atisgkaf.sys hangs, chkdsk/r hangs at 50%

I have had the same problem from time to time....try shutting down and
removing all power.

"kotya" <kotya3d RemoveThis @gmail-dot-com.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:417ff103$1_2@alt.athenanews.com...
 > Hello,
 >
 > I have:
 > Compaq Pressario 2100 Laptop, XP Home.
 >
 > The problem:
 > It doesn't boot (keeps rebooting if you leave it on its own).
 > Booting in Safe Mode hangs at __ atisgkaf.sys ___ , then BSOD -- and
 > reboots again.
 >
 > I tried:
 > Boot from Compaq Operating System CD: Microsoft Windows XP Home SP1
 > Run chkdsk /r . Hangs at 50% (more than 20min, no result). Have to
 > reboot.
 > Run fixboot -- new bootsector was succesfully written.
 > Run chkdsk /r again . Hangs at 50%, even no sound of harddrive
 > rotation
 > Run dir . Writes: Directory of C:\ An error occured during directory
 > enumeration.
 >
 > Boot from XP installation CD -- same result
 >
 > Note: The fan keeps running like crazy, hot air is coming out. I
 > checked the vent slots, they seem ok.
 >
 > I would appreciate any help,
 >
 > Kotya
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: atisgkaf.sys hangs, chkdsk/r hangs at 50% 

Since it's been so long since you posted this question, I'm assuming you've probably already either given up and reformatted or found a solution. In either case, please let me know if you are still looking for an answer to your question and I'll post it for you or the solution you found. Would you also be so kind as to let me know if your laptop is running an ATI video card and a Maxtor hard drive?
 >> Stay informed about: atisgkaf.sys hangs, chkdsk/r hangs at 50% 

read your message that you might have a solution for this...please reply
 >> Stay informed about: atisgkaf.sys hangs, chkdsk/r hangs at 50% 

This is exactly the issue I am having!

My computer started freezing after the XP loading screen. It would do the loading screen, then blank out for eternity. Normally it blanks for like a second and loads the desktop...but now no desktop comes up. In safe mode you can see it is hanging on upload of driver atisgaf.sys

I have searched the web and seen several threads describing this problem, but none that include a solution! (Including the link posted earlier in this forum - no help there either now...)

I have XP & SP2, this problem only began after I downloaded Windows updates yesterday, so presumably something in the new configuration is incompatible now. However, I am unable to get into Windows in order to remove the latest updates.

Trying to restart "with last known configuration that works" fails at the same point too.

Any suggestions will be gratefully received, as I am tearing my hair out here...


 >> Stay informed about: atisgkaf.sys hangs, chkdsk/r hangs at 50% 

Sorry everyone, I didn't see any response for so long I gave up looking back here. I'm sure I'm too late to help you Joe or BabyZebedee, but I've noticed that nobody else seems to have figured this one out yet, so here goes.

It's been quite awhile since I've had to fix this problem for anyone, but if memory serves, it is a problem with the ATI Catalyst drivers prior to version 5.13 conflicting with XP SP2. I believe if you reboot using the Safe Mode with DOS Prompt you will be able to boot up. Then you will need to find the atisgkaf.sys file and rename it to atisgkaf.bak. It will probably be located in the system32 directory which will be located at: C:\Windows\System32 The procedure is as follows:

CD C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32 <---------Will put you in the directory.
DIR ATISGKAF.SYS <---------------------Will list the file if it is there. If not you will have to find it, probably in the Windows directory itself.
REN ATISGKAF.SYS ATISGKAF.BAK <-Will rename the file.

Now try rebooting and you should be able to load Windows XP normally. Assuming this is so, go to http://www.ati.com and download the latest Catalyst drivers and install them. It should end your problem.
 >> Stay informed about: atisgkaf.sys hangs, chkdsk/r hangs at 50%