Gentlemen:
I call upon the collective wisdom of the group to help with a problem.
Six months ago I built a new unit (Intel DG965WH mobo, E6600 processor, crucial 2G memory, Seagate 320G HDs (x2), Plextor 760 optical) with XP SP2 (installed separately on each HD – don’t ask!). System ran great with all software and demands upon it but last month I tried to cut down the wait time on the opening page from 30 to 2 secs and something happened to the OS. XP would not open to Normal mode; Safe mode only and after 5-10 minutes could reboot to Normal mode without problem. Attempted to repair Windows with disc but kept getting error messages and hold ups at “kernell dll” file checking stage. Ultimately backed up HD to secondary HD (which had been wiped clean w/ full re-formatting prior, no re-installation of XP) and re-formatted disc, then re-install OS. Added Intel-supplied drives, some software and guess what? – only opened in Safe mode.
Ran the problem by the MS guys and after going from OS to systems group, stared through the lists of diagnostics, without success. Finally just gave up, wiped it clean again and re-installed OS w/o problem. Statred to install Intel mobo drivers (using Auto re-start tool) and all went well until Network drivers were installing and system went dead – complete shut down. Afterwards – you guessed it – only opened via Safe mode.
Ah!, I thought – therein lies the problem – corrupted Network driver on Intel mobo disc. Wiped it clean again and tried to reinstall XP but now get error message saying OS disc might be damaged/corrupted.
This is where it stands now. I’ll do some more playing with it tonight but having a tough time deciding if hardware, drivers, OS or some other gremlin is busted. I’d like some new, even if uneducated, guesses as to what to do/try, short of replacing everything.
Thanks in advance,
YoDoc