BIOS Problem! - Cannot start because Windows ...

[PCNewb]

Hi Everyone. Been lurking the forums awhile just for info, but now I've caused a problem so I need some help.

I was getting BSOD's relating to the IDE driver. The plan was to reinstall my mobo (Epox EP-4PEA+) drivers and go from there. In finding the drivers, I also found a program called "Magic Flash". A windows based program that is to automatically updated your bios with a simple reboot.

Long story short, I updated my bios and rebooted.
I received the following error:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\INF\biosinfo.inf

You can attempt to repair this file by starting the Windows Setup using the original Setup CD
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair

I attempted to do so, with the Windows XP Pro CD, but the first screen is just which operation to boot. Hitting 'r' has no response. Hitting F8 to go to the setup options screen, again there is no 'r' option for Repair. I tried using all options under this screen but they all result in the same error above.

I did notice that there is now another command in the POST screen:

Press DEL for BIOS setup, or press ALT+F2 for AWDFLASH

However, when I press ALT+F2 I get a message that reads

Cannot find any FDD, hit ESC to continue POST which continues the boot and results in the same error.

I can tell you it's an AWARD bios. Without the Magic Flash program, which automatically grabbed and updated the bios, the current bios file online is 4PEA3711.bin.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I use this machine at home for work, so I need to get it back quick. I've read all the time never to mess with BIOS flashes, and have always done so. Till I figured it sounded way too easy. Which is why I now know it was too easy for a reason.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: PCNewb
Hi Everyone. Been lurking the forums awhile just for info, but now I've caused a problem so I need some help.

I was getting BSOD's relating to the IDE driver. The plan was to reinstall my mobo (Epox EP-4PEA+) drivers and go from there. In finding the drivers, I also found a program called "Magic Flash". A windows based program that is to automatically updated your bios with a simple reboot.

Long story short, I updated my bios and rebooted.
I received the following error:

Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:
\WINDOWS\INF\biosinfo.inf

You can attempt to repair this file by starting the Windows Setup using the original Setup CD
Select 'r' at the first screen to start repair

I attempted to do so, with the Windows XP Pro CD, but the first screen is just which operation to boot. Hitting 'r' has no response. Hitting F8 to go to the setup options screen, again there is no 'r' option for Repair. I tried using all options under this screen but they all result in the same error above.

I did notice that there is now another command in the POST screen:

Press DEL for BIOS setup, or press ALT+F2 for AWDFLASH

However, when I press ALT+F2 I get a message that reads

Cannot find any FDD, hit ESC to continue POST which continues the boot and results in the same error.

I can tell you it's an AWARD bios. Without the Magic Flash program, which automatically grabbed and updated the bios, the current bios file online is 4PEA3711.bin.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! I use this machine at home for work, so I need to get it back quick. I've read all the time never to mess with BIOS flashes, and have always done so. Till I figured it sounded way too easy. Which is why I now know it was too easy for a reason.

I use Firefox. I highlighted the error msg you got (the path to that INFs file) and told it to search; this is the first link I found:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;829784&Product=winxp

Try that and let us know what happens.

Barring that, since you didn't mention you were in setup, you might try going to Recovery Console and disabling the Norton AV service, which appears to be causing the issue. You'd boot to RC, then type disable (name of Norton service). You'd find the service you need with listsvc. You can get help in there by typing 'help'.

 

[moonsite]

Did you set it to boot from the CDrom first? Seems like you are still booting from the hard drive.

 

[PCNewb]

Thanks for the tip! Any responses are appreciated.

I gave it a go but unfortunately i think that error is in response to during the Install or Upgrade to an XP OS.

I was in the process of flashing the BIOS. I did try following the instructions but there is no "Cancel XP Setup". I've tried forcing by BIOS for the PC to boot to CD using the Windows XP Pro CD to try and do a repair. However, I get the BOOT DISK ERROR. Sounds like it starts to read, but get the error message. Even removed the HD and made the CDRom Primary Master. Nada.

I did complete the BIOS flash, but still have the error. I'm at a loss of where to go.

 

[dclive]

See the text after 'Barring that', and try that.

 

[PCNewb]

This is bad. Been starring at screens for 12 hours. I can't even find the "Barring that" section after checking 5 times.

 

[dclive]

Barring that, since you didn't mention you were in setup, you might try going to Recovery Console and disabling the Norton AV service, which appears to be causing the issue. You'd boot to RC, then type disable (name of Norton service). You'd find the service you need with listsvc. You can get help in there by typing 'help'.

 

[PCNewb]

Ah thanks.

I don't have Norton or RC, or any third party software that I am aware of.
I should.. erm. But I don't. Basically use trendmicro online.

 

[PCNewb]

Bump for any other ideas.

At work now, had to drag myself away from it.
At last look:

The BIOS upgrade was sucessful, so it says, but I still have the error in \WINDOWS\INF\biosinfo.inf being corrupt still.

The Win XP Pro Setup CD doesn't seem to run because it seems the CD-Rom isn't bootable.
Hence why I can't boot to CD, I think.

I would reinstall the OS at this point, but since I can't boot to CD - I can't even do that!

Arg.

 

[chazdraves]

Well, I took a look at my biosinfo.inf file and it says it's from 2002 which means it's probably not real computer-specific. Anywho, this will either work or be a small waste of time. Try making a backup directory and copy your current biosinfo.inf into it. Then, snag a biosinfo.inf file (it's like 45kb) from another computer runnin' xp and copy it into the appropriate folder using the recovery console. If that don't work, just delete the new one and plop the old one back in until you can find something else that may work... worth a shot.

- Chaz

 

[PCNewb]

I gave it a shot, but didn't work.

I also found Windows XP Pro boot disks to use to reinstall.
Running the disks, then XP Setup CD it started not finding files on the XP CD so I cancelled out of it.

After rebooting, the PC would continiously reboot immediately after completing POST.
I took the HD out of the PC and connected it to another. It would recognize the HD in the POST / CMOS, but not recognize the drive in WINDOWS. Wouldn't show at all. Tried Windows to detect the new hardware, and nothing.

Now I'm really lost. Any ideas?

 

[poostick]

your not alone pc newb.

i flashed my motherboads (an asus - A7N8X-E deluxe) and on reboot got the same message.

have tried all the advice above and cannot find any other information anywhere else.

the problem is similar to the upgrading of the os system but the cure does not seem to be the same.


fuggin help, don't want to format my hard drive, but it is looking more and more like i will have to.