hardware = dell latitude D600 laptop about 2.5 years old, built in intel broadcom ethernet controller.
software = win2k sp4, i.e.6
background1 = i was having trouble accessing the internet a my new digs. no issue with landlord's allowing access to his router/ADSL modem. i examined the properties of the broadcom connection and decided they looked odd so i uninstalled all thinking (or not as the case may be) that when i rebooted, windows would either reinstall them or i could do it myself. i never got that far; the o/s hangs part way through.
background2 = after the initial dos script and various opportunities to alter the boot sequence, there is a splash screen followed by a blank (blue) screen. this usually lasts a second or two before giving way to another splash screen. this is where the boot sequence hangs (at the blank). i keep thinking i might be being impatient, but after 2.5 years with this puppy i'm rather familiar with it's quirks and this protracted time at this stage isn't one of them.
after the initial attempt to boot hung (after removing the adapter's protocols etc.), i stopped the boot (turned off the computer) and rebooted - same result. i rebooted to safe mode this time and, though it seemd to take a while, i eventually ended up with an operating computer. i tried to access the network connections but nothing happened either from the icon on the desktop, the start button | network connections, or the control panel.
i rebooted, this time to the diagnostics offered with the various boot options (f12, i think). all tests passed.
i dug out my win2k CD, and did a repair install. still hung on reboot. i rebooted again to safe mode and again tried to access the settings for my adapter figuring that if i could reinstall the adapter protocols, the boot would return to normal. i had a partial victory in that i was able to get a new connection wizard to appear, but i was only offered a modem setup.
by this time it was 01h00 this morning and i was facing about 4-5 hours sleep, so i quit.
other1 = i will call dell tech support for their "words of wisdom" such as they might be when i get home after work. BUT i would like other suggestions/perspectives before i start. i respect the assembled wisdom here far more than that of dell.
other2 = a co-worker has suggested a stepped boot to discover which program/process causes the boot to hang part way through.
issue = the only issues i want to address here are: a) what interaction might cause the o/s to hang during boot. it strikes me that my removal of the various "protocols" involved with supporting my adapter somehow precipitated a failure somewhere else that was just waiting to happen; and b) i really don't want to do a fresh install unless absolutely necessary.
i'm really tired, so perhaps i'm not thinking straight, nor offering all the info needed for you to help me. just ask.
per ardua ad astra
software = win2k sp4, i.e.6
background1 = i was having trouble accessing the internet a my new digs. no issue with landlord's allowing access to his router/ADSL modem. i examined the properties of the broadcom connection and decided they looked odd so i uninstalled all thinking (or not as the case may be) that when i rebooted, windows would either reinstall them or i could do it myself. i never got that far; the o/s hangs part way through.
background2 = after the initial dos script and various opportunities to alter the boot sequence, there is a splash screen followed by a blank (blue) screen. this usually lasts a second or two before giving way to another splash screen. this is where the boot sequence hangs (at the blank). i keep thinking i might be being impatient, but after 2.5 years with this puppy i'm rather familiar with it's quirks and this protracted time at this stage isn't one of them.
after the initial attempt to boot hung (after removing the adapter's protocols etc.), i stopped the boot (turned off the computer) and rebooted - same result. i rebooted to safe mode this time and, though it seemd to take a while, i eventually ended up with an operating computer. i tried to access the network connections but nothing happened either from the icon on the desktop, the start button | network connections, or the control panel.
i rebooted, this time to the diagnostics offered with the various boot options (f12, i think). all tests passed.
i dug out my win2k CD, and did a repair install. still hung on reboot. i rebooted again to safe mode and again tried to access the settings for my adapter figuring that if i could reinstall the adapter protocols, the boot would return to normal. i had a partial victory in that i was able to get a new connection wizard to appear, but i was only offered a modem setup.
by this time it was 01h00 this morning and i was facing about 4-5 hours sleep, so i quit.
other1 = i will call dell tech support for their "words of wisdom" such as they might be when i get home after work. BUT i would like other suggestions/perspectives before i start. i respect the assembled wisdom here far more than that of dell.
other2 = a co-worker has suggested a stepped boot to discover which program/process causes the boot to hang part way through.
issue = the only issues i want to address here are: a) what interaction might cause the o/s to hang during boot. it strikes me that my removal of the various "protocols" involved with supporting my adapter somehow precipitated a failure somewhere else that was just waiting to happen; and b) i really don't want to do a fresh install unless absolutely necessary.
i'm really tired, so perhaps i'm not thinking straight, nor offering all the info needed for you to help me. just ask.
per ardua ad astra