Computer boot issue

[Strathaar]

After receiving some feedback yesterday, I went home and tried the c prompt system restore. It didn't take so I just reinstalled Windows 98. This made the system stabilize and I thought all was well. Then I restarted the computer and I received a message saying Award Systems, Inc wanted to modify my boot sector. Award Systems/Phoenix Systems is the maker of the bios my computer uses. So I said yes.

It then gave the following exception OE
"An exception OE has occurred at 0028:C003CB32 in VxD IOS (01)+ 0000146E. This was called from 0028:C15DEDD0 in VxD CDUF (01) + 0001B6B0. It is possible you can continue normally..."

The computer lasted in Windows for a couple of minutes before crashing. It then tried to reboot, got entirely up to where you see the final stages of Windows loading before restarting itself and beginning the cycle all over again.

[Cricket]

Hi Strathaar,

Try to keep to the original thread, makes it easier to follow what's going on.

When you tried to reinstall Windows, was the hard drive on the controller card or on one of the IDE channels of the motherboard? Try using the motherboard IDE for now and then switch to the controller later.

When you install Windows, it's best to do it with a bare minimum system. Motherboard, CPU, heatsink/fan, 1 stick of RAM, video card, PC speaker, floppy, 1 hard drive, CD-ROM and power supply. Install the other cards and drives later.

Try clearing the BIOS before you try again. Use the default BIOS settings. Turn off the virus warning in BIOS.

Cricket

[Strathaar]

Thanks for the reply Cricket. I'm afraid I don't quite know how to reset my bios. Is this a function under the DEL for setup at the beginning of the boot?

The drive that Windows was installed on is off of the IDE. I have a new drive off of a controller card, because it is a 133 and my aging motherboard is a 100. I know, I've got to build a new system soon. The slowness is painful.

[Cricket]

Hi Strathaar,

To clear your BIOS, unplug the power cord from the power supply, either look for the clear CMOS jumper near the battery or CMOS chip and set it to clear for about 5 minutes. Then switch the jumper back to the normal setting and boot your system.

Or you could just remove the battery for 5 minutes (with the power cord removed).

I guess the perception of slowness is all relative...my system is a PII 400MHz and I'm perfectly happy with it .

Cricket