Strange mesages on boot

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Carmel - 31 Jul 2005 03:21 GMT

Hi,
I am getting strange messages while in the boot process.
While booting and after the memory check page the strange messages start
appearing as follows:

In the top left it says "Realtek RTL81399(A/B/C)/ RTL8130 Boot Agent"
Press shift-F10 to configure.

Next at the verifying DMI pool data page it states:
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0(build 081)
Copyright(c) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation.

For Realtek RTL8139(A/B/C)/ RTL8130 PCI Fast Ethernet Controller
v2.11(001205)
PXE-E61: media test failure, check cable
PXE-MOF: Exiting PXE Rom.

It then proceeds to the Windows ME logo and goes to the "verifying pool data
screen" again with the same as previous message:
Intel UNDI, PXE-2.0(BUILD 082)
Copyright(c) 1997-2000 Intel Corporation

For Realtek RTL8139(A/B/C)/ RTL8130 PCI Fast Ethernet Controller
v2.11(001205).
PXE- E61: media test failure, check cable.
PXE- MOF: exiting PXE Rom.

Windows ME then loads as normal. Keep in mind that the Realtek RTL8139 is my
network adapter.

What is causing these messages and how to stop them from appearing.
Thanks for any support on
this issue.

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Mike M - 31 Jul 2005 04:38 GMT

This problem has nothing to do with Win Me but rather is being output by
your system bios before the operating system is loaded. The messages
suggest that your system bios might be attempting to boot from a network
resource via the NIC and when this fails boots normally from the hard
disk. I think the first thing I would do would be to check the boot order
in the bios.

Signature

Mike Maltby
mike.maltby@gmail.com

> Hi,
> I am getting strange messages while in the boot process.
[quoted text clipped - 29 lines]
> Thanks for any
> support on this issue.

Reply to this Message

Carmel - 31 Jul 2005 04:52 GMT

Ok, Mike.
The Bios shoes floppy, harddrive then cd rom in that order.

> This problem has nothing to do with Win Me but rather is being output by
> your system bios before the operating system is loaded. The messages
[quoted text clipped - 36 lines]
> > Thanks for any
> > support on this issue.

Reply to this Message

N. Miller - 31 Jul 2005 11:18 GMT

Check the NIC properties.

> Ok, Mike.
> The Bios shoes floppy, harddrive then cd rom in that order.
[quoted text clipped - 39 lines]
>>> Thanks for any
>>> support on this issue.

Signature

Norman
~Win dain a lotica, En vai tu ri, Si lo ta
~Fin dein a loluca, En dragu a sei lain
~Vi fa-ru les shutai am, En riga-lint

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Carmel - 31 Jul 2005 14:41 GMT

I went into the RTL8130 boot agent settings via the <shift/f10> keys at boot,
and the settings are as follows;
> Network Boot Protocol= PXE or RPL.
> Boot order= Int 18h, Int 19h, PNP/BEV or
ROM disable.
> Show config message= enable or disable.
> Show message time= 3 sec, 5 sec or 8 sec.

Is this where I should make changes or should I make the changes in the
BIOS?
I hope this helps....

Reply to this Message

Mike M - 31 Jul 2005 14:54 GMT

Not being familiar with the bios or even knowing the motherboard you have
I can't really comment but regardless of the boot order it does appear
that your system is trying to boot from the LAN before the hard disk. I
can see similar results to what you are seeing if I set my Toshiba to boot
from the LAN and don't have it connected when booting. Check again as it
is possible that there is an additional setting to the boot order that
invokes booting from the LAN before trying Floppy | HD | CD-ROM.

Signature

Mike Maltby
mike.maltby@gmail.com

> I went into the RTL8130 boot agent settings via the <shift/f10> keys
> at boot, and the settings are as follows;
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> the BIOS?
> I hope this helps....

Reply to this Message

Carmel - 31 Jul 2005 15:35 GMT

Sorry not mentioning the specifics.
I have an Award 6.00PG (8/12/2002). I went back into the BIOS and saw a
mention of an "Onboard Lan Boot Rom". It was set to enable so I disabled it.
I rebooted and no more messages from the "Boot Agent". No problems loading
into Windows and no problems connecting to the web.

How could have this setting have changed without my acknowledgement?
Any thoughts on updating or flashing my BIOS. Should I consider this
option to my BIOS?

> Not being familiar with the bios or even knowing the motherboard you have
> I can't really comment but regardless of the boot order it does appear
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > the BIOS?
> > I hope this helps....

Reply to this Message

Mike M - 31 Jul 2005 15:53 GMT

Carmel,

I'm pleased to read that you found the setting in the bios that was causing
the problem at bootup and that you've now solved the problem. As to how
this setting might have got changed is a bit of a mystery. This could just
possibly be the result of having picked up some unwanted malware on your
system otherwise I don't really have anything to suggest.

As for whether you should flash your bios to a later version this rather
depends on whether the newer version contains any features that you require.
The general rule here is often to leave well alone rather than to update for
updates sake.

Regards.

Signature

Mike Maltby
mike.maltby@gmail.com

> Sorry not mentioning the specifics.
> I have an Award 6.00PG (8/12/2002). I went back into the BIOS and saw a
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Any thoughts on updating or flashing my BIOS. Should I consider this
> option to my BIOS?

Reply to this Message

Carmel - 31 Jul 2005 16:10 GMT

Thanks for your assistance, Mike.
I will do some research on whether an updated BIOS would include some new
features. Then I will evaluate according to my needs.

> Carmel,
>
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
> > Any thoughts on updating or flashing my BIOS. Should I consider this
> > option to my BIOS?

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