Boot up problem

My son's computer has just quit booting up. It starts as normal, gets to the "verifying DMI Pool Data" message, then kicks up "Boot from CD:"

I put it the CD and it chuggs along for a while, then brings up the message below:

Windows could not start because of an error in the software
Please report this problem as:
load needed DLLs for kernel
Please contact your support person to report this problem (that's you guys!)

He's running XP Pro.

Any suggestions guys? I'm at a total loss here.

Thank you!

 

Sometimes this message "verifying DMI Pool Data" will appear when a floppy disk is left in when trying to boot
Check that.

Then, next I'd try Repair reinstall of Windows
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=812450
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/326671/

 

How many CD/DVD Rom devices on the computer, and do any have disks in them?

 

Thanks for the input guys.

I checked all devices (1 CD-ROM, 1 floppy) were free of disks..this is not an issue.

I'm trying to boot from a full windows version. This a new computer he just built. It has been running fine for about 3 weeks now, then all of a sudden this happens when he came to boot up the PC. Silly boy hadn't created a recovery disk yet, I now find out

Thanks for the links ASUS...I will look into that when I get home tonight.

 

Have him go in and check all his connections Lev. Especially the HDD, a loose connection or bad hard drive can throw that error.

Steve

 

Will do...I did wonder about that too. Thanks Steve.

 

So, it's not a loose connection.

Tried to run a Fix It utility disk and when it kicked up the choice about which drive do you want to fix, the list was empty, so I took that to mean it couldn;t see the C drive.

Tried the repair function as per ASUS' suggestion, nada! Tried the CHKDSK function and it bummed out after only finding 50% of the disk.

I'm going with Steve's notion that the hard drive is bad.

Comments?

 

Hmmm..can you break that down into layman's terms please Tim?

Btw...it won't boot in safe mode either.

 

So do I, which is why I didn't understand

OK..I can try slaving it tonight and re-running chkdsk. He doesn't want to reformat if possible, because if he has to buy a new one he would like to try and recover some files...but I'm beginning to think that isn't going to be possible anyway.

Thanks Tim.

 

I found this also Lev, a few things he might check. #6 is interesting, make sure he doesn't have the connection upside down.....it's common.

Q. During bootup my computer hangs at "Verifying DMI pool data." What is it and how do I fix it?

A. DMI or DesktopManagement Interface (pdf) is a layer of abstraction between system components and the software that manages them. The System Management BIOS (SMBIOS) is an extension of the Basic Input Output System (BIOS) that formulates and delivers this information to the operating system. The pool data is the information. In short, when the BIOS is "Verifying DMI pool data" it is verifying the table of data it sends to the operating system (Windows, etc.). If it isn't sucessful, it should return an error. Wait a reasonable period of time for it to finish. It may make take some time or it may be stuck. Possible fixes:

1. If you changed the hardware just before this problem occurred (e.g., installed a new hard disk drive), unchange it.

2. If you installed a new hard disk drive, set the motherboard CMOS Setup to Auto for the drive type. You may have to disconnect the drive first.

3. Enable "Reset Configuration Data" (may be "Force Update ESCD" in some CMOS Setuups) in the motherboard CMOS Setup PNP/PCI configuration. (Rebooting will automatically disabled it after it has done its thing.)

4. The CMOS may be corrupted. Clear it.

5. Disconnect all drives not required to boot the computer. If this fixes it, reconnect one at time.

6. The floppy drive may be bad or not connected properly.

7. Reseat all expansion boards.

8. Pull all boards not required to boot the computer.

Steve

 

Thanks Steve..I will run through that little list tonight

 

A possible quick and simply fix might be to "Clean" the Floppy/CD/DVD drives a speck of dust on the lenses will generate that error as well. Hey I replaced a CD, just because the lense was dirty LOL

 

Update:

The hard disk is shot. I have pulled a redundant 20 gig disk out my old machine and installed this, and it has booted up just great

I've left the shot one in and set it as the E drive to try and pull some working files from it. I always get the error "E dfrive not accessible" even though it can see it is there.

Anyone have some ingenious ways that I might access the data on this? There really is just one files my son relaly wants to retrieve...it has all his budget spreadsheets on. Everything else he has backed up.

NB: This hard disk stuff really was a learning curve for me, and I surprised myself. My old hard disk still had Windows 98 on so I had to upgrade it to XP so it would recognise all his broadband equipment. It's a great feeling when you are challenged and learn something new through that Thanks for your help and support once again guys!

 

Can you see the files, or is it the actual drive that is not accessible?

Could be an ownership issue, http://www.winxptutor.com/ownership.htm

Steve

 

It automatically runs one on boot up when it detects I have connected the bad drive. However, it stalls about 10 minutes through it, and I have to reboot the computer and skip the dskchk to get the PC to boot up (or disconnect the bad drive altogether).

@Matacumbie - I can see the drive listed, but clicking on it brings up and error message, and does not allow me to see the files. It isn;t an Access Denied error, it's a Drive Inaccessible error. Not had access issues before with it.

 

Hehe...I will be much more fun later today after I've had my wisdom tooth pulled and they give me percocet

I will have to look up the manufacturer etc when I get home tonight....good thinking Batman........thank you!

 

Percocet? Now your talkin'..........woof woof.

Hope you get along ok Lev.

Steve

 

OUCH! Everytime I have any type of anaesthetic, my blood pressure hides in my boots.......79/44.

The good news though....I now have the day off to tweak my son's computer, work out how to extract those files, and get all his spyware re-set up on the new hard drive! Yayyyy for wisdom teeth

 

Steve...this was the dog's wotsits, thank you!

Using the old drive as a slave to the new, I have been able to recover ALL his files. Infact, I'm just leaving both drives in the PC now and he can have double the hard disk space! A win-win situation!

Thanks once again for your support, guys

Now I must get that MG hoody - I almost feel a little geeky from that learning curve

 

You might be a majorgeek if.........

Glad you got it Lev, you will be the hero.

Steve