Win98 Auto Shutdown

rnbwchs · 10-28-2006, 04:36 PM

I am working on a generic PC V8-601MB with Celeron MMX 366 cpu, 512M ram, Rage IIC AGP video.

The problem is that when booting into normal mode, the computer reaches a certain point, then shuts down. I am able to boot into safe mode without incident.

I have checked all the hardware and am sure the problem is software related. When doing a step-by-step boot, everything loads fine until ptvcd.vxd. Immediately after okaying it, a "press any key..." message comes up. If I press a key, the computer reboots. If I wait too long to press it, the computer boots.

I don't know what's is loading at this point and could use some help in finding out what it is.

Marty

**manic** · 10-28-2006, 07:07 PM

Its a driver of some sort. Go to google and type in ptvcd.vxd, you will get
a ton of hits that may lead to your solution.

**OldGrayGary** · 10-29-2006, 12:44 AM

Hi Marty

It's part of a PCTel modem driver. If there is a PCTel modem present, try to find an exact-match driver for it. If there is no longer a modem present, try the following removal instructions (but of course skip the "reinstall the modem drivers" part!)

Since you can boot into Safe Mode, do so, and then:
1) go to the Control Panel's Add-Remove Programs, and look for any PCTel entries, and uninstall them.
2) go to the Control Panel's System/Device Manager applet, and remove any modems listed in the modems category.
3) Reboot into normal mode - see if Windows loads OK.

If there is still a PCTel modem present, go ahead and install an exact-match driver, following it's installation instructions.

If there is no longer a PCTel modem present, but the system still hangs/reboots at that same point, try a Registry Cleaner to remove whatever leftover clutter is causing the trouble. I like CCleaner for this sort of thing = use its "Issues" function to clean the Registry - and run it until it reports "no issues found" --- http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...-10315544.html --- you can install and run CCleaner in Safe Mode.

See if that does it
. . . Gary

Here's a Microsoft Knowledge Base article that proposes similiar repairs for an error akin to the one you are seeing http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296240

P.S. ... noticed that this is your first post here: Welcome to the Tech Support Forums!

rnbwchs · 10-29-2006, 01:33 AM

OldGrayGary: Thank you for the advice. I will try it tomorrow and get back to you with the results.

Marty

rnbwchs · 11-09-2006, 05:35 PM

Old Gray Gary:

Sorry it has taken so long to get back. I tried the Pctel drivers but no joy. I did some more digging and figured out that it was actually the Symantic Internet Security that was causing the problems. Once I got all of its files from trying to load...no more problem. On researching it, I found that lots of folks have had problems with that software.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

Marty

10-28-2006, 04:36 PM	#1 (permalink)
rnbwchs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Win98 Auto Shutdown I am working on a generic PC V8-601MB with Celeron MMX 366 cpu, 512M ram, Rage IIC AGP video. The problem is that when booting into normal mode, the computer reaches a certain point, then shuts down. I am able to boot into safe mode without incident. I have checked all the hardware and am sure the problem is software related. When doing a step-by-step boot, everything loads fine until ptvcd.vxd. Immediately after okaying it, a "press any key..." message comes up. If I press a key, the computer reboots. If I wait too long to press it, the computer boots. I don't know what's is loading at this point and could use some help in finding out what it is. Marty

10-28-2006, 07:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,236 OS: xp	Its a driver of some sort. Go to google and type in ptvcd.vxd, you will get a ton of hits that may lead to your solution. __________________

10-29-2006, 12:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
OldGrayGary Mentor, Microsoft Support Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Woodland Hills, CA Posts: 2,240 OS: Windows 98se/2000/XP/Vista	Hi Marty It's part of a PCTel modem driver. If there is a PCTel modem present, try to find an exact-match driver for it. If there is no longer a modem present, try the following removal instructions (but of course skip the "reinstall the modem drivers" part!) Since you can boot into Safe Mode, do so, and then: 1) go to the Control Panel's Add-Remove Programs, and look for any PCTel entries, and uninstall them. 2) go to the Control Panel's System/Device Manager applet, and remove any modems listed in the modems category. 3) Reboot into normal mode - see if Windows loads OK. If there is still a PCTel modem present, go ahead and install an exact-match driver, following it's installation instructions. If there is no longer a PCTel modem present, but the system still hangs/reboots at that same point, try a Registry Cleaner to remove whatever leftover clutter is causing the trouble. I like CCleaner for this sort of thing = use its "Issues" function to clean the Registry - and run it until it reports "no issues found" --- http://www.download.com/CCleaner/300...-10315544.html --- you can install and run CCleaner in Safe Mode. See if that does it . . . Gary Here's a Microsoft Knowledge Base article that proposes similiar repairs for an error akin to the one you are seeing http://support.microsoft.com/kb/296240 P.S. ... noticed that this is your first post here: Welcome to the Tech Support Forums! __________________ Last edited by OldGrayGary; 10-29-2006 at 12:47 AM.

10-29-2006, 01:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
rnbwchs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3 OS: xp	OldGrayGary: Thank you for the advice. I will try it tomorrow and get back to you with the results. Marty

11-09-2006, 05:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
rnbwchs Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Old Gray Gary: Sorry it has taken so long to get back. I tried the Pctel drivers but no joy. I did some more digging and figured out that it was actually the Symantic Internet Security that was causing the problems. Once I got all of its files from trying to load...no more problem. On researching it, I found that lots of folks have had problems with that software. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. Marty