Compaq Presario M2000/SP3 Issue

[Kodiak]

Trying to install sp3 on this laptop creates a blue screen "unmountable_boot_volume" but I can go into safe mode and remove sp3 and it will reboot. I have also tried running chkdsk /r from recovery console and fixboot but this doesn't fix it. I assume it is some computability issue but is there a way around it or just don't install sp3?

[futuretech]

Is it an HP or Compaq?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericSoftwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=pv-60484-2&cc=us&lc=en&dlc=en

[Kodiak]

Compaq. I will give this a go.

[Kodiak]

Well it told me my laptop didn't meet the requirement to install the patch.

So, since sp3 had been installed I went ahead and tried to reinstall the OS but now I run into this error when it reboots to install windows after the initial format a files being copied.

I have tried new memory
I have tried a new HD
I have tried different OS discs.

Beginning to believe processor or motherboard issues.

[NooNoo]

Did you press f6 and load the Sata drivers?

[Kodiak]

No this is an IDE drive.

This time around it actually installed the os but when it rebooted to go into windows the blue screen appeared again. It seems to blue screen at different times.

I have also once again:

reseated the HD
reseated the memory
Set bios to defaults

[NooNoo]

That would imply an intermittent fault with the drive connection... and you get this with a replacement drive as well?

[Kodiak]

Yes I get the same thing. Yes it is like it is just losing the drive or path to it.

Been out on a call.

[NooNoo]

Then it must be a controller problem... or possibly a bios problem... have you tried reflashing the bios?

[Kodiak]

Have not tried flashing the bios yet.

[Kodiak]

Something is not right though. The bios says it is F.23 but on the hp site the latest is F.22. Also all the drivers wouldn't work accept touch pad drivers that I downloaded for this machine but she had a drivers cd the did have the drivers so I used them, I thought I would get the latest from the sight. This is when it did install the OS once. It seems the mobo has been changed however she says no one has touched it. Product ID on the bottom of doesn't mach re installation cd either.

Strangest of all is it will run in safe mode if you can get the os installed before it errors. Last time I tried to format it plainly told me there was no drive but then I clicked continue and it formated but blue screened again when it rebooted to complete the install.

I believe you are correct about the controller issue. It was what I suspected in the beginning also.

[xpuser357]

Just for grins:) I also have Presario M2000 with 1 gig stick and 250 Mb stick of
Ram and I have sp3 with NO problems, It only had 250 to run window XP home, when I purchased it. Very slooooowwwww. Stuck in the gig and :)
maybe not enough ram??:knife:

[Kodiak]

Did have 256 and I installed another 256. Should be sufficient. Tested them also.

I do believe it is the controller. I once again for the heck of it installed another drive and it hasn't changed any.

[futuretech]

So without sp3 does it run?
If so it can be the patch is actually needed or just edit the registry before installing sp3.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953356/en-us
The above article describes the registry value to change.

[NooNoo]

Something is not right though. The bios says it is F.23 but on the hp site the latest is F.22. .

Flash the bios next.... unless you have misidentified it - check against the part number carefully.

[Kodiak]

What is going on is it will crash with the same blue screen "unmountable_boot_volume" and at just anytime during the OS install most of the time when it reboots to install os after format and file copy but sometimes it will complete then when it reboots to finalize it will crash but the strange thing is when I get the os to at least install it works just fine in safe mode but crashes before entering normal mode. Never seen this one before.

[NooNoo]

Did you reflash the bios yet?

[Kodiak]

Yes and is the same. I informed the customer and she doesn't want to put any more money into it so she is on her way to get it. PC is possessed.

[NooNoo]

LOL more likely just the ide interface is damaged.

[Kodiak]

I believe your correct. She filled me in on another bit of information when she picked it up, she has had 2 motherboards replaced when it was on warranty. A lemon.

[NooNoo]

Oh nice of her to tell you that AFTER you pulled out most of your hair and reconsidered your career choice!

Maybe you should add a question like, "Did you ever have to return it when it was in warranty?" in future..

[Kodiak]

Lol I think so. Funny thing is I believe I did ask her if anyone else had worked on it. Maybe she thought I meant anyone else except the manufacturer. Oh well it is gone. Thanks for the input as always.