I have a Dell Latitude L400 that I was given because it wouldn't "start". I managed to re-format the Hard Drive by starting it on a Win 98 boot disk and then proceeded to try to load Windows 98 (it had had 2000 before it failed). This failed part way through and I got a message:

"Invalid VxD dynamic link call from VWIN32(01) + 00000714 to device "0009", service 1. Your windows configuration is invalid. Run windows setup again to correct this problem.

To continue running Windows press Y or enter. To quit the current program press N. If you continue your system may become unstable. Do you want to continue?"

When I typed Y I got "WINDOWS A fatal exception OE has occurred at 0167:BFF89763"

I tried reformatting and using my Dell D600 laptops XP disk instead. This all seemed to work until the loading devices stage where it just froze the machine at 34 minutes to go. I have tried again about 20 times and it always stops at the same place (34 mins). It just freezes up entirely.

Have you any ideas? Is this a password issue? When I go to setup the passwords list as clear or not active...

seems to me like a hardware problem. What specs has your laptop got? dodgy RAM or hard drive might give you that error.

Spec seems to be as purchased - IBM Travelstar harddrive 20 GB, Intel's Low Voltage mobile Pentium III with SpeedStep technology at 700MHz, 128 MB SDRAM.

Why would it go so far and then freeze?

it remined me once I had a simmilar problem with winxp (always stopping at the same point of instalation) - it turned out to be a bad CD
in my opinion one or more of the three is faulty:
1. CD
2. CD-ROM
3. Hard Drive

I'll try another hard drive and CD Rom drive - but surely the Windows setup drive check would have thrown up any problems there - scandisk and format kicked up no problems. As for the CD, it seems a bit unlikely that Windows 98 and XP should have similar problems.

I'll report back on success! Thanks for your thoughts.

"VxD" stays for Virtual Driver, which means one or more of your drivers are loaded incorrectly. As was said there might be different reasons for that, from bad RAM, bad HDD or just corrupted copy of the file (which means the installation CD has problem. If I correctly understood you have same problem trying to install Win98 and Win XP, which makes me think that the problem is RAM. Unfortunately you cannot tell if your RAM is bad because BIOS tests the integrity of RAM and DOS uses only the conventinal part of it (first 640k) The "upper" memory is accessed during installation of Windows (also when running Windows) or with some special testing tools under DOS. (some DOS games use "upper" memory also)
So I suggest this - try replacing the memory chip and try install. In my experience (I had at least dozen like this) replacing memory helps. But beware (this is the tricky part) - a memory that works fine on one PC may not be compatible to other PC.
Also here http://www.memtest.org/ you can find a free memory test software (but even if memory passes the test that doesn't mean RAM is OK)
Good luck!

Hi I've bought Latitude c640 bios version a05 out of the local paper recently unfortunatley it's got the main password on it at bootup so i can get it to do anything I've looked for the epprom and I've found a HT24LC04 so I'm assuming it's similar to the others 24c02 types I've tried to short it out by using pins 3-6 and also pins 4-6 but to no avail ? can anybody help? it would be much appreciated. The service tag on it is #1F5HN0J-595b Thanks.

email removed I have some additions to the Shorting technique which will improve your chances. Also try pins 4 and 5

thank you for all the help
found chip beside modem compartment
shorted pins 3 and 7 worked like a dream installing win xp
just now
paragon is tops :bounce:
ps has enyone got drivers for laptop
[COLOR="Red"]email removed[/COLOR]

i´ve just bougt an Dell Latitude D505 with 24LC04B eeprom... is there any way to shorten it, or will a program work with -595B service tag? i´ve tryed but nothing works

[COLOR="Red"]email removed[/COLOR]

uppdates: 4-7 worked or was it 4-6? hmm... any way now my hdd is locked is there any way to unlockit?

Not an economical one that I know of. Pull the harddrive and replace it. Before installing a new one in the laptop, rerun the DST program to delete and then reset your Service Tag. That will remove any hangover from the previous HDD Password on the EEProm Chip, and head off trouble later.
Since I posted this originally I have found a site which can clear Harddrive Passwords on some brands/Models of drives. I cleared a Toshiba MK4026GAX 40gb this afternoon at a cost of $49.50.
I have started a new thread here
http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic36229.html

Enter your OS and click Find downloads
http://support.dell.com/support/down...=19&l=en&s=dhs

Hi, i have a question.

I, doesn't have any problems with Admin Pasword on Dell Latitude C600 Series Laptop, but i have another Problem with Hard-Disk password authentication System, i cannot get Access to my Hard-Disk without the Password, because i forgot it.

Can anyone help me with it?? ("And i read complete Threat here, but nothing helps, because i have #***********-595B Series")

My Laptop Numbers:
Service Tag is: D8RM50J
System is: D8RM50J-595B
Hard Disk #*****12V5H9-595B is protected by a password authentication System.......

Someone pleeeeeeeeese help me, i am newbie i this things. Thanks...

you're the 1st one that has solved the problem.Same thing happened to a friend of mine and i cleared the CMOS and no more password.

Yes, but that will not work on Dell laptops or at least the ones since the Latitude CP. Disconnecting the Reserve CMOS batter will reset BIOS Defaults, but the Passwords are stored on a different(EEProm) chip and that is not affected by disconnecting the CMOS Battery.

you woul;d probably know more than me about it since i have never had a Dell.I have an HP laptop

Cheers Guys for all your help I got it working in the end it was pins2 and 5 for me worked a charm just need to reset the tag...

Wasssup all i was reading thru all da posts- i would like to ask this -- i have the dell inspiron 8500 of course with an admin password protect on it. now ive unlocked ibms and older dells. now this particular one does not have a jumper. Does anyone have a schematics, manual, location of jumper/ cmos.. ive been searching for a lil bit no luck- the help is greatley appreciated.

No jumper and disconnecting the cmos battery will not clear a password on the later Dells. You need to short the eeprom chip and then power cycle the board to clear the Primary BIOS Password(Grey Screen) then you reset the Service Tag. For an AdminPassword/Configure Setup Disabled, just deleting and then resetting the Service Tag will erase the EEProm and take care of that. I have the necessary instructions and ST software. Contact me at
email removed

dst prog.?