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From: Felix on 8 Jun 2010 15:12
Hey Jose. Appreciate help thus far! To answer your question, I have a Windows
XP Install CD...the original CD. No copies.

When I boot to the CD, and opt to select Recovery Console, the CD
immediately prompts me that "...there aren't any drives installed on the
system. Select F3 to exit."

As a test, I reboot the PC onto same CD and simulate formatting drive with
new XP install. Instead of selecting Recovery Console, I select 'ENTER' to
bring up prompt to install Windows XP. Instead, it prompts me that "...there
aren't any drives installed on the system. Select F3 to exit."

When my system originally crashed, I was surfing the 'Net and it simply
dragged (mouse) to a stand-still. Couldn't open Task Manager. So I pressed
the laptop's power button for 2 seconds and it powered down. When I powered
laptop backup, I logged into company's PGP password screen as usual but got
the 'Safe Mode' options screen. I simply clicked on 'Start Windows Normally'
option and it blue screen to Session3 error. After checking BIOS, didn't
change anything, I powered down laptop and reseated its hard drive
thoroughly. I removed all peripheral USB devices and the network cable.
Booted up and still received Session3 BSOD. Then that's when I tried the
recovery option. Granted, I did not change anything nor did I choose to
format the HDD AND if I let the system boot normally, it BSODs AFTER the
Windows Logo boot screen appears. So the OS IS trying to load!! I just wanna
get in a download my Favorites, MyDocs and Desktop files before an inevitable
reimage. Appears the Smss.exe is corrupt. Is there an adapter I can attach to
this SATA HDD to tether to another PCs USB port, mount it and download those
items?

Oh and whenever I'm given the option to select the BIOS system recovery
option after reboot (F11), I receive the Unmountable Boot Volume BSOD.

Its a SATA hard drive in a 2008 Lenovo T61 laptop. Emptied quarantied items
from SAV11 early last week. Thanks again for any advice you all can offer!

"Jose" wrote:

> On Jun 8, 11:48 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly
> > over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at
> > 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run
> > Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP
> > Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives
> > installed on the system.
> >
> > But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just
> > fine. Any thoughts?
> >
> >
> >
> > "Jose" wrote:
> > > On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > > > I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard
> > > > drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm
> > > > somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's
> > > > IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two
> > > > days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it
> > > > came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe
> > > > Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows
> > > > Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to
> > > > "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F
> > > > (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any
> > > > of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same
> > > > BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from
> > > > laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some
> > > > Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard
> > > > drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the
> > > > laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in
> > > > boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive
> > > > diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I
> > > > used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it
> > > > gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2.
> > > > connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC
> > > > since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP
> > > > encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me
> > > > an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting
> > > > F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED
> > > > (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a
> > > > Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run
> > > > checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the
> > > > Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the
> > > > system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the
> > > > OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I
> > > > plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:)
> > > > drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again,
> > > > the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on
> > > > the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd
> > > > simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What
> > > > I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by
> > > > virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with
> > > > SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I
> > > > do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in
> > > > advance for your response(s)!
> >
> > > I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental
> > > troubleshooting methods.
> >
> > > Here is my standard response to your first symptom.
> >
> > > If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like:
> >
> > > SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
> >
> > > *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000)
> >
> > > The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software -
> > > perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary
> > > XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file:
> >
> > > c:\windows\system32\smss.exe
> >
> > > I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that
> > > has never been my experience.
> >
> > > What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior
> > > to this incident?
> >
> > > If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them
> > > from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must
> > > boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console.
> >
> > > Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP
> > > installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.
> >
> > > This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a
> > > store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you
> > > have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure.
> >
> > > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is
> > > available by following the directions in this link:
> >
> > >http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html
> >
> > > There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in
> > > the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message:
> >
> > > Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first
> > > Windows\System32\ntdll.dll
> > > Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
> >
> > > After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C:
> > > \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have
> > > some other problem that you need to fix first.
> >
> > > When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the
> > > copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing
> > > files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file
> > > was copied successfully.
> >
> > > In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the
> > > following commands:
> >
> > > cd system32
> > > copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe
> > > exit (your system will restart)
> >
> > > Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files
> > > from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for
> > > some reason, enter the commands like this:
> >
> > > cd system32
> > > copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe
> > > exit (your system will restart)
> >
> > > If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files:
> >
> > > ntdll.dll
> > > ntoskrnl.exe
> > > .
>
> Hmmm... sounds like some hardware issue.
>
> You will not get far with the SESSION messages until you can boot on
> something.
>
> What does "my system crashed" mean exactly and what did you do after
> that to try to get going again?
>
> Was the power button, battery removal or any plug pulling involved?
>
> Did you make that Recovery Console CD or are you using something else
> and if something else is not a genuine bootable XP installation CD,
> make the RC CD as directed and be sure to test it for bootability in
> any other XP machine - like the machine you used to make the RC CD.
> You don't need the "what CD should I be booting on or if this CD even
> works at all" variable in your equation. Eliminate it.
>
> Is that what the message says when you try to boot on the CD:
>
> there aren't any drives installed on the system
>
> Here come the "slave the hard disk in another machine" ideas (perhaps)
> but what you describe sounds more fundamental. It would not hurt to
> reseat (unplug/replug) all the connections to and from the HDD if that
> is feasible. You must overcome this non booting non recognizing the
> HDD situation first, then address remaining issues when you have the
> ability to maneuver.
>
> Are you able to provide the system make and model? Maybe somebody
> will recognize the symptom or we can look up some HW manuals and maybe
> get some idee-ers there.
> .
>
From: Jose on 8 Jun 2010 15:42
On Jun 8, 3:12 pm, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> Hey Jose. Appreciate help thus far! To answer your question, I have a Windows
> XP Install CD...the original CD. No copies.
>
> When I boot to the CD, and opt to select Recovery Console, the CD
> immediately prompts me that "...there aren't any drives installed on the
> system. Select F3 to exit."
>
> As a test, I reboot the PC onto same CD and simulate formatting drive with
> new XP install. Instead of selecting Recovery Console, I select 'ENTER' to
> bring up prompt to install Windows XP. Instead, it prompts me that "...there
> aren't any drives installed on the system. Select F3 to exit."
>
> When my system originally crashed, I was surfing the 'Net and it simply
> dragged (mouse) to a stand-still. Couldn't open Task Manager. So I pressed
> the laptop's power button for 2 seconds and it powered down. When I powered
> laptop backup, I logged into company's PGP password screen as usual but got
> the 'Safe Mode' options screen. I simply clicked on 'Start Windows Normally'
> option and it blue screen to Session3 error. After checking BIOS, didn't
> change anything, I powered down laptop and reseated its hard drive
> thoroughly. I removed all peripheral USB devices and the network cable.
> Booted up and still received Session3 BSOD. Then that's when I tried the
> recovery option. Granted, I did not change anything nor did I choose to
> format the HDD AND if I let the system boot normally, it BSODs AFTER the
> Windows Logo boot screen appears. So the OS IS trying to load!! I just wanna
> get in a download my Favorites, MyDocs and Desktop files before an inevitable
> reimage. Appears the Smss.exe is corrupt. Is there an adapter I can attach to
> this SATA HDD to tether to another PCs USB port, mount it and download those
> items?
>
> Oh and whenever I'm given the option to select the BIOS system recovery
> option after reboot (F11), I receive the Unmountable Boot Volume BSOD.
>
> Its a SATA hard drive in a 2008 Lenovo T61 laptop. Emptied quarantied items
> from SAV11 early last week. Thanks again for any advice you all can offer!
>
>
>
> "Jose" wrote:
> > On Jun 8, 11:48 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > > Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly
> > > over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at
> > > 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run
> > > Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP
> > > Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives
> > > installed on the system.
>
> > > But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just
> > > fine. Any thoughts?
>
> > > "Jose" wrote:
> > > > On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> > > > > I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard
> > > > > drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm
> > > > > somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's
> > > > > IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two
> > > > > days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it
> > > > > came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe
> > > > > Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows
> > > > > Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to
> > > > > "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F
> > > > > (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any
> > > > > of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same
> > > > > BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from
> > > > > laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some
> > > > > Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard
> > > > > drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the
> > > > > laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in
> > > > > boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive
> > > > > diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I
> > > > > used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it
> > > > > gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2.
> > > > > connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC
> > > > > since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP
> > > > > encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me
> > > > > an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting
> > > > > F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED
> > > > > (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a
> > > > > Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run
> > > > > checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the
> > > > > Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the
> > > > > system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the
> > > > > OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I
> > > > > plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:)
> > > > > drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again,
> > > > > the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on
> > > > > the system!!!  I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd
> > > > > simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What
> > > > > I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by
> > > > > virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with
> > > > > SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I
> > > > > do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in
> > > > > advance for your response(s)!
>
> > > > I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental
> > > > troubleshooting methods.
>
> > > > Here is my standard response to your first symptom.
>
> > > > If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like:
>
> > > > SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
>
> > > > *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000)
>
> > > > The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software -
> > > > perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary
> > > > XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file:
>
> > > > c:\windows\system32\smss.exe
>
> > > > I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that
> > > > has never been my experience.
>
> > > > What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior
> > > > to this incident?
>
> > > > If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them
> > > > from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must
> > > > boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console.
>
> > > > Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP
> > > > installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.
>
> > > > This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a
> > > > store bought system.  If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you
> > > > have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and  be sure.
>
> > > > You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is
> > > > available by following the directions in this link:
>
> > > >http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html
>
> > > > There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in
> > > > the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message:
>
> > > > Windows\System32\smss.exe  <--most likely, so replace this one first
> > > > Windows\System32\ntdll.dll
> > > > Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
>
> > > > After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C:
> > > > \WINDOWS folder.  If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have
> > > > some other problem that you need to fix first.
>
> > > > When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the
> > > > copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing
> > > > files.  If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file
> > > > was copied successfully.
>
> > > > In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the
> > > > following commands:
>
> > > > cd system32
> > > > copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe
> > > > exit (your system will restart)
>
> > > > Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files
> > > > from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for
> > > > some reason, enter the commands like this:
>
> > > > cd system32
> > > > copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe
> > > > exit (your system will restart)
>
> > > > If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files:
>
> > > > ntdll.dll
> > > > ntoskrnl.exe
> > > > .
>
> > Hmmm... sounds like some hardware issue.
>
> > You will not get far with the SESSION messages until you can boot on
> > something.
>
> > What does "my system crashed" mean exactly and what did you do after
> > that to try to get going again?
>
> > Was the power button, battery removal or any plug pulling involved?
>
> > Did you make that Recovery Console CD or are you using something else
> > and if something else is not a genuine bootable XP installation CD,
> > make the RC CD as directed and be sure to test it for bootability in
> > any other XP machine - like the machine you used to make the RC CD.
> > You don't need the "what CD should I be booting on or if this CD even
> > works at all" variable in your equation.  Eliminate it.
>
> > Is that what the message says when you try to boot on the CD:
>
> > there aren't any drives installed on the system
>
> > Here come the "slave the hard disk in another machine" ideas (perhaps)
> > but what you describe
>
> ...
>
> read more »

John John could be right about the SATA drivers (Arg!) - they will not
be there to load with your RC unless you interrupt the loading of RC
by pressing F6 when RC is starting and then point it to where your
SATA drivers are. Watch for that message when you boot RC and go
ahead and press F6 (but you still need to come up with the SATA
drivers). I forgot about that part.

Somebody had to have them to install your Windows XP - the tough part
may be finding the correct ones.

They would usually be (or they used to be) on a floppy disk, but if
you have no floppy, no problem.

Use this software to make yourself a "new" XP Recovery Console CD and
you can include all the "extra" files you want on the CD.

http://artellos.com/arcdc-page

Now having these "extra" files on a bootable recovery CD is very
convenient for troubleshooting common problems of malicious software.
I used that program (of course there are other ways) to make a
Recovery Console CD that has other things I am likely going to need to
fix a non booting system, such as:

userinit.exe
ntldr
ntdetect.com

You just make a new Recovery Console CD that has your SATA drivers in
some folder that will be put on the CD, boot RC, press F6, point it to
the folder on the CD and be on your way (maybe not the first time).

I think all you need to do is replace the smss.exe file - somehow.

Slaving the drive to/in another PC long enough to copy the file(s) you
need may be a more attractive option now, but I have never had to do
that but somebody else can tell you about that probably.

I think you are close to having it.

From: John John - MVP on 8 Jun 2010 17:38
Jose wrote:
> On Jun 8, 3:12 pm, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>> Hey Jose. Appreciate help thus far! To answer your question, I have a Windows
>> XP Install CD...the original CD. No copies.
>>
>> When I boot to the CD, and opt to select Recovery Console, the CD
>> immediately prompts me that "...there aren't any drives installed on the
>> system. Select F3 to exit."
>>
>> As a test, I reboot the PC onto same CD and simulate formatting drive with
>> new XP install. Instead of selecting Recovery Console, I select 'ENTER' to
>> bring up prompt to install Windows XP. Instead, it prompts me that "...there
>> aren't any drives installed on the system. Select F3 to exit."
>>
>> When my system originally crashed, I was surfing the 'Net and it simply
>> dragged (mouse) to a stand-still. Couldn't open Task Manager. So I pressed
>> the laptop's power button for 2 seconds and it powered down. When I powered
>> laptop backup, I logged into company's PGP password screen as usual but got
>> the 'Safe Mode' options screen. I simply clicked on 'Start Windows Normally'
>> option and it blue screen to Session3 error. After checking BIOS, didn't
>> change anything, I powered down laptop and reseated its hard drive
>> thoroughly. I removed all peripheral USB devices and the network cable.
>> Booted up and still received Session3 BSOD. Then that's when I tried the
>> recovery option. Granted, I did not change anything nor did I choose to
>> format the HDD AND if I let the system boot normally, it BSODs AFTER the
>> Windows Logo boot screen appears. So the OS IS trying to load!! I just wanna
>> get in a download my Favorites, MyDocs and Desktop files before an inevitable
>> reimage. Appears the Smss.exe is corrupt. Is there an adapter I can attach to
>> this SATA HDD to tether to another PCs USB port, mount it and download those
>> items?
>>
>> Oh and whenever I'm given the option to select the BIOS system recovery
>> option after reboot (F11), I receive the Unmountable Boot Volume BSOD.
>>
>> Its a SATA hard drive in a 2008 Lenovo T61 laptop. Emptied quarantied items
>> from SAV11 early last week. Thanks again for any advice you all can offer!
>>
>>
>>
>> "Jose" wrote:
>>> On Jun 8, 11:48 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>> Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly
>>>> over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at
>>>> 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run
>>>> Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP
>>>> Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives
>>>> installed on the system.
>>>> But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just
>>>> fine. Any thoughts?
>>>> "Jose" wrote:
>>>>> On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
>>>>>> I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard
>>>>>> drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm
>>>>>> somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's
>>>>>> IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two
>>>>>> days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it
>>>>>> came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe
>>>>>> Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows
>>>>>> Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to
>>>>>> "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F
>>>>>> (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any
>>>>>> of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same
>>>>>> BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from
>>>>>> laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some
>>>>>> Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard
>>>>>> drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the
>>>>>> laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in
>>>>>> boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive
>>>>>> diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I
>>>>>> used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it
>>>>>> gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2.
>>>>>> connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC
>>>>>> since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP
>>>>>> encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me
>>>>>> an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting
>>>>>> F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED
>>>>>> (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a
>>>>>> Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run
>>>>>> checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the
>>>>>> Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the
>>>>>> system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the
>>>>>> OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I
>>>>>> plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:)
>>>>>> drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again,
>>>>>> the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on
>>>>>> the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd
>>>>>> simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What
>>>>>> I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by
>>>>>> virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with
>>>>>> SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I
>>>>>> do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in
>>>>>> advance for your response(s)!
>>>>> I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental
>>>>> troubleshooting methods.
>>>>> Here is my standard response to your first symptom.
>>>>> If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like:
>>>>> SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
>>>>> *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000)
>>>>> The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software -
>>>>> perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary
>>>>> XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file:
>>>>> c:\windows\system32\smss.exe
>>>>> I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that
>>>>> has never been my experience.
>>>>> What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior
>>>>> to this incident?
>>>>> If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them
>>>>> from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must
>>>>> boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console.
>>>>> Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP
>>>>> installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.
>>>>> This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a
>>>>> store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you
>>>>> have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure.
>>>>> You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is
>>>>> available by following the directions in this link:
>>>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html
>>>>> There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in
>>>>> the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message:
>>>>> Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first
>>>>> Windows\System32\ntdll.dll
>>>>> Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
>>>>> After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C:
>>>>> \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have
>>>>> some other problem that you need to fix first.
>>>>> When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the
>>>>> copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing
>>>>> files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file
>>>>> was copied successfully.
>>>>> In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the
>>>>> following commands:
>>>>> cd system32
>>>>> copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe
>>>>> exit (your system will restart)
>>>>> Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files
>>>>> from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for
>>>>> some reason, enter the commands like this:
>>>>> cd system32
>>>>> copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe
>>>>> exit (your system will restart)
>>>>> If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files:
>>>>> ntdll.dll
>>>>> ntoskrnl.exe
>>>>> .
>>> Hmmm... sounds like some hardware issue.
>>> You will not get far with the SESSION messages until you can boot on
>>> something.
>>> What does "my system crashed" mean exactly and what did you do after
>>> that to try to get going again?
>>> Was the power button, battery removal or any plug pulling involved?
>>> Did you make that Recovery Console CD or are you using something else
>>> and if something else is not a genuine bootable XP installation CD,
>>> make the RC CD as directed and be sure to test it for bootability in
>>> any other XP machine - like the machine you used to make the RC CD.
>>> You don't need the "what CD should I be booting on or if this CD even
>>> works at all" variable in your equation. Eliminate it.
>>> Is that what the message says when you try to boot on the CD:
>>> there aren't any drives installed on the system
>>> Here come the "slave the hard disk in another machine" ideas (perhaps)
>>> but what you describe
>> ...
>>
>> read more �
>
> John John could be right about the SATA drivers (Arg!) - they will not
> be there to load with your RC unless you interrupt the loading of RC
> by pressing F6 when RC is starting and then point it to where your
> SATA drivers are. Watch for that message when you boot RC and go
> ahead and press F6 (but you still need to come up with the SATA
> drivers). I forgot about that part.
>
> Somebody had to have them to install your Windows XP - the tough part
> may be finding the correct ones.
>
> They would usually be (or they used to be) on a floppy disk, but if
> you have no floppy, no problem.
>
> Use this software to make yourself a "new" XP Recovery Console CD and
> you can include all the "extra" files you want on the CD.
>
> http://artellos.com/arcdc-page
>
> Now having these "extra" files on a bootable recovery CD is very
> convenient for troubleshooting common problems of malicious software.
> I used that program (of course there are other ways) to make a
> Recovery Console CD that has other things I am likely going to need to
> fix a non booting system, such as:
>
> userinit.exe
> ntldr
> ntdetect.com
>
> You just make a new Recovery Console CD that has your SATA drivers in
> some folder that will be put on the CD, boot RC, press F6, point it to
> the folder on the CD and be on your way (maybe not the first time).

Sorry, but that won't work. Up to and including Windows XP the drivers
*must* be supplied on a floppy diskette, the setup program will not
accept them from any other media source. You can use a USB floppy
drive. The only other alternative is to slipstream them proper into the
Windows XP CD, a search on the net will give further instructions:
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5HxOY1LwRoAmsGl87UF?p=slipstream+sata+drivers&fr=yfp-t-501&fr2=sfp&iscqry=

John
From: Jose on 8 Jun 2010 22:08

>
> Sorry, but that won't work.  Up to and including Windows XP the drivers
> *must* be supplied on a floppy diskette, the setup program will not
> accept them from any other media source.  You can use a USB floppy
> drive.  The only other alternative is to slipstream them proper into the
> Windows XP CD, a search on the net will give further instructions:http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5HxOY1LwRoAmsGl87UF?p=slipst...
>
> John

That is like - totally lame, man. Bogus.. you know what I'm sayin'?

Do you mean you can only F6 and get drivers from the the A drive? It
has been too long since I had to do that.

That is like the second bit of unsettling news I got this week
regarding this operating system.

Felix - if you have a method, just copy the file(s) from the HDD to
your system32.

I think your AV quarantined it. I have fixed this 5 times in the last
2 weeks or so - the missing smss.exe (the first one took a while to
figure out), once apparently by AVG and once by Avira! I think the
file(s) really are infected, but it is rude to quarantine an important
file and not ask me about it.

Move your HDD to another machine, etc. or an enclosure - I don't know
too much about that stuff. You can use some other bootable CD to copy
files, or depending on the quantity, I sometimes just copy them to a
USB thumb drive using RC. That works here for < 32GB, or make
multiple passes.

Maybe I should actually install XP once ina while instead of trying to
fixi it, and I would know/remember some of these irritations.
From: Felix on 9 Jun 2010 03:10
Hey John John & Jose:

I believe I successfully created a 'slipstream' Windows XP install CD using
nLite. I don't think I have any extra partitions on my (C:) drive either. But
read on and you decide if its relevant or not in what I'm doing per using
both your instructions.

Long story short, I booted to CD, selected F6 and after processing drivers,
the Install asked me to press 'S' to load additional storage drivers(?). One
way or another if I recall, the installation the installation gave me two
options. One was to select 'Enter'. When I did, I was given the Windows
Install and Recovery Console options. I selected Recovery Console and the
system went into DOS. Yippiee! No other external (storage) devices were
attached to my PC but the power cable. Now the hard part.

It gave me a (C:) prompt. So I typed 'Windows' (without quotes) at prompt
and it says..."command is not recognized."

Next at (C:) prompt, I typed "cd windows" and it says..."the path or file
specified is not valid.

Next at (C:) prompt, I typed "DIR" and it says..."Directory of C:\ (space)
An error occurred during directory enumeration".

Next at (C:) prompt, I typed "chkdsk" (without quotes) and it says..."the
volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems".

Next at (C:) prompt, I typed "fixboot" (without quotes) and it says..."the
target partition is C. Are you sure you want to write a new bootsector to the
partition C"?

It's holding at that prompt, I'm nervous and I must admit I've maxed out my
knowledge up to this point? I recall these commands from my days back when
administering Windows NT (blah!!), but can't remember what to do next nor
what to do after that to fix smss.exe file(?) and or get the OS to load like
it used to. I'd like to recover my Favorites, MyDocs and Desktop files bare
minimum. Oh and I'm running a PGP encryption program my company made
mandatory on our laptops. I'm nervous cause I think I'm close to recovery?!?!
(knock-on-wood) If this is what successfully 'slipstreaming' and booting SATA
drive does, thanks too!! What do I do next, fellows? chkdsk or fixboot?

"John John - MVP" wrote:

> Jose wrote:
> > On Jun 8, 3:12 pm, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >> Hey Jose. Appreciate help thus far! To answer your question, I have a Windows
> >> XP Install CD...the original CD. No copies.
> >>
> >> When I boot to the CD, and opt to select Recovery Console, the CD
> >> immediately prompts me that "...there aren't any drives installed on the
> >> system. Select F3 to exit."
> >>
> >> As a test, I reboot the PC onto same CD and simulate formatting drive with
> >> new XP install. Instead of selecting Recovery Console, I select 'ENTER' to
> >> bring up prompt to install Windows XP. Instead, it prompts me that "...there
> >> aren't any drives installed on the system. Select F3 to exit."
> >>
> >> When my system originally crashed, I was surfing the 'Net and it simply
> >> dragged (mouse) to a stand-still. Couldn't open Task Manager. So I pressed
> >> the laptop's power button for 2 seconds and it powered down. When I powered
> >> laptop backup, I logged into company's PGP password screen as usual but got
> >> the 'Safe Mode' options screen. I simply clicked on 'Start Windows Normally'
> >> option and it blue screen to Session3 error. After checking BIOS, didn't
> >> change anything, I powered down laptop and reseated its hard drive
> >> thoroughly. I removed all peripheral USB devices and the network cable.
> >> Booted up and still received Session3 BSOD. Then that's when I tried the
> >> recovery option. Granted, I did not change anything nor did I choose to
> >> format the HDD AND if I let the system boot normally, it BSODs AFTER the
> >> Windows Logo boot screen appears. So the OS IS trying to load!! I just wanna
> >> get in a download my Favorites, MyDocs and Desktop files before an inevitable
> >> reimage. Appears the Smss.exe is corrupt. Is there an adapter I can attach to
> >> this SATA HDD to tether to another PCs USB port, mount it and download those
> >> items?
> >>
> >> Oh and whenever I'm given the option to select the BIOS system recovery
> >> option after reboot (F11), I receive the Unmountable Boot Volume BSOD.
> >>
> >> Its a SATA hard drive in a 2008 Lenovo T61 laptop. Emptied quarantied items
> >> from SAV11 early last week. Thanks again for any advice you all can offer!
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Jose" wrote:
> >>> On Jun 8, 11:48 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >>>> Thanks Jose. I have SAV v11. After VPN'ing into company network repeatedly
> >>>> over 8 months ago to present, Network Admins scheduled SAV to run everyday at
> >>>> 12:02am. My system crashed at 3:11am while browsing the 'Net. But when I run
> >>>> Recovery Console from a Windows bootable Recovery Console CD (ie, Windows XP
> >>>> Install CD), the installation prompts me that there aren't any drives
> >>>> installed on the system.
> >>>> But the HDD diagnostic I run via BIOS indicates that HDD drive tests just
> >>>> fine. Any thoughts?
> >>>> "Jose" wrote:
> >>>>> On Jun 8, 3:36 am, Felix <Fe...(a)discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
> >>>>>> I'm running a Lenovo laptop with PGP Encryption Windows XP SP3 SATA hard
> >>>>>> drive. This is my work laptop I've had since October 2008 without issue. I'm
> >>>>>> somewhat of a low-level techie working permanently from home and my company's
> >>>>>> IT Dept is 2000 miles away. But these following errors/BSODs escapes me. Two
> >>>>>> days ago, the system stalled and I elected to hard reboot the system. When it
> >>>>>> came back up, I logged into PGP login screen as usual and received the 'Safe
> >>>>>> Mode' screen options. I clicked 'Start Windows Normally' option, the Windows
> >>>>>> Logo boot screen appears like it's gonna load the OS but then it BSODs to
> >>>>>> "Session3 Initialization Failed STOP:0x0000006F
> >>>>>> (0xC000000E,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)". Rebooting and selecting any
> >>>>>> of the three Safe Mode options and 'Last Known Config' results in the same
> >>>>>> BSOD error message. I removed my USB devices and the network cable from
> >>>>>> laptop. Only power cable is connected...wireless is disabled. I had some
> >>>>>> Lenovo ThinkPad system recovery CDs. Although I've never backed up my hard
> >>>>>> drive (HDD), I booted to those recovery CDs. But they did not detect the
> >>>>>> laptop's HDD. Hmmm? I select F1 to check if HDD is listed and what order in
> >>>>>> boot list. I move it above the CDRom Drive. While in BIOS, I ran a hard drive
> >>>>>> diagnostic and the HDD was detected and passed diagnostics!! WooHoo! So I
> >>>>>> used a recovery tool embedded in BIOS called ThinkVantage. When I run it, it
> >>>>>> gives me three options...1. it takes me back to the BIOS options page, or 2.
> >>>>>> connect to an external USB device or 3. reboot PC. I choose to reboot PC
> >>>>>> since there's no other changes needed to BIOS and it boots back to the PGP
> >>>>>> encryption page. After entering my company password, the next screen gives me
> >>>>>> an option to select F11 and enter a 'system recovery mode'. After selecting
> >>>>>> F11, I receive...BSOD "Unmountable Boot Volume - STOP: 0x000000ED
> >>>>>> (0x89A3E550, 0xC000014F, 0x00000000, 0x00000000)". So I hard rebooted onto a
> >>>>>> Windows XP Install CD to run Recovery Console so that I could at least run
> >>>>>> checkdisk or fixboot. After selecting 'R' to run Recovery Console, the
> >>>>>> Installation prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on the
> >>>>>> system!!! If so, how is it that my laptop runs successful HDD diags and the
> >>>>>> OS almost boots if I select 'Start Windows Normally/Last Known Config'? If I
> >>>>>> plug in an external USB HDD, the Recovery Console detects it as the (C:)
> >>>>>> drive. If I unplug external USB HDD, reboot and run Recovery Console again,
> >>>>>> the Installation still prompts me that there aren't any drives installed on
> >>>>>> the system!!! I've seen this before back in the day using IDE drives. I'd
> >>>>>> simply slave it out, mount it and copy corrupt HDD files to new HDD. What
> >>>>>> I've found so far is that the Smss.exe file may be corrupted by
> >>>>>> virus...that's where Recovery Console comes in right?Is this possible with
> >>>>>> SATA? Is there an adapter I can buy to connect HDD to USB port or even if I
> >>>>>> do, wouldn't I come into problems with my PGP encryption program? Thanks in
> >>>>>> advance for your response(s)!
> >>>>> I hope you have not FUBAR'd your system with experimental
> >>>>> troubleshooting methods.
> >>>>> Here is my standard response to your first symptom.
> >>>>> If you mean you are getting a STOP error that says something like:
> >>>>> SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED
> >>>>> *** STOP: 0x0000006F (0xc0000034, 00000000, 00000000, 00000000)
> >>>>> The usual culprit is some (poorly designed) antivirus software -
> >>>>> perhaps Avast!, AVG or Avira that has deleted or quarantined necessary
> >>>>> XP files such as the Windows Session Manager file:
> >>>>> c:\windows\system32\smss.exe
> >>>>> I suppose it could have been really infected and quarantined, but that
> >>>>> has never been my experience.
> >>>>> What antivirus software are you running and did you just use it prior
> >>>>> to this incident?
> >>>>> If the files have been quarantined or deleted, you can replace them
> >>>>> from the copies that are already on your HDD, but to do so you must
> >>>>> boot your system into the Windows XP Recovery Console.
> >>>>> Boot into the Windows Recovery Console using a bootable XP
> >>>>> installation CD, or create on a bootable XP Recovery Console CD.
> >>>>> This is not the same as any recovery disks that might have come a
> >>>>> store bought system. If you are not sure what kind of bootable CD you
> >>>>> have, make a bootable XP Recovery Console CD and be sure.
> >>>>> You can create a bootable XP Recovery Console CD when no XP media is
> >>>>> available by following the directions in this link:
> >>>>> http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic276527.html
> >>>>> There are three possibilities for these missing files that result in
> >>>>> the SESSION3 or SESSION5 type message:
> >>>>> Windows\System32\smss.exe <--most likely, so replace this one first
> >>>>> Windows\System32\ntdll.dll
> >>>>> Windows\System32\ntoskrnl.exe
> >>>>> After booting into the XP Recovery Console, you should be in the C:
> >>>>> \WINDOWS folder. If you are not in the C:\WINDOWS folder you have
> >>>>> some other problem that you need to fix first.
> >>>>> When copying files, you may be replacing existing files with the
> >>>>> copies, so respond in the affirmative if asked to overwrite existing
> >>>>> files. If the copy succeeds, you should see a message that the file
> >>>>> was copied successfully.
> >>>>> In the Recovery Console, from the C:\WINDOWS prompt, enter the
> >>>>> following commands:
> >>>>> cd system32
> >>>>> copy c:\windows\system32\dllcache\smss.exe
> >>>>> exit (your system will restart)
> >>>>> Depending on your system configuration, you may need to copy the files
> >>>>> from another location, so if they are not in the dllcache folder for
> >>>>> some reason, enter the commands like this:
> >>>>> cd system32
> >>>>> copy c:\windows\ServicePackFiles\i386\smss.exe
> >>>>> exit (your system will restart)
> >>>>> If the problem persists, repeat the process for the other two files:
> >>>>> ntdll.dll
> >>>>> ntoskrnl.exe
> >>>>> .
> >>> Hmmm... sounds like some hardware issue.
> >>> You will not get far with the SESSION messages until you can boot on
> >>> something.
> >>> What does "my system crashed" mean exactly and what did you do after
> >>> that to try to get going again?
> >>> Was the power button, battery removal or any plug pulling involved?
> >>> Did you make that Recovery Console CD or are you using something else
> >>> and if something else is not a genuine bootable XP installation CD,
> >>> make the RC CD as directed and be sure to test it for bootability in
> >>> any other XP machine - like the machine you used to make the RC CD.
> >>> You don't need the "what CD should I be booting on or if this CD even
> >>> works at all" variable in your equation. Eliminate it.
> >>> Is that what the message says when you try to boot on the CD:
> >>> there aren't any drives installed on the system
> >>> Here come the "slave the hard disk in another machine" ideas (perhaps)
> >>> but what you describe
> >> ...
> >>
> >> read more »
> >
> > John John could be right about the SATA drivers (Arg!) - they will not
> > be there to load with your RC unless you interrupt the loading of RC
> > by pressing F6 when RC is starting and then point it to where your
> > SATA drivers are. Watch for that message when you boot RC and go
> > ahead and press F6 (but you still need to come up with the SATA
> > drivers). I forgot about that part.
> >
> > Somebody had to have them to install your Windows XP - the tough part
> > may be finding the correct ones.
> >
> > They would usually be (or they used to be) on a floppy disk, but if
> > you have no floppy, no problem.
> >
> > Use this software to make yourself a "new" XP Recovery Console CD and
> > you can include all the "extra" files you want on the CD.
> >
> > http://artellos.com/arcdc-page
> >
> > Now having these "extra" files on a bootable recovery CD is very
> > convenient for troubleshooting common problems of malicious software.
> > I used that program (of course there are other ways) to make a
> > Recovery Console CD that has other things I am likely going to need to
> > fix a non booting system, such as:
> >
> > userinit.exe
> > ntldr
> > ntdetect.com
> >
> > You just make a new Recovery Console CD that has your SATA drivers in
> > some folder that will be put on the CD, boot RC, press F6, point it to
> > the folder on the CD and be on your way (maybe not the first time).
>
> Sorry, but that won't work. Up to and including Windows XP the drivers
> *must* be supplied on a floppy diskette, the setup program will not
> accept them from any other media source. You can use a USB floppy
> drive. The only other alternative is to slipstream them proper into the
> Windows XP CD, a search on the net will give further instructions:
> http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geu5HxOY1LwRoAmsGl87UF?p=slipstream+sata+drivers&fr=yfp-t-501&fr2=sfp&iscqry=
>
> John
> .
>
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