My primary computer CRASHED after the last (3 days ago) MS Update and I have
spent 2 days so far trying to get it back up. I THINK I have it all where it
SHOULD work, but continue to get this error message about Biosinfo.inf begin
missing (it's not) or corrupted (it's not) and it won't boot. The hard
drives are (mostly) fine since I can boot into Linux and read pretty much
everything on them with no trouble - but somewhere deep in the innards of MS,
it's hosed.

Seems an incredible shame to have to spent MANY days reinstalling Windows
(XP/SP2) from scratch and then all my applications (quite a few). Especially
when I know that everything is still intact there somewhere.

First I had a 'Hard Drive Read Error' and nothing would happen. I found and
installed Ultimate Boot CD and was able to boot and observe that the HD info
seemed intact and functional. I then tried a 'new' repair (not the Recovery
Console) using my original XP Pro/SP2 CD - went fine and got to the error
above. Went back to Recovery Console and directly copied the Biosinfo.inf
file from the CD to the HD - same error message. Went to Recovery Console
and did a FIXBOOT and FIXMBR - same error message.

Searched MS support for 'Biosinfo.inf' and found only a single entry about
viruses. Went back to my UBCD and renamed the virus (Avast4) files with a
..bak extension so that they could not be loaded - same error msg as above.

Any other suggestions? Biosinfo.inf opens and reads fine from UBCD - and I
see NO references to my system at all (it's basically a home built now after
several upgrades of MOBO and HD's). P4, 3.8G, with 1GB and 256MB mem sticks.
2 HD's - 160 GB master and 120 GB slave, as well as 2 CD's a Zip 100 and a
floppy. USB 2.0 PCI card.

Any help would be sincerely appreciated...
Steve (Steve (at) WedgeRacing (dot) com)

"sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:F0270017-D108-48D3-9C67-(E-Mail Removed)...
> My primary computer CRASHED after the last (3 days ago) MS Update and I
have
> spent 2 days so far trying to get it back up. I THINK I have it all where
it
> SHOULD work, but continue to get this error message about Biosinfo.inf
begin
> missing (it's not) or corrupted (it's not) and it won't boot. The hard
> drives are (mostly) fine since I can boot into Linux and read pretty much
> everything on them with no trouble - but somewhere deep in the innards of
MS,
> it's hosed.
>
> Seems an incredible shame to have to spent MANY days reinstalling Windows
> (XP/SP2) from scratch and then all my applications (quite a few).
Especially
> when I know that everything is still intact there somewhere.
>
> First I had a 'Hard Drive Read Error' and nothing would happen. I found
and
> installed Ultimate Boot CD and was able to boot and observe that the HD
info
> seemed intact and functional. I then tried a 'new' repair (not the
Recovery
> Console) using my original XP Pro/SP2 CD - went fine and got to the error
> above. Went back to Recovery Console and directly copied the Biosinfo.inf
> file from the CD to the HD - same error message. Went to Recovery Console
> and did a FIXBOOT and FIXMBR - same error message.
>
> Searched MS support for 'Biosinfo.inf' and found only a single entry about
> viruses. Went back to my UBCD and renamed the virus (Avast4) files with a
> .bak extension so that they could not be loaded - same error msg as above.
>
> Any other suggestions? Biosinfo.inf opens and reads fine from UBCD - and
I
> see NO references to my system at all (it's basically a home built now
after
> several upgrades of MOBO and HD's). P4, 3.8G, with 1GB and 256MB mem
sticks.
> 2 HD's - 160 GB master and 120 GB slave, as well as 2 CD's a Zip 100 and
a
> floppy. USB 2.0 PCI card.
>
> Any help would be sincerely appreciated...
> Steve (Steve (at) WedgeRacing (dot) com)

Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
it is not a Reg_SZ value.

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:


> Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
> HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> it is not a Reg_SZ value.
>

That key doesn't exist - should it?

"sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
>
> > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
> > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> >
>
> That key doesn't exist - should it?

This is what I have:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
"InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
"SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"

Well - it was worth a shot, but no go. I added it and same error message.
(This is MADDENING!!!).
Steve

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
> >
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> >
> > > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
> > > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> > >
> >
> > That key doesn't exist - should it?
>
> This is what I have:
>
> REGEDIT4
>
> [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
> "InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
> "SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"
>
>
>

Is there any chance that, if I backup the registry, I can do a full reinstall
of windows into it's original location, then reimport the registry and get my
system back with all the apps working??
Steve

"sadavis80" wrote:

> Well - it was worth a shot, but no go. I added it and same error message.
> (This is MADDENING!!!).
> Steve
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > >
> > >
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
> > > > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > > > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> > > >
> > >
> > > That key doesn't exist - should it?
> >
> > This is what I have:
> >
> > REGEDIT4
> >
> > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
> > "InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
> > "SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"
> >
> >
> >

What you propose is called a "Substitution racket". I don't think that
it will work because many applications place some of their files into
the Windows directory and/or into various profile directories. Furthermore,
if the problem is caused by the registry then you would restore the
problem after fixing it.

Your best bet would be a "Repair Installation".


"sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:2D765AF0-2AFC-464E-9F0F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Is there any chance that, if I backup the registry, I can do a full
reinstall
> of windows into it's original location, then reimport the registry and get
my
> system back with all the apps working??
> Steve
>
> "sadavis80" wrote:
>
> > Well - it was worth a shot, but no go. I added it and same error
message.
> > (This is MADDENING!!!).
> > Steve
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> > >
> > > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
> > > > > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > > > > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > That key doesn't exist - should it?
> > >
> > > This is what I have:
> > >
> > > REGEDIT4
> > >
> > > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
> > > "InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
> > > "SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"
> > >
> > >
> > >

Thanks, but I already tied the repair installation. I just can't figure out
WHY Windows is giving me this error message. There must be SOMETHING I can
do to avoid having to reinstall all of my apps! (Windows 'restoration' from
backup leaves an incredible amount to be desired :-(. )
Steve

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

> What you propose is called a "Substitution racket". I don't think that
> it will work because many applications place some of their files into
> the Windows directory and/or into various profile directories. Furthermore,
> if the problem is caused by the registry then you would restore the
> problem after fixing it.
>
> Your best bet would be a "Repair Installation".
>
>
> "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:2D765AF0-2AFC-464E-9F0F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Is there any chance that, if I backup the registry, I can do a full
> reinstall
> > of windows into it's original location, then reimport the registry and get
> my
> > system back with all the apps working??
> > Steve
> >
> > "sadavis80" wrote:
> >
> > > Well - it was worth a shot, but no go. I added it and same error
> message.
> > > (This is MADDENING!!!).
> > > Steve
> > >
> > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > > news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in here:
> > > > > > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > > > > > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> > > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > That key doesn't exist - should it?
> > > >
> > > > This is what I have:
> > > >
> > > > REGEDIT4
> > > >
> > > > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
> > > > "InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
> > > > "SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
>
>
>

Google is your friend.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829784


"sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news5564F80-A421-46D6-8895-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks, but I already tied the repair installation. I just can't figure
out
> WHY Windows is giving me this error message. There must be SOMETHING I
can
> do to avoid having to reinstall all of my apps! (Windows 'restoration'
from
> backup leaves an incredible amount to be desired :-(. )
> Steve
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> > What you propose is called a "Substitution racket". I don't think that
> > it will work because many applications place some of their files into
> > the Windows directory and/or into various profile directories.
Furthermore,
> > if the problem is caused by the registry then you would restore the
> > problem after fixing it.
> >
> > Your best bet would be a "Repair Installation".
> >
> >
> > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > news:2D765AF0-2AFC-464E-9F0F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > Is there any chance that, if I backup the registry, I can do a full
> > reinstall
> > > of windows into it's original location, then reimport the registry and
get
> > my
> > > system back with all the apps working??
> > > Steve
> > >
> > > "sadavis80" wrote:
> > >
> > > > Well - it was worth a shot, but no go. I added it and same error
> > message.
> > > > (This is MADDENING!!!).
> > > > Steve
> > > >
> > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > > > news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in
here:
> > > > > > > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > > > > > > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> > > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > That key doesn't exist - should it?
> > > > >
> > > > > This is what I have:
> > > > >
> > > > > REGEDIT4
> > > > >
> > > > > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
> > > > > "InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
> > > > > "SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > >
> >
> >
> >

Yes - I found that 3 days ago - however, that ONLY applies on a computer that
will actually START Windows. Mine will NOT start windows - not in safe
mode, not in ANY mode. I've also read up (googled) the 'Repair' installation
and all say that Windows 'repair' will continue after the reboot - mine
doesn't since it STILL stops at the Biosinfo.inf message and won't continue.

I even have a full backup as of a week ago, but no ASR disk to go with it
(only one from an earlier version of backup). I started it once, but the
FIRST thing it started to do was REFORMAT my HD - so I killed it to save
whatever data I could.

My hair is falling (has fallen) out over this.

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

> Google is your friend.
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/829784
>
>
> "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news5564F80-A421-46D6-8895-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > Thanks, but I already tied the repair installation. I just can't figure
> out
> > WHY Windows is giving me this error message. There must be SOMETHING I
> can
> > do to avoid having to reinstall all of my apps! (Windows 'restoration'
> from
> > backup leaves an incredible amount to be desired :-(. )
> > Steve
> >
> > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> >
> > > What you propose is called a "Substitution racket". I don't think that
> > > it will work because many applications place some of their files into
> > > the Windows directory and/or into various profile directories.
> Furthermore,
> > > if the problem is caused by the registry then you would restore the
> > > problem after fixing it.
> > >
> > > Your best bet would be a "Repair Installation".
> > >
> > >
> > > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > news:2D765AF0-2AFC-464E-9F0F-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > Is there any chance that, if I backup the registry, I can do a full
> > > reinstall
> > > > of windows into it's original location, then reimport the registry and
> get
> > > my
> > > > system back with all the apps working??
> > > > Steve
> > > >
> > > > "sadavis80" wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Well - it was worth a shot, but no go. I added it and same error
> > > message.
> > > > > (This is MADDENING!!!).
> > > > > Steve
> > > > >
> > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > > "sadavis80" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> > > > > > news:05995974-0843-4CB3-8A23-(E-Mail Removed)...
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > > Perhaps the value InfName points to the wrong file name in
> here:
> > > > > > > > HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo, or maybe
> > > > > > > > it is not a Reg_SZ value.
> > > > > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > > > > That key doesn't exist - should it?
> > > > > >
> > > > > > This is what I have:
> > > > > >
> > > > > > REGEDIT4
> > > > > >
> > > > > > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Biosinfo]
> > > > > > "InfName"="biosinfo.inf"
> > > > > > "SystemBiosDate"="05/30/06"
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > > > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
>
>
>