Flashed the BIOS

[Brickster]

Well,

My buddies are saying that I need to make a trip to the old virtual mobo store for a new purchase, but I wanted to check here first since folks on the AT forums are quite knowledgeable on matters of brain farts and trial and error. I figured I would seek some help to restore what was - my perfectly working computer.

System:

• Dell Dimension 4100
  933Mhz PIII
  512MBRAM
  Ti4400 Vid Card
  Sound Blaster Audigy Gamer
  Motherboard is marked wiht a "DELL E139761".

The cause:

I thought it was a good idea to update by BIOS to the latest version. I went from Dell Dimension 4100_A6.EXE Dell Dimension System BIOS to the latest 4100_A11.EXE. This was based on no real logical evidence; I just thought it was a good idea.

I did not back up, either.

The effect:

System will not boot to windows, and continuously restarts until I power down.

Where I'm At Now:
I went to Dell's website and downloaded the previous A6 version, and tried to re-flash the BIOS with that version, since the A6 was what I saw as the previous version before initially going to the A11.

So, I think that just going back to the original version was going to work...I restarted, and the exact same timing and sequence of errors are occurring.

I have tried reflashing of versions A6,A7,A8,A9,A10,and again with A11. I have not tried A1-A5, but I doubt that any will work.

Can my BIOS be flashed to the original version that was loaded in my system when it was first built? Does record and copy exist?
What do I do next?

Please help! I am in the process of moving and direly need what was my perfectly working computer, back in order.

Thanks,
Brian Gable
gablebt@comcast.net


For reference...here is the timing and content of the errors:

[StartError1]
Black Screen/White Text:
"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. Recent Hardware of soft. changes might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose the Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or ... choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with CMD

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked).

>Start Windows Normally< "

[EndError1]


If I then choose to start windows normally, I go to the XPPro loading screen for one minute and then quickly (1ms) get a blue screen/white lettered error that goes like this:

[StartError2]

"A problem has been detected in windows and has been shut down in order to prevent damage to your computer.

?IVER_EQL_BOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears
again, follow these steps! Check to make sure any not hardware of software is properly installed. I f this is a new installation, ask your hardware or swftware manufacturer of any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or recmove any newly installed hardware, sofrware. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing, and if you need use Safe mode...restart...select ADvanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

** STop 1 0x00000001 (0x00000000,0x00000002,0x00000000,0x00000000)"

[EndError2]

 

[johnjkr1]

Does it allow you to get into safe mode? This does not sound like a hardware problem, it sounds alot more like a software/driver issue. Did you try to repair or even reinstall windows? In addition, having worked at Dell, I can tell you that many of their power supplies are proprietary, so you can not just necessarily "run down to the store" and get a new motherboard, you would just end up frying it.

 

[helpmeout]

Brickster-- I feel for you. From everything I've read, you may need a new BIOS chip. I think the 4100 is made that way. Check the Dell Dimension forum: http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums?category.id=dimension Lots of people there can tell you. The forum has a BIOS section, so you may find the answer searching that. I flashed the BIOS on my 4600 several days ago trying to get my SIIG controller card working, and sweated every minute of it. First time I've ever done (had a computer for about 11 years now). Not something to take lightly. Hope you find some info on Dell, weekends are slow on the forums.

Ahh, you've got some good help.

 

[Brickster]

Thanks gentlemen, I appreciate the feedback!

Cannot boot into Safe Mode. Nothing can get me past the XP loading screen...just reboots everytime after the second error.

I am working with Dell via email, so we shall see how that goes.

What a pain that one little thing will completely render me helpless; I will keep trying, but I feel that a new upgrade is in order. Shame, too, as I was waiting for 939 mobos with PCI-Express.

Need a working home computer, so looks like I am going to have to upgrade sooner than I would have liked.

I will keep my updates fresh tomorrow...hopefully some more help on the way.

Thanks again!

Brian

 

[Brickster]

Comments from the rest of the AT crew?

 

[huesmann]

Do you have a spare HD around you could try swapping in for the current drive and do a fresh XP install onto, just to make sure it's the BIOS that's causing the trouble?

 

[Brickster]

That's a good idea, to tell you the truth, I just ordered a hot swappable 3.5" IDE HD enclosure so that I could at least access the data on the HD from my laptop, back it up, and do a fresh install of XP.

Sad, sad day. Wish I did not have to do this, as I am a total moron for even thinking this was a good idea.

I am guessing that Windows may be the problem now...but it still baffles me how the Windows installation on the HD could be affected from flashing the BIOS? I feel like if the BIOS were restored properly, that the HD would just boot correctly.

I have also tried to "clear the NVRAM."

Boy, I will never muck with the BIOS ever again.

Wallowing in self-loathing and misery...

Any other ideas to avoid the Windows re-install???

Brickster

 

[johnjkr1]

"clear the NVRAM"

you must have called dell...I remeber using that useless phrase on a daily basis.

I asked you about a repair, did you try that yet?

 

[gsaldivar]

This does not sound like a hardware problem, it sounds alot more like a software/driver issue. Did you try to repair or even reinstall windows?.

Try booting from a CD and see if the computer will allow you to reinstall Windows.

 

[Brickster]

Again, I am trying to NOT reinstall windows yet. I have way too much data on my HD to just write it off. I will possibly buy an extra HD to test that theory, but trying to work "inside the box" if you know what I mean.

I tried removing the battery for >10minutes, I tried clearing the NVRAM, I tried Safe Mode, I tried restoring to Last Known Good configuration....nothing gets me past the Windows Loading Screen.

After Windows Loading screen....Blue Screen of Death, and restart.

Can't get past that.

Thanks,
Brick

 

[johnjkr1]

again,

"I asked you about a repair, did you try that yet? "

 

[gsaldivar]

I am trying to NOT reinstall windows yet. I have way too much data on my HD to just write it off. I will possibly buy an extra HD to test that theory, but trying to work "inside the box" if you know what I mean.

Why keep wasting your time with the "guessing game"?

Drop a temporary hard drive in there, boot from CDROM and install Windows to it.

This will take you maybe 30 minutes at the most, and you risk nothing.

You can rule out nearly all hardware problems with this simple test.....

 

[huesmann]

If he installs Windows using Repair, he also loses nothing.

If he doesn't want to be helped, there is nothing we can do.

 

[SemperFi]

Just thinking out loud here. What is the possibility that windows was installed say with or without the ACPI. When you flashed your bios it could have changed the original setting to the other. Are you following me here? Say for instance dell installed the OS with ACPI disabled then the defalt setting for it in the bios is enabled. When you updated the bios and subsiquent clearing of bios changed the original setting. From what I have read it is possible to change the setting once windows is installed but it is a major pain with no guarantees to work. Most say a reinstall of windows is necessecary after this bios change

I guess what I am getting at is to goto your bios and switch the ACPI setting and see if windows will boot.

 

[ath50]

I have way too much data on my HD to just write it off.

If you don't want to lose any data but the hard drive is functioning fine (just won't boot up), hook it up as a slave to another computer's hard drive and you can get your data off before you do anything drastic.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Dude that is definately not a BIOS problem. If it was a bios problem then you wouldn't even get a post or a screen. I think its either some setting in you BIOS or just the OS is screwed up. But id check your BIOS settings first. Then i would do a windows repair... then if all else fails do a complete format and install. Also When it boots press the pause break key and sit there for a couple of seconds. If it turns off at about the same amount of time it would restart normally then you might have heat issues.

-Kevin

 

[Brickster]

Originally posted by: SemperFi
I guess what I am getting at is to goto your bios and switch the ACPI setting and see if windows will boot.

Thanks dude! I am going to try that tonight. IF that doesn't work, I am going to try a Windows XP repair. IF that doesn't work, I am going to try reformat of HD. IF that doesn't work, I am going to sh*t myself.

This fix is a long time coming, as I have finally moved cross-country and settled in my new place. Going to unpack the CPU tonight and give it a try.

Thanks for the help ALL!

Cheers,
brick

 

[hairygit1]

Possibly,
when you updated the bios,
certain settings are defaulted that your installation of win/drivers etc isn't used to.

If you can get into the bios and just go through the settings [relaxed] and see if there is anything that looks like it could be changed for the good.

otherwise, reset the bios.

Flashing the bios, and going into different bios settings might have the same sort of effect as swapping a motherboard over, then trying to boot into a previous installation of win.
Sometimes is ok, sometimes not.

Good luck

 

[Ryoga]

Originally posted by: Brickster
[StartError1]
Black Screen/White Text:
"We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. Recent Hardware of soft. changes might have caused this.

If your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly, or was automatically shut down to protect your files and folders, choose the Last Known Good Configuration to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted due to a power failure or ... choose Start Windows Normally.

Safe Mode
Safe Mode with Networking
Safe Mode with CMD

Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked).

>Start Windows Normally< "

[EndError1]

This is due to Windows detecting a change in the motherboard. As SemperFi suggested, setting the ACPI flag in your BIOS setup should fix this problem.

This error is not realted to a BIOS flash error. It is related to Windows freaking out that, as far as it knows, your hardware changed suddenly.

If I then choose to start windows normally, I go to the XPPro loading screen for one minute and then quickly (1ms) get a blue screen/white lettered error that goes like this:

[StartError2]

"A problem has been detected in windows and has been shut down in order to prevent damage to your computer.

?IVER_EQL_BOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

If this is the first time you've seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears
again, follow these steps! Check to make sure any not hardware of software is properly installed. I f this is a new installation, ask your hardware or swftware manufacturer of any windows updates you might need.

If problems continue, disable or recmove any newly installed hardware, sofrware. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing, and if you need use Safe mode...restart...select ADvanced Startup Options, and then select Safe Mode.

Technical Information:

** STop 1 0x00000001 (0x00000000,0x00000002,0x00000000,0x00000000)"

[EndError2]

I've never seen a "IVER_EQL_BOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" error. However, I have seen "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" (a driver memory access error) many times, but that is a 0x0A error, not 0x01. 0x01 is "APC_INDEX_MISMATCH", which is APC (asyncronous procedure call) related. Essentially, the kernel is confused by your hardware in some way.

Again, tripping ACPI stands a good chance of fixing the error.

Sources:
General stop database
This error

 

[Brickster]

How do I fix ACPI in the BIOS? I have been through the BIOS many times, and do not see that.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Brick

 

[Brickster]

You sure I should disable ACPI?

http://dmzweb4.europe.creative.com/htmlhelp/general/acpi.htm

"Resolve ACPI/IRQ issues in Windows XP.


We do NOT recommend disabling ACPI in Windows XP!

Click Start, (Settings) click Control Panel, (Switch to Classic View) and then double-click System.
Click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager and the + beside Computer. One of the following will be listed from underneath:
Under Standard computers:
ACPI Multiprocessor PC
ACPI Uniprocessor PC
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC
MPS Multiprocessor PC
MPS Uniprocessor PC
Standard PC
Under Compaq include:
Compaq SystemPro Multiprocessor or 100% Compatible
Under SGI include:
Silicon Graphics Visual Workstation
We would recommend using Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC in Windows XP. "

I have no idea.

 

[Ryoga]

Hm. I have a Dell Dimension 4400. Not quite the same as your 4100, but it is very likely to be the same in the BIOS.

First, go into the BIOS -- I assume you know how to do this; the key on mine was F1. Go under Advanced and then Boot Configuration. There's a setting to reset PnP/PCI configuration (or data). Turn that On, save settings and reboot. Be aware that this setting will automatically be turned back off after the system reboots, so don't freak if you go back into the BIOS and find the same setting Off again.

Good luck!

Addition:
I've usually seen it called ACPI data in the BIOS. AFAIK, it's plug-and-play data that the system supposedly uses when coming out of hibernation to know what devices exist, but Windows uses it to help determine when hardware changes. Truthfully, I don't understand it all that well.

 

[helpmeout]

If this is a single page BIOS, try this to make the BIOS re-recognize your drives:

Go into System Setup in your BIOS. Press the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, and Num Lock keys to light up all three lights on the keyboard. Press ALT and E at the same time, then ALT and F, then ALT and B. Reboot and all IDE devices should be redetected after the reboot.

 

[Brickster]

I feel like the BIOS is recognizing the drives. I get to the Windows XP loading screen (black background with white text saying "Windows", color logo, and activity ticker at the bottom) The thing look like windows is about to load, and then I get the crazy blue scree error mentioned above.

 

[SemperFi]

It is in the power management section of the bios.

I just went back to see what you have. Well dell may not make that particular function available in the bios. You will just have to check and see. I kind of imagine that dell may not make it available so they don't have problems like you are having.

Most of the boards I have ever owned were asus so I can't give you a definate answer.

Edit:
I wrote this last night then lost my connection. Cable is giving me fits.

As for what microsoft recommends for the acpi is correct. The thing is if somehow windows got installed on your machine with acpi off windows won't boot. If you ever change this setting after windows has been installed you will have to reinstall windows. That is what I believe happened at least a simple switch of a bios setting will tell you that. If not switch it back. Simple as that. It won't trash your drive. With acpi enabled windows installs a ton of drivers and settings that it doesn't with it off.