Recovered my XP install... still one problem. (Vista testers may want to read this)

[Noozer]

Sorry that this is so long for a relatively small problem, but I'm hoping to
help out some Vista testers out there avoid some problems.

So... I had installed build 5384 of Vista x64. After installing Vista, I did
not get the expected boot manager to choose between Vista and XP Pro. It
wasn't a big deal as Vista was working fine and I could still see my old XP
partition, so nothing seemed to be missing.

After using it for a day I decided that there is no reason to move to Vista.
The UI changes are frustrating. There are WAY too many hoops to go through
to do simple tasks, like mapping a drive, doing a Windows Update (No, I
*NEVER* want automatic updates). So I went through the process of removing
the Vista boot manager and Vista itself.

I booted from the Vista DVD and got into the recovery console. I ran the
BOOTSECT.EXE app, which is supposed to remove any Vista boot files and
restore any XP boot files that were changed when Vista was installed. I then
rebooted.... and ended up right back in ***VISTA!!!***

I was confused, pissed and then worried that my XP partition was hosed. I
jumped into My Computer... the XP drive was still there. Opening the drive
shows that my files are still there and intact. Very odd.

So, I Manage My Computer and go to Disk Manager. WTF??? My XP partition is
now a Logical drive on an Extended partition. XP was the first OS I
installed, and I created that partition using the XP installation utility.
There is no way that XP had been a Logical partition before Vista was
installed. Investigating further I found that NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM were
missing from my XP partition - obviously removed by Vista since Vista does
not use NTLDR to boot.

I ended up formatting the Vista partition (which I no longer wanted anyhow).
Then I ghosted the XP partition from the logical partition to the now empty
Vista primary partition. I deleted the logical partition and created a
primary partition. Ghosted from my ghosted XP partition, back to the new
primary partition. Ran FIXMBR and FIXBOOT but still no NTLDR or
NTDETECT.COM... I ended up copying the files needed from another XP machine.

At this point XP is booting, but I have a problem with Explorer just hanging
after loading the desktop. Can't open icons or the Start menu. CAD will let
me get into Task Manager, from which I could run CMD, or Control Panels or
MS configuration consoles. Couldn't browse from the Run box or it would just
lock up as well. Power button would not suspend the computer as it did
previously. I waited over 30 minutes at one boot, but the desktop never
finished loading.

I've taken most of the Creative software out of the Run entry of the
registry, along with some NVidia programs. I doubt that any of them are
necessary anyhow. The computer seems to boot OK now, but still a bit slow to
finish loading the desktop.

Still can't figure out this error I'm seeing in the Event Manager...

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7023
Date: 2006-05-29
Time: 7:38:16 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MYPC
Description:
The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:
This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


....so, Why is my "Computer Browser" service failing? My drive should be back
to it's old self.. no files damaged or missing.

 

[neo [mvp outlook]]

The computer browser service failing to start is normal if the XP firewall
is up and running.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Sorry that this is so long for a relatively small problem, but I'm hoping to
help out some Vista testers out there avoid some problems.

So... I had installed build 5384 of Vista x64. After installing Vista, I did
not get the expected boot manager to choose between Vista and XP Pro. It
wasn't a big deal as Vista was working fine and I could still see my old XP
partition, so nothing seemed to be missing.

After using it for a day I decided that there is no reason to move to Vista.
The UI changes are frustrating. There are WAY too many hoops to go through
to do simple tasks, like mapping a drive, doing a Windows Update (No, I
*NEVER* want automatic updates). So I went through the process of removing
the Vista boot manager and Vista itself.

I booted from the Vista DVD and got into the recovery console. I ran the
BOOTSECT.EXE app, which is supposed to remove any Vista boot files and
restore any XP boot files that were changed when Vista was installed. I then
rebooted.... and ended up right back in ***VISTA!!!***

I was confused, pissed and then worried that my XP partition was hosed. I
jumped into My Computer... the XP drive was still there. Opening the drive
shows that my files are still there and intact. Very odd.

So, I Manage My Computer and go to Disk Manager. WTF??? My XP partition is
now a Logical drive on an Extended partition. XP was the first OS I
installed, and I created that partition using the XP installation utility.
There is no way that XP had been a Logical partition before Vista was
installed. Investigating further I found that NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM were
missing from my XP partition - obviously removed by Vista since Vista does
not use NTLDR to boot.

I ended up formatting the Vista partition (which I no longer wanted anyhow).
Then I ghosted the XP partition from the logical partition to the now empty
Vista primary partition. I deleted the logical partition and created a
primary partition. Ghosted from my ghosted XP partition, back to the new
primary partition. Ran FIXMBR and FIXBOOT but still no NTLDR or
NTDETECT.COM... I ended up copying the files needed from another XP machine.

At this point XP is booting, but I have a problem with Explorer just hanging
after loading the desktop. Can't open icons or the Start menu. CAD will let
me get into Task Manager, from which I could run CMD, or Control Panels or
MS configuration consoles. Couldn't browse from the Run box or it would just
lock up as well. Power button would not suspend the computer as it did
previously. I waited over 30 minutes at one boot, but the desktop never
finished loading.

I've taken most of the Creative software out of the Run entry of the
registry, along with some NVidia programs. I doubt that any of them are
necessary anyhow. The computer seems to boot OK now, but still a bit slow to
finish loading the desktop.

Still can't figure out this error I'm seeing in the Event Manager...

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7023
Date: 2006-05-29
Time: 7:38:16 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MYPC
Description:
The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:
This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


...so, Why is my "Computer Browser" service failing? My drive should be back
to it's old self.. no files damaged or missing.

When testing a new OS then I would never allow it to
interact with my existing OSs. Instead I would select one
of the following options:
a) Install it on a spare disk. This would be my preferred
option. Disks are cheap!
b) Use a proper third-party boot manager, e.g. XOSL,
and install the new OS in its own partition while all
other partitions are hidden away. This option could
fail, of course, if the new OS decides to modify hidden
partitions.

 

[Alias]

Sorry that this is so long for a relatively small problem, but I'm hoping to
help out some Vista testers out there avoid some problems.

So... I had installed build 5384 of Vista x64. After installing Vista, I did
not get the expected boot manager to choose between Vista and XP Pro. It
wasn't a big deal as Vista was working fine and I could still see my old XP
partition, so nothing seemed to be missing.

After using it for a day I decided that there is no reason to move to Vista.
The UI changes are frustrating. There are WAY too many hoops to go through
to do simple tasks, like mapping a drive, doing a Windows Update (No, I
*NEVER* want automatic updates). So I went through the process of removing
the Vista boot manager and Vista itself.

I booted from the Vista DVD and got into the recovery console. I ran the
BOOTSECT.EXE app, which is supposed to remove any Vista boot files and
restore any XP boot files that were changed when Vista was installed. I then
rebooted.... and ended up right back in ***VISTA!!!***

I was confused, pissed and then worried that my XP partition was hosed. I
jumped into My Computer... the XP drive was still there. Opening the drive
shows that my files are still there and intact. Very odd.

So, I Manage My Computer and go to Disk Manager. WTF??? My XP partition is
now a Logical drive on an Extended partition. XP was the first OS I
installed, and I created that partition using the XP installation utility.
There is no way that XP had been a Logical partition before Vista was
installed. Investigating further I found that NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM were
missing from my XP partition - obviously removed by Vista since Vista does
not use NTLDR to boot.

I ended up formatting the Vista partition (which I no longer wanted anyhow).
Then I ghosted the XP partition from the logical partition to the now empty
Vista primary partition. I deleted the logical partition and created a
primary partition. Ghosted from my ghosted XP partition, back to the new
primary partition. Ran FIXMBR and FIXBOOT but still no NTLDR or
NTDETECT.COM... I ended up copying the files needed from another XP machine.

At this point XP is booting, but I have a problem with Explorer just hanging
after loading the desktop. Can't open icons or the Start menu. CAD will let
me get into Task Manager, from which I could run CMD, or Control Panels or
MS configuration consoles. Couldn't browse from the Run box or it would just
lock up as well. Power button would not suspend the computer as it did
previously. I waited over 30 minutes at one boot, but the desktop never
finished loading.

I've taken most of the Creative software out of the Run entry of the
registry, along with some NVidia programs. I doubt that any of them are
necessary anyhow. The computer seems to boot OK now, but still a bit slow to
finish loading the desktop.

Still can't figure out this error I'm seeing in the Event Manager...

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7023
Date: 2006-05-29
Time: 7:38:16 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MYPC
Description:
The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:
This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


...so, Why is my "Computer Browser" service failing? My drive should be back
to it's old self.. no files damaged or missing.

That'll learn ya not to install BETA software.

Alias

 

[Guest]

Sorry that this is so long for a relatively small problem, but I'm hoping to
help out some Vista testers out there avoid some problems.

So... I had installed build 5384 of Vista x64. After installing Vista, I did
not get the expected boot manager to choose between Vista and XP Pro. It
wasn't a big deal as Vista was working fine and I could still see my old XP
partition, so nothing seemed to be missing.

After using it for a day I decided that there is no reason to move to Vista.
The UI changes are frustrating. There are WAY too many hoops to go through
to do simple tasks, like mapping a drive, doing a Windows Update (No, I
*NEVER* want automatic updates). So I went through the process of removing
the Vista boot manager and Vista itself.

I booted from the Vista DVD and got into the recovery console. I ran the
BOOTSECT.EXE app, which is supposed to remove any Vista boot files and
restore any XP boot files that were changed when Vista was installed. I then
rebooted.... and ended up right back in ***VISTA!!!***

I was confused, pissed and then worried that my XP partition was hosed. I
jumped into My Computer... the XP drive was still there. Opening the drive
shows that my files are still there and intact. Very odd.

So, I Manage My Computer and go to Disk Manager. WTF??? My XP partition is
now a Logical drive on an Extended partition. XP was the first OS I
installed, and I created that partition using the XP installation utility.
There is no way that XP had been a Logical partition before Vista was
installed. Investigating further I found that NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM were
missing from my XP partition - obviously removed by Vista since Vista does
not use NTLDR to boot.

I ended up formatting the Vista partition (which I no longer wanted anyhow).
Then I ghosted the XP partition from the logical partition to the now empty
Vista primary partition. I deleted the logical partition and created a
primary partition. Ghosted from my ghosted XP partition, back to the new
primary partition. Ran FIXMBR and FIXBOOT but still no NTLDR or
NTDETECT.COM... I ended up copying the files needed from another XP machine.

At this point XP is booting, but I have a problem with Explorer just hanging
after loading the desktop. Can't open icons or the Start menu. CAD will let
me get into Task Manager, from which I could run CMD, or Control Panels or
MS configuration consoles. Couldn't browse from the Run box or it would just
lock up as well. Power button would not suspend the computer as it did
previously. I waited over 30 minutes at one boot, but the desktop never
finished loading.

I've taken most of the Creative software out of the Run entry of the
registry, along with some NVidia programs. I doubt that any of them are
necessary anyhow. The computer seems to boot OK now, but still a bit slow to
finish loading the desktop.

Still can't figure out this error I'm seeing in the Event Manager...

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7023
Date: 2006-05-29
Time: 7:38:16 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MYPC
Description:
The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:
This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.


....so, Why is my "Computer Browser" service failing? My drive should be back
to it's old self.. no files damaged or missing.

Hi noozer,

Try system restore if you're able.

 

[Noozer]

Going to try a System Restore... Don't have much faith in it though.

I've taken most of the Creative software out of the Run entry of the
registry, along with some NVidia programs. I doubt that any of them are
necessary anyhow. The computer seems to boot OK now, but still a bit slow
to finish loading the desktop.

Spoke too soon. The computer is dying after loading the desktop background.
If I C-A-D and endtask Explorer I can then start Explorer and get my desktop
back and working. Very major PITA. Still getting the same error as below in
my Event Viewer.

Event Type: Error
Event Source: Service Control Manager
Event Category: None
Event ID: 7023
Date: 2006-05-29
Time: 7:38:16 AM
User: N/A
Computer: MYPC
Description:
The Computer Browser service terminated with the following error:
This operation returned because the timeout period expired.

I also see the following error, although it only occurred once and hasn't
happened again: (and there is no D: drive on the system at the moment)

Event Type: Error
Event Source: ESENT
Event Category: General
Event ID: 489
Date: 2006-05-29
Time: 9:41:21 AM
User: N/A
Computer: STEVESPC
Description:
svchost (1248) An attempt to open the file
"D:\WINDOWS\system32\CatRoot2\{F750E6C3-38EE-11D1-85E5-00C04FC295EE}\catdb"
for read only access failed with system error 3 (0x00000003): "The system
cannot find the path specified. ". The open file operation will fail with
error -1023 (0xfffffc01).

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.

 

[Noozer]

Going to try a System Restore... Don't have much faith in it though.

Well... I never would have believed it, but this seems to have worked.

Not sure what changes I've made since my Restore date, but the PC seems to
be booting normally now.

No more oddball error in the Event viewer now... Just that "TraceLevel
paramter missing from the registry...etc..." that I've always seen.

Thanks folks!