Trying to remain calm

[kayofcircles]

Turned on my puter this morning to see the blue screen of death. Said "fatal exception had occurred in 015F:BFF71459" and then another blue screen with error in "VXDVMM(01)+ 0000A25A". Pushed the space bar,and puter went to the Hardware Wizard wanting a device driver. Stuck the 98 CD in (was panicked at this point)and, of course, that didn't work. Had seen something flash by about "Command prompt" and "restoring registry" but went by too fast. Did a Con/Alt/Delete and I pushed the Pause key, but just got the string screen...wasn't sure what to do, so pushed ESC and it had a screen that said "Windows found error in system files and restored backup of the files to fix the problem" and now I seem to be fine.

We installed a Sony RW recently, and I just got it to work last week. I did use it yesterday to backup a file. Ran a SFC Friday...some updated by the CD Extreme "update", but nothing else reported.

This morning went ahead and made another 98 start up floppy just to feel like doing something. Do we need to make a new start up floppy regularly?
And I made a backup of the registry, but it is too big to put on a floppy so will have to put on CD.

Don't know what else to include for info...this has never happened before and other than the Sony, I haven't done anything recently that would cause a system file problem. Any ideas? And could someone point me to info on booting when there is a problem? I stumbled into the "Windows is restoring screen"..have no idea how to get there on purpose. Also, there is a screen with bunches of info right after the first screen that has always flashed by at such speed that cannot read..is there a way to make that screen stop just long to read it?

TIA

[sea69]

press your "Pause/Break" button on keyboard, to pause and see boot process info.

and NO, you do not need to keep , making new copies of your start up disk. Just have one on hand, and LOCK IT.. (little tab on the back of the floopy..)

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 05-07-2001).]

[tjaymadison]

Sounds like the RW software package install program overwrote
some .DLL and/or other files with older versions. This happens
if the install program is not properly written to check for dates,
or to prompt you for an OK when it finds a file with the same name.
I guess it could also happen in the reverse, newer files replacing
the present ones, if the install cannot determine whether or not
you have the most current updates to your version of Windows.
In any case, this is the fault of the install program.
For a fix, take a look at this article (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q201/6/55.asp) from the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

------------------
"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)

[kayofcircles]

Thank you, TJay. Found some articles over a ZDNET for backing up registry files, and an interesting article about decaying OS's. Don't think I need to yet (reformat,replace OS,etc) but also gives specifics about backing up customizations that I will do.

Booted up just fine a few minutes ago...same old, same old. Have no clue. Full Moon this mornin', maybe?

But shouldn't SFC have reported any file changes?

[tjaymadison]

I think SFC just checks file 'integrity', the headers and internal
structure of the critical Windows files against a known pattern,
not the version number or date. Otherwise if you updated Windows with
a service pack, you'd get messages every time you ran SFC after that.

Did you check that MSKB link in my last post? Seemed to be
right on target describing that error message you got.
Here's one (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q250/9/28.ASP) if you want to re-install 'over' your present Windows.
This way you don't lose your desktop settings, Favorites, etc.

If you decide to start fresh, I have a great procedure downloaded
from Maximum PC that is very detailed, and since you have an RW,
tells you how to set up partitions for the OS, swap file, data, etc.
Then you can make periodic 'go back' or snapshot CD's to restore a
previous configuration, and data back-ups are also simplified.
Maximum went belly-up, at least on line, so I can't post a link.
It's a 42K HTML file, but I could e-mail it if you want. LMK.

Can you post a link to that 'decaying OS' article? Sounds interesting.


------------------
"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)

[mjc]

Hey tjay, the MaximumPC site is still up, and you can still search it, but when was the article from? I'd like to add it to my collection......


------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

All Control Agents must memorize Rule 5 before proceding to Rule 6

[kayofcircles]

Yes, went where you pointed me and printed about half of what found there. Going to run SkipDriver this morning and see if that indicates anything because booted up normally again this morning. And going to check the settings on the Backup Registry stuff. Etc. Want to be as "prepared" as possible should it happen again, or best case, prevent it from happening again.
http://www.zdnet.com/zdhelp/stories/main/0,5594,2531288,00.html Sorry,I am uncertain as to how to get a link into here and totally awed, by the way, with your ability to do the go "here" thing!

You KNOW I would rather not start from scratch if I can avoid it, but I thank you for the link for reinstalling because we can try that first on a friend's puter.

[sea69]

Kay.......

I have been following this, but have nothing to add @ present. (wish I did)

I can however tell you how to do the link thing :

(url=http://www.google.com)here(/url)

with the ( ) representing the [ ] symbols instead of ( ) used for demonstration purposes. Make sure to NOT put a space between any text and the [ or [/ (brackets)


so that in the end it will look like : HERE (http://www.google.com)

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif


------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)

[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 05-08-2001).]

[tjaymadison]

If you type the page address the way you did, it still works fine.

To do it the other way, you have to use a different kind of syntax:

Click the second UBB Code Icon, then put the destination URL in right after the 'http://'
After that, anything you type between the ] and the [ in the middle will be the link.

It's easier to do if you have two (or too, if you prefer) browser windows going at the same time.
Then you can just left-click on the destination address, right-click and copy, then paste it in after the '//'.
You get a doubled 'http://' this way, but just delete one of them. Then after I submit the reply, I wait until
the page refreshes and click it myself to make sure it works, avoiding 'egg on face'. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

Don't tell anyone, but I practiced in the Test forum.
Did you check out 'I fownd the spel chekr' in After Hours yet? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

Thanks for the link, BTW.

Sea -- Sorry, I was writing while you were posting. Didn't mean to step on your post. 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)



[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-08-2001).]

[sea69]

tj.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

I NEVER use those buttons to the left.. hehe

Always just bla

typing it.. those things on the left just pI*s me off.. I see ALLOT of people trying to use them and the results are not what they want.. lol

I know that the idea is to make it easier, however.. from the 1st few times I tried those things.. I messed it up!

so I very quickly learned to automatically type them in. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

most of my posts (you will notice) are edited.... this is because I can't type.. and use a maximum of three (3) fingers.. hehe

and I have open the page with the address of where I'm trying to send someone, and also wordpad, to cut and paiste it into where I'm posting (ctrl, + C + V )

boom boom.....

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

edit: see??? editing here.. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif
additionally, if you get used to typing it in manually, you will know how to do it anywhere that uses UBB codes, this is helpfull because many boards do not have the little 'helper' buttons, and if you become reliant on them, you won't know how to emphasize things other places........

my diatribe for the day...lol http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif (still haven't written that book "As Sea See's it".... hehe )

Tomorrow's the BIG day!!

------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)




[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 05-08-2001).]

[kayofcircles]

Sea, you're using one more finger than my husband does, so hey.

All I know how to do is copy/paste. And if there is a difficult way to do something, and an easier way, I do the former at least through 3/4 of the job!

I saw your tests on your new signature thingy, TJay. And I will go and play with the technique sometime soon when I don't have so many plates spinning (and wobbling on their sticks).

[tjaymadison]

I agree with sea in a lot of instances. If you're inserting a link in the middle of text
you've already written, it's much better to use the keyboard strokes. If you do click the icon
in the middle after you're done writing a paragraph, it always puts the "URL..." stuff
way at the end. If you know at the time you're writing something that you'll be putting a
link right where you are then, I find the icon click easier. Because I have two or three browsers
cascaded on my desktop most of the time anyway, I can jump back and forth pretty easily.

My steps:
[list=1]
Click the browser that has the URL I want
Click the address box to select the URL address (if it isn't already)
Right-click once, select Copy
Click back on The PC Guide
Click UBB icon
Put the cursor after the last '/'
Right-click once, select Paste
Delete the extra 'http://'
Hit the End key, and continue on
[/list=a]

Usually I've already found the applicable website before I start a reply anyway, so I just do #'s 2 and 3
while I'm there. That way I have it copied to the Clipboard beforehand, and just do the last five.

Whatever works for ewe. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif Know only too well about the 'wobbling' part.

EDIT: -- I have a corollary to your 'always chose the hard way' problem:
Seems like there's never enough time to do it right, yet there's always enough to do it over!

------------------
"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)



[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-09-2001).]

[tjaymadison]

mjc -- Sorry, ran right by your post, didn't mean to be rude. June 2000.

Must have jumped the gun. Lots of talk at 911, cause they're sort of affiliated. May be soon.

------------------
"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)

[mjc]

Last night I found a little tool that will help with the URLS, IE 5 Power Tweak (http:////http://www.microsoft.com/windows/Ie/WebAccess/default.ASP), it adds a right click "Copy Location" to the context menu in IE (they seem to work well with IE5.5), it copys the URL of any page your onto the clipboard. Then it is easy to paste it to wherever you need it.

tjay, from what I've seen they may be just going to have the magezine stuff on the site (scale it back) and do away with the MaximumPC Network....

------------------
mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

All Control Agents must memorize Rule 5 before proceding to Rule 6

[kayofcircles]

I have to stay "over" my Outlook Express because will get bumped if don't hit Send/Receive every few minutes. (Phone guy says "ancient phone lines" and "abandoned trunk line" for server.) So just copy/paste into a message window and save it to a Website doc I have later. The link won't work until I save it to Drafts or send it to myself, but...

Appreciate the Tweak thing, but already have "copy shortcut" which works fine.

[tjaymadison]

Well, I suppose if your phone is the same one Timmy's mom used in 'Lassie',
you have to expect some problems. Or do you just pick up the receiver and wait for Sarah,
like Andy did in Mayberry? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

But, seriously! Kay, you may be able to force the issue a little bit if you want to.

Although the phone company, in its various disguises, has no obligation
to provide a 'data-quality' line at no additional charge, there are
minimum FCC standards for voice-line quality that they must adhere to.
Call your local office and tell them you're having problems, but don't
mention the computer. In fact, if they want to send someone to your house
to check, remove the phone line to your PC before they come. Tell them you
have to sometimes dial a number two or three times before it will even
start ringing, and even then it's not ringing at the other end each time.
Like even when you call someone next door, and you know they're home
'cause you can see them through the window. Many times they can 'tune'
your line from a central station. Keep insisting until they get it right.


------------------
"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)



[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-10-2001).]

[sea69]

hey

Kay, you can set OE to automatically check for email (send recieve) every 5 minutes.. ( I have mine that way)...

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

------------------
sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)

[kayofcircles]

Well, at moment, I am freaked again cuz got the fatal exception errors again this morning and after error codes, went to black screen with nada. No keyboard, no mouse...so reset, and did what MSKB said to do with the Registry Checker and such. Am assuming that when got to part in MSKB where said "restart your puter" they meant to just hit reset cuz tried ESC and exit and felt like an idiot cuz not familar with DOS commands. And then had to do the "Windows was improperly shut down", but figure that was from the first reset.

I was here watching the bootup this time, and it stopped just before my sound board icon popped in next to the clock. Wondering if what you said about new program overwriting some files screwed something up with sound board. Gonna go and see if can find error codes in MSKB. Got fatal exception errors in "OE" and "OD" and that same VXD VMM (01).

I am not quite Timmy's mom, but only one generation removed. Did call the phone company for that sort of thing, TJay, and the phone guy was out here the day after Xmas last year. That's when he informed me that we are "ancient" and "abandoned"....wail!

And, yes, Sea...I know I could set that for five minutes. But it gives me an excuse. Can pretend that I am doing that..holding the connection..rather than admitting that I have to stop and "think" about what I want to type next. Particularly if I am doing my Chicken Little impression.

[tjaymadison]

Thanks to the vagaries of hexadecimal/binary/decimal arithmetic and nomenclature,
it's easy to confuse 'OE' (letters) with 0E (zero-E), which, to be very explicit
should be written as 0Eh, or decimal 14.

This may cause you some problems when you search. The dreaded 'fatal exception'
error codes are all listed here (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q150/3/14.asp), but the explanations are kind of 'geek-speak'.

There is a troubleshooting link also.

------------------
"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)

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-11-2001).]

[kayofcircles]

Got it..going there now...thanks.

[mikew]

Don't know if this helps but after adding 32meg ram I recently had the random Blue Screen of Death and fatal OE thing. Ran SFC and it reported no probems, ran Scanreg again no problems reported. Decided to run scanreg/fix anyway as I had seen it in an earlier post and BINGO no more Blue Screens of Death. After the registry was fixed ran scanreg again to backup the fixed registry.
Best of Luck with your problems.
Tanzie
The Old Fart

[kayofcircles]

Update: Can't find a fatal exception article specifically for the one I am getting, but did find one "close" which explains about a Corel CD Creator file that needs to be renamed. For the Sony burner, Sony did have a file they mentioned that conflicts, but I checked iosubsys, and I don't have that particular file.

My bad..with all the recent stuff, I forgot to run the SkipDriver I said I would above. Says it is encountering "a fatal problem while calling a PnP BIOS function. The specific problem is: Get Statistically Allocated Resources Information" and a reference number and to call the manufacturer. Wish I could...really wish I could.

With my previous HP burner, HP wanted Adaptec running in the background all the time..but I don't like a lot of stuff going, so I made a shortcut to the exe file and doubleclicked on that whenever I wanted to use the burner. With the new Sony, the exe file in StartUp had a /T behind it. I tried making a shortcut to the exe file, but it wouldn't work so I put it back in the StartUp (checked the box again). I am going to turn it back off.

Thinking about things I have read here, I checked RAM but don't know if really "checking" it...says 128MB. Pretty much everywhere I have looked. Also going to have my husband change out power supply. Again, shooting in dark, but remember stuff read here and power supply is almost two years old.

Going to go read the Mother's Day thing again...!

[kayofcircles]

I just did that, mikew, thanks. I am concerned though that I may have screwed up. Says in Registry Checker "If your registry contains an entry referencing a file that no longer exists (such as a .vxd file), it will not be fixed by Registry Checker."

There is no date on the ASD message, so may or not be related at all, but in Sys Info it says that the last change to "System board extension for PnP bios" was April 21 at 11:05 and that was shortly after I removed the software for EZ CD Creator and Adaptec. Did Add/Remove programs and after went to "manually remove" the remaining files. Did a Find on them, and ONLY removed those that were dated the same day I installed the software.

AND, last year, the HP tech said that some of my vxd files were incompatible with the HP software, so he had me change the file ends from .vxd to .hp. (He also had me uncheck "process autoexe.bak" in msconfig..throwing that in just for info.) So, after removing the software I thought I should change those file ends back...no software, no conflict. Should I change them back again? Is it too late?

[tjaymadison]

Kay, R U still on? This (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q125/1/74.asp) may help. LMK if U need more.

------------------
"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)

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-11-2001).]

[kayofcircles]

My husband put the NU CD into mine last night and was running stuff, so I went and surfed on his so as not to sit in here and wring my hands and make him nervous. The NU said it "fixed" something like 30 problems, many of them in the Registry.

Gonna wait and see. Still getting the ASD error thing, but haven't a clue how long that's been there. The "code" for that is "0A 00 00 00 88 01 E8 00" and doesn't look like anything I have seen anywhere. Did what mikew said about the Registry fix and am backing up things right and left...just in case.

Thank you all!

[tjaymadison]

Sounds like someone's 'geeking out' with WinDoctor. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Don't leave him in there too long unattended - can be addictive. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

NU has a 'put it back the way it was' feature, but may need
to be installed first to use it, rather than just run from CD.

Not sure if you can install just certain tools/elements of NU with
your version. If you do decide to install it, hold off on the
CleanSweep. Many problems. Discontinued in newest versions.

Some of your problems may be 'ghost' - duplicate - devices
and/or drivers. Somewhat 'geeky' procedure to detect and delete,
with attendant Desktop icon pattern/layout reset also a minor issue.
LMK -- U can E/M me if U want.



------------------
"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)