Vista won

Vista won't boot - oxc0000221

Hey everyone,

I just purchased a used Gateway computer with Windows Vista x64.

Upon turning the computer on for the first time (nothing connected other than monitor, keyboard & mouse) I received the following error:

======================================
Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause. To fix the problem:
1. Insert your Windows installation disc and restart your
computer.
2. Choose your language settings, and then click "Next."
3. Click "Repair your computer."

If you do not have this disc, contact your system administrator or computer manufacturer for assistance.

File: \windows\system32\ntoskrnl.exe

Status: 0xc0000221

Info: Windows failed to load because the kernel is missing, or corrupt.
=======================================

So, I popped in the recovery disk and rebooted. After hitting a key to boot from the disk and waiting for the Windows Loading Files bit to take place, I end up at the same screen again-- except now I'll get an \drivers\sisraid4.sys rather than the ntoskrnl.exe file error.

Now, if I go ahead and hit enter on this screen, I'm taken to a new screen:

=======================================
Choose an operating system to start, or press TAB to select a tool:
(Use the arrow keys to highlight your choice, then press ENTER.)
=======================================
Windows Setip [EMS Enabled]

Below this it states:

=======================================
To specify an advanced option for this choice, press F8.
=======================================
And below this section it states:

=======================================
"Tools:"

Windows Memory Diagnostic

=======================================


Hitting enter and trying to boot the Windows Setup just starts the whole thing over again. Entering the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool screen brings up the blue Memory Diagnostic screen, but the computer never actually makes any progress in scanning the computer's memory (just sits there, frozen).

So. Did I buy a broken computer? Can anyone help me here? It's enormously frustrating to purchase a used computer that's guaranteed to be fully functioning, and end up with this. Thanks in advance for your help.

 

Private sale. I could just return the computer, but the amount of time it'll take to ship it back, get a refund, etc., is more time than it (might) take to fix this problem, assuming it's fixable. So I'd like to try to troubleshoot this if at all possible. Thanks.

 

Well, like I said in my original post, it won't boot from the disk. I get the same series of messages when trying to boot from disk.

 

Hey,

I've tried safe mode a few times without any luck. I'm trying the last known configuration bit right now.

Just ran that 3 times with no success. Also, I put it through to the Memory Diagnostic screen, and it managed to scan the computer a little before freezing (as it has the past few times I tried it). It said there were, in fact, hardware problems--but it didn't finish the scan so I couldn't get a report of what hardware was an issue.

 

By the way: when I try 'last known good configuration,' the error I get is slightly difference: instead of the sisraid4.sys or ntoskrnl.exe errors, I get a wdf01000.sys error.

 

I would strongly suspect you have the wrong restore CD.
Grab a bootable utilities CD and look at your BIOS to see what hardware you really have. I would not put it past someone to change MB or CPU and sell it under false pretenses.
Once you are sure of your hardware by checking the BIOS and some utilities, check your list against what Gateway lists should be in there. If all is correct, get a new restore disk. If not you have to decide if you want to keep it.

 

Well, I spoke with the seller. He says it's the original restore disk, and it is definitely a Gateway restore disk (matches the computer brand).

I explained the problem, and he told me that he just did a fresh install before sending me the computer. He said that he went back into the fresh Vista install and saw an old folder full of 'duplicate files' - what he says were copies of the original Vista install. He says he deleted this folder before powering the computer off. Based on the fact that I have a bunch of difference .sys and .exe files in the \system32 directory that're missing, it sounds like he probably deleted a bunch of important system files by mistake?

This still doesn't seem to address why I can't boot from the CD, though. Anyone have any suggestions before I just ship it back?

 

Tap the Del key as you boot the computer and get to the BIOS setup menu. Record what hard drives are present and the details .... especially ... are they configured as IDE OR RAID? Also note the boot order of the HDDs if there is more than one hard drive present. Post what you see here, please.

Choose to Exit from Setup without saving changes

Pull the side off the box and ensure all data cables are firmly plugged in to both mob and hdd. Likewise the power cables to the hdd.

 

I missed the last couple of posts while I was thinking and preparing my last post.

In answer to your question ... my guess is:
You can't boot from the CD because it is looking at the HDD in a raid configuration and cannot find the raid drivers for the mobo.

If that is the case you should enter BIOS setup and configure the bootable HDD as an IDE device (thus not requiring the raid drivers)
OR
load the raid drivers (When booting, early in the process, look near the bottom of the screen at the status bar, and you will see a brief message something like "Press F6 to load raid drivers". If you press F6 at that time, you will be given the opportunity to insert a floppy with the appropriate raid drivers for your mobo ... which you need to prepare on another computer ... and that should enable your CD to see the HDD with the OS, and for it to continue as it should.)

Just a guess ?

 

Hey,

There's only one HDD. It's a SATA:3M-WDC WD6400 according to the BIOS menu.

I'm not sure how to see whether they're configured as IDE or RAID.

The case is still sealed with a Quality Assurance sticker from when the seller originally purchased it, and I don't want to break the seal so that I can't be accused of fiddling with anything inside the PC and causing the problem myself. However, it's a gaming PC and you can see inside the case with a flashlight, and as far as I can see there aren't any disconnected cables hanging loose.

 

How could I go about trying to switch the HDD to IDE mode in BIOS to see if that's the problem?

 

Re: Vista won't boot - oxc0000221

This is strange .... what I would suggest you do at this point, and before making any other decisions, is:

***Check the memory:
Download memtest86+ to use on either a floppy or a CD.
Download for floppy: http://www.memtest.org/download/2.11/memtest86+-2.11.floppy.zip
Download for CD: http://www.memtest.org/download/2.11/memtest86+-2.11.iso.zip
This test must be done on booting .... without Windows loading .... so you will need to boot from either a floppy or a CD, and allow the test to run. It will run indefinitely, until you stop it. Five whole passes of the test, should be regarded as a minimum to get some idea of the reliability of your RAM.

This is non-invasive and relatively easy to do.

 

It would help me to know what you are looking at. Would you please post here the BIOS details ... maker, version etc .... and I will have a look on the net
Better still, if you could give me the mobo model ... or if not, since it its still factory original, if you gave me the model of the computer to enable me to then find the mobo details, and from there the bios details ...

Unbelievable !!! How old is this thing? Just how dusty/dirty is it inside the case if it has never been cleaned? Have another .... very close look .... at that sticker! I was thinking this situation could have been brought about by inadvertently plugging the SATA data cable back in to a different SATA port while mucking about in the box.

 

Thanks for your help. It's a Gateway DX 4200-UB001a with all stock components. I looked in the BIOS but don't see where there's an IDE/RAID option, and that seems like the quickest thing to try before I have to go to a friend's house and burn a CD to check the RAM.

 

Sorry ... I was just editing my last post, while you were already replying to it.

 

The sticker looks genuine. I don't get the impression I've been ripped off--I've spoken with the seller over the phone, and I paid for the item via PayPal so I'm covered in case of some sort of fraud. It doesn't look like the case has ever been opened. Like I said, the seller apparently deleted a folder of what he thought were duplicate files--and it seems like this may have resulted in these problems.

I'm still open to trying to boot it in IDE mode as opposed to RAID if that'll let me do a fresh Vista install and get all of the drivers back onto the computer.

 

I did not mean to imply that you have been "ripped off".

I was just looking at the Gateway Starters guide .... last page ... to recover if you can't start Windows .... have you tried this ?

copy/paste from guide >

If you cannot run Windows...
1 Restart your computer, then press the ALT+F10 keys during startup.
2 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.

Try this and see what happens.

 

F10 triggers the boot menu. Holding Alt and hitting F10 still triggers the boot menu, nothing more.

 

Please visit this link
http://support.gateway.com/s/issues/2-2617355951.shtml
which concerns an issue with using the Alt + F10 key combination, and try what it suggests, just on the off chance ..... and see if it produces a different result.

 

Hey,

I actually do have an F10 key--no Fn key on this keyboard. So Alt+F10 opens the boot sequence dialogue, and that's it.

 

OK ... guess there is no recovery system to be found.

Now looking at the user and reference guides.

 

Page 95 of the Reference Guide:

Recovering from your recovery discs

To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software
and drivers:

1 Turn on your computer, insert the first system recovery
disc into your optical disc drive, then restart your
computer.

2 During startup, press F10 to open the boot menu. The
boot menu is where you can select which device to start
from, such as the hard drive or an optical disc.

3 Use your arrow keys to select CDROM/DVD, then press
ENTER. Windows installs from the recovery disc you
inserted.

4 Insert the second recovery disc when prompted, then
follow the on-screen prompts to complete the recovery.
--------------------------
Try this .... otherwise ... ?

 

The more I think about it, the more confident I am that you have not so far done what is described in my last post ... and that it should solve your problem by booting successfully to the CD and then enable you to restore to original condition.

Notwithstanding that ... I am gobsmacked! Been through all the Gateway documentation and not a single word about BIOS.

If we are to pursue that line of enquiry, you are going to have to give me the Bios details as you see them on screen in the BIOS Setup Menu.

 

If it turns out that you are able to boot from the CD and begin the installation of Vista again ... try to find an option that will allow you at least to re-format the drive ... preferably delete partition > create partition > format .... to minimise the risk of there being any "left-overs" from the last install.

 

Thanks for your continued help.

Pressing F10 does call up the boot menu, and I try to boot from the CD drive--but I'm just redirected to the same screens with a different driver error (see earlier posts for the various ones I've gotten) each time. Booting from the CD hasn't worked. It tries to load the Windows files, and then switches to one of those screens.

I've navigated to every menu in BIOS and don't see anything about IDE or RAID on any of the screens. The options I'm presented with at the first BIOS screen are:

-Standard BIOS features
-Advanced BIOS features
-Advanced Chipset features
-Integrated Peripherals
-PnP/PCI Config
-Power Management Setup
-PC Health Status
-BIOS Security Features

Standard BIOS features switches to a screen which gives a general overview.

Advanced BIOS features switches to a screen that lists the various drives and boot device order; this is where I'd think the IDE/RAID option would be, but as far as I can tell it's not here.

Advanced Chipset switches to a screen with CPU Config, Southbridge Config, and AMD 700 Config.

Integrated Peripherals switches to a screen with Onboard Device Setup, Onboard I/O Setup, Marvell Lan, Marvell Option-Rom, and Jmicron 1394.

PnP/PCI goes to a screen with Clear NVRAM, Plug and Play O/S, PCI Latency Timer, Allocate IRQ to PCI VGA, Palette Snooping, and PCI IDE BusMaster.

Power Management goes to a screen with Suspend mode, POwer Button Mode, Restore AC Power Loss by, Resume on RTC alarm, Onboard LAN Wake Control, PCI Resume, PS2 KBMS Wakeup, USB KBMS Wakeup, and HPET in SB.

PC Health Status goes to a screen with CPU Smart Fan and SYS Smart Fan controls, and a list of temperatures and voltages.

That's everything as far as I can tell.

 

You are just not having any luck!

In the Gateway Reference Guide, first thing it says under "Troubleshooting" is to Check all the cables are plugged in correctly! I really don't think it is going to be the problem, but it is the "obvious" first thing to do. Up to you ....

Please clarify for me: You do actually see and get to choose "CD/DVD drive" to boot from ... ?

That is really surprising. Either the CD is NBG .... OR ? .... SO ...
Test the CD:
1. Insert in a working computer and see if it runs and begins the setup ...
2. Right-click on the disk and choose "Explore" and see that you can browse the CD.
3. Attempt to boot from the CD and see what happens .... just don't begin the setup ... but you might see other options such as repair ... ?

If you can boot successfully from the CD, and load all the files into memory without any errors, with a working computer, that is good. If you can't boot from the CD .... then you have found the answer to one problem.

If the CD seems to be OK, then either the CD device ... OR ... the RAM ... OR ... ? .... could be a problem
Get back to me when you have checked out the CD and have run memtest86+ on your problematic machine.
---------------

What we are looking for will be in one of the first two pages ... most probably the Advanced BIOS features page. Please give me the name/maker and version of your BIOS, and I will check this out while you are doing the above-mentioned tasks.

(NBG = nobloodygood)

 

Hey,

So, one thing at a time:

1) Yes, I do get to choose to boot from CD. This has been the case from the beginning--that's what brought me here originally, because I've never had a system refuse to boot from a CD.

2) The CD appears to be good. Loaded it up on my laptop, could browse it, and it launched setup without problems. I suppose it could be the CD drive in the Gateway? But honestly, it comes up with any one of 5 or 6 different \system32\(insert here) files every time I try to boot regularly or from a CD or from the last good configuration, etc. So it seems like there are a lot of important files missing/corrupted, rather than just the one to do with the CD drive?

3) As far as the BIOS goes, at the bottom it says "v02.61 American Megatrends." But on the Standard BIOS Features page, it says "AMIBIOS Version 08.00.14".

I'll do the RAM check while you're checking out the BIOS. Thank you so much for your help. If I can't get this sorted out tonight I'm just going to send it back tomorrow for a refund, but I'd rather not have to ship this back, buy a new computer, wait a week, etc. Thanks again.

 

Re: ram check
That sounds like a good plan. If you are going to boot from the CD/DVD drive to check memory, that will also let us know if the drive is working properly.
Thanks for bios info ... will get on it.

 

Hey,

I'm running MemTest right now. It booted without any problems, so apparently the CD drive itself is working fine. It hasn't run 5 passes yet, but so far it hasn't registered any errors.

By the way, I don't really understand the IDE/RAID bit. The extent of my knowledge is that IDE and SATA are two types of hard drives, SATA being current technology (obviously this PC has a SATA HDD), and that RAID is a drive allocation system that enables a dual HDD system to function where one HDD backs up the other HDD. That's really all I know, though, so I don't understand how the computer would be failing to boot from the restore CD because of a RAID issue...? But I'm a complete beginner with this stuff.

Thanks again for your help. I'll post if the memtest turns up an error, but otherwise just assume that the RAM is error free.

 

Hey,

So, all of a sudden the MemTest just started turning up a ton of errors. I don't know how many is typical, but it's showing thousands of errors.

What does this mean? How does it help to diagnose the issue?

 

GOT IT !!!

NONE ... is the only thing we would want to see normally!

 

Okay--so, what does this mean? According to the seller, the PC was functioning perfectly after a fresh install of Vista as of yesterday. Assuming that's true, what could be going on? It's producing errors towards the end of Test #5 [Block move, 64 moves].

 

OK ... now is the time you need to make the decision:

Open up the box ..... OR ..... send it back.

Let's assume that you were me or I was you ? ....
Open up the box and remove all (how many are there ? ... 3 x 2 GB ?) ... the RAM cards.
Replace just ONE card.
Now try to start your machine normally.
If that fails try Safe Mode.
If that fails, put the CD/DVD in the slot and boot from it and either repair or re-install ... I would be delete partition > create partition > format > install
----------------
If the memory card you replaced does not work try another ....

I am guessing either:
1. The card/s were not seated properly .... possibly jolted during the move .... *** my guess as most likely suspect
OR
2. One card is suffering some failure? ...
That is what you can test for ... one card at a time using memtest86+

 

Is it possible that unseated or otherwise defunct RAM could be responsible for *all* of these problems--everything from the variety of checksum/winload/kernel/on and on errors, to the fact that it won't boot from CD? If so I'll contact the seller and see if he's OK with me opening the case. If it doesn't make sense that a jostled stick of RAM could account for all of these things, I'm better off shipping it back. Thanks again for your input.

 

YES ... ABSOLUTELY

If the RAM is making mistakes .... especially heaps of them .... then nothing else will work .... eg loading the CD is loading all that info into RAM .. so if it is making a lot of mistakes, then all that info is going to be useless, hence getting errors reported on a miscellaneous variety of files.

NOTHING other than perfectly 100% reliable RAM is of any use at all ... absolutely NO errors is the requirement.

 

OK, one more question: would this happen if only one of the four sticks was presenting a problem? Or would it necessitate that all of the RAM is bad for these sort of problems to occur?b

 

Having said that ... there could be other matters to consider ...
I read not so long ago about a similar problem ... and it was tracked down to any RAM card in one particular slot of the mobo ... in this case it was the first slot .... RAM in any of the other slots worked just fine. Turns out it was a fault with the mobo slot! ...

So ... as usual once you start on a job ... you can never know for sure where it will take you.

The decision has to be yours ... to proceed to investigate ... OR ... send it back.

I could give you all the "I think it most likely .... sss " in the world, but I cannot know for sure what we will find.

 

It would only require one stick to be having a problem (unseated or faulty) ... to produce the problem. It is most unlikely that two or more sticks would develop a problem at the same time.