Hang/scrn freeze in 2D apps, Scrn Stutter in 3D apps

[TomPabst]

Hi Guys (and Gals)....
This problem first showed up about 2 months ago. My "day job" involves working on this computer...so it gets probably 16 - 20 hours a day use. At first, this would happen once a week, now it happens daily/hourly. It has transcended two video cards (a V5 5500 originally and now a GeForce 2 Ultra - Creative)...so I don't think its a video card problem source (but anything's possible I guess)? It rarely hangs in Win Explorer, but will hang in all other Win ops apps like "Find Files..., Scandsk, Defrag, System File Checker, etc. It just hung running Defrag...10% into it...so I'm writing here now, since this is becoming too frequent. It will also "hang" on boot up, stops always at the same spot...just after the "time" displays in the systray. Apparently, Win is having a problem loading something needed for ops, but I can't find it in the bootlog! A characterstic of this particular "hang" is that I must reboot, exactly three times (hangs 3 times) then on the fourth boot, it fully boots to the desktop. This is repeatable...every time when I get a "boot hang" like this. However, this does not happen every time on reboot from one of the Win Aps hangs above...no more than 1 in 5 Win Aps hangs...causes this boot hang sequence too. That's it for the 2D hanging.....now to the 3D screen stutter.

This started about the same time....has followed the same progression of frequency of occurance (rarely...to now almost every 3D app I run does it). It transcends as well, two video cards...and it doesn't matter which 3D app (I run racing sims...and it does it in all of them). The screen stops for a brief second (probably less than a second) and this repeats about every minute (I need to get someone with a stop watch to see if the frequency is that precise and exactly the same time...just for info purposes) is my sense of the frequency. The FPS counter does not reflect this (for example, in GPL...the counter remains at 36 fps), and I have tested this using FRAPPS in D3d sims with not FPS cap....same thing, the FRAPPS counter does not reflect the stutter. This of course, means the "freeze" is of such duration that the counter doesn't detect it. Or?
I keep my computer "maintenance" routines religiously, clear the Win Temp folder on boot (with a line in autoexec.bat to auto sweep this folder clean on all boot ups), defrag weekly, etc.

What I have tried: Only the "basics" so far. System File Checker (no probs), Registry Scan (no probs), "repair" IE 5.50 and sorted boot up with System Config Utility (turning all off...then one at a time back on...never got the freeze on boot).

I am now forced to upgrade this problem to "A" Status Priority...since it is now really interferring because of the frequency reaching a "daily/hourly" state....and at all times in 3D apps (games).

Heading my "search" list "Top Five Problem Sources" for this issue: 1)Some .dll file ....probably one of the hardware drvrs is not loading, or not loading properly on boot. Win98 stops the boot, but eventually bypasses it and allows the system to boot up....then the problems I've described above happen because this "component" of a "driver set" isn't loaded...or isn't loaded properly. 2) Faulty/buggy BIOS version. 3) Failing MB component. 4) Snd card driver bug. 5) Corrupted snd file. (I think I'm stretching the limit of "reasonableness" on items 4 and 5 ...lol)

Looking For A Troubleshooting Utility: I recall seeing one time (I think on ZDNet "Free Stuff" pages) a utility that could analyze the Win9x "Bootlog" and tell you what device or apps system or component was not loading? Now I can't seem to find it (or them). Can one of you guys(gals) send me a link...or if the zip file for this is small enough, attach it to email and send it. I know it exists...just can't find it and it must be a troubleshooting "tool" necessary in most comp tech tool belts?

I know that I sound like I know what I'm doing...in fact, I would consider myself an "EXPERT" level computer technician...building 3 to 4 systems a month...and spending in excess of 80 hours a week operating them. I never called myself an "Expert" until recently. That was when I made the following discovery and realized I was now a computer EXPERT!

The "discovery" that made me an EXPERT was the following:

"When ever I have a "problem" with my computer that I can't fix in five minutes or less.....go ask for someone's help and advise at the end of that five minutes and don't waste any more time 'chasing my tail' about some problem, the solution to which, is not in my 'knowledge base'...this 'rule' is not to be broken!"

I am writing this here....because I have just spent 20 minutes going over the "posts" on this Forum looking to see if I could pick up some answers via other's who've had similar problems (there weren't any I could find). But, I was struck with the thought that many of the "rookies" who come here....do so....way too late! By the time they come here, they've "tried" 540 things...only the first two of which were reasonably related to their problem(s) and they are completely distraught, frazzled and frustrated. I would be too!

What makes you a computer tech EXPERT is the following: Its not "How Much You Know"....its knowing "How Much You Don't Know." Every really, really smart computer tech I know practically has that sentence taped to the top of their monitors in bold print (or at least, taped to the top of their mind's eye). I guess that's how they gained so much knowledge, they are constantly asking for other's help!

Thanks, in advance, for yours!

Tom Pabst

------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[Paleo Pete]

Sounds like some serious weirdness...

Have you tried installing the latest Direct-X? And of course the latest drivers for everything...

SimTel (http://www.simtel.net/simtel.net/) or WinFiles (http://www.winfiles.com/) might have the utility you're looking for. A trip to the PC Pitstop (http://www.pcpitstop.com) might turn up a bit of useful info too.

You can also look at the bootlog by booting into DOS and using the edit command edit bootlog.txt. It might take some interpreting, but it's not difficult to access and read through. I think Windows' Notepad might work just as well.

I'll have to read through your post again later when it's not half past bedtime and I'm half awake, see if I can come up with any solid ideas...and maybe some of the other folks here can come up with something too, I have faith in them, they're very good except for picking on me about having no hair left. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
My hairdresser charges me a finder's fee!!

Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

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

[Reid]

Tom, I have a feeling that it is hanging when there is a system sound. If you can do without sound for a while, try running it without the SB card.
While checking Deja to see about the SB Live's history, there does seem to be some problems. Look at the second review on this link (http://sysopt.earthweb.com/userreviews/sound/reviewhtml/Creative_Labs_Live_Platinum.html). Disabling ACPI worked in his case. Let us know how that works out.

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reido@my-deja.com

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 01-07-2001).]

[mjc]

I believe that the program you are looking for is called Boot Log Analyzer and it can be found here:

www.vision4.dial.pipex.com/ (http://www.vision4.dial.pipex.com/)

I have found it very useful for tracking all sorts of boot-up problems and yes it does list failed and slow loads.

------------------
mjc

[TomPabst]

Thanks Guys....this is a good start.

I'll answer some of the "ideas" and questions in one post:

***DX 8.0: The install program file is permanently kept in my Win/temp folder. I reinstall DX anytime I sneeze, cough....well, you don't need to hear the rest of the "body functions!" ....lol... DX 8 gets installed anytime I install, or uninstall...anything on my computer...its a habit. Be careful of MS versions of DX 8.0...they are NOT all the same! I have downloaded the same exact file from MS...two different locations...got two different versions of DX 8...but they were both claimning to be the same version. Last time I discovered this...was when a file (vjoyd.vxd which resides in the Windows directory) was not being overwriten by DX 8.0 (it was a DX 7.0 version of vjoyd.vxd in my directory). DxDiag would report it as an old file - suggesting a reinstall of Direct X as "required"......even after installing DX 8.0....finally I downloaded another version of DX 8.0 (several days later....on a "tip" from somebody) and bingo, the DX 7.0 version of vjoyd.vxd was overwritten by that version of DX 8. This was "reproducible"....by taking sysbackup versions of voyd.vxd...from DX 7.0 and having both DX 8 intalls run....one would overwrite it....one wouldn't. I reported this to MS...never heard a word from them (sent them both vjoyd.vxd files too). So, beware!

***Bootlog.txt: P-Pete...in Windows98 (and all previous that I've had), the bootlog.txt file and bootlog.prv file resides in the directory of c:\ and can be opened with Notepad. That's the good news. The bad news is, unless you are an MS progammer...its virtually useless information, especially with Win98. A) the dang thing is so long and detailed....it takes an attorney and two judges to sort through it. And, B) if you find something out of sort....it doesn't tell you anyting except...it "failed"....well guess what, Win98 "fails" lots of stuff on bootup. Go look through your bootlog some time! Did you know it will "fail" Windows 98 required text fonts? Yep...and it boots your computer up anyway! As soon as your computer then is running an ops program that calls on that font...your system will hang! But, that's a well known problem with Win98 (worse with ME I understand)...and its an easy fix. This was the first thing I looked at...a couple months back. I thought it would be obvious...so didn't list it.

***System Sound corruption: That's an innovative thought, Reid. And just to make sure, I rechecked to make sure I have all Win sys sounds turned off (unassigned to Win98 functions, via "Sounds" in Control Panel. And they are off (except "Empty Recycle" and "Question").

***SB Live Problem: I have had an SB Live card for over 3 years now, I invented them! ....lol... Well, I know enough about them as if I had invented them. You are right, there have been some substantial problems with them. But, those that would related to "symptoms" as I am having would involve the SB16Emulation and "Live" functions being assigned to IRQ's they don't like. I have an SB Live "5.1 X-Gamer"...and installed it with a Creative tech on the phone with me (its the only way to install an SB Live card..by the way...don't even try it yourself)...and both "finicky" SB Live drivers on on the IRQ's they like..and by themselves. I can tell you I will have "sledge hammered" this computer long before thinking I need to check my SB Live sound card out as the problem source....lol..!! Where's my sledgehammer? I did check the "link" you provided...poor guy! He sounded like me a few ions ago. I do wonder about the disabling ACPI statement...its not clear (to me at least)...Did he disable his computers ACPI in the BIOS? Or, did he disable the SB Live Platinum's ACPI software? That might make sense...but disabling your computer ACPI....doesn't that sound like a can of worms being created? I never have tried it I guess?

And finally, MJC...thanks for the "link" to that utility. It isn't the one I was looking for (still looking for)...but its better than nothing. I will give it a try...see what it can show...and report back here. The bootlog analyzer I was looking for....did just that. It told you what was up...wrong...with your bootup in plain language, suggesting which hardware, software was the culprit, and so forth. Amazing little program, can't believe I lost it...ARRRRGh.

Thanks for all of your help...feedback...I'm still working on this!


------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[TomPabst]

Ahhemmm...

Could somebody pass me the salt and pepper...maybe a little catsup too? I have some "crow" to eat here!

I went into Control Panel/Power Management (figured that's what they guy meant by "disabled in software"...turned everthing to "never, and always on" as appropriate (why doesn't MS just put a switch in there...off/on? God...overkill software programmers....can we shoot them all?).

Then, I went for a few laps at Laguna...in GPL. Guess what, no screeny bips...nothing...clean as a whistle! Now, will this also fix the Windows ops applications from freezing too?

Gosh, I just love these computers....lol...

Tom

PS: I'll report back in a few days...one way or the other....if these "freeze" issues come back or not.

PSS: Knowing how computers works...I'll just start my next "troubleshooting" session with you guys right now. So, what potential problems have I now introduced into my system with ACPI turned off in software? This simple of a fix for the screen freeze problem can't come with out some kind of a "price!" Can it?

------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[Paleo Pete]

1. I didn't say you could decipher anything from the bootlog, just view it...I'ver looked at mine a few times, and it's just about like trying to read Sanskrit...

2. Did you possibly have a screensaver trying to load after power management tried to take over?

3. I'm not sure why, but I keep power management disabled in BIOS and let Windows handle it, seems to work more reliably that way. That may have nothing to do with ACPI...

You might also check Here (http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/acpihct.htm) for utilities to check for ACPI/hardware compatibility.
Note: It's a Microsoft site, so be prepared, I don't know of a slower website...

ACPI and Power Management Requirements (http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/books/serverdg/acpipowermanagementrequirements.htm) also from Microsoft...

BIOS Settings for Disabling ACPI (http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/busbios/unACPI.htm) Microsoft again...

FAQ for ACPI and Microsoft Operating Systems (http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/desinit/acpifaq2.htm) Guess...

Device Problems in Device Manager due to Global Lock (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q217/3/92.ASP) Don't know if this has anything to do with your problem, but thought it might be worth looking at...

That's about all I can find in the MSKD that might help...Search (http://search.microsoft.com/us/SearchMS25.asp) the MSKD for ACPI if you want to look through the 100 or so articles it brings up.

------------------
My hairdresser charges me a finder's fee!!

Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

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

[scada]

I had heard about that problem before about 2 or 3years ago. I had a friend who's scanner woudn't work once the computer came out of standby. The solution recommended by Microsoft was to disable power management. Ever since then I always turn that off in all my installs. It has become second nature so much so that I had forgotten the problems leaving it on can cause.

By the way I have a second rule I use at work.

If you ,the user, screwup your system. I ,the admin, will waste 15 min trying to fix it. After that I'll reapply a ghost image and go to lunch.


.

[TomPabst]

Hi guys....

The "freeze" is back! (or never left....not sure which)

P-Pete: Thanks for those references....I'll go to them all and try turning all the ACPI stuff off in BIOS too. I did notice, and I don't recall this from before, but the "SCI IRQ Use by ACPI Bus" is now assigned to IRQ 9, the same one as my GeForce 2 Ultra vid card. What is "SCI"....and being on the same IRQ as my vid card....sounds dangerous! ...lol. Got to take my dog into the vet...will get back here on this later today.

Scada: I bought a CDRW (external USB) and Norton Ghost. Waiting to acquire a "system" install worth cloning! ....lol.... When that happens, I'll follow your "rule" too! ...lol... Where do you work?

Thanks guys...be back here later today.

------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[TomPabst]

Well.....

Seems I'm in a "catch 22" situation....if the ACPI is causing my problems. If I read the articles and information correctly that P-pete flagged for me, you can't just "disable" the ACPI in BIOS, if you are running Win98SE. If you do, the computer will operate in a "safe mode" like capacity only. If you disable the ACPI, BEFORE installing Win98SE, then you don't have this issue. But, if the ACPI was "enabled" during the Win98 original install....then that's that! MS seems to admonish several "vendors" from wanting a simple "switch" in the BIOS to turn ACPI on or off. My guess is, they can't produce reliable equipment, and MS has them "boxed" if the vendors can't turn off the MS ACPI...! Good old MS...aren't they cool! No wonder Creative is "laying low" on the ACPI reference that their SB Live series cards have problems with it. If they admit that, and that they knew this in advance of selling them (which they certainly did)...then they'd be subject to having to "accept" returns from all of the retail vendors...who took them back from customers! Or be in violation of their "retail" warranty. Hmmmm. I hate it when MS has me "boxed in" like this!

So, for now, I feel "stuck".....and I imagine I am not the only one? My computer isn't that unique, was built just a few months ago (that's one reason I don't want to reinstall Win98...its fresh to start with)....so there must be "thousands" like me....putting up with these computer hangs....but not knowing why? Last night, while trying to use WS FTP PRO to upload a 51 meg file to my website....my system would freeze solid...as soon as the "percent upload bar" would reach "10%"....and it did this four times in a row before I transfered the file to another computer in my LAN, and had WS FTP Pro send it from there.....no problems...zipped right up to the sight without a hassle. I then tried it again on mine, bam...froze solid at 10% transfer complete. "Defrag" was doing the same thing the night before....only it was freezing at 9%

I do have a couple questions of some things that were raised here earlier, and after "trying these solutions" out....I guess I have to fdisk and try to reinstall Win98 without ACPI enabled...and put all the devices back, one at a time. Damn, that's a four day process, including installing all the software programs, and "patching" them!

Here's my questions:

1) How do you "disable" ACPI in "software"...this was suggested earlier...and I think I did it, but now I'm not sure?

2) What is "SCI" and would it cause these freezes if sharing IRQ 9 with the Nvidia GeForce 2 Ultra (dumb question, but thought I should ask it anyway...since I did in my last post above...and haven't gotten an answer as to what SCI is anyway)?

I'm going to go ask this same question at one of the Nvidia "troubleshooting" forums...and see what's up with this. In the meantime, I might as well try installing the Creative drivers for the GeForce 2 Ultra...since I don't care for the UI on the Nvidia drivers...even though the actual drivers themselves are probably fine. Geeez...it takes 9 "mouse clicks" just to set the gamma for D3D...and then it won't save it on a reboot!

Anybody unheard from...with any "ideas"....could you just chime right in......????

I'm now getting frustrated with this...

More later.....

------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[Reid]

Tom, one remedy I saw was to re-run Windows Setup to reinstall Windows over itself using setup /p i.

That will force APM mode installation instead of ACPI and keep your currently installed software, though some Windows Update files may need to be re-applied.

I have installed Windows 98SE over itself using the retail version and all programs and setting remained intact. OEM versions may behave differently.


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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends load Windows ME

[Reid]

I decided to experiment today and enabled ACPI, using setup /p j and installed Windows SE over the current installation. I first put a Ghost image of the C: drive on the D: drive, then flipped the "boot switches" and booted from the copied image, then reinstalled Windows with the above command switches.

After doing that, my computer will now come out of Standby, where before it did not. The only problem is that the Shutdown hang came back. I did not have time to download the Microsoft updates yet to see if they will fix the shutdown hang.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends load Windows ME

[TomPabst]

Reid....

You are the "DOS" Man! ...lol... You make it sound about the same as I make "deleting email messages" sound to the newbie!

Seriouly, I do need to try to reinstall WinSE over top the current one, so I can disable ACPI (force APM) during the install. I have an OEM Win98SE CD....but it was installed by me (this is not an OEM computer). I am concerned....always, about IE 5.5 and Office 2000...both so tightly integrated with Win98SE...almost as if all are integral to the operating system. If I can accomplish "shutting off" ACPI in this way, that should free up some IRQ's as well...then I'll have to see how the "new" Win98 deals with the IRQ's on the first boot up. I can go to MS Win98 Updates...let that system "read" my Win98SE install and recommend updates as it sees that are critical (that shouldn't be a problem).

Now a favor please, I have not done a Windows98 "install-over" ever! And, only had a need to do it with Win95 a couple times...eons ago! I wonder if I could ask you to send me a "step by step" on this procedure (unless you feel its important enough to "post" ...probably again....in this Forum? I know there's lots of people with this same problem...so maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea. Also, I'm not totally "speedo-king" on DOS commands, I'm not illiterate but I am "DOS challeged"....lol... So, don't assume I know a DOS command...I'd appreciate "details" on any commands I need to do. Also, any suggestions to "prepare" my system for this procedure, would be very much appreciated as well.

My email address is listed in my profile, if you don't want to use space on this Forum for giving me a "step-by-step" on this. I note you live in California....so if I can't "return the favor" with my computer knowledge, maybe I can get you into some races out here?

Thanks, in advance, for your help on this.

Tom



------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[Reid]

Tom,

I got ahead of myself and realize the last post might not make sense, and much of it doesn't really have anything to do with reloading Windows. The "boot switches" I referred to are just a set of toggle switches that I wired to the MA and SL connectors of the hard drives. I can boot off of either drive and avoid having to mess with boot manager software. One of the drives is in a removeable tray, so I can save extra Ghost images of the internal drive to one that is normally stored out of the computer.

I have reloaded Windows over itself several times, but I cannot guarantee that it will work for everyone and should probably only be attempted if you have backups and are prepared to reload Windows from a fresh start, if necessary.

Since I have enough space on the C: drive, I copied everything in the WIN98
directory of the CD to a directory I created, C:\WINDOWS\OPTIONS, but you may prefer to run setup from the CD. The benefit of having the files on the hard drive is that Windows stops asking you to insert the Windows CD when doing hardware installations. You will need to enter your Microsoft key number after starting the installation.

I start by disabling any antivirus program, then end all unnecessary programs with EndItAll (http://www.zdnet.com/downloads/stories/info/0,,0011NB,.html).

To start the installation, click Start, Run, then Browse, and select
setup.exe from the appropriate directory on the CD or hard drive.
Add /p i to disable ACPI.
The command line should appear as Setup.exe /p i.

Click OK and the installation will run. If an antivirus program restarts during a reboot, as Norton did, it may warn of a virus-like activity when Windows tries to write to the disk. I just clicked Continue.

That's about it. When the installation completes, you should still have all your programs and settings. Let me know if you have any questions.

This
<A HREF="http://pcbuyersguide.com/software/system/win98-setup.html" TARGET=_blank>WIN98
Setup</A> link has some more general Windows setup information and also has some extra steps for someone enabling ACPI.


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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends load Windows ME

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 01-10-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 01-10-2001).]

[TomPabst]

This is an UPDATE:

Hi guys....I got sidetracked on all these "issues" above with a project that is going to take me a few more days to complete....before I can go back to "troubleshooting" my computer. I want to attempt to do a Win98SE "overwrite" reinstall as Reid suggests.....and "thanks Reid" for sending details on performing that. But....oddly enough...I have to actually use this computer to do some "work"....yuk! I only like "screwing around with broken computers"...not doing actual work on them! .......lol...... NOT!

I'll update this "string" when I've done the Win98 overwrite attempt at turning the ACPI off (in preference for the APM).

Regards,

Tom

PS: I think I am going to rebuild my "office" computer into a "gaming computer" and turn this one (now my gaming system) into the office one. Confused? Me too. But, I'll make a post over in the other "Buying Guide" forum....want to ask you guys, though....what is the best motherboard - CPU class/level combination...in your wizdom....that I should put together for a gaming box? I will have the choice of a V5...or a GF2 Ultra vid card....and will use Antec's 400 watt PS....a new one sitting in the box here waiting for a home. Your advice on the MB/cpu combo would be appreciated. I don't want the "latest/fastest" cpu....but what is the fastest at the current "price break"....I don't have a clue at the moment? I heard 1.0 gig Intel's were down to like $400....but that is rumor only!

------------------
Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts

[TomPabst]

Hi guys.....

Reid............you can close this "topic string" out...my "problems" with this computer as outlined here ....on 14 printed pages, no less...are over!

How did I fix them? I didn't.

I got a virus on this computer and it died! ....lol.... I burried it quickly and without ceremony....it was time fot it to go! ...lol...

I've decided to build a new "race box" anyway. So, I'm even going to dismantle this computer....steal a few items from it like the sound and video cards....and build a new "hot" one in its place. I'll relegate the remnants of this system to my "business computer" work station....and that will be that.

I'm changing "platforms".....so you guys can expect to hear a lot from me in the next several months...I'm sure. Can I have my own "topic section"...just so I can find myself easily? ........lol.....

I have always built systems with Intel processors. I am changing to AMD....for many reasons and "price" is on the list...but far down at the bottom.

I took delivery today of a new In-WIN ATX full-tower case (the mobo tray slides out the back.....with the back plate intact...so you can build the darn computer on your workbench...then slide it into the case and hook up the power and drives...and bingo! I picked up a 1.2gig AMD Athlon T-Bird today, and a ASUS A7V133 mobo, 3 each 256 sticks of PC133 ram....when the Swiftech cpu fan arrives....in a refrigerated UPS truck (...lol...) I'm going to OC' this thing to max! Maybe 1.4 gigs? Couple this with a GF2 ULTRA, with 64megs of onboard DDR memory and 4X AGP bus...I should be able to play "pong" really well now! ...lol....

Seriously....as some of you may remember when I first started posting here a month ago or so, I am a serious online gamer. Professional...might be a better term. I do "online sim racing"....and with racing simulation "games" .....your FPS is GOD and nothing else matters! You spend maybe two, three hours at a time...in a race (when its a full tournament event)....and the whole time you are looking at maybe one or two square centimeters of the screen.....that's about it! Why? Because at Indinapolis at 215 mph down the main straight...you have to focus on the track that's about 200 yards in front of you...because in the length of your "reaction time"....that's where you'll be next! Its like this in a real race car too....and no different in a good racing simulation. The problem on a computer...is 200 yards down track is this little bitty tiny part of your monitor...about two square centimeters approximately in the middle of the screen.....and.......that's it! The faster your FPS, the faster the "data" on that small area of the screen is recognizable, readible by me and thus allows me to place my car more efficiently. That turns into translating my laps times into 1/10ths and 1/100ths of a second faster. At the "world-class" level I race at.....that could be the spread of the qualifying speed of the top ten cars! This is no different in real racing.....except for the "names" on the parts that give you that kind of an advantage....they names are all that changes.

So, thanks for all the great information you guys gave me....on this ACPI issue....if that's what turned out to be the real problem? I think it was...but now we'll never know. I can bet you I don't turn on ACPI on this new "box" though! ....lol....

I'll see you in the next section....depending on what new problems I generate for myself with this new system.

Thanks....see you all around the "topic sections"......

"Now..where's that one I saw, "Building a New Computer..???..hmmm??? is it over there...??...."

Tom Pabst

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Tom Pabst
www.pabst-racing.com

Sys Specs:
Win98SE,IE 5.50+ /DX8
Abit BE6 II (BIOS:BEh-sh)
P3 800 Intel
384 RAM
20 Gig HD (WD)
Vid: GeForce 2 Ultra (Nvidia 6.31 ref drvrs)
Snd: SB Live 5.1 X-Gamer
Misc: Int zip, 21"KDS monitor, 44xCD, Antec 400w pwr sup, USB: mse, kybd, race wheel, LogFF joy, prntr and Kodak DVC cam - all on 3 hubs (latest Intel USB patch).
IRQ's = no conflicts