Startup problems

[kingcal]

I got a cheap base unit which had no OS on it. I put a Win98 boot disk in and started up and did its thing but it couldn't find the CD-Rom. I opened the case and found the CD wasn't connected so I connected it. Now when I start up it does the memory check and auto detect spots the floppy, hard disk and cd but it freezes on the following screen:

Award Software Inc
System Configurations

CPU Type: Cyrix MII/IBM 6x86MX
Co-Processor: Installed
CPU Clock: 300

Base Memory: 640K
Extended Memory:64512K
Cache Memory: _ (flashing cursor here)
________________________

Diskette Drive A: 1.44MB, 3.5in
Diskette Drive B: None
Pri Master Disk: CHS, Mode 4 850MB
Sec Master Disk: CD Rom, Mode 3
Display Type:
Serial Port(s):
Parallel Ports(s):

Why isn't there any information for Display Type, Serial Port, Parallel Port and Cache Memory? On my other computer all these gaps are filled.

I've tried starting up with only the video card and tried different combinations of devices to try and spot which one is causing it to hang. I have even tried different Hard Disk, Floppy and CD-Rom drives but with no luck.

Any ideas?

Ian

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

I would try to reset the BIOS and see if that helps. Also, check in the BIOS to see what your settings are. It sounds like you are not actually getting to the point of an install, is that correct?

If this thing has any kind of warranty, you may be better off sending it back and starting over, it is pretty shoddy to send it without the CD hooked up....

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Budfred,
You missed the processor he's using. Hasn't been made in years.... ;) Used pc obviously, possibly a freebie.

I'm guessing the RAM is bad or maybe just one or 2 sticks. Is it EDO or pc-66 or pc-100?

Can you get into BIOS to see if the ports have been 'shut off'?

Could you give us more info on the motherboard so we can continue getting to the root of the problem?

[Budfred]

Indeed I did, I recently did a refurb on an old Cyrix too!!... :o

That is a golden oldie and may have any number of interesting problems. I am guessing the CD was disconnected because it was already causing problems, but you will need to do some more troubleshooting to figure that out for sure.... I hope you got this thing mostly to tinker with...:)

[Whyzman]

I'm wondering if you might have bumped something loose hooking up the CD-ROM drive...

If you made it through POST and to an A: using the Win98 boot disk...and after hooking up the CD-ROM now you cannot...

Did you make sure that the CD-ROM was jumpered as Master??? I think default jumper position for these babies is Slave...

Also, even though you have it set to auto-detect...you might want to make sure that with single devices on the IDEs that you have them terminated (i.e., devices plugged into the end of the IDE connectors).