Will this beat even the top Guru's?

[Sylvander]

This is a long-standing problem that I just work around.

It involves the detection and allocation of resources to my NIC [Netgear FA330/FA331 PCI Adapter] during the startup process.

THE PROBLEM
If I do a local reboot [(CTRL+Alt+Del)twice], the 1st,3rd,5th etc time I do it the NIC has a yellow exclamation mark, then the 2nd,4th,6th etc times it is ok and I can access the Internet via my broadband modem.

If I do a cold boot [shut down, switch off, then switch on for startup] it is ALWAYS enabled and functioning.

I assume it's something to do with the way the BIOS detects the presence of the hardware and allocates resources.
And possibly something to do with the way the BIOS interacts with Windows [98 in my case].

Any Ideas?

[ski]

Is the problem caused by an IRQ conflict, or is it due to the NIC's driver not loading?

If the former, then does BIOS or Windows assign IRQ's, and is it done automatically or manually?
Also, did you try either a BIOS upgrade or reinstalling Windows?

If the latter, then did you check Device Manager in Safe mode to make sure there's only one NIC listed?
Also, did you try removing the current NIC from Dev. Mgr., restarting, and letting Windows recognize it and reinstall its drivers?
And did you try uninstalling its drivers and reinstalling them?
Check for updated drivers?

[Sylvander]

YOUR QUESTIONS/MY ANSWERS
1. IRQ conflict?
2. Driver not loading?
In device Manager NIC card, when disabled, there are the following notes:
GENERAL
"This device is disabled because the BIOS for the device did not give it an IRQ (code 29).
You must enable the device in the BIOS.
See your hardware documentation for details, or contact your computer manufacturer to get an updated BIOS.
RESOURCES
"This device isn't using any resources because it is not currently enabled, or has a problem.
If you want to assign resources manually for this device, click "Set Configuration Manually". "

3. In the BIOS Setup I have:
"PnP OS Installed = No"
"Resources Controlled By = Auto"
so the PnP BIOS assigns resources automatically and I'm led to believe that Windows will still check the resource allocations and correct them if needed.

4. I think I have run Windows Setup since the card was installed.

5. There are difficulties [not impossible] getting a BIOS upgrade for this ageing system [a long story].

6. There are no duplicates in safe mode [I regularly check this].

7. The problem has always existed since first installed. I had to "Reset Configuration Data = Enabled" in the BIOS Setup before the card would be detected. Then the card was detected and the driver files installed.

8. I haven't un/re-installed the drivers because the problem always existed [see 7]. The driver installation was done by a Telewest tech who does it all the time [unlikely to get it wrong].

9. I haven't checked for driver updates because of 7 [the problem existed when the drivers were new and the tech said I needed a BIOS update].

The BIOS update is here
http://america.hongfaith.com/Support/biosupdate.htm#Pentium%20CPU
But they charge before I can make certain this will work.
My motherboard is "GMB-P56SPC"
The part of the Award Modular BIOS ID that is important is:
10/17/96-SIS-5596-5513-2A5IFG3AC-00
I downloaded their file = "56spc110.zip
but since they require me to pay to read the "Bios Upgrade Guide" I cannot be sure if it will work and do no harm, so I'm inclined to take no risks and leave well alone.

[ski]

3. In the BIOS Setup I have: "PnP OS Installed = No"

See if changing this setting to 'Yes' helps.

[malcore]

Have you tried removing the card and inserting it into a different PCI slot (http://kbserver.netgear.com/kb_web_files/N100055.asp)?

Does the card have WOL (wake on lan) capabilities?

[Jabberwocky]

Microsoft Windows 98 - BIOS has not assigned an interrupt (IRQ) Code 29

Symptoms:
One or more of the following symptoms may occur:
- Error: Code 29
- Error: "This device is disabled because the BIOS for the device did not give it an
IRQ - Code 29." This error may only occur on every other reboot.
- Yellow ! on network adapter
- After restarting Microsoft Windows 98 an interrupt is not assigned to the NIC
- Resources are changed after a reboot
-Red X on network adapter


Cause:
The Interrupt Request is assigned to PCI cards by the BIOS. This IRQ value must then be
communicated to the operating system. In order for a device to share an interrupt the following
requirements must be met: both devices must be able to share an interrupt, the motherboard
must support shared interrupts, and the BIOS must support shared interrupts. If any of these
requirements are not met then the NIC will not have an interrupt assigned.


Obtain the latest BIOS for the motherboard
1. Check with the motherboard manufacturer to determine what is the latest version
Note: Check the end of this document for more information on updating the BIOS


Workarounds if BIOS update is not available:
A. Set Microsoft Windows 98 to Get IRQ Table from Protected Mode PCIBIOS 2.1 call
1. Click START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL
2. Double-click System
3. Click Device Manager tab
4. Double-click System Devices category
5. Double-click PCI bus
6. Click the IRQ Steering tab
7. Check this box: Get IRQ Table from Protected Mode PCIBIOS 2.1 call
8. Click OK
9. Do NOT restart the system
10. Click START>SHUT DOWN>SHUT DOWN THE COMPUTER?
11. Click Yes
12. Turn off the computer when prompted
13. Wait 10 seconds
14. Turn the computer back on


If the problem still occurs:
1. Click START>SETTINGS>CONTROL PANEL
2. Double-click System
3. Click Device Manager tab
4. Double-click System Devices category
5. Double-click PCI bus
6. Click the IRQ Steering tab
7. Uncheck these three boxes:
a. Get IRQ Table using ACPI BIOS
b. Get IRQ Table using MS SPecification table
c. Get IRQ Table from Real Mode PCIBIOS 2.1 call
8. Click OK
9. Restart Windows 98


Fact: Source: Microsoft KnowledgeBase
Fact: Source ID: Article ID: Q182604
Note: Information valid as of August 4, 1998


Other Workarounds:
If the BIOS allows, specify the IRQ for the by slot. This IRQ should match the value
that is displayed in the DOS diagnostics program.


Change the IRQ Activated by setting:
1. Restart the computer
2. Access the BIOS
Note: Refer to PC documentation for command to enter the BIOS
3. Find the section for: IRQ Activated by Level or Edge
Note: The section may be titled PCI/PnP Configuration
4. Change the value from Level to Edge
5. Save the changes and exit by pressing F10
Note: The key used to save the changes and exit may be different depending on which BIOS is being used

[Sylvander]

SKI
It was originally at "yes". Changing it to "No" made no discernable difference. The BIOS now sets the resources and Windows checks the settings.
Before, the BIOS didn't set the resources; Windows did it.

JABBERWOCKY
A. "PCIBIOS 2.1 call" was the only box ticked and the problem existed.
IRQ ROUTING STATUS [said]
"IRQ Steering disabled"
"IRQ table has some errors"

B. I unticked it so that 7 a,b,c were unticked and the problem was still there but:
IRQ ROUTING STATUS [now said]
"IRQ Steering disabled"
"IRQ table not found"

I will now enter the "BIOS Setup->PnP/PCI Configuration" and change "PCI IRQ Activated By : Level" to "Edge".
If I don't return and report immediately it's because it has created a problem from which I cannot easily recover.

[Jabberwocky]

And may the force be with you *takes cover*

[Sylvander]

OK, I changed "Level" to "Edge" and it caused no problems, but also solved nothing. The problem still existed.

"Other Workarounds:
If the BIOS allows, specify the IRQ for the by slot. This IRQ should match the value
that is displayed in the DOS diagnostics program."

I'm not sure what that means.

I think I'll read Q182604.

[Jabberwocky]

Gemlight Boards were made by DTK, equivalent part number = PAM-0050S

perhaps you can find a BIOS upgrade that way?!?!?

[Sylvander]

That article makes VERY interesting reading.

My situation is just as it describes.
with
"IRQ Steering disabled"
"IRQ table has some errors"
"IRQ table not found"

I notice:
"BIOS Setup>PnP/PCI Configuration"
"PCI Spec Ver 2.1 = Enabled"

When my NIC is working I have:
IRQ 11 allocated to the NIC
and "IRQ Hoder for PCI Steering" also allocated IRQ 11.
IRQ 10 allocated to SIS 5596 [sound card]
and "IRQ Holder for PCI Steering" also allocated IRQ 10.

and yet "IRQ Steering disabled"?

Do you have a link for DTK?

[Sylvander]

CORRECTION
SIS 5596 is the display adapter.

I have a Parallel Port card in an ISA slot.
I think it could be jumpered to a manually fixed IRQ value or to PnP and I set it to PnP [if I remember right].
It is unused all of the time.
It was originally intended for Cable Connection between two PC's.

Q182604
QUOTE
"IRQ Steering may be displayed as disabled in Device Manager for any of the following reasons:
If the IRQ routing table that must be provided by the BIOS to the operating system may be missing or contain errors.
If your computer's BIOS does not support PCI bus IRQ steering."

[malcore]

Apparently, the GMB-P56SPC is the identical board to the DTK PAM-0050S with Award modular BIOS 2A5IFG3A.

Have a look here (http://www.dtk.com.tw/download/bios/50sb.html)

BIOS update instructions for Award Modular Bios 2A5IFG3A:

Please follow the following steps to update Award BIOS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Make a startup disk. Just run "format a:/s/q" in DOS mode.

2. Copy Award BIOS flash program and BIOS file (*.bin) to the Startup disk.

3. Let the computer boot from the startup disk.

4. Run Award BIOS flash program.

5. Enter BIOS file name include ".bin".

6. In error message dialogbox, the flash program will display "Do you want to save BIOS (Y/N)" ,press "Y" or "N". If press "Y", enter a file name that you define it by yourself and the startup disk can not write protect, recommended press "N".

7. In error message dialogbox, the flash program will display "Are you sure to program (Y/N)" ,press "Y".

8. When program was done, for ATX system, the flash program will display "F1 - Restart F10 - Exit", please press


PS- I stiil think you should attempt removing the card and trying it in another slot.

Good luck,

:)

[Jabberwocky]

http://www.dtk.com.tw/download/manual.html



i posted this on a new thread . thought they would be merged by now ...there's a bios upgrade there. Motherboard.org (i think)was the place i got the info on the equivalent part ....

[malcore]

A bit more to ponder ;) :

On some motherboards, Windows fails to enable PCI IRQ routing correctly with direct hardware calls. In this situation, it may be necessary to force the Windows PCI Bus driver to use BIOS calls in order to route PCI interrupts correctly


From

here (http://www.elandigitalsystems.com/support/pfaq/irqsteering.php)

Edit- a good read here (http://www.techrescue.net/guides/conflicts5.asp)

[Sylvander]

Well, I now have:
1. A complete set of instructions [the (vital) tail end was missing from Malcore's set].
2. An "awdflash.exe" file [but is it the right one?]
3. A "56SPC110.bin" file [this is probably the right one].
4. A boot disk with the 2 files added as per instructions.

But are they the correct files, and do I have complete instructions, and is it worth the risk?
At this point I doubt it.

I read the information that your links pointed to Malcore.
Very interesting. I think I'll read them a few times. I'm not sure I understand the full significance of all I read.
Would anyone like to explain it?

I'm not brave/foolhardy enough to use the DTK PAM 0050S files.
Even Hongfaith [who supply the correct upgrade but charge for entry] specify that the user should look at the revision number marked on the top left-hand corner of the motherboard. And that's when you already know the motherboard number and the BIOS ID number.

[Jabberwocky]

Aw.... so we'll never know the punchline :D

Think discretion is the better part of valour here considering the only issue is not being able to do a local reboot.

[Sylvander]

In fact I can do a local reboot, but I have to do it twice.
The 1st time the NIC is disabled and the 2nd time it's enabled.
I notice Hongfaith only charge $15 US, but I'm in the UK and don't use a credit card, only a debit card.
I wonder if they would expect my bank to give them US dollars.
I notice my bank charges a fixed rate of £5 = $8.50 to convert.

I think this is the 2nd time I've got to this point and backed off.