Win2K challenge for all! Cannot make any system changes!

[geeoff1]

I don't know what happened, but the situation is clear. In the last week, I've had Windows Update install a new PCI steering patch. It must be reinstalled at every bootup. I added a TNT 2 32MB video card, for which Win2K already ahs a driverbuilt in. It must be reinstalled at every bootup. I upgraded from an early P-III 500 (with 512k level 2 cache) to a 800 coppermine (with 256k level 2 cache). I had edited the 512k cache into the registry. I have now edited it back to 256k, but at every reboot it resets itself back to 512k. I have diabled, and re-enabled the system file protection, and it makes no difference. What the hell is going on? Please, any ideas?

 

[potz]

i vote for a reinstall. that usually solves all your problems.

 

[geeoff1]

True, but I've had this install for a while, and have over 9GB in just software installed! If I can avoid it, I'd rather not. It would take about 25 hours to reinstall. But, I know that I may have no choice. Thanx for the input!

 

[GAZZA]

are you logged in as Admin , not sure if that will make much of a diff or not but worth a try when making changes to the system ?

 

[potz]

maybe if u go into your bios and select an option similar to "Force Update ESCD" or "Reset Configuration Data". that might cause windows to reconfigure some devices. shuffling cards might help. and since when was there a pci steering update on windows update? i never saw it.

 

[geeoff1]

I think that's what it was. I've recieved a couple of VIA updates from Windows update, but I couldn't swear that this PCI steering was the download. I'm always logged in as administrator, as I'm the only user on the machine. As to the BIOS thing, I have one that says set to defaults. Is that the same? It's a VIA Apollo Pro chipset, with an Award BIOS. I don't how this would help with registry part of this, but I'm oopen to any suggestion at this popint. Rebooting is a pain in the ass, and I know that the system isn't running at full potential because the L2 cache is set wrong. Hey, thanks to one and all for the input! Any more ideas?

 

[potz]

i'm using via 4 in 1 and i've never received any updates from windows update. before this install i was using the microsoft via drivers, and i never saw any updates either. i'm also always logged in as admin, only user on this machine. i'm on kx133 chipset tho.