A few nights ago I had installed a different video driver to try and get my nvidia 7600 GT to run GTA IV. The drivers didn't work properly, so I uninstalled them, and unintentionally all my nvidia motherboard drivers. So I set about formatting instead of replacing the drivers as for some reason my base usage was up about 50mb without reason. So I formatted and reinstalled new windows xp pro sp3. Have done this a million times, when I installed a message showed something like "your drives have changed since the last reboot this is typical of a boot sector virus" so I did research and found a few forums stating to reflash my motherboard. Reflashed my asus m2n4-sli motherboard, reinstalled windows, and didn't get that message about changing drives. This is what is a terrible mystery. I bought a new hdd and tried to install windows again, when I get to the first install screen, everything works perfect, I can install win xp in about 5 mins blazing fast, after the first reboot though, the mouse doesnt work and everything is slow. I've tried reinstalling about 5 times, and the same result every time. Any light to shed on the situation? Appreciate anyones info supremely.
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Complete Mystery Problem
- Thread starter zeroaster
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #2
Also to add to that, when i boot up windows, it hesitates with a black screen for about 30 secs, then boots up windows, everything looks fine, when I try to use the mouse, it works for about 1 second, moves across the screen a couple of inches and then doesnt work at all, keyboard function is fine. I've tried using every SATA port, and different DVD drives to install. What's left to troubleshoot, ram(which is new) or motherboard?
goombawaho
MIS
First - what does this mean????
"my base usage was up about 50mb without reason"
Second - Do a memory diagnostic test from a bootable CD such as this.
(NOT the item in the yellow advertisement box - further down the page are the download locations)
"my base usage was up about 50mb without reason"
Second - Do a memory diagnostic test from a bootable CD such as this.
(NOT the item in the yellow advertisement box - further down the page are the download locations)
So the problem now is response is slow in windows and mouse doesnt work?
Check this out from Nvidia -
Could be related?
Check this out from Nvidia -
Could be related?
- Thread starter
- #5
SOrry for not elaborating, my base usage of ram is when i hit alt+ctrl+del and it shows me how much ram is being used. I was running about 170mb then it was up to 210-220mb.
Also I haven't experienced any issues with the fan speed.
That's right, after a perfect install and reboot, while loading windows the screen is black for about 30 secs, then it loads, and my mouse works for about 1 second, then stops, and everything is slow, keyboard works fine.
A friend told me to use an older bios version perhaps?
Also I haven't experienced any issues with the fan speed.
That's right, after a perfect install and reboot, while loading windows the screen is black for about 30 secs, then it loads, and my mouse works for about 1 second, then stops, and everything is slow, keyboard works fine.
A friend told me to use an older bios version perhaps?
Couple thoughts..
Definitely use the UltimateBootCD, and check your RAM and hard drive, at least.
Also, I'm wondering whether you're using a non-legit copy of Windows. There have supposedly been copies out there with malware attached - which could have given you the boot sector virus to begin with... and that could also explain system freeze-ups.
You may also want to try a bootable virus scanner outside of Windows just to be sure, such as: Avira's Rescue CD or DrWeb LiveCD. Or you can also try running Ubuntu or another Linux distro from CD/DVD, and install a Linux AV product (will be in RAM only), to run a scan that way..
Definitely use the UltimateBootCD, and check your RAM and hard drive, at least.
Also, I'm wondering whether you're using a non-legit copy of Windows. There have supposedly been copies out there with malware attached - which could have given you the boot sector virus to begin with... and that could also explain system freeze-ups.
You may also want to try a bootable virus scanner outside of Windows just to be sure, such as: Avira's Rescue CD or DrWeb LiveCD. Or you can also try running Ubuntu or another Linux distro from CD/DVD, and install a Linux AV product (will be in RAM only), to run a scan that way..
goombawaho
MIS
Hardware tests first - report back. One thing at a time.
![[wink]](/data/assets/smilies/wink.gif "[wink] [wink]")
![[blush]](/data/assets/smilies/blush.gif "[blush] [blush]")
- Thread starter
- #9
Your responses have all been very deeply appreciated thank you everyone for taking some time to think about my question. Everyone who posts has my deepest gratitude, I am going to try all of the troubleshooting when I finish working tonight. Once again thanks to everyone for their time.
goombawaho
MIS
I was talking to the OP so he wouldn't get rattled on how to proceed.
- Thread starter
- #11
Made the boot cd, great by the way, I got excited with all the diagnostic tools, and out of curiosity I tried a CPU test, 1 billion iterations and 7 hrs of sleep later still waiting to finish hahahahaha. I will complete the memory diagnostic immediately after. Is it possible that the motherboard is shot, and it runs really well when installing because windows is being upheld by the bootable cd, and when the bootable cd is taken out and the OS is installed it starts to malfunction? Just a thought
goombawaho
MIS
It's a possibility that the motherboard is shot, but NO - that other thought is incorrect. The motherboard, processor, RAM, etc is ALWAYS being used whether you are booting from a bootable diagnostic CD, a windows CD or the operating system.
If it's hardware-related, I would expect to see problems in each of the above environments that I mentioned. Running the CPU test was fine, however, the most likely causes of computer misbehavior due to a hardware problem is the memory and the hard drive. The power supply is also prone to failure, but that's harder to test.
If it's hardware-related, I would expect to see problems in each of the above environments that I mentioned. Running the CPU test was fine, however, the most likely causes of computer misbehavior due to a hardware problem is the memory and the hard drive. The power supply is also prone to failure, but that's harder to test.
- Thread starter
- #13
I do completely understand now I believe. I feel like such a fool. I do remember seeing that my ram settings were to auto but set to 200mhz. I made a huge mistake of flashing my motherboard using asus flasher with bios from asus site, but a little older. Now won't boot at all, gives me beeping like when there is a ram issue. I wasn't savvy enough to understand about the ram and that i shouldn't have flashed. I think I would need a new motherboard now yes? Hahahaha absolutely brilliant!
Flashing BIOS is like brain surgery: you should only attempt it if you are sure you know what you are doing.
Do you still have the manual for the motherboard? Or can yo find one online? Most modern motherboards have a 'factory reset' option for their BIOS. You should do this.
Do you still have the manual for the motherboard? Or can yo find one online? Most modern motherboards have a 'factory reset' option for their BIOS. You should do this.
goombawaho
MIS
Flashing a Dell BIOS is like falling out of bed - very easy to do fro within Windows. Other BIOS updates - be more careful.
A factory reset option won't help this person if he flashed with the WRONG BIOS. Have we determined that???
Can you get INTO the BIOS?? If so, you're not toast yet. Reset to FACTORY DEFAULTS or OPTIMAL if you can get in there and save settings.
A factory reset option won't help this person if he flashed with the WRONG BIOS. Have we determined that???
Can you get INTO the BIOS?? If so, you're not toast yet. Reset to FACTORY DEFAULTS or OPTIMAL if you can get in there and save settings.
Depends, some BIOS's have backup BIOS. So some sort of reset may get you to this.
All in all, a hard lesson learn't, should of just updated the drivers....
Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.
All in all, a hard lesson learn't, should of just updated the drivers....
Robert Wilensky:
We've all heard that a million monkeys banging on a million typewriters will eventually reproduce the entire works of Shakespeare. Now, thanks to the Internet, we know this is not true.
goombawaho
MIS
I don't believe anybody told the OP to flash the BIOS - correct???
That is a tough lesson. I've learned it twice over the years. I don't learn quickly...........
That is a tough lesson. I've learned it twice over the years. I don't learn quickly...........
Things to try...
1. Clear CMOS, look in the manual on how to do so...
2. there are companies out there that sell replacement BIOS chips, e.g. when flashes went wrong, etc...
for example:
BIOSMAN Inc! - BIOS Replacement
but if you find a replacement board for around that price, then get the board instead...
Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"
1. Clear CMOS, look in the manual on how to do so...
2. there are companies out there that sell replacement BIOS chips, e.g. when flashes went wrong, etc...
for example:
BIOSMAN Inc! - BIOS Replacement
but if you find a replacement board for around that price, then get the board instead...
Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"
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