SYSTEM.INI is freezing machine on bootup

My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.

P-III/500 with 384 MB RAM, W98 SE, working fine for years; carefully
maintained.

Recently on removing the digital LCD monitor and leaving the computer off
for a week with power cord unplugged during a hurricane, on returning and
trying it it wouldn't boot, and a local tech shop isolated it to the Norton
Anti-Virus, so I unintalled it and it worked fine, even after reinstalling
it. I have no idea if there's any connection here, but a month or two later,
I did the same thing -- removed the monitor and took it with me during a
hurricane and left the computer off (but plugged in this time). On returning
and hooking it back up, it won't boot, but I've isolated the problem to the
SYSTEM.INI file for sure. (If I uncheck it in MSCONFIG, it will boot fine,
but with it on I can only boot into Safe Mode by using F8 or holding Ctrl
during the intial boot sequence.)

I've tried the following to no avail:

- restore the SYSTEM.TSH version (I have no idea what that is but the
comments that they system added to the top of SYSTEM.INI say that was
automatically created as a backup, and the date is just a few days ago)

- remove the network cable (hey, gotta try whatever seems possible, right?)

- move the SYSTEM.INI file to somewhere else on the hard drive (I cut and
pasted the file to a floppy, then copied that file to another place on the
floppy thus getting a "Copy of" file, then renamed the "Copy of" to "X," then
copied "X" to the Windows folder, and then renamed "X" to "SYSTEM.INI").

I'm still in low-res mode, too, ever since reconnecting the monitor. It's a
Sony 15" which I've been using for years on this machine. I go into Display
properties and it does have the right driver, but I can't manage to change
the setting from 16-color and 640x480 to High Color and 1024x768 -- it just
comes back to the old settings on reboot.

Well, I've put the SYSTEM.INI and SYSTEM.TSH files on a web site, along with
a backup of the SYSTEM.INI FILE from three years ago (SYSTEM.BAK):

SYSTEM.INI = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-ini.html

SYSTEM.TSH = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-tsh.html

SYSTEM.BAK = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-bak.html

Thanks!

Jay

"=?Utf-8?B?Q2hpZ29uZ21hbg==?="
wrote in :

My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.

P-III/500 with 384 MB RAM, W98 SE, working fine for years; carefully
maintained.

it won't boot, but I've isolated the problem to the
SYSTEM.INI file for sure. (If I uncheck it in MSCONFIG, it will boot
fine, but with it on I can only boot into Safe Mode by using F8 or
holding Ctrl during the intial boot sequence.)


Try booting up with the bootlog option. When the system crashes, you can
use bootloganalizer http://www.cd-data.dk/software/BootLogAnalyzer.html
to find out which file causes the problem. (The logfile is C:\bootlog.txt,
and is flagged hidden and system)

I can't see anything obviously wrong with any version of the System.ini file
you posted - but would for preference use the .TSH one (created when you
used MSCONFIG to edit the system .ini) to work on.
rename your current one to system.ini.OLD
copy the system.TSH , and rename the copy to system.ini

Reboot to Safe Mode
Open Device Manager
Remove ALL Display Adapters
Remove ALL Monitors
Reboot to Normal Mode - Windows will reinstall the required drivers -
hopefully curing your problem.

See where that gets you!

--
Noel Paton (MS-MVP 2002-2006, Windows)

Nil Carborundum Illegitemi
http://www.crashfixpc.com/millsrpch.htm

http://tinyurl.com/6oztj

Please read http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm on how to post messages to NG's
"Chigongman" wrote in message
...
My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.

P-III/500 with 384 MB RAM, W98 SE, working fine for years; carefully
maintained.

Recently on removing the digital LCD monitor and leaving the computer off
for a week with power cord unplugged during a hurricane, on returning and
trying it it wouldn't boot, and a local tech shop isolated it to the
Norton
Anti-Virus, so I unintalled it and it worked fine, even after reinstalling
it. I have no idea if there's any connection here, but a month or two
later,
I did the same thing -- removed the monitor and took it with me during a
hurricane and left the computer off (but plugged in this time). On
returning
and hooking it back up, it won't boot, but I've isolated the problem to
the
SYSTEM.INI file for sure. (If I uncheck it in MSCONFIG, it will boot fine,
but with it on I can only boot into Safe Mode by using F8 or holding Ctrl
during the intial boot sequence.)

I've tried the following to no avail:

- restore the SYSTEM.TSH version (I have no idea what that is but the
comments that they system added to the top of SYSTEM.INI say that was
automatically created as a backup, and the date is just a few days ago)

- remove the network cable (hey, gotta try whatever seems possible,
right?)

- move the SYSTEM.INI file to somewhere else on the hard drive (I cut and
pasted the file to a floppy, then copied that file to another place on the
floppy thus getting a "Copy of" file, then renamed the "Copy of" to "X,"
then
copied "X" to the Windows folder, and then renamed "X" to "SYSTEM.INI").

I'm still in low-res mode, too, ever since reconnecting the monitor. It's
a
Sony 15" which I've been using for years on this machine. I go into
Display
properties and it does have the right driver, but I can't manage to change
the setting from 16-color and 640x480 to High Color and 1024x768 -- it
just
comes back to the old settings on reboot.

Well, I've put the SYSTEM.INI and SYSTEM.TSH files on a web site, along
with
a backup of the SYSTEM.INI FILE from three years ago (SYSTEM.BAK):

SYSTEM.INI = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-ini.html

SYSTEM.TSH = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-tsh.html

SYSTEM.BAK = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-bak.html

Thanks!

Jay

"Chigongman" wrote in message
...

My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.


I'm still in low-res mode, too, ever since reconnecting the monitor. It's
a
Sony 15" which I've been using for years on this machine. I go into
Display
properties and it does have the right driver, but I can't manage to change
the setting from 16-color and 640x480 to High Color and 1024x768 -- it
just
comes back to the old settings on reboot.

Run MSCONFIG. Click the Advanced button.

If the VGA entry is checked, deselect it.

It could be, as I think Paton suggests, un/re-plugging the monitor has
caused Windows to create a "ghost" of it in Device Manager. You must
boot to Safe Mode to see the duplicate/ghost. Then, remove them both or
whatever number there are.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=127139
Troubleshooting Video Problems in Windows

"START, Run, MSConfig, Advanced button". If checked, then uncheck "VGA
640x480x16", & reboot.

"Control Panel, Display, Settings tab". Select as you wish from the
Colors dropdown menu & the Size slider. Really, you should need nothing
higher than "High Color (16 bit)", for speed/resource considerations.

If you move the Screen Area slider to 1024x768 there, be sure to click
the Advanced button, & select Large fonts.

Try to get your colors/size at least twice that way. If it continues to
fail, you may need to reinstall your Monitor or Display Adapter...

For the Monitor...
(1) Boot to Safe Mode
(Hold F5 as you boot or CTRL for the Startup Menu)
(2) "START, Settings, Control Panel, System, Device Manager tab"
(3) Open the Monitors branch, & Remove all entries.

Perhaps, FIRST, even in Normal Mode, note what is installed
similar to below for the Adapter. That is...
(a) D-Clk the monitor there for Properties, Driver tab.
(b) Click the Update Driver button, then "Next".
(c) Bolt "Display a list...", & click "Next".
(d) Bolt "Show all hardware".
Examine the two panes to see what is currently installed.
That is likely what you wish to end up with, after step (4).

(4) Boot to Normal Mode.

Hopefully, it will be rediscovered & installed. Then, if still
necessary, here is the rigmarole of the Display Adapter...

.......Quote..........
The first thing to do is to remove the video adapter you have
installed. Right-click on the desktop; choose "Properties" from the
drop-down menu; select "Settings;" click on the "Advanced" button; and
click on "Adapter". An adapter is a program that tells Windows how to
deal with a specific video card. Make note of the adapter that is
currently installed. Then, change the adapter to "Standard Display
Adapter (VGA)" and restart the system.

[That is: Click "Change, Next, bolt 'Display a List...', Next, bolt
'Show all hardware', scroll left pane to top, select '(Standard display
types)', select 'Standard Display Adapter (VGA)' in right pane, click
'Next'"... PCR]

This will remove the current adapter and replace it with a generic VGA
adapter that works with all video cards. You will not like VGA because
it supports only 16 colors, but the purpose of installing it is to get
rid of whatever was there before.

Next, return to the adapter screen and install an adapter that matches
your video card. This may or may not be the adapter that you are
using now. Examine the materials you received with your computer to
see if they include a CD-ROM or floppy disk that contains the correct
video adapter. Or go to the Gateway website and see if they have an
adapter for you to download. Or check the website of the company that
made your video card.

Bill Starbuck (MVP)
.......End....of quote....

Also...
..........Quote................
To identify your video adapter correctly, download and run either the
Everest or Aida32 utility, available he
http://aumha.org/freeware/freeware.php#everest

Once you have identified the display adapter, go to the manufacturer's
web site and download the correct driver for you operating
system....(such as) Windows 98/98SE.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
.........EOQ....................


--
Thanks or Good Luck,
There may be humor in this post, and,
Naturally, you will not sue,
should things get worse after this,
PCR

"Chigongman" wrote in message
...
| My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.
|
| P-III/500 with 384 MB RAM, W98 SE, working fine for years; carefully
| maintained.
|
| Recently on removing the digital LCD monitor and leaving the computer
off
| for a week with power cord unplugged during a hurricane, on returning
and
| trying it it wouldn't boot, and a local tech shop isolated it to the
Norton
| Anti-Virus, so I unintalled it and it worked fine, even after
reinstalling
| it. I have no idea if there's any connection here, but a month or two
later,
| I did the same thing -- removed the monitor and took it with me during
a
| hurricane and left the computer off (but plugged in this time). On
returning
| and hooking it back up, it won't boot, but I've isolated the problem
to the
| SYSTEM.INI file for sure. (If I uncheck it in MSCONFIG, it will boot
fine,
| but with it on I can only boot into Safe Mode by using F8 or holding
Ctrl
| during the intial boot sequence.)
|
| I've tried the following to no avail:
|
| - restore the SYSTEM.TSH version (I have no idea what that is but the
| comments that they system added to the top of SYSTEM.INI say that was
| automatically created as a backup, and the date is just a few days
ago)
|
| - remove the network cable (hey, gotta try whatever seems possible,
right?)
|
| - move the SYSTEM.INI file to somewhere else on the hard drive (I cut
and
| pasted the file to a floppy, then copied that file to another place on
the
| floppy thus getting a "Copy of" file, then renamed the "Copy of" to
"X," then
| copied "X" to the Windows folder, and then renamed "X" to
"SYSTEM.INI").
|
| I'm still in low-res mode, too, ever since reconnecting the monitor.
It's a
| Sony 15" which I've been using for years on this machine. I go into
Display
| properties and it does have the right driver, but I can't manage to
change
| the setting from 16-color and 640x480 to High Color and 1024x768 -- it
just
| comes back to the old settings on reboot.
|
| Well, I've put the SYSTEM.INI and SYSTEM.TSH files on a web site,
along with
| a backup of the SYSTEM.INI FILE from three years ago (SYSTEM.BAK):
|
| SYSTEM.INI = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-ini.html
|
| SYSTEM.TSH = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-tsh.html
|
| SYSTEM.BAK = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-bak.html
|
| Thanks!
|
| Jay
|
|

I agree with Noel's assessment thus far, as well as his suggestion. Note that
Windows *may* not have the required driver for you ATi display adapter, in which
case after restarting in normal mode, you may need to install the correct video
driver from the driver CD if you have one, or from a download from the ATi web site.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Chigongman" wrote in message
...
My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.

P-III/500 with 384 MB RAM, W98 SE, working fine for years; carefully
maintained.

Recently on removing the digital LCD monitor and leaving the computer off
for a week with power cord unplugged during a hurricane, on returning and
trying it it wouldn't boot, and a local tech shop isolated it to the Norton
Anti-Virus, so I unintalled it and it worked fine, even after reinstalling
it. I have no idea if there's any connection here, but a month or two later,
I did the same thing -- removed the monitor and took it with me during a
hurricane and left the computer off (but plugged in this time). On returning
and hooking it back up, it won't boot, but I've isolated the problem to the
SYSTEM.INI file for sure. (If I uncheck it in MSCONFIG, it will boot fine,
but with it on I can only boot into Safe Mode by using F8 or holding Ctrl
during the intial boot sequence.)

I've tried the following to no avail:

- restore the SYSTEM.TSH version (I have no idea what that is but the
comments that they system added to the top of SYSTEM.INI say that was
automatically created as a backup, and the date is just a few days ago)

- remove the network cable (hey, gotta try whatever seems possible, right?)

- move the SYSTEM.INI file to somewhere else on the hard drive (I cut and
pasted the file to a floppy, then copied that file to another place on the
floppy thus getting a "Copy of" file, then renamed the "Copy of" to "X," then
copied "X" to the Windows folder, and then renamed "X" to "SYSTEM.INI").

I'm still in low-res mode, too, ever since reconnecting the monitor. It's a
Sony 15" which I've been using for years on this machine. I go into Display
properties and it does have the right driver, but I can't manage to change
the setting from 16-color and 640x480 to High Color and 1024x768 -- it just
comes back to the old settings on reboot.

Well, I've put the SYSTEM.INI and SYSTEM.TSH files on a web site, along with
a backup of the SYSTEM.INI FILE from three years ago (SYSTEM.BAK):

SYSTEM.INI = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-ini.html

SYSTEM.TSH = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-tsh.html

SYSTEM.BAK = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-bak.html

Thanks!

Jay

You need to reinstall the drivers for the make/model of your ATI adapter.

Showing in System.bak under:
[boot.description]
display.drv=RADEON VE

[drivers]
VIDC.YVU9=ATIYVU9.DLL
VPM=ATIVTVPM.DLL

Showing in System.tsh under:
[boot.description]
display.drv=RADEON 7000 SERIES

[drivers]
VIDC.YVU9=ATIYVU9.DLL
VPM=ATIVTVPM.DLL

And last but least, System.ini under:
[boot.description] Not Present

[drivers]
No mention of ATI


Dirvers can be obtained from:
https://support.ati.com/ics/support/...ge&folderID=27

If that link pukes, start he
http://www.ati.com/

Download/install the proper drivers for your device per the manufacturers instructions.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375




"Chigongman" wrote in message ...
My SYSTEM.INI file is freezing the machine on bootup.

P-III/500 with 384 MB RAM, W98 SE, working fine for years; carefully
maintained.

Recently on removing the digital LCD monitor and leaving the computer off
for a week with power cord unplugged during a hurricane, on returning and
trying it it wouldn't boot, and a local tech shop isolated it to the Norton
Anti-Virus, so I unintalled it and it worked fine, even after reinstalling
it. I have no idea if there's any connection here, but a month or two later,
I did the same thing -- removed the monitor and took it with me during a
hurricane and left the computer off (but plugged in this time). On returning
and hooking it back up, it won't boot, but I've isolated the problem to the
SYSTEM.INI file for sure. (If I uncheck it in MSCONFIG, it will boot fine,
but with it on I can only boot into Safe Mode by using F8 or holding Ctrl
during the intial boot sequence.)

I've tried the following to no avail:

- restore the SYSTEM.TSH version (I have no idea what that is but the
comments that they system added to the top of SYSTEM.INI say that was
automatically created as a backup, and the date is just a few days ago)

- remove the network cable (hey, gotta try whatever seems possible, right?)

- move the SYSTEM.INI file to somewhere else on the hard drive (I cut and
pasted the file to a floppy, then copied that file to another place on the
floppy thus getting a "Copy of" file, then renamed the "Copy of" to "X," then
copied "X" to the Windows folder, and then renamed "X" to "SYSTEM.INI").

I'm still in low-res mode, too, ever since reconnecting the monitor. It's a
Sony 15" which I've been using for years on this machine. I go into Display
properties and it does have the right driver, but I can't manage to change
the setting from 16-color and 640x480 to High Color and 1024x768 -- it just
comes back to the old settings on reboot.

Well, I've put the SYSTEM.INI and SYSTEM.TSH files on a web site, along with
a backup of the SYSTEM.INI FILE from three years ago (SYSTEM.BAK):

SYSTEM.INI = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-ini.html

SYSTEM.TSH = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-tsh.html

SYSTEM.BAK = http://www.silver100.com/x/misc/System-bak.html

Thanks!

Jay