agp440.sys HELP!

[Nefarious]

My old computer has crapped out. I'm getting the agp440.sys hang up on boot.

I have read a little about it, and it seems I can fix it if I have the Win XP CD or the Sony CD. Problem is, this computer was given to me several years ago and came with no software disks with it. I need this computer to work. Any help with this issue?

[BluBerry]

You can order XP recovery disks.

[Nefarious]

Just ordered one of Ebay. Hopefully it works! Luckily I have two PCs, but this one was my everyday PC with all sorts of stuff I'm working on. My Aces High Rig is still ready for FSO!

Thanks! This PC is probably 7 or 8 years old!

[Bizman]

You can order XP recovery disks.

Or borrow one. For maintenance purposes any version will do. Also copying such a disk should be ok, IIRC Microsoft has at some point even recommended using a copy to avoid damaging the original disk. Downloading one from some vague source may cause security issues, though.

[Nefarious]

Is there anyway to copy the contents of the drive onto another pc? I really need info off of it today.

[Bizman]

Yes, many ways.

• The most simple way would be to boot it and take the info on a USB memory stick. Since you can't boot into Windows normally,
• Try to boot into Safe Mode by tapping F8 at startup until you get the start options menu. If Safe Mode gives the same issue as a normal boot,either
• get a Live Linux CD and boot from it, or the Ultimate Boot for Windows CD, whichever is easier to find, or
• open the case, detach the hard disk and plug it into a working computer either inside the case or outside with a Sata/IDE to USB cable or something similar. Again, Safe Mode would be easier if you have used a login password.

[Nefarious]

Yes, many ways.

• The most simple way would be to boot it and take the info on a USB memory stick. Since you can't boot into Windows normally,
• Try to boot into Safe Mode by tapping F8 at startup until you get the start options menu. If Safe Mode gives the same issue as a normal boot,either
• get a Live Linux CD and boot from it, or the Ultimate Boot for Windows CD, whichever is easier to find, or
• open the case, detach the hard disk and plug it into a working computer either inside the case or outside with a Sata/IDE to USB cable or something similar. Again, Safe Mode would be easier if you have used a login password.

Well it won't boot in safe mode, I have ordered a Recovery Disk for this model of Sony Vaio off of ebay, but it wont get here till probably Tuesday or Weds.

This PC is Win XP, and my other working PC is Win 7. Would this be an issue plugging the drive into my new PC? I have never done anything like that before.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

There are plenty of windows installation ISO:s hanging around on internet. Just make sure you check the MD5 hash after download to make sure your image is an original (you can find the correct MD5:s also from different sites).

It is perfectly legal to download an install ISO as long as you own the proper product key. OEM computers may need special installation images though, some have their product key embedded in the bios.

[Bizman]

This PC is Win XP, and my other working PC is Win 7. Would this be an issue plugging the drive into my new PC? I have never done anything like that before.

Too bad safe mode can't be used...

There's no real problems in connecting the old hdd into the new rig, assumed the old hdd is new enough to use the same type of cables or there's an IDE connector (broad and flat) on the motherboard. There's a couple things that might cause some head scratching, though: With some luck the new computer will boot from the Win7 hard disk even after plugging the XP disk in. If not, change the boot order from the BIOS settings. Win7 also is more concerned in the security settings than XP, so when you're trying to get into your personal folders Win7 might ask if you'd like to take ownership of the files on the old disk. If you're planning to do a reinstall anyway, there's no problems with that. Safe Mode might be less critical to such questions, so you might want to give it a try.

File type wise there's no difference between the operating systems, they can be copied which way ever. Transferring a program from one disk to another is almost impossible at least in Windows.

[Nefarious]

I'm going to try this:

Make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD as follows (no XP media required):
If you have no bootable XP media (or are not sure what you have) create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure.
This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a store bought system. 
You can make a bootable Recovery Console CD by downloading an ISO file and burning it to a CD.
The bootable ISO image file you need to download is called:

xp_rec_con.iso

Download the ISO file from here:
http://www.mediafire.com/?ueyyzfymmig

Use a new CD and this free and easy program to burn your ISO file and create your bootable CD:
http://www.imgburn.com/

Here are some instructions for ImgBurn:
http://forum.imgburn.com/index.php?showtopic=61

It would be a good idea to test your bootable CD on a computer that is working.

You may need to adjust the computer BIOS settings to use the CD ROM drive as the first boot device instead of the hard disk.  These adjustments are made before Windows tries to load.  If you miss it, you will have to reboot the system again.

When you boot on the CD, follow the prompts:

Press any key to boot from CD...

The Windows Setup... will proceed.
Press 'R' to enter the Recovery Console.
Select the installation you want to access (usually  1: C:\WINDOWS)
You may be asked to enter the Administrator password (usually empty).
You should be in the C:\WINDOWS folder.  This is the same as the

C:\WINDOWS folder you see in explorer.
The Recovery Console allows basic file commands like: copy, rename, replace, delete, cd, chkdsk, fixboot, fixmbr, etc.
For a list of Recovery Console commands, enter help at the prompt or read about the XP Recovery Console here:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/recovery_console_cmds.mspx?mfr=true
A good idea before starting things is to first verify the integrity of your file system using the chkdsk command.

From the command prompt window run the chkdsk command on the drive where Windows is installed to try to repair any problems on the afflicted drive.

Running chkdsk is fine even if it doesn't find any problems.  It will not hurt anything to run it.
Assuming your boot drive is C, run the following command:
chkdsk C: /r
Let chkdsk finish and correct any problems it might find. 

It may take a long time for chkdsk to complete or it may appear to be 'stuck'.  Be patient.  If the HDD light is still flashing, chkdsk is doing something.  Keep an eye on the percentage amount to be sure it is still making progress.  It may even appear to go backwards sometimes.

You should run chkdsk /r again until it finds no errors to correct.
Remove the CD and type 'exit' to leave the RC and restart the computer.

You do not have to adjust the BIOS again to boot on the HDD since the CD will not be present.

[Bizman]

Yepp. chkdsk /r is the tool to possibly get your computer working. When it has finished its job, look at the report for possible data on damaged sectors. If there's any, your hdd is failing and will let you down sooner or later.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Yepp. chkdsk /r is the tool to possibly get your computer working. When it has finished its job, look at the report for possible data on damaged sectors. If there's any, your hdd is failing and will let you down sooner or later.

Luckily a new hdd is dirt cheap and installation very easy.

[Nefarious]

So, the recovery disk did not work. BUT, I ordered a SATA to USB and was able to recover all my Documents!

Any clue on what I can do next? Wipe this Sony and recover? Is there a way I can access the AGP440 sys through my other PC and allow it to boot?

[BluBerry]

So, the recovery disk did not work. BUT, I ordered a SATA to USB and was able to recover all my Documents!

Any clue on what I can do next? Wipe this Sony and recover? Is there a way I can access the AGP440 sys through my other PC and allow it to boot?

Out of curiosity, what didn't work about the recovery disk?

[Nefarious]

Well it was an interesting turn of events... and I lucked out big time.

I got both the Recovery Disk and the SATA to USB device today in the mail. First I tried the Disk, and it didn't work, I held down F10 during boot and it just kept failing to launch. So then I decided before I do break it, I better try and back it up.

Well after much gnashing of teeth, I was finally able to retrieve the files off of it. Then I plugged HD back into MB and it worked, booted up fine. I had successfully moved the files AND the Sony still worked! I then tried to reinstall the HD, but I had to unplug it one more time. When I restarted, it wouldn't recognize at all! Nothing worked. Any ideas?