Hi to all computer experts here Im back after long time. I have question here. I just recently install an internal modem in my cousins PC its bit old system having 166Mhz with just 16MB of RAM. The problem started when I install the said modem. Im not able now to boot on normal mode. its always booting on safe mode. Can anyone tell me what cound be the problem.. I also wanted to add some RAM for that PC but I don't know what kind of RAM was installed there. Do you guys think its EDO or DRAM.. Im sure its not SDRAM coz its been purchased for some 9 years ago.

Hi Roel! The reason you are not able to boot into regular mode Win is that the modem is set to an Interrupt (IRQ) which is already in use (probably the mouse)...If the modem has a way to change the IRQ it requests, then I suggest you change it to COM 2(or 4)& IRQ 3 for starters (as the mouse is likely on Com 1 - IRQ 4 right now). Your memory is likely to be SIMMS EDO memory and to add memory you must remember to buy 2(two) sticks of it at a time [as in 2 -16mb sticks of simms EDO memory]. Good luck with it.

------------------
Will XP save Me ?

Thanks Randy I think that was the problem. I remember I set it to COM1. it was my mistake to intall it in very limited time coz I got some other things to do that day. Now you teach me another lesson. Regarding RAM are you saying that I need to buy 2pcs of 8MB SIMM EDO RAM. how about other options. I want to make it at least 64MB or higher

A motherboard manual would help, that would tell you what memory types are supported and how much. I would think EDO should work, and Fast Page Mode I would bet on. Some, but few, early Pentium boards did not support EDO. Most did.

Check to see if the board has a DIMM slot. 72pin SIMM type memory is no longer being manufactured and is much more expensive. If you have a DIMM slot I would say use it. One 64MB chip would do the trick, and pull the SIMM chips entirely. It's usually not a good idea to mix them.

If you have to use SIMM chips, I would think two 32MB SIMM chips would work, but be sure you do get a pair, SIMMs must be installed in pairs.

Also check to see what chipset the motherboard is using. If it's the Intel i430xx series it will only cache 64MB and if you add more than that it will slow the machine down. The chipset is a chip about 1" square on the motherboard. The manual should tell you what it uses. Look for:
i430TX
i430FX
i430VX
i430HX

The HX will cache more than 64MB but only if you add more tag RAM. If you have one of these chipsets use no more than 64MB, and remove the old memory if necessary.

With 16MB now, you can add two 16MB chips, and that would total 48MB. Depending on the chipset, you may or may not be able to use two 32MB chips. If it's one of the Intel 430's you'll have to either remove the old memory to go to 64MB or stick with 48MB.

------------------
So many idiots, and only six bullets...
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)