My new build gets a "Verifying DMI Pool Data", also

[Darwin2]

I've read the other post and have tried the suggestions. Here's what happens with my complete set up: I turn on my computer and monitor both come on. I get a Beep and screen lists video card specs. Press DEL to access BIOS setup menu. Parameters are set to default except CPU operating freq, which is user defined as 500(100). I save and exit. System restarts and POSTs. I get:
"Main Processor: PIII 500Mhz"
"Memory Testing: ..... OK
"Detecting IDE Drives: primary master - NONE" then screen displays for a brief second the Hard Drive capacity, and goes on to the next screen. The only hardware detected is the 3.5 floppy for diskette drive A: everything else list "NONE"and I won't go past "Verifying DMI Pool Data..."

I removed everyting except my CPU, RAM, and Video Card. Get the following:

"Verifying DMI Pool Data...Update Success"
"Disk Boot Failure, insert system Disk and press enter"

I added the Hard Drive and get my previous hang.

I've enabled "Force Update ESCD" and "NO" for "Plug and Play OS" and get:

"Updating ESCD....Success"
"Verifying DMI Pool Data...Update Success"
then hangs

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here is my set up (all new build except CDROM):

ABIT BE6-II
PIII 500MHz
IBM Deskstar 20.5GB UDMA/66 7200RPM
Diamond Viper V770 Ultra 32MB AGP VC
Sound Blaster Live SC
1.44 3.5 TEAC Floppy
48X CDROM

[beck]

Are you running Win95 or Win98? Have you tried setting your CPU down to 333 Mhz to see if that lets you boot?

[commodsquad]

Do you have the jumper on the Harddrive correctly set? and have you checked to see if the IDE cables are connected properly? and I dont know much about UDMA66 since I dont have it but I would ask if you have that correctly configured also... Also, is this a new drive(no OS and unformatted and partitioned)or one that was in a previous system with the OS already installed? I would suggest that you get just the essentials running like the cpu, ram, video,floppy drive for using a bootdisk if needed to format and partition, and harddrive. and then install the cd rom if you need it to install the OS and save the soundcard for last...just some questions to keep in mind and a suggestion or two...hope that helps.....

[Darwin2]

I've tried the default at 233MHz, no luck.

I can't run Win 98 or any other OS until I until the BIOS program gives up control of the computer after it completes its autodetection and self-diagnostic.

I'm going back over the IDE and HD connections and Mobo manual specifications...

Thanks for your reponses.

[Darwin2]

Also, this is a new (OEM) Hard Drive, no OS and unformatted...

[commodsquad]

Also I forgot to mention to check in the bios for an option for auto detect of the harddrive and set it auto and im not sure about setting the mode(LBA,normal,etc..) to auto or not but check the manufacturers website for the drive info and specs to be sure...

[beck]

If this is a new drive, are you booting from a floppy? If you can't access the floppy, check your bios to be sure that the boot order is A first.

If you aren't trying to boot from floppy, what are you trying to boot from?

[richamies]

As the system seems to be hanging on the IDE drives, what happens if you try booting with the drives disconnected? Also check the boot up sequence, ensure that the floppy drive is first. If it is set to C first it will just sit and wait for the end of the world as there is no OS or boot record on the hdd. If there is a CDROM or other device(2nd hdd) on the ide bus, try just booting up with the plain hard drive, nothing else. Ensure your slave/master jumpers are set correctly on all drives.
My line of suspicion would be the drives, so I would concentrate my efforts there.
Also might be worth checking the hard drive controller is set correctly in the bios - i.e enabled.

[Mattyb]

Check to make sure you are running the correct bios version for your setup (http://www.abit.com.tw/english/product/). If it isn’t format a disk and copy the following files to boot your system from floppy:

Startup system files (COMMAND.COM, MSDOS.SYS, IO.SYS ...),
AWDFLSH.EXE (found at same sight),
The new bios file, ******.bin (found also at sight),
AUTOEXEC.BAT which contains: A:\AWDFLASH ******>BIN /PY /SN /CC /CD.

Then boot system from floppy.

After the flash update is completed, reboot your system, then go into the BIOS settings. Once you are in the BIOS settings:
Load the Setup Default (in addition to settings for HDD, FDD, and Date)
Go into CPU Soft Menu to adjust your CPU speed and voltage
Save and Exit.

While flashing bios do not run HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE in the CONFIG.SYS.

If you try to flash a version of BIOS that is for the incorrect motherboard model you will get a error message and will have to download the correct one and repeat this process.

[disciple]

have had the same problem with a abit bh6. if you reset the system it never get past dmi but if you power off compltely never has a problem this had a hard drive as master and a cdrom as master on same ide channel. i will go over as this is my friends machine and move cd to ide channel 2 hope this solves the problem also i believe there many posts as not being able to run a dma 66 drive on properly.

[Darwin2]

I have checked the BIOS to ensure floppy drive is first ( floppy > HDD > CDROM).

When I boot with just the CPU, Memory and Video Card I get past "Verifying VMI....", but then get "Boot Failure, insert System Disk and press enter"

When I add the HDD I get the previous VMI hang.

BIOS options are set to Auto Detection and LBA mode as per HD installation intructions.

Hard Drive Controller is set to "enabled"

When I intially booted the computer I had the CDROM as a slave to the HDD master. Later, I read in the Mobo manual that this is a big no no as you should avoid connecting non-disk devices to ATA/66 connectors - would this have an effect? should I discharge CMOS and try again?

Going to ABIT website to check to ensure I have the correct BIOS version.

Thanks Everyone...
More later.....

[Jin Vitas]

sys your hdd.. and then boot off of it.. it should work.

[Darwin2]

Ok! I made a system disk and booted off floppy. I got past the "VMI Pool Data..." hang. Get "starting MS-DOS, enter date , time" . Then , the "A:\>" prompt http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

I then type "sys c:" only to get "Bad Command or file menu" http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Also, I checked Abit's website and I don't have the latest BIOS. However, they list the latest version updates as being for PIII 600-700Mhz. I have a PIII 500, so do I need this latest version?
I feel apprehensive about flashing the BIOS. I confused about the autoexec.bat file http://www.sysopt.com/forum/redface.gif. Do I edit a copy from DOS by adding A:\AWDFLASH ****.bin?

Any suggestions?
Thank you.

[richamies]

The file sys.com is located in the C:\Windows\Command directory. you need to copy the file onto the floppy disk (A http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif, then boot up off it, then do the Sys C: command.

Hopefully this will get rid of the problem. It is worth keeping a bootable floppy with the following commands on it:

Format.com
Fdisk.com
Sys.com
Edit.com
Chkdsk.com

This disk can get you out of major trouble quite often in the life of mucking around with your pc. It is also advisable to keep a disk with your cdrom drivers and mscdex.exe on it, or on the same bootable disk if you have enough space left over.

[Darwin2]

I copied the *.com files onto my floppy.
type "sys c:" at the "A" prompt only to get:
"invalid drive specification"

I have the CMOS setup utility set "AUTO" for IDE Primary Master and when booting I do get a screen that displays: "C: (primary/master) IBM DPTA372050, ATA/66

???

[richamies]

It sounds like you do not have a partition set up - run fdisk and create one, then do a format and copy the system files accross(format C: /s). You will have to reboot between creating the partition and formatting the drive. Once the drive is formatted, boot up off it and install your cdrom drivers. then do another reboot and you should have access to your cdrom, so you can do your install of w95/98/whatever you plan on installing.

[Darwin2]

System is up and running. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gifWindows installed!

Thanks richamies and Jin Vitas for your help, and everyone for their input.

I know my problems were basic (especially when partition and format instructions are right under my nose in my HHD installation instructions http://www.sysopt.com/forum/redface.gif ), but thanks for bearing with this 'Junior Member'

Happy New Year!

Darwin

[This message has been edited by Darwin2 (edited 12-31-1999).]

[Jin Vitas]

See this one wasn't that tough.. but your welcome..

Jin-Vitas