cmosa device not starting 1

[johncurtis]

Hi,

I'm getting the following error in an event log

"The following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load: cmosa"

It doesn't seem to be affecting the system, but I can't find any information on this other than from the properties of cmosa.sys (generic port I/O)

Can anyone shed any light on this?

Thanks
John

 

[johncurtis]

Anyone?

 

[TheLad]

The only reference I can find to cmosa on the MS website is to the Anti-CMOSa virus. Sorry John. "It's true, its damn true!"

 

[johncurtis]

Thanks for replying Mr. Lad. I've done a trawl of the usual web sites to no avail. I guess it's just another MS oddity, unless anyone knows any different...

 

[johncurtis]

In case anyone else gets this error, I've discovered it happens on all my Dell boxes after applying Hotfix Q299444. I guess I'll have to wait for Dell or MS to address the problem.

 

[mdnationwide]

I also have this problem. I have a mixture of OptiPlex models, GX1, GX100 and GX110. It only seems be a problem on the GX1 models. I have successfully installed the Security Rollup Package to all other machines including PowerEdge servers. I too cannot find any CMOSA virus on the machines but have disabled the device from trying to start and the machine seems to run ok after running a CHKDSK after the reboot. I have e-mai Dell in hope of an answer, time will only tell I suppose.

 

[johncurtis]

Sounds like your problem is identical to mine. I've also got in touch with Dell and will post any reply here.

 

[mdnationwide]

Same here. Thanx.

 

[mdnationwide]

I've had a reply from Dell Euro Support! Not quite the answer I was looking for, I'm sure you'll agree?! I wonder if they actually read my e-mail about the problem we are having?

****************************************************

Thank you for choosing Dell eSupport for your Dell system.
When Event Viewer's 'Event Detail' is checked, the drivers which failed to load are 'ASPI32' and 'cmosa'. Preliminary testing has shown this problem will present itself if a user without administrator rights uninstalls OMC/CA. Without administrator rights to uninstall,
the Dell OpenManage Client or Client Administrator program group, and some of OMC/CA's required directories and files are removed; however, the services (win32sl and dellsrv) are still running. These services depend on ASPI32 and cmosa. When these files are not found, an Event Viewer error is generated.

This issue is not hardware-specific and can occur on any Dell or non-Dell system.

Solution: A workaround is available until a permanent fix is in place:

Log in as a user with administrator rights. Stop the services WIN32SL and DELLSRV via the 'Services' icon in Control Panel. Remove C:\DMI (or other directory to which this application was installed). Restart the system.

If a reinstallation of OMC/CA is required, the user must have administrator rights.

This Alert will be updated when a permanent solution is found.

Hope this resolves your issue and I look forward to assisting you in the future.

Thank you for choosing Dell,
Kind Regards,

Suresh.N
Dell E-Support and Services

 

[mdnationwide]

I'm not going to try there solution, I've simply disabled CMOSA from starting in the device manager. After a reboot the machine seems fine and is reporting no problems.

 

[johncurtis]

Hi Again,

I haven't had a reply yet from Dell. The 'solution' they gave you is clearly wrong in our case. The PCs here have not had DMI uninstalled at all, let alone by a non-admin.

DMI looks like it's causing the problem. I've tried uninstalling the security hotfix which stops the cmosa problem occuring. Uninstalling DMI at this point removes cmosa altogether. Reinstalling the hotfix works OK but when DMI is installed cmosa is re-installs but doesn't load and gives the same old error. Back to square one.

Disabling cmosa has no effect on the NT box, but DMI will not work without it (gives application and Dr Watson errors.) We don't use DMI much, but it's a useful tool now and again.

I'll post back when I hear from Dell or if I have any further ideas.

John

 

[johncurtis]

Well, Dell must be busy today sonce I've had a reply as well. It was similar to yours, mdnationwide. I tried it and needless to say it didn't work. Their message and my reply are posted below:
***

Message:

Hello John,

Thank you for choosing Dell e-Support for your Dell system. We appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

With regard to your concern I request you to follow these troubleshooting steps that may help me to resolve your issue.

Log in as a user with administrator rights
Stop the services WIN32SL and DELLSRV via the 'Services' icon
in Control Panel
Remove C:\DMI (or other directory to which this application was installed)
Restart the system

If a reinstallation of OMC/CA is required, the user must have
administrator rights.

Hope this resolves your issue and I look forward to assisting
you in the future.

Kind Regards,

Chandra Shekar AS
Dell E-Support and Services

My Reply:

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately this hasn't solved my problem. I stopped the WIN32SL service, but the DELLSRV is not in my services list. I then uninstalled OMCA and rebooted. I then reinstalled OMCA but on reboot the same error occurred. All of these actions were carried out as Admin.

I presume this problem is related to OMC/CA since uninstalling it removes cmosa. I've tried uninstalling both OMCA and the security hotfix, then installing the hotfix followed by OMCA to see if the order of installation makes any difference. It doesn't. Re-installing the service pack makes no difference either.

Please advise me on other possible solutions.
***

No doubt I'll be posting here again soon
John

 

[johncurtis]

Another reply from Dell. This time they admit that they don't have a solution:

***
Hello John,

Thank you for writing in.
John, this is the only possible way to install the hotfix for
your system and there is no patch for this problem. This Alert
will be updated when a permanent solution is found.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Kind Regards,

Chandra Shekar AS
Dell E-Support and Services
***

If they get back to me I'll post again, otherwise I'll have to live without either DMI or the security hotfix.

John

 

[mdnationwide]

Oh well, at least they admit they have a problem, one step closer I suppose!

Thanx for your help John

 

[Guest_imported]

uninstall Dell Open Manange Client. Just had a customer do it, and no more CMOSA error in event viewer.

 

[mdnationwide]

Oh your gonna love this one! This is a very small part of the e-mail that I just got back from MS. I don't think I can be bothered anymore

*******************************************

Thank you for responding back,
Regarding the problem you are facing, I suggest you to perform
system restore using last known good configuration and check
if this resolves the problem.

< it goes on and on and on >

 

[johncurtis]

I've stopped trying to fix the problem. If Dell sort it out then all well and good, but I'm not holding my breath.

John

 

[Guest_imported]

Are you also getting a dmi error when booting? If you are try uninstalling dell open manager.

 

[Guest_imported]

Same cmosa problem. Any fix yet?

 

[mdnationwide]

Nope! I wouldn't expect one fast. I've now upgraded to Win2k so no longer have the problem anyway.