Multiple Windows 2000 and hardware problems

[Colleen]

I am posting this to several newsgroups, because I am not sure which is
the most appropriate group for these questions. I apologize in advance
for the multiple posts.

I have had a series of computer catastrophes related to Windows 2000
Professional, and although I have managed to solve some of the problems
by re-installing Windows, I still need some help to get my system
functioning normally again. I have a Dell Dimension 8100.

The first thing that happened was that I got a hard drive error when I
booted, and my computer would not recognize my DVD-RW drive or my hard
drive. I managed to get it to recognize my DVD drive by doing a series
of cold boots and re-setting the boot sequence in the BIOS. However, in
the midst of this process, I got a message saying that my “SYSTEMced”
file was missing, and that I would need to restore it from the original
Windows installation CD. Since at that time, my computer was not
recognizing my DVD drive, I could not restore the file. After I was
able to restore my DVD drive, I hoped that re-installing Windows would
fix this problem.

My BIOS is now set as follows:
- Primary Drive 0 is “Hard Drive” set to “Auto”
- Secondary Drive 0 is “CD-ROM Reader” (Samsung CD-RW/DVD SM-308B) set
to “Auto”
When I reboot, I get a message saying “Primary Hard drive 1 not found;
Secondary drive 1 not found”, although I never got this message prior to
this set of problems. After getting this message, I just press F1, and
Windows continues to load.

After I re-installed Windows, only a few shortcuts appeared on my
desktop, and when I clicked on “Start” then “Programs”, I saw that only
a few programs appeared. When I go into Windows Explorer, I see that
all my original programs and documents are still there, but I can only
access them through Windows Explorer. Is there any simple way to
restore everything to the way it was before, or do I have to create
shortcuts on the desktop for each program I want to access there? Also,
do I have to add each program individually to my “Start Folder” in order
to access them in the way to which I am accustomed?

My modem will not function now, and I do not seem to be able to get the
computer to recognize it. Running the “Add New Hardware” application
does not find any new hardware.

On top of all that, I am not able to do a warm boot from the “Start –
Shutdown” function. When I click on “Start – Shutdown”, the screen
freezes, and nothing happens.

I apologize for this long list of problems. I have always thought
Windows 2000 was not subject to any of the horror stories I keep hearing
about Windows XP, and maybe this has nothing to do with Windows, but it
seems to be at least partially related. I hope that you can help me,
and I thank you in advance for your time.

Colleen
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Bob I]

A few things to get you going.

The BIOS "error" & F1 issue can be corrected by changing the "Halt on
error" setting in the BIOS.

You wiped out all the registry info for running the programs, so they
will need to be reinstalled so as to "add back" the missing info.

The "drivers" for the modem likely have not been installed and so it is
"mis-recognized " at the present. You might want to look at the "driver
CD" that came with the PC if this "modem" is an onboard unit.

Also the driver CD may correct the "shutdown" issues.

 

[Dave Patrick]

Cross-post when necessary, but never multi-post. Cross-posting is when you
include two or more groups in the "Newsgroups:" section. In this scenario
the message and all responses are seen in all groups that the message was
cross-posted to. In other words any replies will automatically propagate to
the other newsgroup posts.

Multi-posting is when you post the same message to two or more groups
individually. In this scenario the message is seen in the groups it is
posted to, but the responses are only seen attached to the message (unless
you cross-post the reply) in which the response was made. So those that
frequent these groups then need to deal with or re-read the posts. It may
seem like a small thing to keep track of. But some of us actively traverse
50 or more groups. The poster also then must search out all of the posts to
see if there was a response.

--

Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

 

[Guest]

For a SystemCED error this error is your Sytem file. The ced extension is
added from another message from a previous screen. What may cause this is an
ATA66 PCI device.

A good practice to recover from this System error, is when you have
installed windows and all your software packages.

A)Do a backup using your win2k backup program make sure you check mark
system state as well.

B) Then from the tools pull down menu create an emergency rescue disk. Check
mark the back up registry setting. This process will not only create a 3.5"
rescue disk, it will also store your error free up to date system file in
this directory

\winnt\repair\regbak\

If your system crashes again with the SystemCED file missing or corrupted.

1) Try to boot to dos using a boot disk. If your partion is an NFTS partion
you may have a difficult time to acces your hard drive. If its a fat32
partition you should have no problem accessing your dive using dos boot disk.

2) You navigate to the \winnt\repair\regbak\ directory.
This is the directory when you created your rescue disk, it copies the up to
date sytem file to this directory.

3) So now all you do is to use your dos command from this directory
something like (copy system C:\winnt\system32\config\) this will copy the
good system file to this directory, and this is where your is where the
corrupted system file is \winnt\system32\config\.

4)Take out any cd or floppy and reboot. It should reboot normal and when you
log in to your win2k go to the backup program and restore all your files. You
should be back up and running without having to install all software.

Another place win2k stores an uncorrupted system file of your original
install is:
\winnt\repair\ this is where just the plain system file with no savings of
your software installed is stored. Wouldn't recommend using this one. Unless
you have not installed any extra software yet and the system blue screened
shortly after a fresh install.

Use the system file from \winnt\repair\regbak\ for a install with all your
software installed

Hope this helps out in any future SystemCED errors

 

[Guest]

More information what may cause the SytemCED error is here:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;269075