Vista - SPLDR and BIOS driver troubleshoot

Greetings all~

This is my first time posting stuffs in the Vista forums... So I hope that I can get accustomed to everything here =D

Problem Detail
Description:
Windows was able to successfully install device driver software, but the driver software encountered a problem when it tried to run. The problem code is 24.

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: PnPDeviceProblemCode
Architecture: x86
Hardware Id: unknown
Setup class GUID: {8ecc055d-047f-11d1-a537-0000f8753ed1}
PnP problem code: 00000018
Driver name: unknown
Driver version: unknown
Driver date: unknown
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Recently, I discovered that the Security Processor Loader Driver or spldr in my system is either absent, faulty or not completely installed while in safe mode. While running the system in normal mode, I experienced a logon error whereby the "Welcome" screen persisted, hindering me from accessing the desktop. The problem must have stemmed from the recent installation of the BIOS - Lenovo 3000 N100/C200 in my Lenovo 3000 N100 laptop after getting the notorious "blue screen" thingy. The "blue screen" error either came from virus attacks or the installation of the Intel Display Driver for Vista 32bit which my friend recommended to me before having installed the BIOS - Lenovo 3000 N100/C200.

What must be the appropriate form of measure for me to take now?

SOS~
- Kael

System restore? Repair Windows from setup disk?

Hi Kael-vin and welcome to the forums

Answering your first query about the error code 24:

Error Message
"This device is not present, is not working properly, or does not have all its drivers installed. (Code 24)"
What It Means
"This is a catch-all error that can be caused by bad hardware or corrupt or incompatible drivers. This message also appears after you use the Remove Device option."

Notice that it mentions 'bad hardware'. This does not mean that there is actually anything wrong with your hardware - a faulty connection can also give this symptom which can be corrected by removing and reinstalling the hardware in question. On a laptop, the parts you can check relatively easily are the memory module(s), hard drive, battery and the optical drive.

I notice from the latter part of your post that you have flashed your BIOS - this can be a risky business and can give rise to numerous errors, including the above mentioned. In many cases, a change in the BIOS firmware code will necessitate in the reinstallation of the operating system (and this is not just unique to Microsoft and Vista). You shouldn't have any problems doing this, although be aware that you might have to activate over the phone if Vista isn't automatically activated during installation (some OEM versions are tied to specific hardware and BIOS versions). If this is the case, then follow this tutorial Activate Vista by Phone.

Thank you for the helpful information, Dwarf.

I have sent the laptop to be re-formatted and outfitted with Windows XP to sacrifice quality over performance as soon as I saw your reply. I shall also consider calling my local Lenovo hotline since the battery is rather "condemned" (The common issue among Lenovo 3000 laptop users is that the battery metre does not rises even though it is charging after a period of time). I believe it could lead to one of those BIOS-related problems, or it is just something else.

For now, I'll just wait for my laptop to be serviced and once again, thank you Dwarf for helping things out. Consider the case solved.

Turaa~
- Kael