Vista - Vista freezes after Windows Update (crcdisk.sys, LAN, bios)

This is a public service announcement to help solve what appears to be
a common problem but that ASUS and Microsoft don't seem to care about.

APPLIES TO

[1] ASUS F3S series Notebooks

SYMPTOMS

[1] Machine was working fine until a Windows Update caused machine to
freeze on startup (or take up to 20 mins to load).

[2] Shutdown has same behaviour.

[3] Safe mode boot locks up on crcdisk.sys.

[4] Recovery disks don't seem to help.


SOLUTION

[1] Download the latest BIOS image for your machine (mine was version
209)

[2] Download this special-build of LAN driver 2.4.7.7 (thanks to other
poster for posting it)
h**p://w*w.sendspace.com/file/zkmdm2

[3] Install the LAN driver

[4] Flash latest BIOS onto your machine (even if it's already
installed!)

To do this, follow these steps:

[4.1] Find a way to get your latest BIOS image onto your local
machine disk or burn it to a CD/DVD.

[4.2] Restart machine and get into BIOS SETUP (hit F2 on
restart).

[4.3] Get into the 'Start Flash' utility, locate your bios
image and begin the flashing.

Your system should work now. If it does not feel free to email me at
'h.schoenfeld at gmail dot c0m'.


NOTE: If you have a different machine and are getting same problem,
chances are solution is the same. Look at isolating hardware component
causing error then contacting manufacturer for solution.

NOTE 2: Do not attempt to fix your machine unless are atleast a mid-
level expert. Return to vendor/manufacter and get them to fix it
(especially if within 7 days of purchase).

<h.schoenfeld@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dbc0a8df-2083-4cfc-85a2-546a9893345c@xxxxxx
Microsoft are NOT responsible for device drivers or BIOS..

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default...help&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

On Mar 29, 11:12*pm, "Mike Hall - MVP" <mikehall@xxxxxx_mvps.com>
wrote:An autoupdate from microsoft completely screwed up my notebook. 3
formats and 2 BIOS flashes later, it works. This is a very common
problem that no one seems to care about. Google "vista freezes after
autoupdate" or "vista freezes crcdisk.sys".

On Mar 29, 8:53*pm, h.schoenf...@xxxxxx wrote:
[...]
[...]

The cause of this issue appears to be windows update KB946149. It
looks like it does something to the LAN driver which affects the BIOS
in a way that makes vista freeze (in safe mode and after recovery
disks).

This bug can be temporarily disabled either via a total power down or
a reflash of the bios or disabling the LAN interface in the BIOS.

The fix includes
[1] Installing custom driver referenced in previous post
[2] reflash to latest bios

Before emailing me MAKE SURE YOU DOWNLOAD AND FLASH THE LATEST BIOS
(even if it's already installed).