Blue' Troubles - Part 2

[BigBlue66]

Hey Gang!!!!

Well, I just had to post this afternoon 'cause I'm so excited. The beast is up, running, stable, and playing a CD at this moment. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I bumped the multiplier up to 5.5 with no detrimental effects. The whole thing has been a valuable learning experience for me and I couldn't have done it without a whole lot of direction from ya'll. Kudos especially to Reid who got me going in the right direction. Ranch was a big help as well. Pete's comments about memory convinced me I had better track down the errors. Hope I didn't leave anybody out, but rest assured, I absorbed every bit of advice every one of you had to offer. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Must admit I was stumped there for awhile this afternoon though. I installed an old ISA SoundBlaster 32PNP card. Windoz appeared to be setting it up correctly, but then I found a yellow splat in DM. Said it took a certain IRQ to work properly and I only had IRQ 9 free, which wasn't one of them. I could have disabled my ATI Expert or my Ultra 100 controller, neither of which I wanted to do. Oh and hey, come to find out that Windows is registering that vid card as a 128 Rage Pro. Problems between it and Windows was one of the things the BIOS update was supposed to fix. So no wonder the BIOS flash seemed to help matters. hehe http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

EDIT: Whoops, forgot to mention how I managed to get the soundcard working. Finally dawned on me that I could disable the "Assign IRQ to VGA" in BIOS. So that's what I did and now I think I'm home free.

Now all I have to do is install an old ISA 56K modem, which I have jumpered to COM 2 and IRQ 3. (DM says IRQ 3 is for the communications port, so I don't think I'll have any problems with that)

Then, I can download all critical updates, etc. And then, finally, the wife can start installing her software. (She's been kind of patient, but I think it's waning. hehe)

Cheers,

BB 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[This message has been edited by BigBlue66 (edited 08-19-2001).]

[kaos]

Way to go BB! I don't have a clue what you've been doing, (all your problems on this have been over my head) but, I'm glad you got it working!

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Thankful there's an Edit button!

[Reid]

I'm glad to hear the situation is improved. That proplem was an interesting one to follow.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[ranchdog]

BB You're a Champion. And you could have drank beers and played pool! This is Assembly 101. The PnP systems come easy after working thru one of these. And you won't comb your hair with a towel after all! Hehehe. You proved that you could hang and that's what it's all about.

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[YODA74]

that a way to go BB.i've been watchin from side lines KAOS nailed it way over my head. need to put this one in record books good job ya'll. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/cool.gif

[pjungwirth]

Hooray!

Paul
~{:-)

[BigBlue66]

Hey Gang, http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Jeesh, after all your congratulatory remarks, I hate to admit that I spoke too soon, as usual. Oivay.

Don't know how the vid card and soundcard got along like they did, but as soon as I rebooted, back to square one. Only have IRQ 9 left and the soundcard takes either 5,7,10 or 11. So now what, I ask myself. Moved vid card to different PCI slot. No joy. If it weren't for the Ultra 100 controller card, I'd be home free. DAMMIT JIM!

Tonight is modem installation. Don't think I'll have any problems with that as it's jumperable.

NEXT BURNING QUESTION FOR YA'LL: Does an AGP device require an IRQ????? If not, then I could go with an AGP vid card and free up an IRQ for a soundcard.

So anyway, the system is soundless, but is stable and has nice graphics. hehe Told the wife she could start installing her software today. (I'm at work now so wonder how many phone calls I'll get today. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif )

I had to bump the multiplier back to 5.0 at 83Mhz. Was getting a little shaky at 5.5, but I can live with that.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[kayofcircles]

Way over my head too, but I am copying/pasting like mad so that I will be able to print a long, detailed troubleshooting kind of thing for my beloved. So, please keep us updated on progress and resolution. We're thinking of a combo car and puter repair shop after retiring, so need to learn as much as we can. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

[BigBlue66]

Hi Kay,

Thanks. I have sure learned a lot since building this computer. And I can truthfully say that I now have the FEVER real bad. Hmmm, wonder which one of my relatives needs a new computer? hehe

Hey, I will come work for you in your car/'puter repair shop. I just love tinkering on both. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[kayofcircles]

We'd be glad to have you, BB, but got to warn you that we've never gotten the hang of "charging" money for repair. So far, for car and puter repair, we've received a couple of free meals, all the parts to make dentures with, and a chocolate squash cake. (Yes, she put squash in a cake!) Most of the time, we just receive a "thank you" which is cool by us.

[BigBlue66]

Kay, money is not everything. I would like to try that cake, though! hehe

Ok folks, have been doing some reading, although I'm supposed to be working. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

Seems I might have some options open to me for getting sound on that computer.

1) Buy a PCI based soundcard and hope like heck that PCI sharing works correctly.

2) Remove the PCI vid card and drivers. Install the old ISA video card temporarily.

3) Install ISA soundcard and hopefully it will use the IRQ that was previously used by the PCI vid card.

4) Reinstall the PCI vid card and hopefully IRQ 9 will be assigned to it.

What do you think? Should I just get a PCI based soundcard and hope that PCI sharing works, or should I try No.'s 2 thru 4 first?

Of course, if one of you tells me that AGP does not require an IRQ, I will probably go the new AGP vid card route.

EDIT: Or, should I try the "Reset Configuration Data" in BIOS and hope that the ISA card will be set up first, then the PCI devices?

Thanks.

BB 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[This message has been edited by BigBlue66 (edited 08-20-2001).]

[Reid]

I think a PCI sound card would be preferable.

I recall freeing up some resources by disabling an unused serial port and disabling power management.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[BigBlue66]

Thanks again, Reid. A PCI soundcard it is then.

I could disable my LPT1 port, but I don't have a USB printer. And the IRQs assigned to my serial ports are not the usual ones that the ISA SB needs.

So, guess I had better go shopping after work. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Of course, once I get into CompUSA, there's no telling how long I'll be. Hope the wife leaves the bean pot on low. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[BigBlue66]

Hi Everyone,

Just installed a SB PCI 16bit soundcard. The installation went flawlessly. Before I installed it though, I booted in Safe Mode to make sure no ghost drivers were lurking. Then booted in Normal mode and made sure PCI Steering was enabled and working under System Devices in DM. Installed the card, booted up, and voila, sound with no conflicts whatsoever.

I am thinking that my problems before were: ISA cards don't play nice with PCI cards when it comes to sharing IRQ's and probably the biggest problem was: the ISA card was not PNP. Opinions?

Also installed the wife's printer and that too went without a hitch. I'm getting tired tonight, so will save the modem installation until tomorrow night.

The wife installed scads of her software today with no problems. I think she has five or six different desktop publishing programs. Damned if I know why she needs so many different ones. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif I didn't even get one call at work today. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif The 'puter had been on all day, save for the restarts when she installed, so I felt the active heatsink and processor when I got home and they were cool.

Will post tomorrow night with details/successes/problems/trials and tribulations on the modem installation. After that, my dear friends, I believe Big Blue's Troubles are approaching the final chapter with a very happy ending. Hope there isn't a sequel. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Cheers,

Big Blue 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[BigBlue66]

REID!?

It suddenly dawned on me as to what you were getting at, I think. If I could have disabled a serial port or what have you, then I could have went through the process of having Windows reinstall/reconfigure all my devices and therefore have everything assigned its proper IRQ?

It's not imperative that you answer, as I have the problem solved now, but would be curious as to how you would have gone about it, given that you disabled a serial port or whatever to free up an IRQ or two. (I already had PM disabled before all this came about)

Cheers,

BB 66


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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[Reid]

Big Blue,

I don't recall what the exact problem was, but my system was in a bind for available IRQs. It may have been while I had a TV card in the system. I think I also disabled LPT1 since the printer also had a USB connection. As I recall, it just needed a reboot to reassign the IRQs.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 08-21-2001).]

[danleff]

Hi;

Have been watching from the sidelines, this is great, learning a lot! What about agp and irq? Hate it when PCI/ISA cards only accept certain irq's.

You could also get a USB to parallel connector for that printer (if it will work with one) and have a real challenge!

Nice going BB!

[Paleo Pete]

Been wondering what happened to this one, never made it this far last night before the nod monster attacked...

Glad it's coming along well so far, only suggestion I can think of at this point is make sure you disable COM2 in BIOS before trying to install the modem. Serial port 3F8 I think...otherwise you'll have yet another headache..it'll see the modem and the existing COM port both as COM2 and freak out...(my very first troubleshooting experience was that exact problem years ago, and I barely knew how to turn the stupid thing on...BIOS??? Huh?? What's that???)

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Support the right to keep and arm bears.
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

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

[BigBlue66]

Thanks Pete for saving me yet another Huh? post. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

I shall heed your advice to the letter.

Cheers,

Big Blue 66

P.S. Still haven't received an answer about whether or not an AGP device requires an IRQ, or is it just a stupid question? http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/eek.gif

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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[Reid]

All I can find is that some AGP video cards need an IRQ, some do not. There are also some motherboards that will have an IRQ conflict if a PCI card is used in the slot next to an AGP card.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[BigBlue66]

Thanks Reid.

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Yes Sir, Occifer!

[ranchdog]

B.B. In theory an AGP doesn't use an IRQ as it is not part of the PCI Bus. Has direct access to RAM. It is a single slot seperate of the PCI slots. PCI slots are Bussed together in a group. Ideally, each one getting it's own IRQ. (Interrupt Request) Since Pnp IRQ's can be shared with PCI IRQ Steering support. But that can be a can of worms when numerous items try to share the same IRQ.
Think of the IRQ as a PCI slot raising it's hand saying, hey I need to talk to the CPU, I've been called on to do something.
High priority items get the low IRQ # and Low priority items get the high IRQ#.
That is, if they are assigned by Windoz.
Just me, but I prefer to use an AGP Video if possible as it frees up a PCI slot.
Hang in there Big Fellow. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 08-21-2001).]

[biggmc01]

Hi, Just a side note to an earlier posting by BigBlue(i'm just catching up!). You mentioned using irq #2 instead of #9 but I believe that 2 is just a pointer to #9. Might wanna check deja.com and do a search to clear it up. Deja.com will redirect you to google I think.

Just wanted to try and help.

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Of all the things from my youth that I miss, I miss my mind the most.

[BigBlue66]

Howdy All,

Thanks Bigmm, however, I don't actually recall mentioning IRQ 2. I did mention IRQ 3 though. No. 2 on this computer is reserved for Programmable Interrupt Controller, which I assume is the same thing as what you called it, only by a different name.

Ranch: Thanks for that. I will absolutely consider an AGP vid card if the wife hollers too loud. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Pete: Thanks for your BIOS tip. I have seen it mentioned numerous times on this forum, but knowing me, I would have forgotten about it until I had fried my brain because the modem wouldn't install. Which brings to my next topic. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

FINAL CHAPTER: Brought to you courtesy of a home built AMD K6-2 450, Micronics C200, 256mb PC-100, 300watt PS, ATI Xpert 128 16mb, 56K ISA Rockwell, SoundBlaster 16bit, 30Gb Quantum Fireball, Promise Ultra ATA 100, 50X CD-ROM, Zeus Components Flat Screen 17", 3 1/2" floppy, Creative desktop speakers and a PS/2 Mouse and Keyboard.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif Yep, the wife let me use her computer to post this. The system has been stable for two days now. Thanks to Pete, the modem installation went flawlessly tonight. I can finally put the case back together and call it a day.

Both my and my wife's computers are in the same smallish room. Hers is on one wall and mine is on the opposite wall. Now, instead of turning around and tapping her on the shoulder to talk to her, I can send her an email. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

Can't wait to build my next one. YeeeeHaaaaaaa!!!!!!!

Good night everyone and thank you for your support. I just love this place.

Big Blue 66


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"Right turn Clyde!"

[biggmc01]

Originally posted by BigBlue66:
Howdy All,

Thanks Bigmm, however, I don't actually recall mentioning IRQ 2. I did mention IRQ 3 though. No. 2 on this computer is reserved for Programmable Interrupt Controller, which I assume is the same thing as what you called it, only by a different name.


4) Reinstall the PCI vid card and hopefully IRQ 9 will be assigned to it.

What do you think? Should I just get a PCI based soundcard and hope that PCI sharing works, or should I try No.'s 2 thru 4 first?

That's the section I meant! And it's biggmc not bigmm!



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Of all the things from my youth that I miss, I miss my mind the most.

[BigBlue66]

Should I even bother?

Biggmc: If you will return to my post that you are referring to, you will see that I meant line item no.'s 2 through 4, not IRQ 2. Sorry for any confusion. Line item no. 1 referred to one option open to me. Line item no.'s 2 through 4 referred to a different scenario in total.

BB 66


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"Right turn Clyde!"

[Reid]

Although you do not need it now, I found this AMD IRQ (http://www.amd.com/support/faqs/irq.html) link that has recommendations of an installation sequence to help avoid IRQ conflicts. Another addition for my Computer bookmarks.

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reido@my-deja.com

Friends don't let friends install Windows ME

[This message has been edited by Reid (edited 08-22-2001).]

[BigBlue66]

Thanks Reid. Printing it now for my 3-ring binder of How To's and Why For's.

BB 66


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"Right turn Clyde!"

[leej]

BB 66

Couldn't think of another way to get your attention. Forgive me for chasing you up like this, but if you've got the time I've posted all the info you wanted with regards to my WON'T RECOGNIZE CD ROM query.

Thanks

Lee j http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif