Sounds like you either have some kind of IRQ conflict, or incorrect drivers were partially installed for one of the devices from Windows Update, which is NOT the place to find a new driver for almost any kind of device, including the chipset, sound card, modem, etc.
Be very careful when using Windows Update, and take the time to read any information about what you are downloading; not everything is required -- or needed, for that matter.
Perhaps you could un-install the modem, then make sure that <i>only</i> COM 1 or COM 2 is enabled in the BIOS (just one, not both), move the card to another PCI slot, and allow Windows to re-detect the device.
If this doesn't work, you could try the same thing with the sound card.
By the way, nothing you are doing here appears to require a format or re-installation of Windows at this point. That's a drastic measure, and shouldn't be undertaken until you know the source of the problem. Otherwise, it could just appear again, fresh installation or not. A format is not always the cure ... sometimes it makes things worse. This should be the last-ditch-effort ... not the first or second response to correcting a problem with the system.
You might find some information on the error in the Administrative Tools\ Event Viewer logs, and the pertinent ones in this situation would be Application and System.
Forcing Windows to show hidden devices that might be causing conflicts in the Device Manager would also be a good idea, as more than one device might exist per category, and all "ghosted devices" would need to be un-installed if this is the case, such as non-existent multiple modems and sound cards.
This is chosen under the View menu in the Device Manager. However, by default, Windows will not ordinarily show ALL hidden devices, even if you select this option ... that requires a Registry edit, which can be found <A HREF="http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm" target="_new">here</A>, in the right-hand column opposite #107.
It's also probable that you have the system set to reboot if there are any errors of this type, which often accomplishes nothing except for the OS looping through restarts each time something goes wrong. The control for this can be found in the Control Panel under System\System\Advanced\Startup and Recovery\Settings\System Failure. The only thing that should be checked in this area is "Write an event to the system log", with no write debugging information.
If the system blue screens after changing these options and rebooting, take careful note of the information, and write <i>everything</i> down, even the numbers that don't necessarily make sense or seem relevant. Post that information here. Much of that information is searchable, and will clue people in on the source of the error, which will help you. No ESP, please ... just the specific facts; psychics are not found here.
To get back into Windows, removing both devices will probably allow this, especially in safe mode. If nothing else, you can perform a repair of the OS using the Windows CD, which alters less data than starting over the beginning.
Toey
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