MAJOR problems after installing DSL modem and Ethernet card

Quiksilver1850 · #1 09-10-2004, 02:21 AM

Finally received my dsl modem and installation pack from Bellsouth!! Had to run to our local walmart to pick up a ethernet card, figured I was ready to go after that!... WELL...

Get home, install the card into a pci slot, plug the modem in via usb, everything is ready to rock and roll. Computer boots fine, everything is lighting up. Use Bellsouth's Installation disc, it finishes and I'm online!!! Yay! Well, windows discovered a new 'device', so I clicked automatically install this new hardware (which was the usb modem). After it finished, I got booted offline and it said I needed to restart for effects to take place, so I do so... Only problem is now I can't even get Windows to freakin load... It boots to a screen that says windows didn't properly start up, so choose start with safe mode, start with command prompt, start with networking, use original settings(or something to that effect), or to start windows normally... None of the damn things work.

I've tried starting it with the ethernet card and dsl modem disconnected, but it doesn't change a damn thing. I also tried reinstalling XP by putting in the disc and booting from it. When it boots up, it takes me to the default blue screen, and gives me 3 options, install XP(which requires an older version of windows, which I don't have), to repair my version of windows in their command prompt type whatever, and to just exit.

I'm stuck and need some major expertise... I run my business on my computer, I can not afford to miss any work, payments on the Viper, boat, and house are needed... I'm about $500 short... and this doesn't help...

plus, it's very late and I have an interview in the morning with a client... also, needing my computer... agh. Any help is appreciated! Mucho gracias! Buenos noches!

LooseChippings · #2 09-10-2004, 02:32 AM

Don't understand this bit

Quote:

Get home, install the card (NIC) into a pci slot, plug the modem in via usb

Why do you need an Network Card (NIC) when your DSL Connection is USB?

Anyway

Physically disconnect the External DSL Modem from your PC.

Boot into safe mode.

Go to Control Panel Add/Remove Hardware.

Uninstall the DSL Modem.

Uninstall the NIC.

Switch OFF

Remove the NIC from the system.

Start the PC (it should start OK).

Install the drivers for the DSL Modem and follow the install instructions on screen.

Quiksilver1850 · #3 09-10-2004, 02:38 AM

2 different actions to 2 different things... just saying I put the network card in, then also connected the modem to the usb port.

Got the network card b/c that's how the modem connects online, right? Didn't know it could work through the usb.

Also, i've tried booting in safe mode... it won't. I want to shoot it... right in the damn tower. I've been fiddling with it all night long and it won't seem to cooperate. If I can't get it one of these next few times, I'll just have to take it to Best Buy and get them to fix it 4 me... :-(

LooseChippings · #4 09-10-2004, 02:52 AM

Most External DSL & Cable Modems can use either Ethernet or USB to connect to the PC but it only uses one at a time.

Totally disconnect the DSL Modem.

With the PC OFF remove the NIC.

Try booting into Safe or Normal Mode then uninstall from Control Panel.

Gene K · #5 09-10-2004, 10:05 AM

DO NOT use USB connections if you have ethernet. Instead connect the Modem and Computer via the Ethernet jacks on each using a proper networking cord with RJ45 plugs.
Gene K

Quiksilver1850 · #6 09-10-2004, 11:19 AM

k, thanks for the info... didn't know.

But still... the computer will NOT even start windows... not in safe mode, not with orignial windows configuration, nothing... it just reboots it's self after I press safe mode... So I'm stuck, can't get it to do anything. I have unplugged the NIC card, modem, and tried to start, still takes me to the same screen and reboots over and over........... any one have a suggestion? blow it up?... feed it to the animals???....

Gene K · #7 09-10-2004, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Quiksilver1850
k, thanks for the info... didn't know.

But still... the computer will NOT even start windows... not in safe mode, not with orignial windows configuration, nothing... it just reboots it's self after I press safe mode... So I'm stuck, can't get it to do anything. I have unplugged the NIC card, modem, and tried to start, still takes me to the same screen and reboots over and over........... any one have a suggestion? blow it up?... feed it to the animals???....

Suggestion: Try an XP repair install if you have your XP CD (I believe you said you did). Go here for instructions on how to do that: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm . There are also instructions at the same site on doing a complete re-installation. Hope all works out for you.

bbeard67 · #8 09-10-2004, 08:50 PM

If you haven't gotten it fixed with the repair install

Try unhooking everything from the pc especially usb devices except keyboard mouse and monitor. remove the nic from the pc
check to be sure when you put the nic in that no other cards became loose.

When you put the nic in did you move some other cards around?
If so put them back where they were

then try starting up if it works start adding things back in one at a time restarting after each

Quiksilver1850 · #9 09-13-2004, 12:37 AM

thanks guys, I just got back into town and this computer is still being a pain in my ass... I tried to go into the repair console like the website above suggests, but unlike the tutorial, it shows that when repair console starts, the command line is c:\windows and asks what installation of windows you want to repair(the guys says to press one after that)... well, mine just has C:\. I tried typing 'cd windows' trying to get that on the command line. it says it was invalid... and when I'd try to type in his command lines, it says 'access denied' or something to that extent. Jesus christ... I hate this computer. I really don't want to waste money @ Best Buy or any other computer place doing something I can possibly do @ home to get this baby kickin again. I do appreciate the help already and would love to fix this on my own... thanks again!

Oh, and Beard... Yes, I tried that, I've booted with and without everything having to do with the nic etc...(except the necessities ex. mouse, keyboard, monitor, and power supply). Nothing is seeming to work.... and I've made sure nothing was knocked loose. Thanks :-) But still nada...

Quiksilver1850 · #10 09-23-2004, 06:29 PM

so0o0o0o0o0o..... anyone? It's been almost 2 weeks(or more)... Had hurricane Ivan come through, so I didn't have any power to have to bother with it... So, can anyone help any further???

bbeard67 · #11 09-23-2004, 06:52 PM

Did you check warnings #2

Possible Fix by reconfiguring boot.ini using Recovery Console.
1.Boot with XP CD or 6 floppy boot disk set.
2. Press R to load the Recovery Console.
3. Type bootcfg.
4. This should fix any boot.ini errors causing setup not to see the XP OS
install.
5. Try the repair install.

Possible fix #2
"Reboot, this time taking the immediate R option, and if the CD letter is say K: give these commands
COPY K:\i386\ntldr C:
COPY K:\i386\ntdetect.com C:
(two other files needed - just in case)
1. Type: ATTRIB -H -R -S C:\boot.ini DEL C:\boot.ini
2. Type: BootCfg /Rebuild
which will get rid of any damaged boot.ini, search the disk for systems and make a new one. This might even result in a damaged windows reappearing; but gives another chance of getting at the repair"