submix8c

OK... I also remember these darn things on mine (with Messaging disabled). MySpace had some "redirect" Adverts popping up (occasionally). Definitely DO NOT click on them. If you get redirected (inadvertantly when trying to Exit the msg), EXIT the IExplorer immediately before they hose you (usually it's a "sucker bet download" after "fake scan"). Suggest (may help..) get CCleaner (google it) and run it to clean all Cache out. It helped me until I got "caught" again. And definitely install SpyBot and add the HOSTS file blocker stuff (you'll see the options). This will sometimes help. I also (once I find the culprit website) add it to my IExplorer Restricted Sites list (Options->Security). WARNING - Use Default Install Options! Don't fiddle with CCleaner's Advanced Registry stuff as it may hose you if you don't know what your doing. And run the Spybot Scan just-in-case... HTH

Check your BIOS again (Power Management section) - If XP was installed with an ACPI HAL and your somehow turned it OFF in the BIOS then you won't boot ("wrong HAL" and hangs).

FWIW, these may not be Internet Explorer messages. Some "bad" websites will use Windows Messaging Service to throw pop-ups at you saying "Your are infected, run our krap AV Software", which is a lie. Go to Start->Settings->Control Panel->Administration->Computer Management then select Services, and Disable Windows Messaging. Please note, there are other ways (I think it uses a special Port? and can be blocked via Firewall?), but it's an unnecessary service unless you want to send messages between local PC's (e.g. several hooked up on a LAN). Otherwise, search on ONLINE VIRUS SCAN via Google and pick a well-known one. Also, find MalwareBytes, download it and run it. Independent pop-ups like that are an indication of either Windows Messageing stuff or an actual Virus/Trojan. Get Spybot as well. HTH

WHAT??? Once a CD-R is burned, it can no longer be re-burned. A CD-RW can still be Erased and Re-burned, though. However, a multi-session can have more data burned onto it, in which case don't use multisession when burning to prevent it. Do you mean Copy-Protect it, to keep it from being copied?

(another FYI post) FWIW, I noted (kind of related?) that your C-drive offset is at 1024kb as opposed to a "normal" 32kb (? at least mine and your friend's is). By looking at that SP's VBS file, I see that (not being real good at VBScript) it may have "shrunk" at that offset and never "put it back" (?). The link given to the HP article says you can do this in Disk Management (on Vista) as well. I think (?) jaclaz is looking at the other topic's MBR code because it apparently has ye-olde F11 Function in it. This may be potentially the "key" to fixing that and (IMHO) potentially "fixing" the other (as I note in my last stmt in this post). Side note - looks like your friend "Shrunk" his Main Partition (to the front), Recovery Partition (different Vol Label than yours; to the back), then inserted an Extended Partition (0 + 3/4 Logicals; in the middle). Don't really know how a Partition-0 appeared though(?)... Still, seems like after a Complete Restore (from the Recovery Partition) that the Create Disks should work (not a simple Recovery, but Complete Restore - Back To Factory/Sales). Perhaps the MBR Code is what's being looked for and not a Partition Type? (edit - And even more confusing, to me anyway, is Diskpart Shrink gives size in MByte, not KByte; still looks to me like PM is a culprit too. Installing would not have caused the problem but Using it would - re the "Fix my MBR" as you originally stated. Leads me to believe something "special" was in the PTable.)

Well, if you want to replicate what's already been done in two different ways, go ahead. AutoPatcher can be modified (kind of like how you want your project) to remove the "unofficial" stuff so all you'll have is the official stuff (beyond Feb2004 - I have that CD as well, BTW). And the "Unofficial Service Pack" has absolutely no Unofficial Fixes; it's simply a collection of all Official Fixes merged into an Unofficial (i.e. not MS) Service pack, and will undoubtedly contain everything you have and also beyond Feb2004. FYI - (CONTENT/WIN9X/WIN98/DOCS/SETUP9X.HTM) Welcome to the Windows Security Update CD. This update will install the latest available technology and important security fixes for Windows. This CD includes: Internet Explorer <--additional fixes beyond this and not on CD DirectX <--DX9B, latest was DX9C Windows Media Player <--additional fixes beyond this and not on CD Critical Security fixes <--Very Incomplete (do a compare to List on MSFN) And here's the CD List of Fixes - CONTENT\WIN9X\WIN98\DOCS\filelist9x.htm Stickified 98/98SE/ME topics and Complete List of Hotfixes. So... have at it, friend. You'll probably be on your own, though. Sorry... I will recommend looking at the two packages mentioned to see how they did it... Oh, and I forgot to mention - WPI Classic (Windows Post-Install Wizard). Just an installer - you put in what you want to be installed and you can selectively install or not install individual items. Be aware that many fixes are very picky about what order they get installed and some require reboot.

Another tidbit - google-searched "safeboot.sys"... "The SAFEBOOT.SYS is part of the HP Security Suite. There are two ways to solve your problem. Deinstall the Drive Encrytion and Security Suite" (etc...) (...and won't help) info only (probably, but may help) http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/showthread.php?p=546889 another (HP ref. in "solution", but won't help you) http://www.hyperosforum.co.uk/forum/viewto...f=8&p=11989 another reference - "Safeboot.sys file description Productname: SafeBoot Security System Description: SafeBoot Encryption Driver Company: SafeBoot International File size: Various" ""Leave current file system intact (no change)" is my "Repair"?" <----yes FYI - XP In-Place Upgrade (leaving OS intact; works with 2K3...) http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?...kb;en-us;315341 (note - better slipstream latest Service pack into CD on a 2k/xp/2k3 box and burn to ensure not halted with "this is an older version" message - don't attempt slipstream on Vista or Win7) Otherwise, as stated above.

Info gathering here (in sequence)... This post is strictly an info-gathering expedition and for confirmation purposes. It would sure be nice of HP if they would just reveal what that "special Partition HexValue" is.Other members trying to help, you're up next... (sheesh!) edit - ARG! turned an attempt to shorten the post (via codebox) baaad! changed to in-line single quotation (long but easier to read)...

I am thinking it's probably the MBR. What bit you initially was using PM and allowing it to fiddle with the MBR. And I believe the HP Technician is wrong! Once you Restore from the Recovery Partition, you are back to Factory Install (just like when you bought it). I did this already on that HP/Compaq I told you about. Resets everything on the recovered OS partition! Therefore, the option to create disks reappears. The sole purpose of creating the Disks is in case your whole HDD is wiped (or something) and you need to Restore (from somewhere). I did that several times as a test scenario (after Ghosting). And I can't honestly remember if the option to recreate the Recovery Partition existed after using the Disk Set (sorry...). Your main problem seems to be (right now) getting booted into the Recovery Partition. edit - and FWIW, if you used PM, then maybe you have PTEDIT (Partition Table Editor), although I don't know if it would help or not... basic info on PTEDIT (now owned by Symantec) - http://service1.symantec.com/Support/power...004063693751462 another tidbit (and ptedit download) - http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/power...src=bar_sch_nam WARNING! The above info in last link could (probably would) destroy the special HP code (I believe to exist there). fyi (more or less accurate) - http://www.datarecovery.co.za/partition_types.htm

Or this...

Dude! Go here!

AutoPatcher has a couple of Tweak items in it for the RAM size problems. These Tweaks are also referenced in this thread which also has some additional valuable tools, information, and links.Not sure what the answer might be to the NVidia. Just may not be compatible at all . Here is a potential fix to the Network Icon Missing. Don't know if this will help or not. (I've used it already). README.TXT - To stop Connections Systray (on the right) from running: - Double-click on TOOLS9SU.REG - Reboot - Program can be still be accessed via "Connection_Manager Network Connections Replacement Tool" in Start Menu->Programs->Accessories->System Tools (shortcut may be copied into main menu anywhere within "Windows\Start Menu" To reinstate Systray execution (what automatically happens during install) - Double-click on TOOLS9SI.REG - RebootTOOLS9SU.REG - REGEDIT4 [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{35CEC8A3-2BE6-11D2-8773-92E220524153}] [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad] "SysTray"="" TOOLS9SI.REG - REGEDIT4 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{35CEC8A3-2BE6-11D2-8773-92E220524153}] @="SysTray" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\CLASSES\CLSID\{35CEC8A3-2BE6-11D2-8773-92E220524153}\InprocServer32] @="STOBJECT.DLL" "ThreadingModel"="Both" [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ShellServiceObjectDelayLoad] "SysTray"="{35CEC8A3-2BE6-11D2-8773-92E220524153}" Note that the above REG files have an "ENTER" at he end of the last line (cursor at next line), otherwise it won't work (rule of REG files). HTH

You guys are quacking me up! Definitely needs moved to the Funny Farm!

wimgapi.dll - look for it on your HDD... it's got to be there.

Welcome to MSFN! I can't answer you, but if you re-post your question here - http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showforum=21 someone will undoubtedly be able to help you very quickly.

FYI... even on the MS site, it has been reported both the solution of Slip on XP (perhaps in a VM) and not Vista directly (something about the API's being used) and the solution of Slip on Vista then overlay the PIDGEN with the SP2 one. Somehow Vista horks up the "what I am slipstreaming" detection. Even regardless of using nLite... Do a search on the MS website and you'll see. Smart solution seems to just do it on an XP machine. HTH

You did answer the second question; please answer the first...Also, AntiVirus is irrelevant. Do you use MS Firewall or 3d party Firewall? Finally, the "wire" from the ADSL Modem LAN Out to the PC may indicate "connected", but the "wire" coming from the wall to the ADSL Phone Line In may be bad. PC<->ADSL(good)<->Phone(bad) - No communication to Outside World The Network Card's TCP/IP Settings should be set to Automatically Obtain IP Address as well.

1 - Apparently2 - Should be able to create Recovery Disks; don't know about F11 function. 3 - If Active, theoretically should work same as #2; also don't know about the F11 Simply "blowing away" the non-Recovery (via diskpart. or any other method) and setting the Recovery (the only partition left) to Active should get you booted into Recovery, which should set your Installation (after Restore) to Factory (just like when purchased). This definitely works and have used it before (as long as Recovery Partition is intact and its 512-byte Boot Record is unaltered - SPECIAL BOOT). The F11 "trick" is just a way to get into "special boot code" (like many Boot Managers) to get you booted into the Recovery Partition (ignoring the Active Partition bit in Partition Type byte). HTH (Did this on HP/Compaq XP Home SP1; corrections, folks?)

TY, IcemanND - you explained exactly what I explained, except specifically which Hive and gave a tool on MSFN. The only tools I was aware of, I wasn't sure were to be mentioned and AFAIK only work on a Running machine (exception - one that you "enter certain positions, yadayada" as above after Loading/Unloading Hive). (a tool exists to do that only) Was under the impression that Marc was a technician AND knew about the Hives. My bad...

Please elaborate - What tells you that "your Internet" is connected? And how do you connect - ADSL, Cable, Dial-up?

(Hope he/she comes back - Way to Go Drugwash! Good Analysis!)

"Conexant" - Yippee! It's either going to be an HCF or an HSF type (Win)Modem. Without the correct drivers, it won't work. And if it's one of those Combo beasts (Modem + Sound), it gets trickier. Get the exact Chip Number and I might be able to help. Have run into these before; even if the Chip says "Conexant", the drivers could be "other-than".

You have to hook the HDD to another PC as a secondary and Load the Hive containing the Key via a Primary Win2k/xp/2k3 Running System (using Regedt32). The info as to how to interpret the info you Load is on the Internet (certain positions of a certain value of a certain length). Be sure to Unload the Hive after you got the info. And be sure you got the Correct Key. Odd that you should ask that. Usually (AFAIK, except in OEM SLP) you can just reactivate, and the OS is bootable. In the other case (OEM SLP) where the OS is "locked" to motherboard, you have to "dance with the OEM" to put in a new MoBo (sometimes a search will help on the OEM site). In addition, wouldn't you have to reinstall the exact same OS and SP-level? Have you tested "cloning" one of these HDD's and testing the affixed Key (on the COA) of the PC in question (if OEM and if it's still there)? (Perhaps I'm misunderstanding. Why wouldn't it boot at all just because of a new MoBo). OHHHH! - the New MoBo is Entirely Different as opposed to the Old; Chipset Problem. Via-to-Intel bites you on that... Ennyhoo, hope the above helped. Can't/won't point you to the WWW info I referenced - you'll have to find that yourself. Hint - HKLM/Software/Microsoft/Windows NT/CurrentVersion->DigitalProductID (value)

Chances are, the way you describe it, best bet is an external drive that can be powered-down via manual external power (the "box") or lappie shut-down via usb (no power to usb, no power to external). Not having investigated these (nor have any), I have no clue as to how they may "power down", but an external seems to be the logical choice.

?Clueless as to how that could have happened. Go through Activation, select "I want to call MS to activate", call the number given, give the long number string as the message asks you, enter the number strings it says to put in at the end, and if you're legit, your installation will be reactivated.