KT7 problems, random hangs, reset problems :(

[pdm]

Hi there,

I have just bought all the parts for a new PC for one of my friends, and it's giving me major problems whenI try use it.

Here's the parts.

Abit KT7 M/B
Duron 850 CPU
Asus V7100 Geforce 2 MX (Tv-Out version)
Seagate 40 Barracuda.
SB Live Value
2x256 MB PC133D SDRAM, running at PC100.
300 Watt P/S..no name brand


Allrighty, the problems I'm having are that whenever I hit reset, or try to quit the BIOS, and let it reset the computer, it just sits ther doing nothing at a black screen, and the only way to get the PC back online is the unplug the main power at the back, and plug it back in.
Also, I am experiencing random lock ups...I really can't say when they happen, it can happen any time....starting explorer, installing software....(hangs at different points in installlation).....just generally doing anything will make it eventually hang.
I think it also crashed in DOS, when I was trying to flash the BIOS to the latest.....(wonderful time to crash, it hadn't done anything though).....so I'm also thinking that it could be the RAM...but even if it was dodgy, PC133, running at PC100, should keep it stable....shouldn't it??????
Also, I thought it could be the Power supply, but my brother has an IDENTICAL PC, which he set up himself a while ago, and he's running a 230 watt no name brand P/S, so huh???????
Also, I think i'm using the via 4in1 version 425, and I can't even run the setup.exe for 432, it just gives me a gpf in explorer.exe or something.
Please, please, please help me, I amm going f'n crazy.

Thanks,

Pat.

[juniorp94]

Start narrowing things down for yourself. Take out any card you don't need. Get soome ram that you know is good and try reinstalling windows. If you get through installing windows then start adding your other cards.

[pdm]

yeah thanks,

I know I got a bit ahead of myself posting this.
I'm at work now, so when I get home, I will take out the sound & network cards, swap the ram for my brothers Kingmac PC150, resinstall W98SE, and then see how we go.

I'll post my results again later, but if anyone has any other thoughts, I would love to hear them, incase this doesn't work after the reinstall etc...

Thanks,

Pat.

[NDD]

Sounds like RAM problem, try with another stick(s).
Also, be sure to look at Paul's Unofficial ABIT KT7 Motherboard FAQ (http://www.viahardware.com/faq/kt7/kt7faq.htm) , might found the answer there.

Best Regards ...

[pdm]

OK,

I'm quite sure that it's a problem with the sound card (SBlive! Value)
I took the sound card out of device manager, then out of the PC, and everything immediately started working.
Now, my brother has the same setup as this, albeit with different RAM, and a slower CPU, but I thought that putting the Sound & Network cards into the same slots that my brother is using would get rid of my problems, but as soon as the sound card went back in.....random hangs http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif
The only other problems I am having with this PC are:
The reset switch doesn't work....Whenever it's pressed, the computer seems to pause before the Video card's BIOS is even displayed.
CTRL-ALT-DEL works, so does "Restart Windows"
Also, if I make any changes to the BIOS, when it quits it won't reset properly either.

Another one, that seems relatively minor is that during the POST whenit counts the RAM etc, I get this message:
"Primary IDE Channel no 80 Conductor cable installed"
I think this is limiting the HDD to ATA-33 mode, as it is an ATA-100 drive, and I can only see it as an ATA-33. I'm deffinately using the right csbles for the HDD, I think it thinks it's using an ordinary IDE cable????

Cheers,

Pat.

[This message has been edited by pdm (edited 08-06-2001).]

[pdm]

OK,

I have done a bit of testing with my limited knowledge or IRQ's, but it seems that ACPI is sharing an IRQ with the sound card.
I read somewhere that installing windows without ACPI can solve this.
Question: What is ACPI? http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
(I sort of found out...Handles IRQ sharing, and Power Management, strange combo to handle both, can anyone elaborate?)

Question: How do I install windows without ACPI?
I think it's something to do with power management, and have a feeling that to install windows without ACPI support, I have to disable it in the BIOS, then install windows.
I'm sure that if I can ditch ACPI, then I'll be right.

Please, oh please help me....I'm, stressing out a bit now.

Thanks in advance,

Pat.

[This message has been edited by pdm (edited 08-07-2001).]

[pdm]

Oh yeah,

I also fixed the resetting problems, and the ATA-100 problem by choosing "reset to optimized defaults" in the BIOS and making a few more very minor tweaks.

Just thought i'd add that in.

Pat.

[pdm]

Woo Hoo!!

Everything seems OK now.
I did a clean install of windows using "setup /p i", then followed some instructions to install the "plug and Play BIOS (fail safe)"...now everything seems OK.
The sound card is running nice, all components are in, and i'm yet to have it hang on me.
Time to start installing all the apps....time consuming and boring http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Pat.

[Rmosler]

ACPI - Advanced Configuration Power Interface

[NDD]

I'm glad you shared your experience with us http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Best Regards ...