tech advice?

[dbair1967]

I know this needs to be moved, but I posted it here because more will see it and I need advice. So forgive me ahead of time...

Something happened to my PC but I have no idea what. It wasnt off, but it sorta locked when I tried to sign on earlier.After rebooting I cannot get to the desktop screen, instead I get a message of:

"Verifying DMI Pool Data" Boot from Atapi CD Rom
Ctrl-Al-Del to Restart

if I do that the exact same thing comes up...I dont recall downloading anything so I dont think its a virus...anyone know what I need to do?

Thanks ahead of time and again apologize for putting this in the Cowboys forum...

David

 

[Encore]

Quick Google Search.. Not sure if you did it or not.

Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data...:

Issue:

Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data...

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the following:

1. Corrupt boot files on the computer.
2. Settings for hard disk drive are not correct.
3. Floppy diskette or CD in computer causing issue.
4. Boot devices not set properly.
5. BIOS corrupt or misc. setting not set properly.
6. Connections loose or disconnected.
7. Bad Hard disk drive or other bad hardware.

Additional information:

See our DMI dictionary definition page for additional information about DMI.

Solution:
Corrupt boot files on the computer

If the computer has no bootable files on the drive it is attempting to boot from it is possible that the computer may halt at " verifying dmi pool data...".

To resolve this issue:

* Boot from a bootable floppy diskette. Ensure that this diskette was made on the same Microsoft Windows operating system that is installed on your computer.
* Once at the A:\> prompt type "sys c:" and press enter. This should report the message "File system transferred". Once transferred remove the diskette and reboot the computer.

If the computer continues to not boot attempt to re-create the master boot record by booting from the bootable floppy diskette again. Once at the A:\> prompt type "fdisk /mbr" and press enter. This should return you to the prompt without giving you any message. Once at the prompt remove the diskette and reboot the computer.

Additional information about the "fdisk /mbr" command can be found on document CH000175.

Note: The above information only applies to Microsoft Windows users. If you are running a Linux / UNIX variant or other operating system such as OS/2 and the computer is freezing at this DMI message ensure that Linux / UNIX has been properly installed first and/or your boot manger is not corrupt.

Settings for hard disk drive are not correct

The computer freezing at "verifying dmi pool data..". may be caused when the hard disk drive settings within CMOS are not set properly. Enter CMOS and verify that the hard disk drive settings are set properly and/or that it is set to Auto Detect.

Additional information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS help page.

Floppy diskette or CD in computer causing issue

Verify no floppy diskette or CD is in the computer. In some cases the computer may be trying to boot from either of these drives causing issues with the boot sequence.

Boot devices not set properly

The computer stopping at " verifying dmi pool data..." can be caused when the boot devices on your computer are not set properly in CMOS. First, verify that no CD or diskette is in your computer. If a CD or diskette is in the computer attempt to remove this first to determine if it was attempting to boot from it.

If No CD or diskette is in the computer and your computer still halts at the DMI message enter CMOS and verify that the boot options are set properly. We commonly recommend that the floppy be set the first boot device, hard drive as the second boot device and the CD-ROM as the third boot device.

Additional information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS help page.

BIOS corrupt or misc. setting not set properly

If none of the above recommendations have resolved your issue attempt to reset the BIOS / CMOS settings to the factory or default settings.

Additional information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS help page.

Connections loose or disconnected

If the computer has been recently moved or new hardware has been installed in the computer it is possible that a connection may be loose or even disconnected. Verify that the hard disk drive, floppy and CD-ROM cables are properly connected.

Bad hard disk drive or other bad hardware

If you computer continues to freeze at the DMI message after attempting all of the above recommendations it is possible that the computer may be freezing because of a bad hard disk drive or other bad hardware in the computer.

Before replacing any hardware we first recommend you attempt to fdisk, delete the partition, re-create the partition and reinstall your computer operating system. Additional information about this process can be found on document CH000186.

 

[dbair1967]

damn, it got moved in like 30 seconds...you guy are fast

David

 

[Duane]

Brainpaint is reall good with this stuff. However, it sounds to me like your hard drive might have crashed.

 

[Duane]

damn, it got moved in like 30 seconds...you guy are fast

David

If you leave off topic stuff up for one person you have to do it for everyone. We try not to play favorites.

 

[dbair1967]

Quick Google Search.. Not sure if you did it or not.

Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data...:

Issue:

Computer stops at verifying dmi pool data...

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the following:

1. Corrupt boot files on the computer.
2. Settings for hard disk drive are not correct.
3. Floppy diskette or CD in computer causing issue.
4. Boot devices not set properly.
5. BIOS corrupt or misc. setting not set properly.
6. Connections loose or disconnected.
7. Bad Hard disk drive or other bad hardware.

Additional information:

See our DMI dictionary definition page for additional information about DMI.

Solution:
Corrupt boot files on the computer

If the computer has no bootable files on the drive it is attempting to boot from it is possible that the computer may halt at " verifying dmi pool data...".

To resolve this issue:

* Boot from a bootable floppy diskette. Ensure that this diskette was made on the same Microsoft Windows operating system that is installed on your computer.
* Once at the A:\> prompt type "sys c:" and press enter. This should report the message "File system transferred". Once transferred remove the diskette and reboot the computer.

If the computer continues to not boot attempt to re-create the master boot record by booting from the bootable floppy diskette again. Once at the A:\> prompt type "fdisk /mbr" and press enter. This should return you to the prompt without giving you any message. Once at the prompt remove the diskette and reboot the computer.

Additional information about the "fdisk /mbr" command can be found on document CH000175.

Note: The above information only applies to Microsoft Windows users. If you are running a Linux / UNIX variant or other operating system such as OS/2 and the computer is freezing at this DMI message ensure that Linux / UNIX has been properly installed first and/or your boot manger is not corrupt.

Settings for hard disk drive are not correct

The computer freezing at "verifying dmi pool data..". may be caused when the hard disk drive settings within CMOS are not set properly. Enter CMOS and verify that the hard disk drive settings are set properly and/or that it is set to Auto Detect.

Additional information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS help page.

Floppy diskette or CD in computer causing issue

Verify no floppy diskette or CD is in the computer. In some cases the computer may be trying to boot from either of these drives causing issues with the boot sequence.

Boot devices not set properly

The computer stopping at " verifying dmi pool data..." can be caused when the boot devices on your computer are not set properly in CMOS. First, verify that no CD or diskette is in your computer. If a CD or diskette is in the computer attempt to remove this first to determine if it was attempting to boot from it.

If No CD or diskette is in the computer and your computer still halts at the DMI message enter CMOS and verify that the boot options are set properly. We commonly recommend that the floppy be set the first boot device, hard drive as the second boot device and the CD-ROM as the third boot device.

Additional information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS help page.

BIOS corrupt or misc. setting not set properly

If none of the above recommendations have resolved your issue attempt to reset the BIOS / CMOS settings to the factory or default settings.

Additional information about CMOS can be found on our CMOS help page.

Connections loose or disconnected

If the computer has been recently moved or new hardware has been installed in the computer it is possible that a connection may be loose or even disconnected. Verify that the hard disk drive, floppy and CD-ROM cables are properly connected.

Bad hard disk drive or other bad hardware

If you computer continues to freeze at the DMI message after attempting all of the above recommendations it is possible that the computer may be freezing because of a bad hard disk drive or other bad hardware in the computer.

Before replacing any hardware we first recommend you attempt to fdisk, delete the partition, re-create the partition and reinstall your computer operating system. Additional information about this process can be found on document CH000186.

thanks Encore...guess I'm headed to BestBuy's computer repair guys tomorrow



David

 

[dbair1967]

Brainpaint is reall good with this stuff. However, it sounds to me like your hard drive might have crashed.

thats what I am afraid of...damn E machines

David

 

[dbair1967]

If you leave off topic stuff up for one person you have to do it for everyone. We try not to play favorites.

but come on, I am special aint I?



David

 

[jamez25]

have you tried starting it in *safety mode* and doing a *restore* from there?

 

[Signals]

thats what I am afraid of...damn E machines

David

I hate to say it but I think you've discovered the problem on your own... you have an emachine.

You either need a glue gun or a new PC.

 

[Smith22]

I hate to say it but I think you've discovered the problem on your own... you have an emachine.

Have one here. It has worked well for me about 4 years I suppose, maybe longer. It is time for an upgrade though, just haven't decided want I want yet. Tigerdirect seems to have some solid deals on towers.

 

[Signals]

Have one here. It has worked well for me about 4 years I suppose, maybe longer. It is time for an upgrade though, just haven't decided want I want yet. Tigerdirect seems to have some solid deals on towers.

Thats a good thing.

Are'nt emachines the ones that are non upgradeable?

People say that Compaq's are crappy PC's, but I've owned three of them in my life and have'nt experienced any of the problems that are soo frequently complained about.

 

[CowboyPrincess]

Have one here. It has worked well for me about 4 years I suppose, maybe longer. It is time for an upgrade though, just haven't decided want I want yet. Tigerdirect seems to have some solid deals on towers.

I woulda started with the steps Encore gave you, but after hearing that the computer is 4 yrs old... I'd have to agree with Duane. If this is the original HD in an E-Machine computer, you did well to have it last 4 yrs. My bet is on the HD failing

 

[adbutcher]

I woulda started with the steps Encore gave you, but after hearing that the computer is 4 yrs old... I'd have to agree with Duane. If this is the original HD in an E-Machine computer, you did well to have it last 4 yrs. My bet is on the HD failing

Ditto....same thing happened to my son's puter.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Very first thought I had was there is a CD in your CD drive and the bios is somehow set up to check the CD rom first when booting.

I know it sounds stupid but you would be surprised how many people have just left a CD in the CD rom and had problems with the computer loading up or going slow lol.

But it sounds like you checked all of that.

E-Machines were set up to be very cheap computers and in many ways you are lucky it has lasted.

We got some for our workplace about 4-5 years ago and it was a pain in the butt to find drivers that were never included with the PC....they did not even include all the drivers for the motherboards video and audio. The video was easy to find...the audio was not...and it was found later but not on the e-machine website.

You may get lucky and just have to get a new Hard Drive...of the 5 we got we have had to change the hard drive on 3 of them already...they just went dead.

But if you got the money just get you a new computer...you will be better off in the long run. But if money is tight get a new hard drive even if someone can fix your computer a new hard drive will be better.

 

[Kangaroo]

I hate to say it but I think you've discovered the problem on your own... you have an emachine.

You either need a glue gun or a new PC.

Emachines are now Gateways just an FYI

They merged the not to long ago

 

[CowboyPrincess]

Very first thought I had was there is a CD in your CD drive and the bios is somehow set up to check the CD rom first when booting.

I know it sounds stupid but you would be surprised how many people have just left a CD in the CD rom and had problems with the computer loading up or going slow lol.

But it sounds like you checked all of that.

E-Machines were set up to be very cheap computers and in many ways you are lucky it has lasted.

We got some for our workplace about 4-5 years ago and it was a pain in the butt to find drivers that were never included with the PC....they did not even include all the drivers for the motherboards video and audio. The video was easy to find...the audio was not...and it was found later but not on the e-machine website.

You may get lucky and just have to get a new Hard Drive...of the 5 we got we have had to change the hard drive on 3 of them already...they just went dead.

But if you got the money just get you a new computer...you will be better off in the long run. But if money is tight get a new hard drive even if someone can fix your computer a new hard drive will be better.

Thats if the motherboard bios will support the new HDs on the market. If the motherboard is 4 yrs old, the bios may not support the new technology or size of them even with the last bios update that was made available for that computers motherboard

 

[Yeagermeister]

Emachines are now Gateways just an FYI

They merged the not to long ago

A marriage made in hell....both brands suck

 

[Duane]

A marriage made in hell....both brands suck

I had a Gateway from about six years ago and had zero problems with it. Same goes with my coworker's laptop from several years ago. The only reason she's getting a new one is because of newer apps running really slow.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Thats if the motherboard bios will support the new HDs on the market. If the motherboard is 4 yrs old, the bios may not support the new technology or size of them even with the last bios update that was made available for that computers motherboard

Newer Harddrives sometimes come with software that will attach itself....I had that on one of my older computers ....it added to the bios and was called something like EZ bios or some odd thing.

Besides unless he gets a HUGE hard drive he should be ok.

We have added 20 gigs to replace the old hard drives on the emachines and they have worked without a problem.