Bootup Question > Are these settings normal ?

[Zinzan]

Hi,

When I boot up my computer I receive the following as part of the procedure:

SDRAM IN DRAM : 2
EDO IN DRAM (ROWS) : None
FP IN DRAM (ROWS) : None

Is this how things should be booting ?

Do you need more information ?

Zinzan

[Zinzan]

Ok, ok .. point taken. I just thought by looking at that it might stand out as being wrong, wrong, wrong, regardless of the system.

My settings (as I know them);

Bios: American Megatrends > A5182MS v2.00 B3 100898
Motherboard: ALI > MICRO ATX AL11
Processor : 400MHz AMD (K6-II) with 3D NOW
Ram : 128 MB
Graphics : ATI Rage Pro Turbo
Sound : Creative Labs 1371, Soundblaster 64
Modem : Diamond Supra Express

And I think thats it. I tell you why I'm asking (and didn't go into much depth)

I've been searching BB now for months looking for a solution to a problem I've had for ages and thus far no-one has. Basically it all started when I formatted c: and re-installed everything. When I played on-line games (Tiberian Sun) everything was Ok for about 5 minutes before slowing down, the sound became "choppy" and ultimately I got cut off. After a few weeks at 56k.com I thought it could be my modem (which used to be a PCI56RVP) so I upgraded. Still no joy and the problem persisted. Lately I bought AE2 (Age Of Empires) and the same is happening again (but this time just when playing against computer.) And today I've just realised that I can't flippin' play DVD's anymore.

Now I say I've been searching these BB's and so far this is what I've checked out:

RAM > was running low at 14% so I've cleaned up my system. Now when I switch on I have 70-85MB free.
PROCESSOR > Thought it could be something to do with 3D NOW not functioning properly. AMD say not.
3D GRAPHICS > Updated and tried drivers from all over the place relative to my card.
REGISTRY > Cleaned up (can't hurt)
MOTHERBOARD > Updated drivers including AGP drivers for on board sound and graphics cards
EMS386.EXE > Confirmed everything is in order there.
MSCONFIG > Cleaned and added and restored from boot disk.
IRQ/DMA CONFLICTS > None
DIRECTX DRIVER > Tried both v6 and v7

Also, I don't know whether this is relevant, but when "slow down" occurrs processor is ALWAYS at 100%


And there is probably a load more stuff which I have forgotton to list.

So basically I don't know what else to try. I have one or two things up my sleeve, and my first message was one of them. The other is this:

There is always one common theme when problems occur. This is that they all require my CD-ROM to be functioning . Now having read almost all of Scott Muellers "Upgrading and Repairing PC's" I have learned that IDE CONTROL is a form of communication between peripheral and main PC - kinda bypassing the CPU . However, when I boot up my computer there is a "bad command or file name" and I get a message which read something like "IDE/ATAPI CD-ROM DEVICE DRIVER NOT LOADED", but music plays ok, as do some games.

AND, thats it. This is my BIG, BIG problem !

Note: If the CD-ROM thing is worth persuing and I'll write down everything that I can tell you !!!

Once again, sorry for been a bit vague before, but you'll probably understand why when you think about how many posts I've had to make to eliminate all the above !!!!

Thanks a lot

Zinzan (I'm gonna cut and paste this for next time *L*)

EDIT> When I say clean up with Registry and msconfig, these are all things which I feel confident doing, obsolete entries (eg old modem references) etc.

[This message has been edited by Zinzan (edited 02-01-2000).]

[stylin19]

bad command or file name" and I get a message which read something like "IDE/ATAPI CD-ROM DEVICE DRIVER NOT LOADED"

it appears "real mode" drivers for the CDROM are trying to be loaded from config.sys & autoexec.bat(or dosstart.bat ), and the location of the driver is invalid. Real-mode drivers can eat up conventional memory if they are not loaded high. This can create havoc with memory.

Real-Mode drivers are needed for DOS. Windows doesnt need them.

the config.sys file will have a line something like this:
DEVICEHIGH=C:\cdrom.sys /D:MSCD001 /n:1 /L:g

the autoexec.bat file will have a line something like this:
LH C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\MSCDEX.EXE /D:mscd001

If you don't use DOS, you can REMARK out the above lines. Put REM at the beginning of each of the above lines.

if you use DOS, find out where the CDROM.sys ( where CDROM.sys is the name of YOUR cdrom.sys file..mine is toshiba.sys) file is located and make sure you are pointing to the correct location of the devices in both the autoexec.bat & config.sys file.

IMHO 75-80 mb of Ram out of 128 on startup, stinks. Here is an app that might help keep Physical Ram available. ( it doesnt help system resources )

rambooster (http://www.sci.fi/~borg/rambooster/index.htm)

Do you let Win98 manage your swap file ? You MIGHT get better results if you set a static swap file.
control panel\system\performance
select "virtual memory".
select "let me...." and set min/max to 256 and click OK.
Windows will return a warning, click YES again.
Reboot. These changes are easily reversed.

go slow..continue to ask...good luck

[scotter]

here is one more thing to check take the cover off your computer set up a house fan to blow into it and play some games http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
did the problem go away ? if so you need to cool that thing down

[Axel]

I'm so tempted to ask what color the SDRAM is, but you're here for help - not humor -

Normal is an extremely relative term depending on equipment and software. There are things which are common such as the recycle bin in windows and the white connector at the end of a power supply - but from there, things tend to diverge a bit.

Depending on your motherboard, BIOS, and the type of RAM you have in your slots, that setting might be exactly what it's supposed to be -

Two questions - did you expect something different? - were you "sold" something different?

Then - write us about your motherboard and whether you flashed your BIOS recently and we'll go from there.

[Zinzan]

Hi,

I've just read your posts. Thanks for help. This is where I am at:

Looking in config.sys I have an entry which crops up two or three times =

Rem DEVICEHIGH=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND\VIDE-CDD.SYS /D:CD-ROM

So I guess this is as it should be, but at the bottom under [common] I have:

DEVICE=C:\CDPRO\VIDE-CDD.SYS /D:MSCD001

Which I have now REMARKED 'cos they are no good (I don't use DOS at all)

I have installed RAMBOOST about a week ago, but thanks for the tip !!!

And I have just managed my own virtual memory > Which I'll try out in a second and let you know

Also, I'm gonna be taking my PC to bits this evening and have got a massive fan to experiment with so I'll let you know on that one scotter !!!!

Thanks for the time being .. I'll be back !

Zin

[Axel]

I have an EXTREMELY deep concern about your statement of cleaning the registry - what and how did you "clean" - you may be re-installing the OS -

Have you tried flashing the BIOS on the motherboard? - A new BIOS may fix a few of the problems.

Have you done a thorough virus scan recently with updated definitions?

Have you had your RAM tested and evaluated by someone else?

By the sounds of it, you haven't seen your particular set of problems because you have several different problems to resolve, one at a time, until the system stabilizes, or proves to you it's time to get a different system.

Good luck -