Hi, I experience a queer problem whenever I boot up my computer initially. The computer will go through everything fine until it reaches Win 98 where it will hang either with the wallpaper on the screen alone and pressing anything (including the 3 finger salute) doesn't work. Sometimes the desktop icons will appear but then the system will hang. This happens almost exclusive when I initially boot up the system only not when I soft reboot or a reboot after the computer is up and running. Here's my specs:

PIII Coppermine 733 Mhz
256 MB PC 133 SDRAM
Gigabyte GA-6VX7-4X
Hercules GeForce 256 DDR-DVI
Creative SB Live! Value

Thanks!!!!!!!!

Sounds strange. I usually leave my puter running most of the time, so it can run all the scheduled tasks (defrag, virus-scan, etc.).

j_sanborn

------------------
("If at first you don't succeed, suck harder, then you will succeed!" cited Curly Howard of the 3 Stoogies)

do a bootlog and find out where it is hanging

Oh yea, I should check through the Bootlog file first, how stupid of me!
Anyway I found some oddities in the Bootlog and the previous (Failed) bootlog, as well as some error that occur in both.

Error that occur in both:
[0002E04C] Dynamic load device
[0002E04C] Dynamic load failed : [0002E04C] File not found

How do I find out what is not found or loaded??

Here comes the oddity:

FAILED Bootlog:
No mention of IOWP9598.vxd

Normal Bootlog:
IOWP9598.vxd loaded and mentioned in a few places.


What is that mysterious file and is it the cause of all the boot up errors?? I can also confirmed that the boot up error does not only happen during the initial switching on of computer, it happens when I soft reboot as well. Oh yea, I am also using Win98 pre SE version. I have also gone to the windows update to check and have installed all critical updates and the error still occur. Pls help! Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you boot to Safe Mode??....If you can, then it is likely some virtual driver(s) that are corrupt or from an old program that you have deleted rather than uninstal.

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

I can boot up to safe mode but I cannot figure out what the IOWP9598.vxd file was for. Sometimes the computer can boot up fine but other times, the computer will somehow forget to load the file and cause the problem. Do you have any solutions, err........ I am trying to avoid a format and reinstall!

Hi, I have experience another failed bootup where the system just display the deskrop wallpaper and the mouse cursor (which can move) but pressing any button (barring the 3 finger salute) will not show anything. I checked the bootlog.txt and discovered that the IOWP9598.VXD file was loaded, therefore I think that shouldn't be the problem. I then remembered following the advice of another website regarding Vxd fixes a few days ago, when I think the problem first started. The URL is as below:
http://www.pcnineoneone.com/tweaks/fixes1d.html#vxd

vcomm.vxd
vdmad.vxd
configmg.vxd
vdd.vxd
vmouse.vxd
ntkern.vxd
vflatd.vxd

I then extracted the above mentioned files and pasted them into the system directory and the vmm32 sub-directory; as advised by that website. Is that the cause of the problem? If so how can I fix it??

Hi, the ever impatient me reformatted the hd and reinstall all the applications. I also installed all the Microsoft Critical update and update my virus definations (scanned result negative). The problem still EXIST!!!!!!

I am able to get to the windows desktop wallpaper and there is the windows startup music, but then nothing works. It does not happen all the time and is only sparodic and random. I then proceed to check the bootlog but discovered that the bootlog is not updated evverytime (I though it was supposed to!) So what could be wrong??? Software? Hardware??

I don't know if you followed that link at PC911 to that site to download the batch file,
but when I did, this was prominently displayed at the top of the page:

Last Updated: Tuesday, November 02, 1999 08:41 PM

1999 !! That's an eternity in this instance. They were giving old information.
They should correct that reference, or at least state that more current info may supercede it.

If you have been to the MS Windows Update site, any drivers there are the latest.
The ones on your original Win98 CD are at best the same, and probably have been updated.

They were only current at the time that CD was pressed. If you start going back and forth,
from the web site to the CD, you will only end up with a real hodge-podge of 'stuff'
in the Vmm32.vxd file, causing lots of problems.

Stick to a fresh install from the CD, then put it back in the jewel case.
Then visit the Windows Update site every so often. Good Luck! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif


------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-18-2001).]

Hi, thanks for the reply but it doesn't really help much. After reformatting my hard disk and reinstallng everything, I did not follow the vmm32.vxd advice again. I fresh installed win98 from the CD and went to the windows update and after that the problem still exist! Sometimes I boot up to my desktop and it just display the wallpaper and the cursor and thats that. Pressing anything (barring the 3 finger salute) will not work. Why??????? IS there a God????????

See if this (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/8/67.ASP) helps, from the MSKB. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

PS - I checked my direct line to big G. He said He's busy right now. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-18-2001).]

Thanks for the URL I am in the midst of troubleshooting the phantom problem. Sometimes it seems like the computer is taking up an evil personality on its own. My computer does not automatically create a bootlog.txt file everytime the computer boots up and I need that file to check whats wrong. How do I enable it??? Prior to me formatting of the HDD and reinstalling everything, the computer always makes a bootlog.txt file, why not now??? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

From MSKB Article Q151667:
---------------------------------
Bootlog.prv - Previous Windows startup log file

This file records the progress of the previous Windows startup
process. When you request a logged boot (or if Windows performs one
automatically), the previous Bootlog.txt file is renamed to Bootlog.prv
before the new Bootlog.txt file is created.

This file is not necessary for the proper operation of Windows and can be deleted.

Bootlog.txt - Windows startup log file

This file records the progress of the Windows startup (boot)
process. It is created if you request a logged boot, and is also
created automatically by Windows if Windows detected that the
previous boot was unsuccessful.

This file is not necessary for the proper operation of Windows and can be deleted.
----------------------------------

You can "request a logged boot" in the System Configuration Utility.

Start > Run > msconfig - then click Tools, System Configuration Utility


------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')



[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-18-2001).]

Pardon my ignorance of Windows, but there seems to be no such options under System Configuration Manager......thank you for your abundance patience......

On the General page/tab, click 'Selective startup',
then click all the boxes below it that aren't grayed/dimmed out.

This will generate a Bootlog.txt file the next time you restart or cold boot,
but only if there was a failure to load a device driver.

Even then, not all failures listed are critical. Read this (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q127/9/70.asp).

EDIT -- Do you have any anti-virus checking active?

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')



[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-18-2001).]

Is there a way to automatically generate the bootlog everytime I boot up? I have anti virus software installed and auto protect running (norton). I have just reinstalled win98, so fingers and toes crossed and double knotted. Will keep posted. Thanks again.

There are ways to create the bootlog.txt each time, actually three variations of one way.

But it somewhat defeats the file's purpose to do it.

You can:

Press F8 during boot and select option 2 (logged)

Boot to the DOS prompt and type win /b

Edit the Msdos.sys file, a somewhat complicated procedure.

But the whole point of the bootlog file is to list load failures, not track (most often) successful ones.

Unless you want to rename and put the file from each boot in a separate folder.
Seems like a lot of trouble and HD real estate to track something like that.


------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif
Negative, man, reinstalling win98 doesn't work.......
Sparodic hanging at desktop, most of the times, the icons won't load, sometimes they load halfway only, only way is to reboot.....Mayday Mayday, the ship is sinking........
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

nebulae, I posted this link once before in Reply # 11.

CLICK HERE (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/8/67.ASP) and work down through the steps.

It's the best way to troubleshoot your problems. Print it out if it will help you.

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-18-2001).]

Hi, just a naive suggestion here, but could it be a memory problem or a configuration problem? Cos the problem (hanging at the wallpaper) doesn't always appear, so quite hard to troubleshoot. Any way to check????

Hi, I have tried out the Micorsoft Support Site and tried out their different methods of isolating the problem and the computer is able to boot up on all! The strange and sparodic problem exist randomly and so the troubleshooting may not necessary, I am at my wits end......... http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

You could have a memory problem.....if you can get hold of good SDRAM ...install it and see if the errors/problems go away.

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

I have downloaded a memory testing problem and the test result is negative. Norton Diagnostics also report a negative result (usually).

Those won't always diagnose faulty memory correctly, the only way to be absolutely sure is to swap your memory with known good memory.

I would suggest two things, as it does sound a lot like a memory problem.

1. Pull the memory chip(s) and reseat, several times to ensure a good connection.
2. Check it with known good memory.

Bud Allen's Troubleshooter (http://www.wintrouble.net/) might also have some useful info.

------------------
So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)

Or if you can, install your RAM modules in a different compatible system that has no problems.

If problem repeats itself then, you have good reason to suspect the RAM.

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

Err......really sorry to say this but I sort of accidentally solved the problem. See, out of desparation, I flashed my bios with a newer version and thus resetting most of the bios setting. One of the setting was the boot sequence which previously I set it as floppy, IDE-0, then IDE-2. My setup was Primary master HDD, Primary Slave CD-ROM, then Secondary Master CD-RW and Secondary Slave HDD. I think there was something wrong with the setup.
After flashing the bios it reverted back to Floppy, IDE-0 and CD-Rom, and the problem went away, don't ask me why (please tell me if you do).

Anyway many thanks for all ur troubles. Once again I have humilated myself infront of good caring people, and please don't refrain from hurling abuses! Here's wishing that u all will meet lesser people like me!!!
http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

try this exit to msdos or just get to the c:\> prompt windows 98 has a utility built in called scanreg type scanreg /? for the command switches hopefully you have an old copy to restore scanreg /restore would tell you
if that fails do a search for the vxd file in mention you may find that you have 2 files with the same name conflicting due to being in the path but in two different directories