MUP.SYS Hang

[c1utch]

I have a laptop that froze up during use. No new software has been added, and it's fully patched, with the exception of any Critical updates release over the past month. After a hard reboot, the PC would freeze up during the Windows XP boot screen and in safe mode, it freezes after loading MUP.SYS.

I have been able to trace down my problem to the integrated NIC by disabling all the devices (can't really remove them since it's a laptop) one at a time until I was able to successfully boot to Windows. So, if the NIC is enabled, Windows freezes during boot. When it's disabled, I can boot Windows fine, but obviosly no network connection.

Here is what I've tried so far, each failing to resolve my issue:

* Tried to clear the ESCD by re-flashing the BIOS. Also tried flashing to an older version of BIOS.
* Clear BIOS by removing CMOS battery, laptop battery and AC power.
* Uninstalling NIC drivers.
* Reinstalling NIC drivers.
* Replacing MUP.SYS file from another PC.
* Performing a CHKDSK of the system drive.
* Also ran Virus and Malware scan. (Found nothing.)

Does anyone else have any other suggestions on how to get this NIC working without causing Windows to freeze during bootup? My last two options before I do a clean install of Windows is to restore the registry and/or do a Windows repair.

Chris

 

[c1utch]

Another couple things that didn't work:

* Moved the one memory module to the other available slot.
* Reinstalled all other hardware drivers, installing newer drivers if available.

*** Another note is the Windows XP CD will not start up if the NIC is enabled. So, wouldn't it be safe to say that this problem arises from either the memory or the BIOS (ESCD)? The CD shouldn't be accessing the HD, installed OS or any hardware during the Windows XP CD startup.

Chris

 

[linney]

Not a lot to offer you here that you have not already tried or are about to do so.

Maybe the integrated network card has just died, can you get a another card that is not integrated?

Are there any clues in the Event Viewer?

Are there any Services running such as helper services tied in with the card?

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Windows, or using any image backup of your system.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

 

[BadBigBen]

Question: do you have an external USB mouse installed or other USB device?

Answer: remove them for the time being, boot up and tell us if it still hangs...


another avenue to explore: Disable the NIC in the BIOS, then boot into the RECOVERY CONSOLE using the XP CD... at the prompt (after you logged on the windows root partition) type: disable mup, type exit and the PC should reboot...

now enable the NIC again and see if it hangs or where it hangs... keep us posted...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[c1utch]

Linney....yeah, I've thought that the NIC might be toast after all my testing. I've got an integrated WiFi card in this laptop and it works fine (once I've disabled the wired NIC). The other solutions that you mention I've either already tried or won't apply to this issue since booting up with a live Linux distro. won't even work. That rules out “Services running”, “System Restore” or running “System File Checker.“ But thanks for your ideas.

Ben....I'm not using any peripherals on this laptop. Also tried the "disable MUP" command since it's found as a possible work around for this issue. Didn't have any affect.

Final Solution: After I tried two different bootable live CD (ERD Commander and Damn Small Linux) and both of them didn't work, I decided to rebuild the darn thing. I disabled the NIC and booted up with the WinXP CD. I deleted the partition and reformatted the HD (NTFSS). Once the laptop rebooted for the first time during installation, I enable the NIC thinking XP would then see the NIC and add it to the list of devices. However it still wouldn't let me reboot with the NIC enabled.

At this point, with WinXP not being installed all the way, I again tried to boot up with ERD Commander and DSL, both of which still failed.

At this point I was almost sure it was a Motherboard or RAM issue since there was no functioning OS on the HD anymore.

Called Dell and told the tech to hold on before he started to run through his "check list" of things to try and troubleshoot this issue. I then proceeded to explain to him everything I had done. He immediately said "Ok...I'll send out a new MB and RAM on Monday." And that was that. Smoothest support call I've ever made.

Thanks to both of you...but this is one of the weirdest issues I've ever seen in my 9 years in the IT field.


Chris

 

[linney]

Nice to hear something nice about Dell. Let us know if this finally sorts it all out for you.

 

[BadBigBen]

Glad to hear that it will work out for you in the end...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[c1utch]

Dell did come out and replace the memory and the MB. After reinstalling the OS and all the apps., this laptop has been working fine ever since.

Chris

 

[BadBigBen]

Glad that you posted that the parts got traded and that it fixed the problem...

sorry to hear though, that you had to reinstall the OS...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."