Install nForce Drivers --> XP Pro Won't Boot

[iknowkungfu]

I installed XP on my 250GB HD and it ran fine, no problems at all.


Then I began to install latest drivers wireless net, AGP Card , then it came to the motherboard. So I grabbed the latest ones for my nForce2 board.

Then I restarted, only for XP to hang during startup.
Numerous cold-restarts, still hanging.
So I tried each Safe Mode, Last Known Good Config etc, to no avail.

During safe mode it would display the driver files it was loading, the last two (from memory) were nv_agp.sys then mup.sys

I have read much about mup.sys, but it is related to novell servers, so I think it is instead the driver it loads afterward. (Unless that is the last one?)

So I then tried repairing/reinstalling XP numerous times, and each time it would run fine till mb drivers were installed. Same problem.


I am on SP2 and all other updates are installed.
I am using the latest BIOS.


I suspect it may be a conflict between the onboard nvidia graphics and the nvidia card.


Before I reformat or try to reinstall !again!,
has anyone got any ideas?



I thought i could try installing some of the mb driver elements before others:
GART -- graphics?
Memory Controller
SMBus
Ethernet
IDE
Audio
ATA (separately)

[egg]

I would suggect installing your motherboard chipset drivers first before wireless network, agp etc.

[islasian]

I would suggect installing your motherboard chipset drivers first before wireless network, agp etc.

I agree, install the chipset drivers first. Then all your other drivers. Last thing to install would be the SP2.

One thing you could do is make sure that XP is creating a system restore point before each install of drivers, otherwise, manually create one before each install of drivers and that way you can narrow it down to what particular driver is causing you to not boot afer install...

[iknowkungfu]

Thanks for replying!

I know that I got the problem with _only_ wireless card drivers installed (and no Windows Updates), so I don't see how it would change...

I'm not that familiar with system restore, how do I use it when I can't get Windows to boot normally?




My other idea is to only try sound, maybe networking. Will memory controllers, system bus, IDE and ATA controllers make that much difference to system performance?

[luap.h]

I've had similar problems when using the IDE drivers. I know they used to cause high cpu usage in comparison to the MS ones, not sure if that's been fixed now

you can get it system restore when you boot to safe mode. it should ask if you want to use system restore or proceed to safe mode after you log on as administrator

[islasian]

you can get it system restore when you boot to safe mode. it should ask if you want to use system restore or proceed to safe mode after you log on as administrator

I agree, and from there, uninstall the driver that you just loaded and reboot. Install another set of drivers (skipping the one you just uninstalled) and go from there, there could be more than one of the drivers causing the issue.

Also, if you have a motherboard utility disc, install all the drivers that's on the disc, then, grab the lastest ones an update the drivers one by one...

[Curly]

had similar problems myself and it turned out to be the Nvidia ide drivers, when installing the chipset drivers and it asks you if you want to install nividia ide drivers click no. it will then install the nvidia renamed MS drivers instead....... see how you go, btw is it the 5.10 drivers your trying to install, there are some re-mix/beta drivers out and about that you could try at your own risk. have a look Here

Curly

[iknowkungfu]

Curly: Looking at the forums on that site, there seem to be quite a few people who have horror stories of the nVidia IDE drivers.

The thing with System Restore/Safe Mode is that every time before, I wasn't able to get to Windows, in whatever mode, even after being very patient.

What I find asking myself is - why can't Windows have a LiveCD distribution? lol


islasian: What difference would the drivers from my mobo disc make? - this is my first XP install, previously I was on 2000

[iknowkungfu]

Well, I took the plunge.

Installed everything but the IDE drivers and its fine! My system has never been better!

Thanks guys for all the help.

[Curly]

What I find asking myself is - why can't Windows have a LiveCD distribution? lol

it can, see Here

Gald your sorted

Curly