windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

What can I do to repair windows? It all happened after I installed the catalyst 11.4 preview drivers. I tried system restore, but no go.

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

have you tried uninstalling drivers from safe mode? try the uninstaller and manually removing them from device manager.

also in safe mode start msconfig, go into services and hide all microsoft services, disable everything that is not by microsoft. under start up disable every entry.

if it boots, then there is something wrong with either running service, ati driver or startup program

then slowly start enabling things back on, if it stops booting again, go back and see what caused it.


then switch to nvidia, less driver issues ;)

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

Try doing a startup repair.

Next time don't install beta/preview drivers if you aren't prepared to deal with things like that.

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

OK progress, I disabled "restart on failure" and now get to a BSOD with message SYSTEm_SERVICE_EXCEPTION caused by atikmdag.sys. I cant run the uninstaller in safemode. it says windows installer service is not running. I will try to remove the device from device manager and see if that helps.

Coming from Nvidia, where I am used to installing any and every beta driver, that comes out. I didnt realize ATI's preview drivers are highly experimental!!!!

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

ati "WHQL" drivers half of the time have issues as well.

Anyway, since it said "SYSTEm_SERVICE_EXCEPTION" I would check and make sure all non-microsoft services are disabled for troubleshooting.

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

Did you follow the directions?
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles...tWindows7.aspx

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

isnt that what everybody does anyway? Anyway yes I followed those to a T

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

Most people just install over the old ones. I usually do myself. lol

Try booting in the low resolution mode, 640x480.

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

I tried that already, it wont boot, same error.

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

It seems like youve tried everything... I'm about to say run driver sweeper and totally wipe anything ati driver related.

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

yay fixed it, man!!! removed device in safemode, ran drive sweeper, auto repair and it booted with vga, installed 11.2 and its jammingnow :)

Re: windows wont boot but can get into safemode
 

I always do that, works great. now that nvidia has "clean install" option its even better.

from time to time i go into C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository and clean out old drivers manual

if you don't know what you doing, don't mess in that folder.