AMDAGP.SYS & Windows XP startup

[Guest]

Recently, I upgraded my motherboard (ASRock K7VT4A+) and processor (AMD
Sempron 2400+ 1.6Ghz). I performed the Windows XP Re-Install for the
upgrade, so I still have the same operating system. However, for the
re-install, the XP Home disk is a SP1 edition.

When I performed the upgrade and reinstall back into SP1 everything was OK,
or at least seemed to be. I shut down the PC, and restarted it with no
problems whatsoever. Then I upgraded into SP2, re-activated XP, shutdown and
tried to restart the PC.

Well, the PC starts up OK, but when Windows XP begins to load it halts on
AMDAGP.SYS, and even does this in Safe Mode, and reverting to 'Last Settings
That Worked' - doesn't work.

The only way I can get my system to restart is to unplug the power lead from
the PSU for >>8 hours minimum<<, then plug it pack in, and fire up the PC.
Then, as Windows XP is loading it will process the AMDAGP.SYS file very
s..l..o..w..l..y.. indeed.

So, I have done what everyone normal would do - that is search all over the
web for the same, or similar problem...
Google -->
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=AMDAGP.SYS+windows+XP+problem&meta=

....and, when there I find it's quite a big problem, ie. it's not just my
machine.

This is where I started my search --> AMD Forums -->
http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=14341&st=0&#entry283661

Albeit, the same thing happened to a bloke on the AMD forums, who's got a K7
motherboard, so I naturally thought 'perhaps it is an AMD thing, especially
because the file in question mentions AMD ---> AMDAGP.SYS' So, I updated
the AMDAGP.SYS to the one released by AMD... which is, AMDAGPXP.SYS --->
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_2336~4233,00.html

But, I also found that this AMDAGP.SYS thing is happening on other type
machines... although, the common thing here is that the motherboard is an
AMD... HP -->
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/...493758+1102653552811+28353475&threadId=183351

Is there a problem with the AMDAGP.SYS file?

Well, I performed the upgrade as suggested on the AMD Forums, which was to
replace the (Microsoft 2002 version) AMDAGP.SYS with the (AMD 2004 version)
AMDAGPXP.SYS, by renaming the later file to the previous, and the previous to
a .old convention.

So, basically I have the AMD 2004 version file running on the PC, yet the
system is still halting on startup.!

So, surely it isn't the AMDAGP.SYS, or AMDAGPXP.SYS file that's the problem,
but could it be something conflicting?

I am running SP2 now, and as I mentioned before, the system appeared to run
smoothly when it only had SP1 installed.

I've been advised to uninstall the SP2 and revert back to SP1 just to test
if SP2 is a problem. But, my thinking with this is that if my system
requires 8 hours minimum (any less and it won't start) - this must mean there
is something counting the minutes and hours until the switch on happens
again.!

You see, the re-start problem doesn't happen to the computer itself. It is
Windows that stops running when loading the file AMDAGP.SYS

Any thoughts, or advice?

just in case someone wants to know... my parts are:
motherboard = K7VT4A+ (ASRock)
processor = AMD Sempron 2400+
memory = 512Mb (1 strip - 166mhz [PC333] - or the other way round - not sure!)
sound = C-Media AC'97 Audio Device (on motherboard)
graphics = NVidia GeForce FX 5200 (128Mb)
CD/DVD = TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H522B (sony - I think)
TV/VIdeo = Pinnacle PCTV Rave

Other than that.. there's nothing inside the tower, other than a caveman
with a flint chisel and a slab of stone.

Thanks in advance...

 

[Darren Curtis]

I would start with the motherboard BIOS, check out the ASRock (motherboard manufacturer) for any updates to the BIOS of their motherboard.

I would then go to the Nvida website and download the latest video driver for your graphics card.

XP Service Pack 2 requires the latest drivers and BIOS to work correctly.

Best Regards,
Darren Curtis, MCSE
Microsoft Enterprise Support Engineer
Get Secure! - www.microsoft.com/security

=====================================================
When responding to posts, please "Reply to Group" via
your newsreader so that others may learn and benefit
from your issue.
=====================================================

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Guest]

(This has been top-posted automatically. Sorry, if it hurts!)

Thanks Darren. Your advice was greatly, and thankfully, received; I didn't
realise SP2 works so heavily with the BIOS and Drivers, although it's obvious
when it's been pointed out. This would verify the assumption/recommendation
from elsewhere to uninstall SP2, and revert to SP1 to check if it definately
is SP2 that's causing problems.

But, I'm sure you know how it is! Having to worry over your PC not starting
again, or making matters worse by changing something.! I've already had to
re-activate my XP copy twice - once for the upgrade, and second - most
recently - when Windows told me that there'd been a considerable change in
the hardware, of which there hadn't; I just switched the machine off, and
back on 8 hours later.!

Perhaps if I knew the benefits of SP2 over SP1 (I understand that Service
Packs are progressive, in that they improve on previous software releases,
ie. Windows is better improved on faulty bits, etc. Or, at least that's how I
understand it.) But, is SP2 really needed? Can I just revert to SP1 and
wait until BIOS and Card drivers, etc. are updated and confirmed to be
compatible with SP2 before reinstalling SP2?

I have installed any updated drivers, etc. for my hardware, and the BIOS is
current. So, if there are any clashes with software/hardware, should I just
revert back to SP1 and wait for any other announcements from hardware
manufactors re: drivers working with SP2?

See, NVidia say that the windows not starting and halting at AMDAGP.SYS 'is
not their bag', and that perhaps it's a fault with something else. And, AMD
believe that their BIOS is 'a wonderfully groovy thing that's happening
baby.!' (and, all other 60's old and out phrases I'm sure they could
muster.) Basically, all companies are passing the buck (or, pound sterling).

When I did attempt to re-activate my XP copy first, Microsoft internet
activation told me that this copy's product code had reached its reactivation
limit, and that I should phone the Microsoft Activation deskies (who only
asked me for the first 6 digits of the whole code, and then they gave me a
new activation code.)

Where is all this removing, reinstalling, uninstalling, reactivating, and
general jiggery-buggery going to lead? Will I end up with an unusable copy
of XP because it'd be reactivated too many times, or something?

Any help or advice, or a general 'bugger off' will be greatly received.

Thanks in advance for any.

:-D

 

[Mark Jacobs]

Mr. Wobbler, I think you will warm to these words of wisdom :-

If you have an original AMD Athlon on an Asus or AliMagik Motherboard, then
avoid SP2 because it will slow your PC to a crawl or a stop. Instead,
reinstall XP SP1 (you can keep your progs, data and settings), and turn *OFF*
automatic updates.
Then, apply the RPC patch KB823980 from
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6c-c5b6-44ac-9532-3de40f69c074&displaylang=en .
Then install the latest ZoneAlarm from
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=zaskulist_download .
And finally, install my registry watcher program at
http://www.jacobsm.com/index.htm#sft

That lot will make you *MORE* secure than SP2, especially if you add
ProcessGuard to the formula. But you have to pay for that. The aforementioned
others are all free. HTH,
--
Mark Jacobs
DK Computing
http://www.dkcomputing.co.uk


| Perhaps if I knew the benefits of SP2 over SP1 (I understand that Service
| Packs are progressive, in that they improve on previous software releases,
| ie. Windows is better improved on faulty bits, etc. Or, at least that's how
I
| understand it.) But, is SP2 really needed? Can I just revert to SP1 and
| wait until BIOS and Card drivers, etc. are updated and confirmed to be
| compatible with SP2 before reinstalling SP2?

 

[Chris Catt]

Hi, I await the replies to this bold statement, "If you have an original AMD
Athlon on an Asus or AliMagik Motherboard, then

avoid SP2 because it will slow your PC to a crawl or a stop". Gave me
quite a chuckle really....

ChrisC

 

[George Mooth]

I have a Ausus motherboard with a Ali chipset
and it works great with SP2, Very snappy.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for you suggestion Mark, but really... my system isn't as you'd
supposed... At the start of this thread I'd posted my system details:

Any thoughts, or advice?

just in case someone wants to know... my parts are:
motherboard = K7VT4A+ (ASRock)
processor = AMD Sempron 2400+
memory = 512Mb (1 strip - 166mhz [PC333] - or the other way round - not sure!)
sound = C-Media AC'97 Audio Device (on motherboard)
graphics = NVidia GeForce FX 5200 (128Mb)
CD/DVD = TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H522B (sony - I think)
TV/VIdeo = Pinnacle PCTV Rave

However, I have read in a few places that the Sempron is just a renamed and
skinnier version of the Athalon XP. My chip runs at it's normal *10 speed,
but beyond everything I've written there, I'm lost..!..!..!

This system seemed to work OK, when I'd upgraded it and it was still running
SP1. I'm just waiting for someone to tell me the benefits of SP2 over SP1..
other than 'your system works OK with SP1.!'

Thanks anyway.

Wobbly

8D

 

[Guest]

Would you believe it?!!!

Removing SP2 seems to have done the trick.! But, does anyone have any ideas
why AMDAGP.SYS seems to be a bit of an issue with SP2 installed?

Though, even with SP2 removed and Windows reverted back to SP1, when booting
up the system still seems to really drag and take its time with the
AMDAGP.SYS file. Any ideas why?

And, also seeing that removing SP2 and reverting back to SP1 seems to have
got rid of the AMDAGP.SYS problem, who do I moan to about it?

See... AMDAGP.SYS comes with Windows, and (I feel) that it was SP2 where
the problem started, so should I moan to Microsoft about this problem? Is it
an AGP problem? Or, is it a motherboad problem, and SP2 just highlighted
this fact? And, my NVidia graphics card is that the problem, as it's AGP; so
should I moan to NVidia about the problem?

Whatever... It seems to be sorted now, I just have to steer clear of SP2.


----------------------------------------

Recently, I upgraded my motherboard (ASRock K7VT4A+) and processor (AMD
Sempron 2400+ 1.6Ghz). I performed the Windows XP Re-Install for the
upgrade, so I still have the same operating system. However, for the
re-install, the XP Home disk is a SP1 edition.

When I performed the upgrade and reinstall back into SP1 everything was OK,
or at least seemed to be. I shut down the PC, and restarted it with no
problems whatsoever. Then I upgraded into SP2, re-activated XP, shutdown and
tried to restart the PC.

Well, the PC starts up OK, but when Windows XP begins to load it halts on
AMDAGP.SYS, and even does this in Safe Mode, and reverting to 'Last Settings
That Worked' - doesn't work.

The only way I can get my system to restart is to unplug the power lead from
the PSU for >>8 hours minimum<<, then plug it pack in, and fire up the PC.
Then, as Windows XP is loading it will process the AMDAGP.SYS file very
s..l..o..w..l..y.. indeed.

So, I have done what everyone normal would do - that is search all over the
web for the same, or similar problem...
Google -->
http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=AMDAGP.SYS+windows+XP+problem&meta=

...and, when there I find it's quite a big problem, ie. it's not just my
machine.

This is where I started my search --> AMD Forums -->
http://forums.amd.com/index.php?showtopic=14341&st=0&#entry283661

Albeit, the same thing happened to a bloke on the AMD forums, who's got a K7
motherboard, so I naturally thought 'perhaps it is an AMD thing, especially
because the file in question mentions AMD ---> AMDAGP.SYS' So, I updated
the AMDAGP.SYS to the one released by AMD... which is, AMDAGPXP.SYS --->
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/TechnicalResources/0,,30_182_871_2336~4233,00.html

But, I also found that this AMDAGP.SYS thing is happening on other type
machines... although, the common thing here is that the motherboard is an
AMD... HP -->
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/...493758+1102653552811+28353475&threadId=183351

Is there a problem with the AMDAGP.SYS file?

Well, I performed the upgrade as suggested on the AMD Forums, which was to
replace the (Microsoft 2002 version) AMDAGP.SYS with the (AMD 2004 version)
AMDAGPXP.SYS, by renaming the later file to the previous, and the previous to
a .old convention.

So, basically I have the AMD 2004 version file running on the PC, yet the
system is still halting on startup.!

So, surely it isn't the AMDAGP.SYS, or AMDAGPXP.SYS file that's the problem,
but could it be something conflicting?

I am running SP2 now, and as I mentioned before, the system appeared to run
smoothly when it only had SP1 installed.

I've been advised to uninstall the SP2 and revert back to SP1 just to test
if SP2 is a problem. But, my thinking with this is that if my system
requires 8 hours minimum (any less and it won't start) - this must mean there
is something counting the minutes and hours until the switch on happens
again.!

You see, the re-start problem doesn't happen to the computer itself. It is
Windows that stops running when loading the file AMDAGP.SYS

Any thoughts, or advice?

just in case someone wants to know... my parts are:
motherboard = K7VT4A+ (ASRock)
processor = AMD Sempron 2400+
memory = 512Mb (1 strip - 166mhz [PC333] - or the other way round - not sure!)
sound = C-Media AC'97 Audio Device (on motherboard)
graphics = NVidia GeForce FX 5200 (128Mb)
CD/DVD = TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H522B (sony - I think)
TV/VIdeo = Pinnacle PCTV Rave

Other than that.. there's nothing inside the tower, other than a caveman
with a flint chisel and a slab of stone.

Thanks in advance...