XP won't start

[Robert]

This is a repost from 2 days ago. I didn't get a reponse so I am trying
again. As an update I have read all I can in this newgroup that may be
pertinent with Microsoft KB articles. I would still like advice from one of
the MVP out there. Pretty please.

Many thanks
Robert



I have an older Gateway 600MHz P4 (original OS=98SE). I upgraded the system
to XP Pro (after months of weekends @ uninstalling incompatible 98
software/drivers, etc etc etc). Sound card still didn't work. I ordered a
new updated CD from Creative to me up and running in that department. I
went to install it all last night and XP wouldn't even start, not even in
safe mode. It worked fine last week. I get didfferent errors. The first
error was "isapnp.sys is missing or corrupted". It said run setup repair to
attempt repair/replacement of file. Setup won't run. It says "setupdd.sys
could not be loaded. Error code 4". I tried starting in safe mode and it
locks up loading at Windows\AppPatch\drvmain.sdb. I have tried "all" the F8
startups to no avail. I have tried to boot with the XP install CD.
Somewhere in all this I also got "pci.sys is missing or corrupted". I also
got this pci.sys message weeks ago soon after the initial upgrade; however I
was able to get into XP and delete the corrupted pci.sys to get another
installed and then things ran fine. The Quantum Fireball HD tests fine.
Can I, should I, make a boot floppy to copy these files over? If so, just
boot to cmd.com?? ANY IDEAS OUT THERE WOULD BE A GODSEND. MTIA.

Robert

 

[BrianC]

It is probably a hardware failure. Unplug everything but the monitor,
keyboard, and mouse then restart the computer.

 

[Robert]

I mentioned the sound card thing only in passsing... I apparently confused
everyone. The main problem is the *.sys files "missing or corrupted"
messages (isapnp.sys and pci.sys). When I boot from the setup CD, it runs
through a few steps (like asking if you want to install SCSI support, if you
want to run ASR), but stops eventually with the error "setupdd.sys could not
be loaded. Error code 4". I tried starting in safe mode and it locks up at
loading Windows\AppPatch\drvmain.sdb. From what I have gleaned from the NG,
it sounds more like I need a boot CD to repair the missing/corrupted files
and or a registry repair. Am I reading this right? How do I make a repair
boot CD? All the hardware has been working. If it was the hardware, the
only possibility could be the sound card and I can't boot with it out of the
system either. SOOOO I don't think it is the hardware. What should I try
next? Please Help. OR should I just theow it out the window??!!??

Robert

I posted this elsewhere here in the NG by mistake... sorry... it was
supposed to go in this thread.

 

[Robert]

I made a booboo. Sorry.
This was posted elsewhere in the NG. It was supposed to be posted here as a
part of this thread.

I mentioned the sound card thing only in passsing... I apparently confused
everyone. The main problem is the *.sys files "missing or corrupted"
messages (isapnp.sys and pci.sys). When I boot from the setup CD, it runs
through a few steps (like asking if you want to install SCSI support, if you
want to run ASR), but stops eventually with the error "setupdd.sys could not
be loaded. Error code 4". I tried starting in safe mode and it locks up at
loading Windows\AppPatch\drvmain.sdb. From what I have gleaned from the NG,
it sounds more like I need a boot CD to repair the missing/corrupted files
and or a registry repair. Am I reading this right? How do I make a repair
boot CD? All the hardware has been working. If it was the hardware, the
only possibility could be the sound card and I can't boot with it out of the
system either. SOOOO I don't think it is the hardware. What should I try
next? Please Help. OR should I just theow it out the window??!!??

Robert

 

[D.Currie]

I'm going to agree with the other poster who said it sounds like a hardware
issue. Multiple unrelated errors tend to occur when you've got a piece of
hardware that's failing. The errors pop up related to whatever was going on
when the hardware glitched. This is often the case with bad ram, but it
could be something -- or almost anything -- else.

And as far as it goes, I'm less and less impressed with most of the testing
tools available. So even if something has tested good, it doesn't mean it's
guaranteed.

 

[Guest]

I am also owner of a Gateway PC (Performance 1500 CS) and I'm trying to
upgrade from my original WinMe to XP. Got the same error "setupdd.sys could
not
be loaded. Error code 4". From elsewhere in this forum got a possible
solution on the link

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=330181#appliesto

It basically says we need to remove PCI components (just the dial-up modem
in my case) or memory modules and retry installing w/o those.
Anyway I am not sure if I'm ready to remove memory modules that are working
perfectly fine under WinMe.

We could also try to contact Gateway, this looks like an unfortunate
coincidence.

Francisco