Ask Me Solution

Solution 1b: Reboot the computer in Safe Mode. If the problem is not related to hardware, or you don’t see any problematic devices in Device Manager, run the System Restore utility to roll back the computer to a previous time when you know it was working normally.

Solution 1c: If System Restore doesn’t get your computer to start normally, get to the Windows Advanced Options menu and select “Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked)”. Windows XP will start the computer using the Registry information from the last shutdown.

Solution 1d: If the Last Known Good Configuration does not work, then your final course of action is to do an in-place upgrade. Run the Windows XP Setup program from your installation CD. Refer to the Upgrading Windows XP from Windows 98 section of this guide. The steps are similar.

Solution 1e:If you suspect that a recently installed system service is causing this problem, stop the service by following the steps outlined earlier.

Cause 2: The BIOS settings are incorrect.
Solution 2: Restart the computer and enter the BIOS setup screen. If you have changed any settings, restore them to the previous values. If you are not sure about the previous values or haven’t changed the settings, select the Load Fail-safe Defaults (this could also be “Factory Defaults”, “BIOS Setup Defaults”, etc.) option and
reboot.

Cause 3:There might be a hard disk failure or data corruption in the boot records
Solution 3: Insert the Windows XP installation CD and restart the computer. On the “Welcome to Setup” screen, press [R] to start the Recovery Console. You will be prompted for the administrator password. Type in the password, or if the password is blank, hit [Enter]. At the command prompt, type in “chkdsk”. This will run the Checkdisk utility that will scan the hard disk for any faults. Checkdisk may report a hardware failure or errors on your disk. If it does, it is best to take your PC to a repair professional.

There are many sources of problems that could give you Startup troubles. These include (but are not limited to): defective, incompatible, or incorrectly configured hardware, incompatible (software) device drivers, or a recently installed program.

Problem: Your screen remains blank when you switch on the PC.

Cause: That you are not able to even get the BIOS POST screen indicates a problem with basic hardware.
Solution: Look at the other sections in this guide. Work through the PSU, video card, and motherboard troubleshooting sections before checking the other components.

Problem: After the POST screen, the system hangs.

Cause: Again, more hardware related problems. This time the culprit could be the video card.
Solution: Work through the video card troubleshooting section before checking the other components.

Problem: Your XP computer stops responding at startup.

Cause 1: A device driver or a recently installed software or service is stopping Windows from booting up normally. There has been a corruption in the Windows registry.
Solution 1a: Restart the computer and log into XP in Safe Mode. Open Device Manager and look for any problematic devices. Ensure that any jumper settings on the hardware are properly set. If the hardware is properly configured and you are still facing the problem, then it may mean that the device driver for the hardware needs to be updated. Remove the device through Device Manager and reboot normally. Obtain the updated device drivers for the hardware (through the Internet, a CD, etc.). Run the Add Hardware Wizard and reinstall the device drivers.

Continued…

One of the best ways to get absolute amusement is by watching movies online for free. This would be a great option if you want to get rid of those long waits on the movie halls to watch movies on the opening day. Also, you could choose from various genres like action, romantic, thriller and comedy, satisfying the senses. Visit mymovees.com for latest movies to watch online.

There are many reasons that a Device Manager will list a device asunknown and hence, there is no foolproof way to troubleshoot theerror. Some of the causes for Unknown Device error are:

• The hardware does not have the requisite software drivers, andWindows is not able to determine the device type
• The driver is not compatible with the OS and hence it is not ableto inform Windows about the hardware. This is common if aWindows 9x/ME driver is installed on Windows 2000/XP.
• Each hardware component should normally communicate a basic device ID to Windows. If the hardware does not have this device ID or Windows does not recognise the device ID of the hardware, then the device is listed as unknown.

SOLUTION

• First, boot the computer into Safe Mode. If the device is nolonger listed in Device Manager, then most likely it was a virtualdevice driver.
• Next, check the programs loaded at systemstartup (Start > Programs > Startup). By trial and error, disableeach program till you identify the software that is causing thedevice to be unknown. Uninstall and reinstall the software.
• Ifthese steps do not work, or if you suspect that the problem ishardware-related, remove hardware devices from your computer one at a time until Device Manager no longer lists theunknown device. Or, if you know what hardware is causing theerror, verify that the hardware is working and that you have all the correct and updated drivers for the OS. Install the driversthrough the Add Hardware Wizard.

Code Meaning: The device is only partially configured and Windows could not find all the resources required by this device.

Code 17

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) The hardware is a multi-function device whose driver file is reporting invalid information on how to split the resources.

Recommended Resolution: Remove the device from Device Manager and reinstall it using the Add Hardware Wizard. Use an updated device driver if required.

Code 18

Code Meaning: The drivers for this device should be reinstalled.

Code 19

Code Meaning: A problem with the Windows Registry entry for this device was detected.

Code 20

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) One of the drivers for this device could not be loaded, and Windows is not able to interpret the result.

Code 11

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) Windows stopped responding when it tried to start the device, and hence will never try to start this device again.

Recommended Resolution: Run the Update Driver Wizard and reinstall with an updated driver from the manufacturer.

Code 12

Code Meaning: Two devices have been assigned the same I/O port, interrupt or DMA channel. This could be by the BIOS, by Windows, or both. Also, it could be that the BIOS has not allocated enough resources for the device.

Recommended Resolution: Disable one of the devices. (Windows 9x/ME: Double-click, select “Disable in this hardware profile” on the General tab of the property sheet; Windows 2000/XP: Rightclick and select Disable)

OR
Check the Resources tab to get details of the conflict. Refer to the hardware documentation and/or the manufacturer’s Web site for instructions on the correct values that need to be set manually. Clear the “Automatic Settings” checkbox, click the “Change Setting” button, and input the values.

AND/OR

Reconfigure the BIOS resource allocation if possible. Refer to the motherboard documentation along with the device documentation.

Code 13

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) Windows did not detect the hardware.

Recommended Resolution: Verify that the hardware is working and that the physical installation is correct. Refer to the manufacturer’s documentation for specific installation instructions.

AND

Remove the device from Device Manager and reinstall it using the Add Hardware Wizard.

Code 14

Code Meaning: The device cannot work properly until the system is restarted.

Recommended Resolution: Restart the computer.

Code 15

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) The device is causing a resource conflict.

Recommended Resolution: Run msinfo32.exe to get more information on the conflict. Check the Resources tab to get details of the conflict. Refer to the hardware documentation and/or the manufacturer’s Web site for instructions on the correct values that need to be set manually. Clear the “Automatic Settings” checkbox, click the “Change Settings” button, and input the values.

Code 6

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) Another device is using a resource that this device needs.

Recommended Resolution: Run msinfo32.exe to get more information on the conflict. Check the Resources tab to get details of the conflict. Refer to the hardware documentation and/or the manufacturer’s Web site for instructions on the correct values that need to be set manually. Clear the Automatic Settings checkbox, click the Change Setting button and input the values.

OR
Run the Update Driver Wizard and reinstall the driver or get an updated driver from the manufacturer.

AND/OR
Remove the device from Device Manager and reinstall it using Add Hardware Wizard.

Code 7

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) The drivers need to be reinstalled.

Recommended Resolution: Run the Update Driver Wizard and reinstall the driver or get an updated driver from the manufacturer. 

AND/OR
Remove the device from Device Manager and reinstall it using the Add Hardware Wizard.

Code 8

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) Windows cannot load the basic device loader file that loads the device driver, or it is missing or corrupt, or a software value for the device is missing or corrupt.

Recommended Resolution: Run the Update Driver Wizard and reinstall the driver or get an updated driver from the manufacturer.

AND/OR

Remove the device from Device Manager and reinstall it using the Add Hardware Wizard.

Code 9

Code Meaning: (Not applicable to Windows XP) The BIOS is reporting the resources for this device incorrectly and the Windows Registry is invalid.