Hello katy,

It seems as though we posted fairly close together last time. It looks like I've got some typing to do so I'll post this to let you know there'll be more on the way. Tonight. I'll open a text editor with your posts in a window next to it and go through your posts paragraph by paragraph.

I'll be back.........

"I always assumed that I was in 2nd Edition but I'm unsure how to determine this."

The date/time stamp on the majority of system files will be;

98FE = 11/24/1998 8:02 AM

98SE = 4/23/1999 10:22 PM

Microsoft has always used the files time stamp to indicate the version. ie; MSDOS 6.20 (pre 9x, Win 3.x era) had a files time stamp of 6:20 PM. MSDOS 6.22 had 6:22 PM, etc. (Heh, a little trivia...)

"Am I correct in assuming that you meant "Norton Anti Virus" I've not heard of Symantec."

Yes. Symantec is the parent company for/of NORTON. Peter Norton was the main software developer.

"Are you comfortable working in the system registry?

Well at this precise moment in time I'm sat comfortably in front of my PC avidly awaiting your response, however, I have absolutely no idea what "System Registry" is!! At the end of the day, If I press the wrong key it's my responsibility! I'm a fairly practical person and able to follow instructions, the question is how long have you got?"

;>) The system registry is the data base files which contain all hardware settings, hardware driver location references, virtual extension driver (VXD) location references, software references, well, everything about your O/S. (Operating System) The vehicle used to work with it is "regedit". Since it's unclear if Norton has been on this machine, lets go have a look. Just follow what I say and nothing bad will happen to your O/S.

OVERVIEW:
Click Start, Run, type in regedit. A window will open with a left and right "pane". In the left at the top is My Computer, with what resembles folders below, with plus ( + ) marks to the left of them. These are the main "Hive Keys". These contain sub keys which pertain to elements of the main keys above. When a key in the left pane is "highlighted" (clicked on), the entries for that key are displayed in the right hand pane as various values. There are three basic types of values, but I won't get into the semantics of these right now. If you click on the plus sign next to a key, it will expand showing it's sub keys. And so on, and so on..

As you navigate through the registry, the key you've clicked on will be shown in the bottom "bar" of the main regedit window, along with the "tree" (previous/parent keys) of the keys above it. This represents the "path" where you are. So checking this path lets you know exactly where you are in the registry.

The meat of the matter;
The following info relates to 98FE, however, if your system is 98SE, it's possible it was at one time "upgraded" from 98FE, with Norton loaded, and this info may be there. So, navigate to, and tell me if the following key exists in your registry;

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Servic es\VxD\SymEvnt
(Note that these posting editors will place spaces in these lines (the word Services) which aren't really there, so disregard these spaces you see in the typing.)

If it's there, right click on the SymEvnt key (only) and choose DELETE. Then close regedit as you would any other window, the X in the top right corner.

Also, open NotePad and open the c:\windows\system.ini file. Use the "Find" or "Search" utility in the Edit menu (I'm in XP right now so I'm going by memory...) and search for "symevnt.386". If you find a line with it, place a semicolon ( ; ) at the beginning of the line that contains "symevnt.386."

I'll stop here and post in case you're sitting in front of the machine waiting ;>) , then I'll carry on with more info in more posts.

Hi Den

I followed your instructions “HKEY-LOCAL-MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\VxD\ but there was no “SymEvnt” folder in VxD when I expanded it. I checked and double checked.

I also opened “Note pad” (start/Programs/Accessories) and used the search facility in “Notepad” which didn’t reveal “SymEvnt” Folder either.

I opened C:\Windows\ but “system.ini.file” wasn’t there.

There was a Folder called “System” that contained about 20 folders and sub-folders – I can list these if you want.

There was also “System32”” that contained 2 Folders “Abode” and “Drivers”

“Abode” folder contained a sub-folder called “”SVGViewer”

“Drivers” Folder contained a sub folder called “GMReadme.txt”

Is this correct or is the “system.ini.file” missing.

Free Registry Fix It has just automatically ran a Scan, here are the results:-

File Types 18 Errors

Typed URLs 2 Errors

Recent Files 4 Errors

Temporary Files Scanner 2 Errors

In Files Types , when clicking on the “view all detected Problems” reveals:-

“Problem Description “ = The File Extension section of your Registry refers to one or more invalid files. This will cause application errors.

(The "Problem Description" is identical for all 18 entries)

“Registry Key” =

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ADE\ADP\BAS\CMD\MDB\MDE\MSC\MST\ .VB\DBX\MDA\MDZ\NCH\WMS\RAR\bdr\bdr2\bdr3

Double clicking on each of the entries automatically transfers me to “System Registry” on the PC

The result is the same for all of the 18 entries. “System Registry” shows

Name Data

Ab [default] [value not set]

In “Typed URLS” when clicking on the “view all detected Problems” reveals:-

“Problem Description” = The Recent Riles Sections [MRU.RecentFileList…] refers to obsolete links. This will make your system run slowly.

(The "Problem Description") is identical for yhe 2 entries)

“Registry Key” = Soft\ware\Microsoft\Internet
Software\Microsoft\Internet

There is writing underneath each of the 2 above entries that is partially obscured similar to that which you would encounter on a PC suffering from a Virus.

Double clicking on each entry automatically transfers you again to “ System Registry” on the PC

Name Data

Ab [default] [value not set]

Ab vrl1 “31/2 Floppy (H

Ab vrl2 “http://www.winzip.com/ddchomea.htm

I downloaded the free winzip program from the above site 2 days ago.

In “Recent Files”

“Problem Description” = The Windows Shortcut Section refers to one or more invalid links. This will cause system Input/Output errors.


(Problem Description is identical for all 4 entries)

“Registry Key” = C:\Windows\Recent (then a name of one of my personal files
C:\Windows\Recent (then a name of one of my person files
C;\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\Recent
C:Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Office\Recent

Again against each of the four entries under “Registry Key” part of the writing is obscured like a Virus. Now when I try to double click on any of the entries to take me to “System Registry” on the PC, Microsoft Windows automatically generates the message “The Windows Shortcut Section refers to one of more invalid links. This will cause system Input/Output errors.

In “Temporary Files Scanner”

“Problem Description” = The Temporary Files Section refers to one or more orphan Files on your HDD. This will slow down your PC

(The "Problem Description" is identical for both entries)

“Registry Key” = C:Windows\offitems.log
C:\Windows\Conexant SoftK56 Data,Fax PCI (again there’s writing
Under this entry that is partially obscured.

Double clicking on each of the above entries generates Microsoft Windows messages identical to those described under “Problem Description”

I’ve been typing this message in Word and have copied and pasted the same into the reply box on D-A-L. I can confirm that my computer is running very slowly and requests made whilst working in the Internet (even flicking between pages on D-A-L) causes the PC to crash.

I managed to Shut Down with no problems yesterday evening. This morning, the Tower lit up but neither the Monitor or the Keyboard worked. Aaaah - I resisted the temptation to shake it and pressed the reset button on my Tower and Hey Presto I’m up and running.

I’m now going to let Free Registry Fix It do it’s repair and see what happens.

Yep didn’t Fix them here’s the result

“File Types 69%

Typed URLs 8%

Recent Files 15%

Temporary Files Scanner 8%

Remember, I’m not running the Scan whilst I have Wanadoo open this is why it hasn’t revealed it’s usual 127 errors!

Now I’m going to connect to the Internet

1. It’s opened and successfully connected to Broadband
2. It opened Wanadoo Home Page without showing “Errors on Page” message
3. It’s completed a Search for DAL
4. Yes it’s let me open the DAL results page, so I’m now going to copy and paste
this message from word onto DAL and shut down word.
5. Once I've hit the submit message button, I'm going to shut down -I'll send you
another message as to what happens after I have done so!

Speak Soon!

Hi Dan

This is what happened next:-

1. Shut Down Ok

2. Started up but froze on Black Screen "Award Modular B10Sv4 S1PG, it was prompting me to press "DEL" to enter "SETUP" suddenly after several minutes it started to load (nb there is a date in the bottom left hand corner of this screen 08-21-99)

3. Aaah No, the Keyboad won't work. Mouse will though, handy thing to have when no keyboard!!

4. Windows Welcome Screen 98, close.

5. Both green lights lit on Broadband box.

6. Connect to Broadband - connection failed - ofcourse, because I haven't been able to use my Password to log onto Windows access has failed "Invalid Username or Password" I've set Broadband to automatically remember my Password.

7. "SYSTEM TOOLS" - "MAINTENANCE WIZARD" This the first time it has let me do this. Normally it freezes when it gets to 1%. Oh yes, I can see this PC has been confused, coloured bits everywhere, lots of empty disc space (white) Completes OK

8. I open Word in order to see if the keyboard will work - no it doesn't.

9. Shut Down - yes everything OK

10. Restart - Aaah, No Monitor or Keyboard

11. Pressed Reset on Tower - nothing.

12. Unplugged at mains - restarted now I have both the Monitor and the Keyboard

13. Connects to Broadband Ok

14. Open Wanadoo - Aaah "Errors on Page" (exclamation mark in yellow triangle) This is the fault that started when I first upgraded from Anytime to Broadband, it means that I can't open the Search Results Pages in Wanadoo, but I can access results pages from any other Internet Provider. In the past, I've used Internet Explorer Wizard Programs -Add/Remove - Repair.

15. Search for DAL in Wanadoo - results found - open page - good god it's let me do it here I am - I wonder whether it will let me submit this message - here goes!

Hallo again.

16. BSoB (about several minutes after I submitted my last thread) This time the error message has reverted back to the one mentioned in my 1st Thread "Fatal Exception 0E FF060DC3 VxD viaudio (03) + 00002943

17. Press any key to continue - allows me to shut down all open files except for the one that I was working in at the time of the crash.

18. Start/shut down generate message "Program busy etc may be waiting for me etc" press "wait" nothing "End task" nothing press reset on Tower

19. Away we go with Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse.

20. Connect to Broadband - no problems

21 Open Internet Explorer - won't open Wanadoo Home Page (top bits there but not the rest of it) Press "Refresh" opens Wanadoo Home Page but "Error on Page" Yellow triangle box again.

22. Search for DAL - brings up results - lets me open up page.

I know that you said you would be back this evening, so I shall sit here and wait for you!!!
22.20 in UK

Finally, is C:\Windows\Temp\Q312339 and 'command.com' significant?

Regards
Katy

Hallo Dan!

Gosh I'm such a dummy; I've found the "system.ini" File and I can confirm as you will see from the text contained in the File that I have copied and pasted into this message that there is no text for "system.386"

You must have thought I was a complete idiot for not knowing the difference between a File and a Folder! I do understand that there is a difference between the do but clearly wasn't concentrating on your instructions. Please, Please do not give up on me and help me to fix my PC.

Look forward to hearing from you soon.

Kind Regards
Katy

nb. The date and time stamp on the majority of the files is for Windows 98SE and I have deleted the Passwords for the PC for both myself and the previous user from the "system.ini." text below.

[boot]
oemfonts.fon=vga850.fon
shell=Explorer.exe
system.drv=system.drv
drivers=mmsystem.dll power.drv
user.exe=user.exe
gdi.exe=gdi.exe
sound.drv=mmsound.drv
dibeng.drv=dibeng.dll
comm.drv=comm.drv
mouse.drv=mouse.drv
keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv
*DisplayFallback=0
fixedfon.fon=vgafix.fon
fonts.fon=vgasys.fon
386Grabber=vgafull.3gr
display.drv=pnpdrvr.drv

[keyboard]
keyboard.dll=
oemansi.bin=xlat850.bin
subtype=
type=4

[boot.description]
system.drv=Standard PC
keyboard.typ=Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
mouse.drv=Standard mouse
aspect=100,96,96
display.drv=Standard PCI Graphics Adapter (VGA)

[386Enh]
device=*COMBUFF
device=TURBOVCD.VXD
ebios=*ebios
woafont=app850.fon
mouse=*vmouse, msmouse.vxd
device=*dynapage
device=*vpd
device=*int13
device=*enable
keyboard=*vkd
display=*vdd,*vflatd

[drivers32]
msacm.lhacm=lhacm.acm
VIDC.VDOM=vdowave.drv
MSACM.imaadpcm=imaadp32.acm
MSACM.msadpcm=msadp32.acm
MSACM.msgsm610=msgsm32.acm
msacm.msg711=msg711.acm
MSACM.trspch=tssoft32.acm
vidc.CVID=iccvid.dll
VIDC.IV31=ir32_32.dll
VIDC.IV32=ir32_32.dll
vidc.MSVC=msvidc32.dll
VIDC.MRLE=msrle32.dll
msacm.msg723=msg723.acm
vidc.M263=msh263.drv
vidc.M261=msh261.drv
VIDC.IV50=ir50_32.dll
msacm.iac2=C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IAC25_32.AX

[NonWindowsApp]
TTInitialSizes=4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 18 20 22

[power.drv]

[drivers]
wavemapper=*.drv
MSACM.imaadpcm=*.acm
MSACM.msadpcm=*.acm
wave=mmsystem.dll
midi=mmsystem.dll

[iccvid.drv]

[mciseq.drv]

[mci]
cdaudio=mcicda.drv
sequencer=mciseq.drv
waveaudio=mciwave.drv
avivideo=mciavi.drv
videodisc=mcipionr.drv
vcr=mcivisca.drv
MPEGVideo=mciqtz.drv
MPEGVideo2=mciqtz.drv

[vcache]

[MSNP32]

[TTFontDimenCache]
0 4=2 4
0 5=3 5
0 6=4 6
0 7=4 7
0 8=5 8
0 9=5 9
0 10=6 10
0 11=7 11
0 12=7 12
0 13=8 13
0 14=8 14
0 15=9 15
0 16=10 16
0 18=11 18
0 20=12 20
0 22=13 22

OK, it appears as though Norton isn't evident on the machine.

I'd like to take a "clean" approach to this given that this "Registry Fit It" program is identifying but not fixing errors.

First uninstall the (audio) drivers that are generating the "Fatal Exception 0E FF060DC3 VxD viaudio (03) + 00002943" error. I gather that this is from that "PW" package you downloaded from the other posting which you saw. We'll work on audio drivers after the BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death) element is taken care of.

If I'm lost or confused here (I'm reading all the info you've posted and I'm trying to catch up....) let me know.

Once the troublesome drivers have been removed (reboot as neccessary), download, install, and run Easy Cleaner by Toni Helenius (ToniArts).

http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm

(I've just downloaded the .exe version and had trouble with it running. You may not. I'm currently on an XP machine and done the suggested things it displayed but still no joy. You may want to download both the .exe and the .zip. If you have trouble as I did, just create a new folder on C: (C:\Easy Cleaner) and unzip the files into it. Then run the registry cleaner portion of the program. (EasyClea.exe) The .zip file works fine.)

NOTE:
Be extremely careful if you run the Duplicate Files or Unneccessary Files portions of the program. You really have to watch what it comes up with BEFORE you choose to delete them.

Easy Cleaner will (by default) back up everything it deletes into a folder within the program folder in case things go bad. I'll state that I've ~never~ had a problem with the Clean Registry portion of this program. It's been around for quite a while, and has proven itself.

What type of keyboard do you have? Is it AT, PS2, USB, wireless?

HI Dan

Thanks so much for coming back to me. I'm so sorry if I've bogged you down with my replies, I just thought it might help to provide you with a running commentary as to what the PC was doing! I've put a few more points at the end of this message.

Anyway in answer to your query about the errors, Fatal Exception errors 0E FF060DC3 VxD viaudio (03) and 0E FF060DC3 VxD viaudio (03) + 00002943 were the errors that came up respectively after I installed Broadband. When I downloaded PW3041.ZIP Driver Package from Cirrus Logic, I thought I'd fixed the problem because those errors stopped. Then it BSoB'd again, but the Fatal Exception error message that was persistantly generated after that was 0E FF060E0F in VxD viaudio (03) + 0000298F. Following the problems on from Point 12 (my reply 17-03-06 5.39) and as at Point 16 (my reply 17-03-06 at 10.20 pm) it has reverted to generating the 2nd error message 0E FF060DC3 VxD viaudio (03) + 00002943. That message is now being generated (4 times today) and always when I'm on the Internet.

I have just discovered that there is Sound; I've plugged a Headset into the Tower and can hear the CD! Volume control is restricted to use of the manual dial on the Tower, the Volume Control Icon on the PC doesn't work.

I'll wait to hear from you to clarrify whether you want me to uninstall PW3041.ZIP Driver Package from Cirrus Logic.

With regard to the type of keyboard I'm using - info from Daewoo sticker attached underneath it "Daewoo 5530KP GB PS/2" if this isn't right please let me know.

Thanks again for all your help and I shall definately make a donation to D-A-L regardless of whether we can fix this Pc! It's a pity I didn't know of the Site before I spent £80.00 on phone calls to Wanadoo Broadband Technical Support!

Speaks soon

Regards
Kate


23. Had no problems with Monitor or Keyboard or Mouse working today.

24. I've experienced an awful lot of difficulty connecting to Broadband messages "no dial tone" "can't find server device"

25. (NEW PROBLEM) Outlook Express, opens OK but freezes when asked to check for new messages and it won't shut down, have to ctrl-alt-del.

26. Major problems both Start Up and Shut Down. Start up is slow. Freezes on aqua blue coloured screen after I've hit return to log on to Windows. On shutdown, freezes on "Windows is shutting down page." Only way out of either problem is by pressing reset on the Tower.

27. Ran Internet Wizard repair was then able to connect to Broadband, Wanadoo Home Page still keeps coming up with that yellow triange/exclamation mark

28. PC very quiet today, no whooring or intermittant d,d,d,d,d,d and dah der dah der etc.

29. Trivia - PC dated February 1999. Used by previous owner only between Nov - December 1999. Sat unused after that until I bought it as Bankrupt Stock in April 2001. My use of this PC has itself been limited and is usually restricted to the Weekends.

30. Definately no problems with mains electric in my Cottage or anything "electrically" wrong with the Pc itself. Nice to know that from a faulty fuse in an Electric Kettle or accidentally dropping an electric Hair Dryer in a Cast Iron Bath will cause the Mains to trip out. (Other readers of this thread please do not try the latter, I wasn't nor would I have liked to have been in the Bath at that precise moment in time!!!

Dan - I have sound!

I went onto to Microsoft.com and did the scan for critical updates - now there is sound!

I am however still experiencing difficulties with both Start Up and Shut Down. - Still takes a long time between Windows log on and Windows Welcome Page. Still freezes on Windows is shutting down page" have to reset, scan disk runs automatically on restart - no errors.

Silly messages when connecting to Broadband - "no dial tone" "device can't be found" running Internet Explorer repair and restart fixes this.

Free Registry Fix it now down to 2 errors, but it isn't fixing them.

I have been able to flick for page to page on the net without crashing, open email and links in email.

Should I run the EasyClean programme/or just play around with the machine for the rest of the evening to see if it is still generating BSoD's

Thanks again
Katy

Easy Cleaner finds dead, inactive, and incomplete keys in the registry. I'd run it, if for nothing else, it will reduce the size of the registry, therefore speeding things up when the O/S reads it to boot up.

It appears that the brunt of the problems are resulting from the broadband install.

If your service is high speed phone line (I have this, with an ADSL modem) as opposed to cable, ensure the phone line has high speed capabilities, and it has been turned on. This is usually done by your phone service provider. If you knew/know this, disregard.

If you have all the required settings/information which you would need to enter (with a reinstall of the bt broadband program), I would;

uninstall the broadband program(s)

run Easy Cleaner on the registry. Select all then delete all the keys it found. (Deletion backups are engaged by default.)

click Start, Run, type in msconfig. Click Advanced (near the bottom right of the General tab). Place a check mark in "Enable Boot Menu" (or similar. I'm in XP right now and going by memory.) Restart if asked, if not shut down and restart.

On boot up you should get the MS Windows 98 Startup Menu. Choose Command prompt only. You should end up at the C:\> prompt.

Type in scanreg/opt. This "fixes/optimizes" your registry.

When it's finished and you get the C:\> prompt again, hit your reset button on the machine, or if none, press Ctrl/Alt/Del simultaneously, or power off then on.

This time at the boot menu, choose Normal startup (#1).

When Windows loads, and you no longer want the boot menu at startup, now is the time to rerun msconfig and reverse your steps taken above to remove the check mark.

Reinstall your bt software.