Problem: XP won't load unless display device is removed in Safe Mode

[Mullzy]

I posted this in the Video forum over a week ago but didn't get any replies after a couple bumps so trying out General Hardware.
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My PC has a really annoying problem which I think started when Windows Update decided to download and install some ATI 9800 Pro drivers. Thanks Windows Update!

Problem
- If I reboot my PC (power down or restart) Windows XP will not load. I get to the XP black screen with the blue progress bar and then my monitor turns off and my PC either freezes or reboots.

My work-around
If I boot up in safe mode and remove my ATI 9800 Pro primary/secondary hardware and reboot XP loads fine. XP will find/install my display device (then I just resize my desktop, set my refresh rate and fix the layout of my icons.)
- This works every time... but is ANNOYING! =)

My PC can literally run for days/weeks like this without any problems. I game every night for hours and have zero stability issues.

Things I've Tried
- Uninstalling all driver related software
- Using the Omega Driver Cleaner and reinstalling Omega Drivers
- Reinstalling ATI's drivers (with and without the new Control Panel)
- Reinstalling DirectX (won't do anything as the isntallation says all components are installed and being used)

Any thoughts? I really don't want to do a fresh install of XP but I'm getting to that point. Any suggestions to help find/clean whatever driver or registry corruption I have would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Chadder007]

Sounds like an IRQ doesn't like being shared on your system. You need to go into your BIOS and see if you can assign the IRQ manually to your video card. Maybe we can help more if we know what device may be sharing the IRQ and what motherboard you are using.

 

[Mullzy]

My motherboard is an Abit IC7.

Nothing has changed hardware-wise for about 6 months in my system. One day a month or so ago when I decided to reboot this problem manifested itself. I'm pretty sure all resource assignments are on Auto in my BIOS.

I had assumed the problem to be software/registry/driver related because the system runs fine once I get through my workaround steps. It is a very odd crash though for a software problem (monitor shutting off and system basically stalling (may or may not reboot)).

Will I be able to see IRQ assignments from my BIOS? Or should I check what they are now in windows and then try setting my video to something unused? I'm pretty rusty on this stuff with newer PCs - haven't really touched IRQ's since you had to set them manually back in the day.

Thanks for your help so far.

 

[Mullzy]

I haven't had a chance to play with my IRQ's yet.

Any other comments on this?