[orion963]

Hello,

I would like to submit a problem with my desktop.

When I start up my computer I get the usual stuff (Amibios...) but the bootup stops abruptly after mentioning the three possibilities to access the Bios : F2 F11 and F6 (this one is new to me "instant flash).

Until now, after some reboots some time (short or long) the booting continuesbut leaving a message saying I should reconfiger the BIOS to begin with using F2.

Unfortunately the numlock led is not coming on, so the keyboard is disabled. (I checked the cables : nothing wrong)

I don't know if the following is important, but it could be.
After 5 years of good services my ASRock motherboard gave up and I had it replaced.
The new motherboard ASRock G31M-GSR2.0/G31M-SR2.0 did a good job until the above described problem.

In the meantime I got (after installing the new motherboard) 2 blue screens with a display full of text.
My "printscreen" not functioning, I now realize that I should have copied the text by hand on a bit of paper.
Stupid enough, I didn't.
I just rebooted the system and everything went ok....until the BIOS problem occurred.
Well it is about all for the moment.

I went to the site of American Megatrends, Inc to look for information about upgrading the BIOS, as the actual
dates back to 2006.

I can't say they are very helpfull. I was asked to contact the manufacturer of the motherboard.

The site of ASRock is, if possible, less helpfull.
All information is standardized, there is the famous FAQ-list and if you have something very specific : there is a form
asking a lot of things I even don't know how to begin finding it.

Tech Support Guy System Info Utility version 1.0.0.2
OS Version: Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Service Pack 3, 32 bit
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU 4400 @ 2.00GHz, x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 2
Processor Count: 2
RAM: 2047 Mb
Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS, 512 Mb
Hard Drives: C: Total - 95001 MB, Free - 28413 MB; D: Total - 57615 MB, Free - 14304 MB; F: Total - 152625 MB, Free - 23958 MB;
Motherboard: ASRock, G31M-GS.
Antivirus: McAfee Anti-Virus and Anti-Spyware, Updated: Yes, On-Demand Scanner: Enabled

I would be gratefull if someone would look into this....and help me out.

Thanks and
Best regards

orion963


PS : Mysteriously the computer runs again as if nothing happend, but if I dare shut it down the problem comes back for sure.

Fortunately my wife has a laptop, so I can allways reach you if the desk refuses service again

[black-wolf]

Did you do a clean install of windows after replacing the motherboard?
Was the motherboard you replaced the exact same model as the new one?

[tootle]

Update the BIOS http://europe.asrock.com/downloadsit...S(1.80)DOS.zip
Flash instructions http://www.asrock.com/support/BIOSUI.asp?cat=DOS6

[black-wolf]

Have you changed any hardware out or had a power outage, you can get that message with those events.

[orion963]

Hello Black-Wolf

No the motherboard (the new one) is not the same model as the old one.
We reinstalled the HDD's after mounting the new one, and everything was running fine.
With due respect, I don't see what WindowsXP has to do with the problem.
After all it is the booting that blocked before detecting the hard disks. This must have to do with the Bios.
This morning (here in Portugal) my desk top did me the favour of restarting with the numlock on.
So I was able to see the bios settings (after F2).
The Bios version corresponds to the new motherboard.
Under smart is stated : load bios defaults
Can I do something wrong by doing this.

The only rather strange thing I detected was the following :
The HDD indicated first booting possibility has a reference nr that is not complete and is different from the reference of my master disk????

I couldn't find my HDD's

Did I missed something in the BIOS? I know one has to take precautions messing with the BIOS.

This motherboard has an inbuild flash possibility "Instant Flash"
As I'm not sure if there could be the solution.
Yes Power outages are rather frequent here, but I have an excellent UPS under my desk : so until now, the computer didn't suffer any brutal interruption of Power.
What do you think of all this?

Thanks for your reactions

Best regards
orion963

[orion963]

Hello Tootle,

Thank you very much for the twoo links you gave me. I'll try them out and see what I can find out.
I'll come back to you asap.
Regards
orion963

[black-wolf]

It's OK to load bios defaults. Your motherboard has detected a change in your hardware. Even if you haven't changed it something happened like a power outage or surge. Loading the defaults sometimes cures problems.

[orion963]

Hi Black-wolf,

Sorry it took so much time to give you a reaction.

After downloading Malwarebites an getting a complete scan, I discovered that my computer was infected. Malwarebites
took care of this. Next I have run a program to clean up the register. Apparently the blocking of the bootup had something to do with this problems.
The message urging me to update the Bios has stopped.
My computer is doing well.
The blue screen I had once is not coming back either and I hope it continues that way.
I'm giving you the essential parts of the text on the blue screen :
"Problem WIN 32k,sys
"Is hardware and software properly installed?
"Does new installation requires specific updates of windows?
"Action :
"Disable or remove newly installed hard- and software.
"Disable BIOS memory options, caching shadowing
"Safe mode : F8 - select advanced startup options -select safe mode
"Technical info:
"Stop : 0x00000050(0xE2CDDAC,0x00000000,0xBF82EBD1,0x0000001)
"Win 32.k.sys-Address BF82EBD1 base at BF800000,Date stamp 4ff2f633

"Beginning dump of physical memory
"Physical memory dump complete

"Ask technical support"

The technical stuff is chinese for me.

What do you think about this all.

As my computer is running fine again, I don't think I should follow this whole procedure... Or am I wrong?

Looking forward to your comment.
Thanks
Best regards
orion963

[black-wolf]

Definately keep Windows updated.
Don't run registry cleaners, your registry doesn't need cleaning and they will do more harm than good.
Keep your antivirus up to date along with malwarebytes. We normally recommend one antivirus program either MS Essentials http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...s.aspx?id=5201 or Avast http://www.avast.com/en-us/index both are free and your system will run better than with the ones that you buy.

[orion963]

Well, my system is configured for automatic updates of Windows and I receive those updates regularly.
As far as registry cleaners are concerned, and with all due respect for your opinion, how comes that my system
is running better after a cleanup. More, I didn't have any problem with cleaning up.
As far as I understand the fact of uninstalling programs has to leave traces of those programs in the register. As I have the habit to download programs and trying them out, just for the fun of it, from time to time I have to get rid of this programs when I don't need them anymore.
I have McAfee security suite on my comp . It is paid for until next year. In all the years I'm with it I remember 1 trojan horse
getting through.... Malwarebites took it out.
Now you make me hesitate. After all if Avast is free, and the crisis in Europe being what it is (everything is getting more expensive) and with your "guarantee" that Avast is one of the best, I could give it a try next year.
By the way, does Avast have a "site adviser"?
Last question : any idea about my blue screen experience?
Thanks
Best regards
orion963

[black-wolf]

I remove McAfee all the time from computers it slows your computer down a lot.
Registry cleaners are bad
http://library.techguy.org/wiki/Registry_Cleaners
To clean out files from left over programs use REvo Uninstaller to unistall programs http://www.revouninstaller.com/start..._download.html it will clean out the left over files and registry entries that are normally left behind.

Blue screens 0x00000050 usually have to do with the graphics driver.

[orion963]

For McAfee, well I should renew in january. I didn't have any major problem with it during all the years I was running it on my computer.
That it slows down my computer is possibly a point and a full scan is taking so much time.... when it scans in the background I can forget about using my computer.

I was sniffing around on Google about Avast and must say I'm impressed. Next year, instead of renewing McAfee, I'll get Avast on board.

And then there is the item about Registry Cleaners.

I'm not going to start a discussion about this but would like to comment as follows :

I must be a very lucky person, but I never had any problem with the different registry cleaners I used for years.
They are sometimes inefficient. But between the black sheeps there must be somewhere a white one.

I read with attention the texts I found in the links you provided me.
Where it is stated simply : registry cleaners are bad, personnaly I find this statement very radical and doesn't show
very little nuance.

For me the best reading I found with "Softwareindustryreport.com"
They give also a serious warning about those programs, but apparently don't exclude the use of this programs.

So, I installed the Revouninstaller and have 30 days free use. I uninstalled the registrycleaner I was using for the moment
and everything went well.
If I understand well the procedure this program is equally modifying registry settings ???

In the meantime my booting problem is solved and the bluescreen stays away.
Thanks for the help

Best regards
orion963

[black-wolf]

You're welcome and I'm glad things got worked out for you.