Windows XP Rebooting Issue

I have a laptop with Windows xp pro. We use this for business forms and seldom get online. I have installed service pac 2 on this computer. when I pulgged in the phone line and try to get online the computer dials up and connects and then immediately reboots. I scanned for viruses and it showed that I had pws-atm, which it showed mcafee as having removed. I turned off the system backup before running the scan. the computer still reboots every time I attempt to go online. Nothing else seems to be wrong. When the reboot takes place there is a screen of text that pops up for a second, but too fast to read what it says.
I don't want to go to a restore point cause we have business files on this computer and I fear they might not all be on the restore....is there some way I could tell before the restore?
Hope someone can help me??
thanks
Katy

 

Welcome to BBS katy!

BTW, it is always a good idea to have current backups before troubleshooting any problem on a system with critically important files.

That said, You can turn off the auto-reboot by right clicking the My Computer icon > properties > Advanced tab > under the startup & Recovery area click the Settings tab > and untick 'Automatically restart'. OK out of there.

Then next time you get the error, you can see the Blue Screen and get the full error message to help diagnose the problem.

Post the full info back here for someone to interpret if need be.

 

I got the restart shut off so I am ready to try it again...but I gotta get to work! Be back at it later this afternoon.
and I realize these files should be backed up. This computer came from company we work for already set up and ready to go. No cd burner on it and excell files that are HUGE. I don't know how else to back them up so they would be saved in case of a disaster.....and I do worry about it.
Thanks for the help and I will let you know what the dreaded screen says later. gotta run
Katy

 

well I couldn't resist and here is what it says

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
If this is the first time you’ve seen this sotp err screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps.
Check to make sure any new hardware of software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask your harkware of software manufacturer for any windows updates you might need
If problems continue, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer, press F8 to select advanced startup and then select safe mode.
Technical information
Stop: 0x000000D1 (0x00000000. 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)
Beginning dump of physical memory
Memory dump complete
Contact your system administrator or technical support group for further assistance

NOW what do I do, since the computer seems to be frozen on this blue screen?

Katy

 

The first thing I would do is go start up in safe mode with networking. (hit f8 while the system is booting up) If you can get to windows safe mode, then go to the control panel by Start: control panel: system: hardware: device manager. Here you can see your hardware profiles. Look to see if there are any yellow excalmation points (warnings) by a device. If so, double clik on the troubled device and choose, driver: update driver. Let your system search the internet for the driver and instal it. If this does not work, try clicking on the device in the device manager & hiting the Delete. Then restart the system & let windows reinstal it.

 

I shut the computer off by holding the power button....it rebooted just fine. No yellow points....all seems to work well. Just can't get online. It dialsup, goes through the checking password. connects and then reboots.
I rescanned for viruses....all seems clean. could this be due to the installation of service pac 2?? I have the disc and it appeared to install fine. We so seldom get online with this computer that I can't remember if I did that after the installation. I think not. I guess I could uninstall it and see what happens?
will wait and see if there are more suggestions as to what might be wrong
and thanks to everyone
katy

 

Oh yeh, i remember modems now. OK. I think now i suspect your modem driver or modem hardware itself.

See if you can figure out which kind of modem you have. Again look at your device manager, it should tell you. Go online to the modem manufactures web site and download the most receint driver for it. Copy it to a floppy and try installing it on your lap top. If this does not work, I would try another (borrowed) modem.

Back up all your files on the laptop that you care about ASAP!

 

well this laptop is new so surely the drivers are okay? and I can't download a thing cause it won't let me online. it's gotta be something other than that.
but thanks

 

I am having problems with my computer and when I installed sp2 I had a problem like this - I done a system restore to before I installed sp2 and although I still get reboots I only get them every couple of hours not as soon as connected as it used to be with sp2.

I am not saying that you should do what I did as I don't know enough about computers - I would see what someone else says who knows more but sp2 made my original problem much worse and gave me similar problems to what you describe.

It is in my thread a few places below this (the last message I posted today)

 

Restore Points

Just for future reference for anyone...XP Restore Points do NOT delete files. The will, however, change your desktop back to the previous state, and rearrange any shortcuts u have made since the restore was made, but all your data will be left the way it is.

 

Katy, Go into Device Manager and delete all reference to the modem. Then reboot and let XP detect and install the modem again.

Then check in Device Manager to see that the modem is in good standing. If not, bring up the Properties of it and click the Diagnostics tab. Then click the "Query Modem" button and check the results it displays in the output lines. Post back if anything doesn't sound correct to you.

There was a HotFix that needed to be applied to some modems before installing SP2 and that may be your problem.

 

thanks so much for your helping me! now

my options in the device manager are....update the modem, disable it, or uninstall it.......so do I want to uninstall it??

Where could I get the hotfix?? could it be downloaded on this pc and then put on the laptop from a floppy?? I could uninstall the service pack 2 cause I have the disc....so I could put it on again?

katy

 

Uninstall it and reboot. XP should detect it and install new drivers. That alone may cure the problem (we can hope).

If it doesn't, you'll need to go to the modem manufacturer's site and get the latest drivers. I don't know the exact modems that SP2 affected but have seen reference to Agere Winmodem because it is what I have. I updated it so I presume it still works after SP2. I rarely use it though and probably need to check to verify.

Good luck.

 

well I did all you suggested. no luck...this evening I uninstalled the sp2. then I uninstalled the modem(again)and let it reinstall it again. It still shuts the computer down as soon as the internet connection goes through.
I wish I had never tried to keep the thing updated. I have been so disappointed in the laptop anyway and now this. My hub does crop insurance claims on it. Perhaps when he gets the remaining claims closed out we can let the company computer "whiz kid" see if HE can fix it. We don't have to get online, but we paid for the thing and I liked to use it once in a while! GRRR!
I do want to thank you for all your help. These forums are full of information and I have done a lot of reading here.
keep up the great work.
Katy

p.s. Not wanting to be a doubting Thomas of aku's comment, but restoring to another point will not cause you to loose files that you have added since that date?? On this pc the compaq restore causes you to loose everything since the time of "that" backup. So am I to understand the xp restore is different?

 

Katy,
System Restore does not affect My Docs, email, data files, pics, etc.. It is primarily for System files. You do not need your disk to do a system restore, and you will be able to choose the day to go back to, without losing your data.

Start> All Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Restore
follow the prompts. For more info, do a search on the BBS or consult Help.

Johanna

 

Might want to try rolling back your modem driver if this just started after SP2 install - you didn't really say when this problem began.

 

Katy, You never indicated that you ran the modem diagnostics. Go to Device manager and click the + symbol on Modem and when it opens to the line that describes your modem, right click it and select Properties. Then click the diagnostics tab and punch the "Query Modem" button. Post back what it says if errors are indicated. Also punch the Modem Log button and see if there is some helpful information in there.

As something else to try, create a new dial up connection (leave existing one) and see if it works differently. You could even call your ISP for some assistance since it's a "Cannot Connect" issue.

We must not overlook the possibility that your modem hardware has failed so if this is a quite new computer, check for some warranty assistance.

You can also run the SFC /scannow command from the Start > Run area. This will replace any damaged system files without altering any personal data.

BTW, I can reinforce what has been stated already by others, running the System Restore will not alter any personal files.

Lots of things left to try if you are still game. Report any and all findings and I'm sure someone will come up with the solution.

Edit: You should also try temporarily turning off the XP firewall for a test. Access it from Control Panel > Security Center icon.

Edit#2: You should also try holding down the F8 key during boot up and selecting "Safe Mode with Network Support" from the options menu. Then see if you can connect without a problem.

 

I am printing out all you said surfer and will check into these things today. I am always game to mess with the computers. It's just I don't want to loose those insurance files. I found it really stupid that they provide us with computers and no way to back up those huge files.(and "I" was stupid enough to let it happen! ) The computer has no burner, only a cdr and a floppy drive. I have run restores and such on our home PC and feel comfortable with messing with it's OS.....98SE, but I haven't played with xp much. I have already done part of what you are talking about and there seem to be no problems showing up.....but I will give you a more complete report later today. I can create a new connection, haven't tried that. but our isp knows less than I do about a computer....they say they have tecs but when I talked to them they were NEVER any help.

some fill in info
I haven't been online with the laptop for well over a month....I ordered the sp2 update from the Microsoft update site and when it came I installed it. I was online at that time, but I think it was "before" the installation. After the install, which was why I fired the computer up, no one has tried to connect. Hubby has used it a lot since that update, but not online. It was after that session that he finally mentioned to me about this window popping up (concerning registration)....when I booted the computer I knew that had to be a virus so I ran the scanner and sure enough! I have no idea when or exactly how the computer became infected with it. (it would have had to happen when I was last online cause hubby 'never' gets online on that computer.) "then" I tried getting online to update the VS and I was unable. That's when I came here. (and yes I guess the modem could be bad....but would it connect it that were the case? cause it dials up, connects, checks the password and then boom, it reboots)
Like I said before, when he is done with this years work, I can run a restore cause I have the discs to do it. But something like this frustrates me till I can hardly think of anything else LOL
again thanks, and I will be back with more information
Katy

 

okay...I have done absolutely everything I know how to do (and some things I didn't know how to do !
and it still won't connect.....and when I go to safemode it won't bring up the dialup box at all.....I tried to make another connection in there but the only option was for a broadband type. the option for dialup was greyed out.
below is the report of what I did with my comments. I guess one thing is for sure, I am learning my way around XP!

TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS TAKEN
Modem passed a preliminary test conducted by the virtual tec

MODEM SPECIFICATIONS
Modem Hardware: conexant HSFi V92 MiniPCI Modem
Driver Version..4.6.14.60(9-9-2002)
Driver Type…WDM
Modem COM Port: COM4
Country: US
PNP Device ID: PCI/VEN_14F&DEV_2F00&SUBYS_8D880E11&REV_01
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Com Port Availability: The modem COM part is not in use


IN MODEM PROPERTIES
Value is same an the PNP device ID

(when I query the modem)
UNDER COMMANDS AND RESPONSES
(4 lines with question marks) I am way over my head here…you may not need this???? There are other lines but nothing that is marked like there are errors or anything wrong.
AT+FCLASS=? 0,1
AT+CLS=? COMMAND NOT SUPPORTED
AT+GCI? +GCI B5
AT+GCI? +GCI: (B5,20,00,07,14,16,25,27,35,73,88,BB,FC,
8C,85,75,49,,4F,37,2B,B7,87,33,AC,10,4D)

IN THE MODEM LOG
There is a line after initializing modem that reads:
DSR is low while initializing the modem. Verify modem is turned on

At the bottom of the log are the above mentioned commands with the questions marks…..followed by these lines
I1 255
I2 OK
I3 softk 56v_B2_1_V4.05.03.02
I4 CONEXANT HSFi V92 MINIPCE MODEM
I5 181
I6 SOFTk 56
Cmodem Version 12
Rksample version 342
I7 255

This information is in the log for the two times this morning I tried to connect. Tthere are other more lines telling about sending and receiving but none that look like anything was wrong. Only that line about the DSR is low etc.

DRIVER
Conexant HSFiV92MiniPCI Modem
Driver Provider: conexant
Driver Date 9/9 2002
Driver Version 4.6.14.60
The driver file details have lots of listings with a green check in each

Under roll back driver…. it says...No driver files have been backed up for this device

Under my ISP’s properties
Internet Connection Firewall is Unchecked (there is no network so it’s unchecked also)

I also went into C:\compaq\Modem I right clicked on the setup icon and chose properties. Current user is checked also checked is "proctect my computer and data from unauthorized program activity" just exactly what is it that that does? Says checking it might cause the program to function improperly. I have never changed ANY of these settings.
If I run this setup itwelcomes me to the device driver installation wizard.
It says: click ok to install device drivers for ALL devices listed below
Listed are: Conexant HSFiV92 MiniPCI Modem
Conexant Intl HSFi V92 Mini Pci Modem
The following collumn, titled Task…..reads UPGRADE

I choose to do this……it shows progress bar for installing device drivers……it takes quite a while……
INSTALLATION RESULTS
Conexant HSFiV92 MiniPCI modem…..SUCCESS
Conesant Intl HSFiV92 MiniPCI Modem…FAILURE

There is another file titled "MODEM1" ?? what’s that?


Then I ran the SFC /scannow command



maybe the modem IS toast?? if so will I be talented enough to put in a new one? I have added ram and a cd burner to my home pc. is there any way to find out if the modem IS fried? or should I try a restore point??

 

If you are still running without SP2, try a Restore Point by all means, it's chicken soup. Pick one that predates the SP2 install if possible.