[SOLVED] Never seen anything like this

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

Toughbook cf-52

The laptop will only boot into XP if the Verizon router is powered off. If the router is plugged in (to the wall not the laptop) the machine will boot in safe mode only, if you try to boot normal it will boot and instantly restart showing the startup repair or start windows normally. Works normal around every other router I've tried it near. The laptop itself has no known hardware issue, replaced the HDD, went thru everything else with fine tooth and can't find any issues. Ever seen anything like this before?

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

the way the post is worded I am not sure I fully understand the situation.

Are you just saying that if the wireless router is on then it won't boot normally? Meaning if you happen to leave the router turned off but shut off its wireless feature the laptop boots normal?

 

[Ccomp5950]

If you are talking about a Verizon Wireless Cell Network Internet Card (damn you camel case, damn you!

) than I would suspect something along the lines of corrupted drivers first and uninstall the verizon service.

Worst case scenario that doesn't fix the problem and you have to reinstall that after you fix the real problem.

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

I should have been more clear. It will only boot into safe mode if this particular (verizon) router is powered on. The laptop has never been connected to the router either. If the router is powered on it starts to boot normal then reboots with the start windows normally or startup repair.

I think it's the drivers too, but it's just wierd it's only this single router, that its never been connected to.

 

[nlinecomputers]

How does it react being plugged up to something else. Like a different router or a hub/switch?

 

[brandonkick]

This is what I got out of his post, and it makes zero sense.


He has a toughbook that will not properly boot into windows XP IF a verizon router is plugged into the wall.

This means that the verizon router is plugged into the wall and the toughbook isn't connected to the router in any way.

If he unplugs the verizon router, the laptop works fine.

I don't see how the router could give off this kind of interference and to only this laptop and nothing else.

 

[nlinecomputers]

This is what I got out of his post, and it makes zero sense.


He has a toughbook that will not properly boot into windows XP IF a verizon router is plugged into the wall.

This means that the verizon router is plugged into the wall and the toughbook isn't connected to the router in any way.

If he unplugs the verizon router, the laptop works fine.

I don't see how the router could give off this kind of interference and to only this laptop and nothing else.

Ok. That is weird. And can't be correct. There is something else in common. I'm betting he is running off the AC power for the laptop. If there is a power issue it could be grounding out the laptop and causing it to reboot.

Assuming I am correct. Check the outlet for open ground or hot and neutral reversed.

 

[HFultzjr]

Ok. That is weird. And can't be correct. There is something else in common. I'm betting he is running off the AC power for the laptop. If there is a power issue it could be grounding out the laptop and causing it to reboot.

Assuming I am correct. Check the outlet for open ground or hot and neutral reversed.

Also,

Does the laptop boot with only battery power.

Something else is missing, or I'm not understanding this correctly.

 

[twotails]

Can you disable the wifi in the BIOS or even remove the wireless radio from the laptop and see if the problem persists?

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

That's on the list of things to do, disable the wireless card and see what happens.

I agree it is very strange and if I didn't see it myself I wouldn't have believed it. From the top what I have done and what the laptop does...

In my shop, in my house, in a couple of other places like coffee shops the laptop works as expected. With and without the ac power, with and without the battery. Diagnostics I did twice already and the only thing I replaced was the HDD, and fresh install of Windows XP. It's just if this particular Verizon router is powered on, the laptop will only boot to safe mode, normal mode restarts before it gets to the desktop. To make things a little stranger the laptop has never been connected wirelessly, or wired to the Verizon router, so it's not trying to connect to the wireless network that the Verizon router is broadcasting, or at least it shouldn't be. I deleted all the wireless profiles as well. I have even brought the router in question here (in shop) and sure enough if it's powered on the laptop doesn't boot. Just for giggles I did use the Verizon router with other computers, wireless and wired and it appears to work just fine.

I have never seen this kind of a problem, and something tells me that this can't be, but so far from what I've done already it does appear to be that simple, router powered on does not boot, router powered off, boot fine. I'll update with results of things like disabling the wireless radio, disabling the SSID broadcast on the router, etc etc as soon as I get around to it.

 

[HFultzjr]

That's on the list of things to do, disable the wireless card and see what happens.

I agree it is very strange and if I didn't see it myself I wouldn't have believed it. From the top what I have done and what the laptop does...

In my shop, in my house, in a couple of other places like coffee shops the laptop works as expected. With and without the ac power, with and without the battery. Diagnostics I did twice already and the only thing I replaced was the HDD, and fresh install of Windows XP. It's just if this particular Verizon router is powered on, the laptop will only boot to safe mode, normal mode restarts before it gets to the desktop. To make things a little stranger the laptop has never been connected wirelessly, or wired to the Verizon router, so it's not trying to connect to the wireless network that the Verizon router is broadcasting, or at least it shouldn't be. I deleted all the wireless profiles as well. I have even brought the router in question here (in shop) and sure enough if it's powered on the laptop doesn't boot. Just for giggles I did use the Verizon router with other computers, wireless and wired and it appears to work just fine.

I have never seen this kind of a problem, and something tells me that this can't be, but so far from what I've done already it does appear to be that simple, router powered on does not boot, router powered off, boot fine. I'll update with results of things like disabling the wireless radio, disabling the SSID broadcast on the router, etc etc as soon as I get around to it.

What happens when you try and boot with the laptop connected by cable to the suspect router?

This is really one weird situation and we must be missing something simple.

Also, you say this happens when running on battery.

Is there a certain distance you need to be for it to work....ie router in one area and laptop in another area?

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

Happens on both ac power and battery. As long as its within 50-75 feet or so of the router when it on. Haven't connected it by cable yet, I will disable the wireless and try that soon. With other router (I tried 3 others it's fine). Can connect worelessly or wired. Works completely normal and boots provided that verizonrouter isn't on.

 

[HFultzjr]

Happens on both ac power and battery. As long as its within 50-75 feet or so of the router when it on. Haven't connected it by cable yet, I will disable the wireless and try that soon. With other router (I tried 3 others it's fine). Can connect worelessly or wired. Works completely normal and boots provided that verizonrouter isn't on.

Well.......with everything stated my only suggestion is:

Call a priest to perform an exorcism.........

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exorcism


Seriously, we are still missing something.

 

[Vicenarian]

Maybe try disabling the wifi signal on the Verizon router and trying again? Also try changing SSID? Changing channel/frequency?

 

[HFultzjr]

Just for shits and giggles.....did you try and reset the router.

Man, I would love to see this one.

 

[Larry Sabo]

Is the firmware for the router the latest version?

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

Yes I did reset it, no change. Thanks for the ideas and I will try them when I get back to it. This is a no rush situation, so when I get some more time I'll try all the stuff suggested. Not sure about the firmware but I will check that. Just such a weird thing.

 

[HFultzjr]

Yes I did reset it, no change. Thanks for the ideas and I will try them when I get back to it. This is a no rush situation, so when I get some more time I'll try all the stuff suggested. Not sure about the firmware but I will check that. Just such a weird thing.

Personally,

If I didn't own that router and laptop, I would make an offer to buy it.

I would just HAVE to find out what's causing this.

I still think we are missing something simple.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

 

[Boston Pro Comp Serv LLC]

Yea I know we are missing something, I will update once I get another crack at it.

 

[kisk]

Pre April fools joke? Seriously, what's the status?