windows wont boot but can get into safemode

tornadog · 03-10-11, 12:51 PM

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.

**nekrosoft13** · 03-10-11, 01:36 PM

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

**Roadhog** · 03-10-11, 02:08 PM

Try doing a startup repair.

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

tornadog · 03-10-11, 04:00 PM

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!!!!

**nekrosoft13** · 03-10-11, 04:16 PM

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.

**Roadhog** · 03-10-11, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tornadog

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!!!!

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

tornadog · 03-10-11, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadhog

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

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

**Roadhog** · 03-10-11, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tornadog

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

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

Try booting in the low resolution mode, 640x480.

tornadog · 03-10-11, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadhog

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

Try booting in the low resolution mode, 640x480.

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

**Roadhog** · 03-10-11, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tornadog

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

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

tornadog · 03-11-11, 12:38 AM

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

**nekrosoft13** · 03-11-11, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadhog

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

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.

03-10-11, 12:51 PM	#1
tornadog Keeper of the Faith Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,446	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. __________________ i7 950 @ 4.2Ghz w/ Venomous-X, Asus Sabertooth x58, 8gb DDR3 GSkill 1600Mhz,MSI N670 PE, Win 7 Ult. x64, Samsung PN50C7000, Pioneer VSX 920-K, Polk Monitor 5.0 Speakers, Bic H100 Sub

03-10-11, 01:36 PM	#2
nekrosoft13 I'm Geralt Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicagoland, once a year in Poland Posts: 24,364	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

03-10-11, 02:08 PM	#3
Roadhog Resident Alien Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 6,776	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.

03-10-11, 04:00 PM	#4
tornadog Keeper of the Faith Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,446	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!!!! __________________ i7 950 @ 4.2Ghz w/ Venomous-X, Asus Sabertooth x58, 8gb DDR3 GSkill 1600Mhz,MSI N670 PE, Win 7 Ult. x64, Samsung PN50C7000, Pioneer VSX 920-K, Polk Monitor 5.0 Speakers, Bic H100 Sub

03-10-11, 04:16 PM	#5
nekrosoft13 I'm Geralt Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Chicagoland, once a year in Poland Posts: 24,364	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.

03-11-11, 12:38 AM	#11
tornadog Keeper of the Faith Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,446	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 __________________ i7 950 @ 4.2Ghz w/ Venomous-X, Asus Sabertooth x58, 8gb DDR3 GSkill 1600Mhz,MSI N670 PE, Win 7 Ult. x64, Samsung PN50C7000, Pioneer VSX 920-K, Polk Monitor 5.0 Speakers, Bic H100 Sub