumha.org/a/wpa.htm

The fact that the system had a virus concerns me. There very well could be a corrupt or missing system file.

One caution, if you re-install XP it wipes out the old installation, and you end up starting over from scratch.
You can however, use the recovery console to check for missing or corrupt files.
Do you have access to the W95 PC?
If so, you can bypass the ZIP drive altogether. Set up a CAT5 Crossover, or a Direct Cable connection between the 2 PCs, and use the File and Settings Transfer Wizard to pull the files off the old PC.

Since badexperiences with their tape drives, I have not trusted hardware from IO-Mega.

I would try shutting down the PC, and connecting the ZIP drive.
Re-boot, and see if XP will install the device on it's own without the IO-Mega software.

I have readthat XP treats the parallel port as a 'legacy' device, and that is why many parallel port devices do not work well with XP.

2 alternates:
Find an internal ZIP drive.
Use a USB to parallel cable to connect the drive to a USB port.
(about $20 from www.compgeeks.com)

Chas

by cglrcng9

Chas,

Again, your info is worth its weight in gold Bro! I found the XPinfo file @ aumha.org the key to solving some of Zip problem. "It was an activation event" that was happening there. The tool showed the minimal votes w/ the Scanner & Printer attached because of the SCSI controller for the scanner was recently changed, and the recent conversion to NTFS of the drive w/in the last 120 days. As soon as I disconnect the Scanner & Printer that vote count dropped by 1, also the addition of another SCSI device (the ZIP)caused it to drop by 1 more vote (don't ask me why, but it did). Am sending that info to MS for perusal (maybe they can come up w/ an answer, as it sure flies in the face of the info aumha.org was given). Ran a reactivation and the external Zip installed w/ the software installed just fine,(adding the required new SCSI controller).

I still have the problem w/ the Task Manager to defeat, was able to launch the recovery console from CD but couldn't find out how to actually replace the missing or corrupt file for that (yet!). Any help in this area would be highly appreciated! I couldn't install the console to the drive as it say's NTSF is an improper file system for the install (go figure!) For a tool to check Iomega stuff incl. the media, try "TIP" free from www.GRC.com (a great lil tool!) Chas, I will post another spot and award you more points also, Thanx. Bro., TY to all the contributors!!!

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