Loader Error 3 after installing W2K SP4 Rollup

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Bob Kramer - 14 Jul 2005 17:05 GMT

I installed the rollup patch for SP4 on my W2k Pro laptop. It is a Dell
Latitude D800.

Upon rebooting windows I receive this:

Couldn't load PCR Descriptor
Loader Error 3

After adding /sos to the end of the OS line in boot.ini I see that the very
last driver that gets loaded is agp440.sys

I got into the $NtUninstallRollup.... folder and tried to run spuninst.exe
but recovery console tells me it isn't a supported command and to type HELP
for a list of supported commands.

It doesn't appear that this is a common problem since I haven't been able to
find much on the Internet about it.

Can anyone give me an idea on what can be done to get back into windows? I
have some recent data on this laptop that has not yet been backed up so I am
hoping I don't have to lose anything. :(

Thank you!

Bob Kramer
CIS Internet Services

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Bob Kramer - 14 Jul 2005 17:16 GMT

A follow up to my previous post....

I ran chkdsk and it reports the partition is in good condition but informs
me I can specify /p to force the check. I have not done that at this point.

I ran fixboot C: and it reports that the bootsector is successfully written
to C: but I get the same error when rebooted:

Couldn't allocate PCR descriptor
Loader error 3.

I'm really apprehensive about going much further without a sound idea from
someone with experience in this area.

Bob

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Bob Kramer - 14 Jul 2005 17:36 GMT

I am very sorry for the multiple posts to explain this problem. But I should
also explain that I have done an F8 to attempt all of the advanced boot
options. I receive the same error (Couldn't allocate PCR decriptor, Loader
Error 3) no matter which I select (Safe Mode et al, Last known good
configuration, etc.).

No matter which startup option I select I will receive the error.

I searched Dell.com for anything about agp440.sys (the last driver seen
loaded before the error occurs). There was an article there relating to XP
and this file and a link to MS KB:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;324764

I tried this article and disabled agp440 with absolutely no difference
except that agp440.sys is no longer the 'last' driver loaded. It does not
appearin the drivers being loaded by W2k Pro anymore. So I doubt that the
agp440.sys file has anything to do with my problem.

I don't find hardly any information on "PCR descriptor".

Maybe the /sos startup option only displays the last driver successfully
loaded and is not showing me the one it is having a problem with? Is there a
way of listing the drivers to be loaded in the order Windows will load them?

Bob Kramer

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Sky King - 15 Jul 2005 16:29 GMT

Hi, Bob;

Have you tried re-installing the graphics drivers for that system?
Just a WAG.

Signature

...Sky

Tom "Sky" King
=============

> I am very sorry for the multiple posts to explain this problem. But I
> should also explain that I have done an F8 to attempt all of the
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> Bob Kramer

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Michel Porcher - 27 Jul 2008 20:30 GMT

This problem occurs occasionally on my W2KSP4 system (IBM T42). I don't know
why, but the problem is solved by deleting the memory swap file (and
eventually the hibernation file).

url:http://www.ureader.com/msg/1355139.aspx

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Dee - 20 Aug 2008 17:58 GMT

> This problem occurs occasionally on my W2KSP4 system (IBM T42). I don't know
> why, but the problem is solved by deleting the memory swap file (and
> eventually the hibernation file).
>
> url:http://www.ureader.com/msg/1355139.aspx

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Dee - 20 Aug 2008 17:59 GMT

Are you running windows xp, I get this error a lot and the comp won't boot.
Brand new machine. But it's an emachine.

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