why windows xp is such a fucking pile of SHIT.

Ryoko · Jun 20, 2002, 02:19 PM

yesterday afternoon, i got home from work with intent to install a copy of windows xp i had laying around. i had a standalone 10gb drive and a 60gb raid array, so i figured i had a plan b just in case my raid array wasn't an option.

anyway, i installed it on my 10gb drive, to test speed and stability. all went well, even though the install was the most time consuming event i've ever accomplished on my computer (54 minutes!

). the interface was just what i expected, since i used winxp at work. stability was much better - 3 times better than at work, and i'd only used it for 15 minutes at home. speed was almost up to par with win98. all my fullframes avi's were software accelerated in xp, a definite plus. ok, i thought, so far so good. let's put this on the raid array.

after downloading every file even somewhat associated with the PDC20265R raid controller that powers my ide raid array, i could not find a bios. specifically, version 2.0 or above (to work with the version 2.0 drivers i had downloaded for use with xp). great, i thought. now to get to the crap shoot of internet search. i paroozed every motherboard manufacturer's site looking for a bios, every manufacturer that promise listed as using their onboard raid controllers. nothing. ok, i thought, this is encouraging. maybe this bios is already up to date?

without hesitation, i re-enabled my raid array and set it to be the secondary boot drive (just in case). i started winxp, and it asked me for drivers for "raid controller". so far so good, i thought. installed the drivers, gained access to my raid array, renamed the win98 directory, and attempted a "live copy" (copying the entire contents of the drive currently running windows to a separate drive). 120 files didn't make it. the pagefile, some file in root starting with "hi...", most of the windows\system32\config directory, and all my user profile files. ok, i thought, xp should recreate those when it starts. restart the computer, disable the standalone drive, prepare the raid driver disk (as another precaution), and what do i get? "please insert boot disk." ok, i thought, i'll just do what it says and hopefully it'll work itself out, i mean it is winxp, right?. booted fine from the disk, started windows, blue screen. crap. copy the install files from the cd to the second partition on the raid array, started install, selected repair, blue screen. shit. deleted the winxp directory, deleted documents and settings, deleted program files, started a fresh install, blue screen. went into my old win98 directory to pull out xcopy to copy winxp from the 10gb drive. error, could not extract, not enough memory. *sizzle* restarted, bypassing config & autoexec, went to win98 directory, attempted to extracy xcopy, error, not enough memory. *spark > flame* started winxp from the 10gb drive, copied all files needed to another location on the 10gb (including from dos to get all the needed files), then copied unused xp copy to raid, restarted, "insert boot disk". *fight urge to sledgehammer computer* deleted winxp from raid, installed win98 to raid, attempted upgrade to winxp, blue screen. *snap* format 10gb, format first raid partition, unhooked 10gb drive, attempted install from cd, loaded raid drivers from disk, no hard drive found. formatted first raid partition, copied xp install files to raid, attempted install to raid, error, no hard drives or cdrom drives found, please contact microsoft regarding information to where you acquired a 512mb bios with winxp setup preconfigured. *shoots myself*

as it stands, my computer is dead in the water, with no os whatsoever. i've been working on this for about 8 hours straight now, and i'm fed up with winxp. if anyone here can find a bios for the PDC20265R, i will pay you $100, and give you my brother.

Zardon · Jun 20, 2002, 04:54 PM

have you emailed Promise support for a bios update? it says on that page for the card that it is XP compatible... surely they will email you the correct bios... (on another computer now of course).

I dont really think its the fault of XP if the board with that revision isnt compatible, but im sorry to hear all that

UberLord · Jun 20, 2002, 05:00 PM

Erm - whats the make and model of the motherboard Ryoko?

Ryoko · Jun 20, 2002, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
have you emailed Promise support for a bios update? it says on that page for the card that it is XP compatible... surely they will email you the correct bios... (on another computer now of course).

I dont really think its the fault of XP if the board with that revision isnt compatible, but im sorry to hear all that

the 20265r is an oem product, and is modified by the mobo manufacturer, in this case asus. they don't have a bios even on their ftp site...

Ryoko · Jun 20, 2002, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
Erm - whats the make and model of the motherboard Ryoko?

asus a7v133, 1005 bios

Zardon · Jun 20, 2002, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryoko
the 20265r is an oem product, and is modified by the mobo manufacturer, in this case asus. they don't have a bios even on their ftp site...

well then I suggest you send them the SHITTIEST EMAIL you can write. that BLOWS.

Ryoko · Jun 20, 2002, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Zardon
well then I suggest you send them the SHITTIEST EMAIL you can write. that BLOWS.

hehe, already sent >=)

the ironic (and bad) part about it, is these guys can't read english anyway. i mean their support phone number is a direct call to taiwan...

peroni · Jun 20, 2002, 05:18 PM

Well Asus have a newer bios for your board.
It's version 1009 and can be downloaded here

According to the readme it has these features

FINAL = beta Status / Date incl. PROMISE-ATA100 / RAID-BIOS / SDMS BIOS
1009 = 1009.01A 30.04.2002 incl. v2.01.0 (Build 43) / v1.31 (Build 22+24) / without SDMS

sinjin · Jun 20, 2002, 05:19 PM

here's the A7V133 latest bios...v1009

i've been playing around with modding my current bios with .bmp's and extracting that friggin Promise 'Lite' raid bios and replacing it with the 'Full' Fastrac one but haven't had much luck. the one up above is the latest official bios from Asus with the Promise Lite/Speed (depending on your jumper setup) raid controller.

edit: seems that ftp.asus.com is down...so i'll just host it for now.

UberLord · Jun 20, 2002, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ryoko
asus a7v133, 1005 bios

http://www.a7vtroubleshooting.com/info/bios/index.htm#2

that page lists all BIOSes for your mobo with the latest 1009 BIOS

I suggest that you install the latest BIOS and do a complete format of the RAID boot partition and a clean install of WinXP. People over at http://www.ambmb.com don't have a problem running XP Pro on RAID using this mobo

sinjin · Jun 20, 2002, 05:21 PM

peroni..beat me by one minute

UberLord · Jun 20, 2002, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sinjin
peroni..beat me by one minute

he beat me by two

peroni · Jun 20, 2002, 05:28 PM

eh eh

Ryoko can be happy with all the info we provided!
Make sure to let us know how it turns out.

Ryoko · Jun 20, 2002, 05:29 PM

WHAT? you mean i just gave up a nights sleep and a years aggression because i didn't just use one of the files i downloaded first?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!!

whew, i think i'm ok.

no i'm not.

i thought the raid bios was separate from the mobo bios? *jumps out of 4th floor window onto busy street below*

sinjin · Jun 20, 2002, 05:38 PM

its not really a separate bios, its a module of the mobo bios...called oem2 if you decide to read your bios contents or modify it with a bios editor... cbrom is a pretty good DOS based one that works with your mobo.

Doomtrooper · Jun 20, 2002, 05:46 PM

Cough up the 100 bucks, you can keep the brother

Ryoko · Jun 20, 2002, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doomtrooper
Cough up the 100 bucks, you can keep the brother

well, in this case, i already had the bios, i just hadn't flashed it. but i'd rather keep the $100 and give away the brother

Ryoko · Jun 21, 2002, 02:45 AM

GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!!!!

i flashed my bios with the 1009 bios you guys linked to. great. the computer doesn't even start up anymore. the symptoms are similar to me trying to change the multiplier without unlocking the processor. i feel like such a fucking moron. well, tonight, i did the only thing i could think of doing. i'm drunk as a motherfucker, and i've had one of the worst days i've ever had in my life. now, my only gaming computer is fucked up beyond belief, and i'm trying everything i can to see if the bios is really fucked up or not. the flash went ok, no errors reported by asus flash, but the computer won't start now. i tried clearing the cmos by use of the cmos clear jumper, but that didn't work, so now i'm going to try switching processors with either the 2000+ or the 1ghz, that's always worked in the past, but if anyone knows how to fix a fucked up bios without having to buy a new mobo, i'd be happy to hear it.

going to try to fix my computer now, wish me luck and i hope i'm not too drunk to try. (had to hit backspace at least once for every word i typed, god, i'm hopeless)

Doomtrooper · Jun 21, 2002, 02:59 AM

Does the machine at least power on...If it does...Set your Jen to Jumper mode and set jumpers or reverse if its the other way...try not to spill any beer on the board

Judas · Jun 21, 2002, 03:30 AM

would we ACTUALLY get $100 if you helped out with that problem too?

btw...sorry..... for your problems.... want a MSI K7 Pro mobo? (

)

peroni · Jun 21, 2002, 05:21 AM

If your mobo is really fu*ked up and in need of a bios chip I suggest you pay a visit to this site http://www.flashbios.org/
This guy will reprogram your chip for a mere 7 US Dollars

btw, was that beer, wine or what?

UberLord · Jun 21, 2002, 10:13 AM

Drunk in Charge of a Computer Repair - should be a new offence really

Judas · Jun 22, 2002, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
Drunk in Charge of a Computer Repair - should be a new offence really

How could i disagree.... (wonders if the guy that sold us the compaq was drunk to) "Totally upgradeable for the near next three years!" ....yeah.... and PINK flying monkeys walk outa my butt with flamming BAT-ONS...

Ryoko · Jun 22, 2002, 02:40 AM

well, it was a hell of a time for my cpu to die on me. just when i flashed the bios, the second i restarted, the cpu fried. good thing, too. i had a 1ghz and a xp2000+ that i could throw in there. it's got the 1ghz, because the 2000+ is my bro's, but it's working ok. i still can't keep xp from bluescreening during install if i disconnect the only standalone drive. if the drive is connected, it's my only install option. i just don't get it, i load the xp driver for the raid array, and it's not even an option. weird.

wait a minute, now the wheels start to turn...

btw, it was about half of a fifth of 100 proof southern comfort, and 2 michelobs. the hangover lasted most of the day today

Ryoko · Jun 22, 2002, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UberLord
Drunk in Charge of a Computer Repair - should be a new offence really

i got drunk after i thought i had fucked over the computer.

dhc014 · Jun 22, 2002, 04:38 AM

Try loading setup defaults and also try switching out the memory with some that you know is good. Bad RAM has hindered OS installation for me twice.

Ryoko · Jun 23, 2002, 02:19 AM

well, i've pretty much narrowed it down to the raid driver and original install files. i'm running winxp right now, just not from the raid array. all i need is a free program that can make a perfect copy of all the files from one drive to another.

Doomtrooper · Jun 23, 2002, 02:54 AM

If it is a Maxtor drive you can download Maxblast software that can do this, or Norton Ghost can..I think it gives you a trial time..

http://download.com.com/3000-2085-14...ml?tag=lst-0-1

Ryoko · Jun 24, 2002, 02:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Doomtrooper
If it is a Maxtor drive you can download Maxblast software that can do this, or Norton Ghost can..I think it gives you a trial time..

http://download.com.com/3000-2085-14...ml?tag=lst-0-1

i'm trying to copy from a quantum to a maxtor, and maxblast didn't work. ghost didn't make a perfect copy either.

oh, and http://www.hardwareheaven.com/thread.php?id=1885

sinjin · Jun 24, 2002, 07:33 PM

screw that. it's easier and quicker to just toss in another hdd to copy the files to and fro.

Jun 20, 2002, 02:19 PM	#1
Ryoko American Soldier Join Date: May 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,725 Rep Power: 0	why i'm such a COMPLETE FVCKING MORON yesterday afternoon, i got home from work with intent to install a copy of windows xp i had laying around. i had a standalone 10gb drive and a 60gb raid array, so i figured i had a plan b just in case my raid array wasn't an option. anyway, i installed it on my 10gb drive, to test speed and stability. all went well, even though the install was the most time consuming event i've ever accomplished on my computer (54 minutes! ). the interface was just what i expected, since i used winxp at work. stability was much better - 3 times better than at work, and i'd only used it for 15 minutes at home. speed was almost up to par with win98. all my fullframes avi's were software accelerated in xp, a definite plus. ok, i thought, so far so good. let's put this on the raid array. after downloading every file even somewhat associated with the PDC20265R raid controller that powers my ide raid array, i could not find a bios. specifically, version 2.0 or above (to work with the version 2.0 drivers i had downloaded for use with xp). great, i thought. now to get to the crap shoot of internet search. i paroozed every motherboard manufacturer's site looking for a bios, every manufacturer that promise listed as using their onboard raid controllers. nothing. ok, i thought, this is encouraging. maybe this bios is already up to date? without hesitation, i re-enabled my raid array and set it to be the secondary boot drive (just in case). i started winxp, and it asked me for drivers for "raid controller". so far so good, i thought. installed the drivers, gained access to my raid array, renamed the win98 directory, and attempted a "live copy" (copying the entire contents of the drive currently running windows to a separate drive). 120 files didn't make it. the pagefile, some file in root starting with "hi...", most of the windows\system32\config directory, and all my user profile files. ok, i thought, xp should recreate those when it starts. restart the computer, disable the standalone drive, prepare the raid driver disk (as another precaution), and what do i get? "please insert boot disk." ok, i thought, i'll just do what it says and hopefully it'll work itself out, i mean it is winxp, right?. booted fine from the disk, started windows, blue screen. crap. copy the install files from the cd to the second partition on the raid array, started install, selected repair, blue screen. shit. deleted the winxp directory, deleted documents and settings, deleted program files, started a fresh install, blue screen. went into my old win98 directory to pull out xcopy to copy winxp from the 10gb drive. error, could not extract, not enough memory. sizzle restarted, bypassing config & autoexec, went to win98 directory, attempted to extracy xcopy, error, not enough memory. spark > flame started winxp from the 10gb drive, copied all files needed to another location on the 10gb (including from dos to get all the needed files), then copied unused xp copy to raid, restarted, "insert boot disk". fight urge to sledgehammer computer deleted winxp from raid, installed win98 to raid, attempted upgrade to winxp, blue screen. snap format 10gb, format first raid partition, unhooked 10gb drive, attempted install from cd, loaded raid drivers from disk, no hard drive found. formatted first raid partition, copied xp install files to raid, attempted install to raid, error, no hard drives or cdrom drives found, please contact microsoft regarding information to where you acquired a 512mb bios with winxp setup preconfigured. shoots myself as it stands, my computer is dead in the water, with no os whatsoever. i've been working on this for about 8 hours straight now, and i'm fed up with winxp. if anyone here can find a bios for the PDC20265R, i will pay you $100, and give you my brother.

Jun 20, 2002, 05:00 PM	#3
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,255 Rep Power: 0	Erm - whats the make and model of the motherboard Ryoko? __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

Jun 20, 2002, 05:18 PM	#8
peroni DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 591 Rep Power: 0	Well Asus have a newer bios for your board. It's version 1009 and can be downloaded here According to the readme it has these features FINAL = beta Status / Date incl. PROMISE-ATA100 / RAID-BIOS / SDMS BIOS 1009 = 1009.01A 30.04.2002 incl. v2.01.0 (Build 43) / v1.31 (Build 22+24) / without SDMS __________________ Gaming Rig 3DMark2k1 PCMark2k2 The Server 3Dmark2k1 PCMark2k2 Notebook 3Dmark2k1 PCMark2k2

Jun 20, 2002, 05:19 PM	#9
sinjin the last samurai Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,086 Rep Power: 0	here's the A7V133 latest bios...v1009 i've been playing around with modding my current bios with .bmp's and extracting that friggin Promise 'Lite' raid bios and replacing it with the 'Full' Fastrac one but haven't had much luck. the one up above is the latest official bios from Asus with the Promise Lite/Speed (depending on your jumper setup) raid controller. edit: seems that ftp.asus.com is down...so i'll just host it for now. __________________

Jun 20, 2002, 05:21 PM	#11
sinjin the last samurai Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,086 Rep Power: 0	peroni..beat me by one minute __________________

Jun 20, 2002, 04:54 PM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	have you emailed Promise support for a bios update? it says on that page for the card that it is XP compatible... surely they will email you the correct bios... (on another computer now of course). I dont really think its the fault of XP if the board with that revision isnt compatible, but im sorry to hear all that

Jun 20, 2002, 05:28 PM	#13
peroni DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 591 Rep Power: 0	eh eh Ryoko can be happy with all the info we provided! Make sure to let us know how it turns out. __________________ Gaming Rig 3DMark2k1 PCMark2k2 The Server 3Dmark2k1 PCMark2k2 Notebook 3Dmark2k1 PCMark2k2

Jun 20, 2002, 05:29 PM	Thread Starter #14
Ryoko American Soldier Join Date: May 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,725 Rep Power: 0	WHAT? you mean i just gave up a nights sleep and a years aggression because i didn't just use one of the files i downloaded first? AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH !!!!! whew, i think i'm ok. no i'm not. i thought the raid bios was separate from the mobo bios? jumps out of 4th floor window onto busy street below

Jun 20, 2002, 05:38 PM	#15
sinjin the last samurai Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,086 Rep Power: 0	its not really a separate bios, its a module of the mobo bios...called oem2 if you decide to read your bios contents or modify it with a bios editor... cbrom is a pretty good DOS based one that works with your mobo. __________________

Jun 20, 2002, 05:46 PM	#16
Doomtrooper Driverheaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 206 Rep Power: 0	Cough up the 100 bucks, you can keep the brother __________________ "It's time to kick A$$ and chew bubble gum....and I'm all out of gum." Duke Nukem November 1996

Jun 21, 2002, 02:45 AM	Thread Starter #18
Ryoko American Soldier Join Date: May 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,725 Rep Power: 0	GOD FUCKING DAMN IT!!!! i flashed my bios with the 1009 bios you guys linked to. great. the computer doesn't even start up anymore. the symptoms are similar to me trying to change the multiplier without unlocking the processor. i feel like such a fucking moron. well, tonight, i did the only thing i could think of doing. i'm drunk as a motherfucker, and i've had one of the worst days i've ever had in my life. now, my only gaming computer is fucked up beyond belief, and i'm trying everything i can to see if the bios is really fucked up or not. the flash went ok, no errors reported by asus flash, but the computer won't start now. i tried clearing the cmos by use of the cmos clear jumper, but that didn't work, so now i'm going to try switching processors with either the 2000+ or the 1ghz, that's always worked in the past, but if anyone knows how to fix a fucked up bios without having to buy a new mobo, i'd be happy to hear it. going to try to fix my computer now, wish me luck and i hope i'm not too drunk to try. (had to hit backspace at least once for every word i typed, god, i'm hopeless)

Jun 21, 2002, 02:59 AM	#19
Doomtrooper Driverheaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 206 Rep Power: 0	Does the machine at least power on...If it does...Set your Jen to Jumper mode and set jumpers or reverse if its the other way...try not to spill any beer on the board __________________ "It's time to kick A$$ and chew bubble gum....and I'm all out of gum." Duke Nukem November 1996

Jun 21, 2002, 05:21 AM	#21
peroni DriverHeaven Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 591 Rep Power: 0	If your mobo is really fuked up and in need of a bios chip I suggest you pay a visit to this site http://www.flashbios.org/ This guy will reprogram your chip for a mere 7 US Dollars btw, was that beer, wine or what? __________________ Gaming Rig* 3DMark2k1 PCMark2k2 The Server 3Dmark2k1 PCMark2k2 Notebook 3Dmark2k1 PCMark2k2

Jun 21, 2002, 10:13 AM	#22
UberLord A Legend in Underwear Join Date: May 2002 Location: Unknown Posts: 5,255 Rep Power: 0	Drunk in Charge of a Computer Repair - should be a new offence really __________________ Gentoo Linux - Developer (baselayout) Read my blog "I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours." Stephen Roberts

Jun 22, 2002, 02:40 AM	Thread Starter #24
Ryoko American Soldier Join Date: May 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,725 Rep Power: 0	well, it was a hell of a time for my cpu to die on me. just when i flashed the bios, the second i restarted, the cpu fried. good thing, too. i had a 1ghz and a xp2000+ that i could throw in there. it's got the 1ghz, because the 2000+ is my bro's, but it's working ok. i still can't keep xp from bluescreening during install if i disconnect the only standalone drive. if the drive is connected, it's my only install option. i just don't get it, i load the xp driver for the raid array, and it's not even an option. weird. wait a minute, now the wheels start to turn... btw, it was about half of a fifth of 100 proof southern comfort, and 2 michelobs. the hangover lasted most of the day today

Jun 22, 2002, 04:38 AM	#26
dhc014 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 12 Rep Power: 0	Try loading setup defaults and also try switching out the memory with some that you know is good. Bad RAM has hindered OS installation for me twice.

Jun 23, 2002, 02:19 AM	Thread Starter #27
Ryoko American Soldier Join Date: May 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,725 Rep Power: 0	well, i've pretty much narrowed it down to the raid driver and original install files. i'm running winxp right now, just not from the raid array. all i need is a free program that can make a perfect copy of all the files from one drive to another.

Jun 23, 2002, 02:54 AM	#28
Doomtrooper Driverheaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 206 Rep Power: 0	If it is a Maxtor drive you can download Maxblast software that can do this, or Norton Ghost can..I think it gives you a trial time.. http://download.com.com/3000-2085-14...ml?tag=lst-0-1 __________________ "It's time to kick A$$ and chew bubble gum....and I'm all out of gum." Duke Nukem November 1996

Jun 24, 2002, 07:33 PM	#30
sinjin the last samurai Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 1,086 Rep Power: 0	screw that. it's easier and quicker to just toss in another hdd to copy the files to and fro. __________________