Windows 98 Unstable After Configuring PCI Sound Cards

[The Sentinel]

This is ruining my life...

System is an Athlon 850 on a Chaintech 7AJA SoA motherboard with 128 MB PC100 CAS2 DRAM and 300 watt PSU. Problem also occurs using an Abit KT7 motherboard.

Windows 98 SE can be installed without any problems, as soon as I set up a PCI sound card (SoundBlaster Live or built-in VIA audio device) the system starts locking up all over the place.

Anyone else seen this problem?

[Warthog]

^

[Marty]

I have had Via based boards that were nightmares too. I had to set ACPI to disabled and usb to enabled, then install W98. Install 4 in 1 drivers, then install other cards.

[The Sentinel]

I'm positive it's IRQ related. Have moved the legacy part of the sound card to IRQ 7 and it hasn't crashed since. So here's hoping.

I'd have thought that it would be common for users to get this problem though. I've just ordered another AMD CPU for my other system so I'll get the definitive answer soon - then I'll post it here.

[Eli]

I've actually had similar problems with my VIA based slot 1/socket 370 based board, and it's onboard sound. With my situation I think it's because I cannot get the sound system and the video system to stop sharing an IRQ. Neither can be changed in Windows or in the BIOS. I'm hoping that upgrading from my V3 2000 PCI to a V3 3500 AGP will solve that issue, assuming it ever shows up... Please do post when you get it solved.

[Mykex]

Kind of a tip on the IRQ thing. After former fun with IRQ adventures first thing I do is disable the ports I wont be using. My newest setup has never known it should have onboard serial ports,sound or a joystick.

I doubt this one has any merit. I've always had good luck when I make sure to enable the soundblaster in the onboardsound options. Just before I disable the sound,no reboot or anything. Just click that on then disable the sound. I doubt it does anything but hey, can it hurt? http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

[The Sentinel]

Hey Eli, did I mention I have a Voodoo 3 3500? It doesn't cause any problems as it sits quite happily on IRQ 11. Since I disabled my parallel port and put the legacy audio on IRQ 7 it's been okay.

The real test will be with the SB Live card. Watch this space...

[Eli]

The PCI Audio Legacy Device may be on IRQ 7 (mine has worked best on 5), but what about the other Audio Device? My setup has two, one for legacy compatability and one presumably for the Windows sound system. It's the second one that shows up in the chart after post on IRQ 11, as well as my Voodoo 3.