BSOD loop/how can I reformat HD?

flyermax2k1 · 02-24-2003, 07:05 PM

I'll try to make a long story short here... I was trying to change the driver for my GF4 Ti 4200 (going from 42.86 back to 29.42 in the hopes of getting better performance) and in the process I seem to have completely messed up my computer. I couldn't install the video card drivers no matter what I tried and Windows couldn't even install the standard VGA driver! So I thought I'd just reinstall Win2k over itself and hope that would solve the problem but it is now stuck in a BSOD loop which I cannot seem to get around. Every time the installation process gets to the point where it starts to set up hardware it gives me a BSOD and reboots automatically. I cannot get into safe mode since Windows is in the middle of the install process and thinks it doesn't have a complete installation so every time I go into the Windows boot options (F8) I can choose whatever I want but it eventually just goes back to the install and BSODs on me. Also, my floppy drive doesn't work so of course I can't get to a drive prompt to reformat my HD and just start over. I was wondering if anyone knows of some way I can either a) get to a drive prompt to reformat my HD or b) get out of this darn BSOD loop and just boot into windows and hopefully install the driver to get my video card working again.
If more info is required or if my description is too convoluted please LMK and I shall provide whatever info is needed.

Thanks in advance

tcheavey · 02-24-2003, 08:24 PM

Can you go into BIOS and set the first boot device to your CD drive and use your install CD with the "repair the installation" option. That's the first thing to save what you have. Or have a bootable DOS CD made by anyone with a working machine.
Does that help?

02-24-2003, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
flyermax2k1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1 OS: Win 2k	BSOD loop/how can I reformat HD? I'll try to make a long story short here... I was trying to change the driver for my GF4 Ti 4200 (going from 42.86 back to 29.42 in the hopes of getting better performance) and in the process I seem to have completely messed up my computer. I couldn't install the video card drivers no matter what I tried and Windows couldn't even install the standard VGA driver! So I thought I'd just reinstall Win2k over itself and hope that would solve the problem but it is now stuck in a BSOD loop which I cannot seem to get around. Every time the installation process gets to the point where it starts to set up hardware it gives me a BSOD and reboots automatically. I cannot get into safe mode since Windows is in the middle of the install process and thinks it doesn't have a complete installation so every time I go into the Windows boot options (F8) I can choose whatever I want but it eventually just goes back to the install and BSODs on me. Also, my floppy drive doesn't work so of course I can't get to a drive prompt to reformat my HD and just start over. I was wondering if anyone knows of some way I can either a) get to a drive prompt to reformat my HD or b) get out of this darn BSOD loop and just boot into windows and hopefully install the driver to get my video card working again. If more info is required or if my description is too convoluted please LMK and I shall provide whatever info is needed. Thanks in advance

02-24-2003, 08:24 PM	#2 (permalink)
tcheavey Mech-Tech Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Oakland/Berkley approx. Posts: 289 OS: Win 2K	Can you go into BIOS and set the first boot device to your CD drive and use your install CD with the "repair the installation" option. That's the first thing to save what you have. Or have a bootable DOS CD made by anyone with a working machine. Does that help? __________________ The Redskins Lost. Go Black Knights!!!!