Deleting a boot partition-

[GiantPandaMan]

Okay, here's one that stumped me.

I'm helping to put a wireless network on someones computer, not that difficult, until I put in an ethernet card into her computer and some program called "Managed Boot Access" by Lanworks takes over. I'm guessing someone installed it when she took it to work so she could use it to access her secure network up there. (It's her personal box, however.)

In any case, the program starts looking for a network which isn't present, then, when it can't find it, it only lets me reboot. Now, without a network card present it boots just fine into Windows 2000. I did searches for the software via windows and checked registry entries...couldn't find a thing. Also, I tried booting with the network card back in and using f8 to try to avoid the program...no go. My guess is that it's on a hidden partition somewhere that preempts windows normal boot cycle.

So, as far as I know my options are to reformat the drive or find some program that can find and remove the partition. I'd rather avoid wiping the drive, but I don't know what software could remove or even see the partition.

Am I wrong? If I'm not, anyone have any suggestions on what software to use?

Thanks

 

[montag451]

Does it run as a service?
Anyway,
http://www.google.com/search?hs=Fxt&hl=...nt=opera&rls=en&q=lanworks&btnG=Search

 

[wpshooter]

I would call her work place (with her permission, of course) and ask whoever installed it, to explain to me how to uninstall it !!!

 

[GiantPandaMan]

Problem is the software was put on her computer so long ago the tech who put it on is probably gone. Not to mention she doesn't have as much access to the help desk people anymore.

Meh, and you'd think putting a wireless network together would be easy. Always get the funky crap.

As for the google link by montag...doesn't help any.

 

[corkyg]

Why not contact Lanworks and ask them what to do?

LAN

If her OS was XP Pro, it would be a lot easier.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Does this happen before the Win2K Splash comes up? I think your problem may just be that you need to fix the boot order. Modern mobos are capable of booting from a network. Check the boot order in BIOS and if there's a network boot option disable it, or check to make sure that the network device is listed LAST in the boot order (boot order should be Floppy->CD->HDD).

Hope this helps...

 

[DaiShan]

Originally posted by: FlyingPenguin
Does this happen before the Win2K Splash comes up? I think your problem may just be that you need to fix the boot order. Modern mobos are capable of booting from a network. Check the boot order in BIOS and if there's a network boot option disable it, or check to make sure that the network device is listed LAST in the boot order (boot order should be Floppy->CD->HDD).

Hope this helps...

Yes, make sure boot from LAN is not in the boot list, or if it is, make sure it is below the hard drive. Additionally, most network cards that support boot from LAN allow you to configure/disable them by entering into the card bios.

 

[GiantPandaMan]

Yeah, boot from LAN was the first thing I disabled. In fact, it was disabled when I put in the card in the first place.

As for coming up before the splash screen, yeah, if I can't f8 out of it that means Windows doesn't even start to boot before the Managed Network Access program comes up. As for the boot order, it's standard floppy, cdrom, hd straight through. I can boot from a floppy and cdrom with the network card installed...but it doesn't do anything if I can't get into Windows.

I don't think having XP would make any difference as I still think this program preempts the Windows boot process entirely. Meh, I might try emailing Lanworks after the holidays...

 

[Slowlearner]

A quick google search bring up the following:
"In addition to being integrated on a NIC, MBA client firmware can also be integrated into a PC's BIOS. BIOS integration is required for LAN On Motherboard (LOM) implementations but also can be done when a discrete NIC will be installed to reduce the total NIC cost by eliminating the need for another boot ROM part on the NIC.

...When a MBA Base Code binary is provided by Lanworks Technologies for the BIOS integration, it will include the NIC-specific configuration code for the particular NIC that is intended to be supported by the PC. If the intended NIC is used, the MBA code will be able to access the configuration data in EEPROM and a fully configurable MBA will be available. However, if another NIC is installed into the PC, the MBA code will not be able to access the configuration data and MBA will not be configurable. In this case MBA will default to standard PXE-only functionality with no configurable options."

So this more complex than a software program in a hidden partition and will require expert help to uninstall/remove.

 

[GiantPandaMan]

*sigh*

Thanks for the info. Looks like her box is screwed. Oh well.

 

[RebateMonger]

Exactly what LAN card did you install in her PC?

Is it a 3Com? And, if so, which model?
Many 3Com cards have a "Manged Boot Agent" built in, which is for network booting. It's disabled by running a DOS or Windows Utility that re-programs the NIC.

Did you try a different brand of NIC?

 

[Jhhnn]

If it's been integrated in the bios, then a bios flash should kill it...

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Jhhnn
If it's been integrated in the bios, then a bios flash should kill it...

Good thinking! :thumbsup:

 

[GiantPandaMan]

Yeah, I'll try another NIC and bring a new bios to flash the motherboard. It is an old 3com model, don't remember what type offhand. However, I booted a brand new computer with it installed just fine...so I don't think it's the card.