Windows ME Boot Problem :(

This is the 3rd time I've tried to post this in the Software forum. I was told to move this post from Malware to Software or Hardware. I tried to clean up the post for clarity, but before I can finish, something happens and I lose the post (I am using the library or university computers and even they have their quirks and have lost the posts I'm trying to post!!!:cry).

Time is very limited so I'm going to copy the old post as is and then try to clean it up for clarity. Thanks for your patience.

OLD POST FROM MALWARE FORUM:

My sad story . . .

Hi All!

I am using the computer at the library. Here's what happened as best I can remember, I am very sleep deprived and I forgot to bring the notebook with me with all the info.

My computer is Windows ME, 20GB HD of which 11 is free. It's a HP. Let me know if you all need more system info. I just started using memory sticks and someone (after the fact) told me that I should not leave those in the computer, especially when booting up. Could that have caused a problem and is that true about memory sticks/jump drives? I "think" the RAM is 316MGs, but I'm not sure. I use IE and FireFox browsers. Dial-Up (both Juno and AOL and yes, I have a lot of Vista____ files on my computer despite me trying to delete the program). I have both because I had some connection problems over the past year (another sad story). OK, that's all I can think of that may be of use.

My last scan using AVG (the one that ended on 04/30/2009, so it hadn't been updated since that date because I am just now figuring out what happened to AVG 7.5 Free) on 05/16/2009 was CLEAN. Spybot was CLEAN. Spybot was run again on 05/22/2009 and again on 05/23/2009 and was Clean.

It started with my mouse "hesitating" and "freezing". Then I started getting BSOD with error codes "like" OE or OD and 0000 00002f2d or something like that (again, I left the info at home and I sincerely apologize for that, but coffee and a walk didn't help me today). Then as the week progressed (05/16 thru 05/23/2009) there was more "freezing" by the mouse and more BSODs. By Saturday, I could only be online for about 10 minutes before the mouse and system would freeze. I had been searching MG for posts about system freezing and mouse freezing (I had both problems), to no avail because I couldn't stay online long enough to get anything done. Then I got the really BAD BSOD (again, this is from my sleep deprived memory): ". . . Problem occured during initializing of CONFIGMG. System halted. You must reboot your computer." Now, I can only get into Safe Mode, but most of the time the mouse still freezes and I don't remember the "hotkeys" for when you don't have a mouse. Is there a reference here on MGs for hotkeys/shortcut keys for no mouse?

Here's what I've tried so far and what I plan to do:

I ran AVG in SafeMode and it came up with 2 Errors and no viruses: one was 1) Partition and 2) was Boot (MBR). I tried to use the Recovery Disk I made with AVG and it wouldn't work on it's own. I looked at the files on the Recovery disk using Win Explorer and when I clicked on the Auto Ex file or one of the other ones, I got a message that doing this may corrupt my files, etc., so I left it alone. Should I try to do something with the Recovery disk?

Since I've been at the library, I've downloaded all the info and programs requested in "Read and Run This First". I already had Spybot and usually run it 1 to 2 times a week. I also have and use regularly CCleaner and the other cleaner that MGs recommends and I also run those very frequently, sometimes after every online session. Outpost is my firewall and hasn't been giving me any problems I am aware of.

Just before I got the BAD BSOD, I decided to run this old free copy of Xoftspy and as usual it brought up a lot of stuff. CWS Oslongo (?), Spyware True___ something and maybe Media something came up. I wrote down the registry keys and file info incase I needed to deal with those manually, but forgot to bring the info with me to the library.

I have run AVG and Spybot in SafeMode, Spybot comes up clean and AVG gave me the info about the 2 errors. I tried to get online in SafeMode, but couldn't. Do I need to do anything special because I can only get into SafeMode? Is it OK to run all of the programs (I downloaded all the MG's info via a memory stick/jump drive) requested by MG's in SafeMode? I guess I'm asking what precautions I need to take before doing the MG's instructions. Hope I'm making sense, I AM SOOOOOOOOOO TIRED!!!

I will try to wait another 30 minutes or so and otherwise come back to the library tomorrow. Please let me know if you need anymore info. THANK YOU!!! I LOVE MGs!!!

have just downloaded a Windows ME boot disk from www.bootdisk.com and I will see if this works. My library time is very limited, I will report back later. THANKS!

REPLY FROM CHASLANG:

Your problems do not really sound like malware so you may be better off posting in the Software Forum or Hardware Forum.

You cannot run MGtools9x.exe from your "jump drive". It must be copied and run from the root folder of the Windows boot drive which is normally C:\

However I don't think you should bother taking the malware route since it is not likely that it your problem.

By the way, we don't recommend using XoftSpy.

MY REPLY TO CHASLANG:

Thank you chaslang!

I guess I'm a little lost. The main thing is that:

a) when I try to boot up "normally" I get the following BSOD: "While initializing device CONFIGMG. Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer. System halted."

b) I can only get into SafeMode. I can try one of the other options (bootlog and the "Step by Step" option, but I don't know what to ask for in Step by Step). Is there a way to get just the USB to load in SafeMode so I can use the memory stick?

c) In SafeMode, I ran AVG7.5 and the virus results were clean, except I got 2 errors: Partition Table (MBR) - Reading Error - Error and Boot Sector of disk C: - Reading Error - Error.

d) I ran ScanDisk (the more detailed option) and it said that there were errors and did I want to fix them, so I opted Yes and not much of anything happened. I still can't get into Windows normally, I can't boot the computer.

On another computer a long time ago, I had a similar situation where I could not boot the computer, but I was able to get a boot disk and found out there were 2 viruses: AntiEXE and stoned bunny. I could never reboot that computer. I hope that's not the fate of this one.

I'll post this in the other forum as suggested. Thanks again!

REPLY FROM CHASLANG:

Quote:
Originally Posted by Meekiecheese
a) when I try to boot up "normally" I get the following BSOD: "While initializing device CONFIGMG. Windows protection error. You need to restart your computer. System halted."

See this http://support.microsoft.com/kb/187612


Quote:
Originally Posted by Meekiecheese
b) I can only get into SafeMode. I can try one of the other options (bootlog and the "Step by Step" option, but I don't know what to ask for in Step by Step). Is there a way to get just the USB to load in SafeMode so I can use the memory stick?

Don't know for sure but what are you trying to do with the memory stick?


Quote:
Originally Posted by Meekiecheese
c) In SafeMode, I ran AVG7.5 and the virus results were clean, except I got 2 errors: Partition Table (MBR) - Reading Error - Error and Boot Sector of disk C: - Reading Error - Error.
.....

On another computer a long time ago, I had a similar situation where I could not boot the computer, but I was able to get a boot disk and found out there were 2 viruses: AntiEXE and stoned bunny. I could never reboot that computer. I hope that's not the fate of this one.

Yes if you have a boot sector infection like AntiEXE then this would be a malware problem for the malware forum but it is difficult these days to work on Win9x and ME system because nothing really supports them anymore. At least nothing that is updated properly. You still may be better off try to work a possible boot sector problem in the Software Forum at least until you could determine that it is an infection that is the problem and not just a physical disk problem or a software problem.

You need to repair your boot sector but you must make sure that you are repairing it using an uninfected and write protected floppy. Did you ever make boot floppies for you system in the past before it was infected? You need to boot from floppies and run a cleaning program from the floppies if there is an infection.

MY REPLY TO CHASLANG:

chaslang - Thank you again for your reply. I read and copied the MS info and will see if that works when I get home.

Initially, I downloaded everything I could from MG while at the library on the memory stick, not knowing I couldn't boot up in SafeMode and use the E: drive/memory stick. Today, I copied what I could unto a floppy and will try that when I get home. Is there an anti virus program small enough to fit on a floppy that I could use?

Yes I did make Recovery disks using AVG, but for some reason they aren't working. Can't get it to boot with those or the boot file from www.bootdisk.com.

The library will be closing soon, so I will move this on my next visit to the library. Thanks again for your help, I really appreciate it.

 

Additional info from trying some things earlier today:

Selected SafeMode and the ScanDisk program started and I let it run. It asked if I wanted to repair and I chose to do so. Then the following message came up: "ScanDisk Needs to Restart: A program (or Windows itself) saved info to your drive after the previous error was detected. ScanDisk must restart so it can include this new info in the scan for errors that were previously reported, but not corrected, may be reported again." I never got this message before. The mouse froze again and cut the computer off and on, F8 into SafeMode, etc.

Once I was able to actually get into SafeMode, I tried to open BitDefender (I think it was the beta-2 version) and got this error message: "Error starting program - The TRUFOS.DLL file is linked to missing export NTDLL.DLL:wcslen" Behind this box was another message box: "C:\PROGRA~1\SOFTWIN\BITDEF~1\BDRUNC~1.EXE - A device attached to the system is not functioning.

Then I tried CWS Cleaner and it worked fine and nothing was found.

Then I tried Rootkit Revealer and after a lot of system/mouse freezing, I could not get it to work.

Please answer the following questions:

Is there an AntiVirus cleaner I can use that will fit on a floppy for A:???

Does this seem to be more of a virus or malware problem or a software or hardware problem?

Could this be the AntiEXE virus? If so, is there something made especially to remove those types of viruses? On a floppy?

I do not have the original Windows ME O/S disk, is there some way that I can legally get a copy of it? For free? (this computer has been handed down thru the family ).

What else can I do? Thanks, my time is almost up at the library. Will check back ASAP and THANK YOU!

 

THANK YOU!!! DomLuc

Since I can only use SafeMode, is there a way to be able to use the memory stick instead of a floppy/a:??? AVAST is 29MB and I already have it on the memory stick. I can't get on the internet either. What to do?

 

Sorry, one last question before the library closes: Do my "symptoms" seem like any viruses or malware? It started with the system and mouse freezing and hesitating.

I am comfortable if I need to go into the Registry to manually change anything. Also, I know Xoftspy has problems, etc., but are any of the viruses mentioned above a possible cause of not being able to boot normally??? Bye! and THANKS!!!

 

did you check your machine's memory just incase it's going bad?

 

DomLuc - I can't uninstall AVG and install Avast. I can only get into SafeMode and the only other drive I can use is the A:. That's why I've asked the other questions. Is there any way that I can activate the USB drive in SafeMode? Is there a device I can buy (under $100) that would work to help fix this? Are there any AntiVirus programs that are small enough to fit on a floppy? Is there some place I can legally download a copy of ME? Thanks! Also, I understand about XoftSpy, I was just asking as part of my investigation.

hugh750 - How do I check the memory? Is there a special program I should use? thanks!

THANK YOU very much to all that have replied so far, I really appreciate the help.

I guess I'm not making sense, so I will repeat the condition of my computer:

I can not boot up normally (see first post). I can only get into SafeMode and A:.

From SafeMode, is there a way to force the computer to use the USB drive so I can use the memory stick? When I insert the memory stick into the USB slot it does not light up - it's dead. Any other solutions, especially on floppys?

Thanks again!

 

download and run a program called memtest 86 http://www.memtest86.com/ it will run your memory through a series of tests and let you know if memory is good or has gone bad.

 

I'm not sure if the people offering help are aware (or if they repsonded to this; I skimmed :-o ) but USB on WinME Safe Mode doesn't work. The OP would need to burn any apps to a CD first using a healthy functional PC. ME does not feature Safe Mode w/Networking either.

From the description of things, it appears that a bad/failing hard drive may be the cause here. Diagnostic tools can be downloaded from the HD maker's web site and bootable floppies or CDs can be used to test the HD. Obviously, the OP has access to a functional PC: I recommend creating a UBCD4Win using the info in this link. Insert the USB flash drive and boot to the UBCD4Win and copy your data to the flash drive, reformat, and go from there. But, then again, I skimmed the above posts pretty quick and may have missed something. :-o
Good luck!

 

Thanks dlb and hugh750, I'll see what happens and what I can do. Thanks again to everyone!

 

plodr - Thanks very much, I'll try that. I dont' have the HP info on me (at the library).

I will report back when I've tried the last two suggestions (waiting on my sibling to let me download UBCD4Win ). THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate you all! Hopefully I will have better news Friday or over the weekend. Thanks again!

 

Usually all I have are praises for the MajorGeeks forums and advice. I know my post was a little "thick", but I tried to be as clear as possible. I am sitting here at a FedEx store trying to burn the CD as suggested by dlb and it appears that this is only for XP and up. MY SYSTEM IS WINDOWS ME!!! I've wasted money I really don't have on something that is probably not going to help. Can't you all at least READ the post and THINK before you give advice that might COST someone MONEY and trouble!

PLEASE READ and HELP if you can. Thank you.

 

plodr - Eureka!!! A variation: I did exactly as you wrote, but nothing happened. Then I clicked on SCANREGW itself and ran it and after that and a reboot I could boot normally.

Now, the only problem left is the mouse/system freezing. It's still doing that . . . A LOT!!! Any ideas? Thanks again to all that replied and helped, I really appreciated it.

 

Obviously I did read the post. And it appears you didn't The opening sentence in my post above clearly states "USB on WinME Safe Mode doesn't work" which would mean that I did know you have Win ME. I assumed you had access to a functioning PC because you were here posting in this forum. I assumed this PC was different from the one you're using now. However, if you had bothered to read the steps in this link (which I posted above) you would see that the UBCD4Win requires an XP disc to create it. Most people with a PC also have friends with PCs and I assumed (wrongly, again) that you had a friend with a PC with XP (since most people with PCs are running WinXP, followed by Vista) and this friend had a disc to install XP. But I was obviously wrong. I didn't realize you were paying FedEx (???) to use a PC. However, if you were able to successfully build the disc, you could boot to it and access ANY system. It's a BOOT DISC which means it runs independently of the operating system installed on the PC. If you had been able to build the disc and followed the steps to boot to it, you could have (and probably still can) use it to save your data to a USB flash drive. I make mistakes occasionally, and the biggest one was to assume anything about this post. Sorry I tried to help. I'll stay out of this thread from this point on.