My stupid comp boots in safemode but doesn't boot normally :(

[abeal2]

I gave this comp to someone else to replace the motherboard cause mine fried. Before the replacement, the comp didn't turn on at all, but now it does. now only problem is that it doesn't boot past the windows logo menu with the moving horizontal bar. after it gets to that screen, the computer seems not be able to detect the graphics driver or something cause the monitor turns black and the "connect your monitor to your video card" message comes up (that's not the exact message but somethign to that effect). I can boot into safemode just fine but not windows normally. This is after a format and installation of windows xp sp2. Funny thing is that if i boot into safe mode and delete the graphics driver in device manager, the comp would boot into windows just fine. when it asks me to install the drivers, if i install it and reboot, it won't work. but if i don't install it, then it can reboot again and again. I have tried installing windows default drivers and also ati drivers. none seems to work. any clue?

The mobo is a chaintech MPM800, radeon 9600pro, celeron 1.8ghz, 512 ddr 2100.

 

[Fern]

Have you installed all the chipset/mobo drivers? Sounds like the mobo's agp driver is missing or bad or needs to be updated.

Fern

 

[sandorski]

Hmm, check for an updated BIOS for the motherboard. Make sure you are using the latest Catalyst drivers. Also be sure to have Microsoft's .Net engine installed(I think it comes with SP2, but not sure) if you are using ATI's new Control Panel. Also make sure that the latest version of DirectX is installed(again, I believe it comes with SP2). Make sure you disable any Virus scanners when installing Drivers. Install most upto date Motherboard drivers, especially AGP drivers.

Good power supply?

Was this Video card in the system that had the motherboard fry? If it was and none of the above helps, I'd begin to suspect that the video card may have been damaged as well.

 

[abeal2]

Originally posted by: Fern
Have you installed all the chipset/mobo drivers? Sounds like the mobo's agp driver is missing or bad or needs to be updated.

Fern

yeah, i installed via 4 in 1 version 1.53 or whichever is the newest one on via's website.

 

[abeal2]

i think i might have figured it out. when i install via's newest driver (4.53) and sp2, it happens. is it absolutely necessary to use via's driver or can i just use whatever windows sp1 gave me?

 

[Fern]

I've never tried to run a mobo w/o it's drivers. I would expect a performance hit at the very least.

Looks like a conflict between Via's drivers and Sp2. Might check out a Via mobo forum to see if others are having this problem. Or just forget about Sp2 for the time being.

 

[abeal2]

Originally posted by: Fern
I've never tried to run a mobo w/o it's drivers. I would expect a performance hit at the very least.

Looks like a conflict between Via's drivers and Sp2. Might check out a Via mobo forum to see if others are having this problem. Or just forget about Sp2 for the time being.

well, if i run it with via and sp1, there's a problem. without via and sp2, there's a problem. with via and sp2, there's a problem. no via and sp1, it's fine.

 

[Fern]

well, if i run it with via and sp1, there's a problem. without via and sp2, there's a problem. with via and sp2, there's a problem. no via and sp1, it's fine.

Ok, looks like I didn't understand your previous post :0

After re-reading your first post, I'm left with the impression that the probs start when you have ATI's gfx driver installed. That you can have Via's 4-in-1 and XP (w/Sp2) and it will boot into winXP after you have gone into safe mode and removed the ATI driver. Correct?

If so, it appears the vid card driver maybe causing the problem. In my first post I thought the vid card driver was misbehaving cuz the mobo driver was absent. Well since you have subsequently confirmed that the 4-in-1's are installed, that's not the case.

So, with the mobo drivers and winXP Sp2 installed I would run DriverCleaner -NO WAIT- I see that you have reformated? Hmm.. I'm down to only a few guesses (1) the vid card has a prob, try it in another rig to test (2) The psu has a prob (they are always to be suspected it seems) (3) You've somehow installed the drivers incorrectly (read Sandorski's post above).

RETRY THE VID DRIVERS FIRST

When installing the ATI drivers, which are you using? those that came with the disk, or updated versions you d/l & burn to disk and install? Might try running DriverCleaner and have another go with installing the vid card drivers.

Wouldn't hurt to check BIOS and ensure AGP (not PCI) is set for primary vid card. I've had mine set up this way in the past and didn't seem to hurt. But other's say it can cause probs. Also ensure AGP is set to 4x or 8x in BIOS too.

BTW, I've had problems whith a new build where I first installed vid card drivers off the cd, then gone on to update them. I wasn't careful apparantly and had a prob. Must follow the instructions closely. After deleting the old ones, when installing the new ones - a window pops up saying "the file you are about to overright is newer than this one. Do you want to keep the newer file? Recommend YES" Well I hit "yes", ended up with a driver mix that fouled up my system. Don't make that mistake.

Fern