Vista fails after updates

By Turbonium
in Microsoft (Windows)

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Turbonium

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Summary:

- Vostro 1400 (partitions wiped clean except for a "diagnostics" partition only 78MB in size)

- Installed Vista Business 32-bit using Dell OS installation disc on the remaining (149GB) partition

- Installed latest drivers (chipset INF, video, audio, input, networking/wireless)

- Installed latest Windows Update

- Rebooted after Windows updates (THIS IS WHERE THINGS GO WRONG!)

Basically, the computer will fail to start. Keep getting a "bad driver" BSOD midboot, and it will keep rebooting itself. It won't even boot into Safe Mode!

I've done 3 reformats so far, each time trying different sets of drivers (stock Dell drivers vs. newest drivers), and same problem!

I've narrowed the problem down to what I think is Windows itself (yay Vista)... Because after the 3rd reformat, the only drivers I installed were the chipset INF files, and wireless drivers so I could access Windows Update. After installing Windows Updates, I got the same problem. I also tried installing only updates before March 2008 (pre-SP1), and yup, still the same problem...

Has anyone encountered this before? I've wasted almost an entire day, 4+ reformats. It's getting annoying. The fact that Vista basically fails to install is pathetic, especially considering I've tried giving it the most up to date drivers from the very start.

Help.

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Preppy Veteran

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Up-to-date drivers can be buggy too. That "old buggy driver" was once a "new buggy driver".

So if you just install the wireless drivers does it BSOD/die?

It it still dies that way, can you connect it wiredly without the chipset/wireless drivers and then use Windows Update?

Grand Master

+allan MVC

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Are you installing driver updates from Windows Update? If so, you should not be doing that. NEVER get your device drivers from Windows Update, only from the OEM websites. Candidly, this is the first time I've heard anyone report this particular problem.

Community Regular

Turbonium

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Up-to-date drivers can be buggy too. That "old buggy driver" was once a "new buggy driver".

So if you just install the wireless drivers does it BSOD/die?

It it still dies that way, can you connect it wiredly without the chipset/wireless drivers and then use Windows Update?

Yup, still dies with just the wireless drivers (both old and new).

I have to use wireless since I'm using my building's shared WiFi AP. I don't have my own Internet access. :(

Are you installing driver updates from Windows Update? If so, you should not be doing that. NEVER get your device drivers from Windows Update, only from the OEM websites. Candidly, this is the first time I've heard anyone report this particular problem.

I skip the device drivers on Windows Update.

Bad memory/graphics card would be my first guess

I've tested the RAM on numerous occasions, and it's come out fine.

I should add that this system has been hell for me for the past few months. It's unreliable. Despite all diagnostics coming out clean, it does wonky things, like failing to extract archive files at random, despite the files being fine themselves. It's really starting to irk me... the fact that the computer has something "wrong" with it, despite all tests saying there's nothing wrong.

Edited by Turbonium
Grand Master

SVG Veteran

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Well, looking at the other problems which you have mentioned I think there might be some problem with the allocation made during the partition.. You might want to try checking your HDD configuration with some partition manager.. I once had a similar problem and the files used to get copied inaccurately, downloads would get checksum errors, etc.. You can give it a go, its not like you'll risk anything by just checking

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Turbonium

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Well, looking at the other problems which you have mentioned I think there might be some problem with the allocation made during the partition.. You might want to try checking your HDD configuration with some partition manager.. I once had a similar problem and the files used to get copied inaccurately, downloads would get checksum errors, etc.. You can give it a go, its not like you'll risk anything by just checking

What program do I use?

I have an older version of Partition Magic, but I'm weary of using 3rd party apps. It just adds another layer of complexity to the issue. Can I totally wipe the HDD (write zeros) using the Vista CD?

My HDD is a Toshiba. Can I use an HDD utility to write the zeros? If so, which? Toshiba doesn't offer such a utility...

EDIT: I've found this, think I'll use it: Active@ Kill Disk

So let's assume I zero the drive and try it again. If I get the same problem, safe to say I should just send the system to Dell to fix/replace?

Edited by Turbonium
Community Regular

Turbonium

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The weirdest thing just happened...

I got home to boot up my laptop, expecting fully to see the BSOD again, and it booted up without issue.

Perhaps when it gets into an infinite loop of BSODs on restarts, shutting down the system and booting it up cold "fixed" it. Makes no sense to me...

I'm going to install the remainder of Windows Updates (everything March 2008 and onward), and see if I can still get it to work. Regardless, I'm going to wipe the entire drive with zeros and reinstall. I want to get to the bottom of this. This can't be a healthy install anyway...

Community Regular

Turbonium

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Ok, seems like whenever I Restart the system, I get into this BSOD loop. Shut down and cold boot "fixes" it.

Will have to Google this. If anyone has any input, please let me know.

All relevant (non-drivers) Windows Updates are currently installed.

Edited by Turbonium
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