Startup Trouble

Hello all. I have been having probs @ startup lately, and hope someone can help. I just got an error message on boot earlier stating— "Windows could not start because of the following- ARC Firmware Boot Configuration Problem. Too many configuration entries." There was a bit more info after this, about checking the ARC Config Options. I just pressed the enter key, and it continued a normal-ish boot, tho it did seem a touch slow. I have also been getting probs on boot with an error message about " Trap 0000000D General Protection Fault" followed by a slew of numbers and letters. About 1/2 the time with this error, I hit the power button to shut down–sometimes it works ok, others the whole pc is dead—not even any fans on power up. I wait maybe an hour–all is well. I have a temperature utility, and all seem to stay in the low to mid 30s C. Sometimes also on boot, I will not get that one short 'beep' and have to do the power down and reboot thing. Hope all this nonsense means something to somebody. Unit is XP Home SP2, Athlon 64 proc 3500+, 2.0 GB Ram, 232GB HD, (which i only use 26.5 GB of), Asus A8NE mobo, Nividea GeForce 7900GT vid card. And it was just built about 9 months back, so I don't think it is the age of the components. Thanks for your time, Rick

Hi,
Sorry to hear of the boot and startup problems with your computer.
There are generally a number of possible reasons for this happening. Some of these are easy to fix and others can be really bad, so the first thing to do before anything else is to check that the back-up/archive of all your important files, including documents, photos, music, emails, address book, Favorites, your Registry and settings for Internet access , email and all your drivers and anything else on your computer that is important to you is 100% up to date, verified and reproducible. Make sure you know where your Application installation Cd's are (including your Microsoft Windows Installation disc and that you have an accurate note of all your Product Keys)

If you have disc imaging software like for example Ghost, Drive Image, Paragon , Acronis or similar, take a disc image, but take care not to overwrite any existing images you may have taken in the past. (at this stage it would be best not to attempt creating any new disc partitions so use an external USB hard drive for this)

To rule out any malicious elements that may have penetrated your computers defences it would be sensible to visit:
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/HijackThis_Log…emoval_f27.html
A trained malware removal expert will analyse your HiJackThis log and provide specific and detailed advice and instructions on how to proceed.
When you posted in that forum recently did you take up Novicate's suggestion on a 2 way software firewall?
Once your machine has been declared clean then post back here if the issues still remain and we will do our best to help.

When you post back here we will offer a range of potential courses of action starting with simple things like making sure you are not trying to boot up your machine with a USB device like a memory key or PDA already "inserted" or more complex tasks like performing a Windows Repair installation and onwards…

You say that your machine is only 9 months old, and as some of the symptoms you report can indicate potential hardware failure, be careful not to invalidate your guarantee/ warranty or terms of your servicing agreement. It would also be wise to notify the supplier/manufacturer/service Agent of the problems and to notify/register the malfunctions with them and see if they will assist you.

Let us know how you get on with the check for malicious elements and also your guarantee warranty/service agreement position, when you post back
Regards
paws

Hi Paws, and thanks for the reply. Well first off, you mentiond "back-up/archive of all your important files" which leads me to ask-huh?? Is just creating a system restore point all I need to do? I don't have any of that disc imaging software you mentioned. As for posting a Hijack log, I just did about 2 weeks back, I think, and was declared all clear, and yes, I dl'd one of the firewalls that was suggested. In your 4th paragraph, about booting with something 'inserted', my start procedure is the same as it has been for years, with none of those memory keys or PDA things. Least not that I know of lol. And yes, I agree that in my opinion it is definately hardware, That's why I mention those error codes, hoping they mean something to somebody. One question here for you tho–did you want me to do another 'hijack this' check in the other forum? Again, thanks for your time. Rick

Hi Rick,
A system restore point is a useful thing to have and a good starting point but I am suggesting that you check up that the copies you have (back up/archive) of ALL your important files/settings is totally up to date and is 100% reproducible, so in the event of your computer failing completely you will not lose your important stuff for ever but will be able to copy over your back up/archive files to either your new machine or your repaired existing one. I would strongly suggest that you use an external USB type hard drive for your copies of all your important stuff, not your existing hard drive.

Even if your last back up was only a day or so ago it would be best to bring it bang up to date.
If you don't have a disc image then maybe you can wait until your machine is running 100% smoothly and efficiently again and then take an image. However some experts would say that any image is better than no image at all. As always though, the choice is yours and its really your call.

When I looked at your HJT log in the other forum I noticed that you were advised to install a 2 way software firewall as it was believed that you had not installed one previously. If you have accessed the Internet after your last HJT log without the 2 way software firewall in place it is possible that your machine could have become infected again within a few seconds of connecting to the Internet. You would need to be unlucky to get infected this quickly, but only you know if the unprotected machine was connected to the Internet after you submitted your last HJT log.

The symptons you describe can indicate a number of potential problems both hardware and software related. For example badly seated RAM modules or poor electrical connections, and the standard advice would be for you to reseat all modules in fact check the connections for all removable parts (after taking all the necessary personal safety and anti static precautions) however I am not providing this advice to you as if your machine is under guarantee/warranty/service agreement then depending on the terms of the agreement you could invalidate your guarantee/warranty/service agreement merely by opening the case. To check this out you should contact them before taking any action, to find out exactly where you stand. Please note that if after checking this out you decide to go ahead but are not absolutely sure of the exact personal safety and antistatic precautions you should take then it would be best to entrust this work to a local competent technician (It's good to save money but not at the expense of personal safety or risk of wrecking your machine)

Although we will do our best to make sensible recommendations that do not involve a complete format and reinstall of your operating system and applications (and of course your important data) you should be aware that this is one of the steps that must be considered if the problems you are experiencing are not able to be fixed by less destructive means (a format will usually wipe everything from your hard drive, yes everything, hence my emphasis on a completely up to date back up/archive.
Post back for further info and tell us your situation with the guarantee etc and confirm that your back up /archive is 100% and if your computer has been exposed to the net without having in place a 2 way software firewall.
Regards
paws

Hello again, paws. A thought occured to me, that I may have led you to think I wanted to fix this machine myself. On the contrary, I am trying to determine the nature of the prob so I can give the info to the shop that sold it to me, so they can fix it. I am going this route because of what you say about warranty, which it is still covered by. Sadly, I really don't think my pc shop guy has the smarts that I find in here. So basically, I am just trying to nail down what component is out of whack, as I believe it is hardware, not software as earlier stated. There was probably very little on-line time since my HJT post and the install of the new firewall, -that Sunbelt Kerio one. Probably just enough on-line time to find it lol. Hope this info helps you and again–Many Thanks. Rickl

Hi Rick, Ok thats fine, in that case just give them the machine, all workshops normally work to a protocol to arrive at a solution in the quickest possible time. Unfortunatey it not possible to say that error code x= this fault or error code =y fault. The errors you are encountering need a systematic approach as the causes of your particular codes are various and could be hardware, software or malware related. I would still make sure that all your important stuff is backed up/archived just to be on the safe side! Regards paws

Hi again. OK paws, I guess that's the route to go. Thanks a lot. Rick