Main Area and Open Discussion > General Software Discussion

Repairing Windows XP (to restore AutoPlay)

(1/2) > >>

superticker:
I've been desperately trying to get AutoPlay to work on my Windows XP SP2 system without success.  I tried the Microsoft AutoFix utility (search for "AutoPlay" on http://www.microsoft.com/downloads), and it acknowledges the problem, but says it can't fix it.  I then tried the Microsoft knowledgebase articles discussed at http://support.gateway.com/s/issues/2-748931857.shtml without success.  I'm now down to item# 6 in their list, reinstall Windows XP.

My problem is that I'm running WinXP Pro SP2 (stand alone license), but the original distribution disk is SP0 for this system.  So what's my options?

A colleague told me I need to slipstream the original distribution CD to SP2, burn the slipstreamed image on a CD, then run a Windows XP repair from that burned CD.  Does this sound like the best plan of action?

BTW, if there's an easier way to debug AutoPlay to locate the exact failure in the Windows event chain, please suggest it.  Except for AutoPlay and the slow startup of .NET Framework 2.0 on login, this system is working well.

kimmchii:
did you disable any services?
it requires shell hardware detection.

nudone:
is anything guaranteed to work?

i've recently set up a new system for a friend - all brand new hardware, brand new xp pro - does it autoplay? nope.

it will if you stick a usb device in but it won't with cd/dvd regardless of the optical drives you use.

so, if this can happen with a new install, are you going to face a similar situation if you try a reinstall of your system?

only one way to find out.

i wish i had spotted whether the autoplay worked up until a certain piece of software was installed but it's too late now.

i wish you all the success i can, superticker, and if you do find the solution - please, please, please, post it here.

(i admit i've not tried those methods you've been through so i'll have to give them a go.)

superticker:
did you disable any services?
it requires shell hardware detection.
-kimmchii (October 31, 2006, 12:42 AM)
--- End quote ---
The Shell Hardware Detection service is running.  A colleague suggested that it might be corrupted somehow.  Can I simply delete the svchost.exe executable in Safe Mode and have Windows decompress a fresh copy from a *.cab file?  My colleague was suggesting running a Win XP repair from the slipstreamed WinXP CD.

It's weird because when I plug a CD into the drive, ACCSee 7.0 does recognize it, but that's about all.  If I plug my U3 Smart flash drive into it, it detects and mounts it okay, but the launchU3.exe starts, but then quits.  It's almost like AutoPlay is working, but the executable image it invokes dies after 0.25 seconds.  Very strange.  I really need a debugger for looking at the OS events pertaining to this.  What OS-aware event-tracking debugger is most popular for Windows?

The log file of the MS AutoFix utility writes:
AutoFix [V5.2.3790.67]
Time [2006-10-27 12:54:19]
Microsoft Windows Version [5.1 (Service Pack 2) <2600>]
[Lines deleted]
Test [Drive Notification] - Instance [F:\, Drive Type: 0]:
    Result [Legacy Notification]: OK
    Result [AutoPlay V2 Notification]: Problems {
        Service (Silent)
        Shell (Deaf) }
    >> Repair << [Autoplay V2 Event]
      Step: No steps to take.
      Result: This AutoPlay setting cannot be fixed. Either the device is malfunctioning, or the wizard cannot determine the problem.
>> Required action: The wizard found problems but cannot fix them -> None
--- End quote ---
... which makes me think the svchost.exe service image is corrupted somehow.  It's like it isn't responding completely even though it's up and running.

f0dder:
I can't for the life of me imagine why anybody would want autoplay installed :)

If you end up needing to reinstall (last resort!), I'd recommend checking out www.nliteos.com to handle the slipstreaming process - it can also do a lot of tweaking, but you don't need to do that. Together with the SP2 upgrade and the latest pack from http://www.ryanvm.net/msfn/ , you get a base install that's very up-to-date.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page