SiS 7001 PCI to USB Host Controller Problem on ASRock K7S41GX

[imon]

I've just built a PC on an ASRock K7S41GX motherboard using a SiS741GX chipset.

After a new installation of Win98 - Windows would not startup, giving me a "Windows General Protection Fault" error.

I started Win98 in safe mode & after much 'farting about' i've isolated the problem to the two SiS 7001 PCI to USB Opem Host Controllers. (When they are disabled windows starts OK - When either is enabled back to General protection error!)

In the Device manager|properties|resources both are using memory range 00000000 - 00000FFF & it is reported that this range is in use by the System Board extention for ACPI BIOS.

In the MB handbook I've discovered a note saying: "Power management for USB 2.0 works under XP but may not work properly for 98/ME" + a (none existing) url at microsoft.com!!!

I looked for a memory range not in use & belive 000C8000 - 000C8FFF to be free so I changed the memory range for one Host Controller to that & enabled the device - immediate blue screen - So I quickly regressed that idea!

Have visited ASROCK site & updated BIOS & USB drivers....no change to problem.
Have followed instructions from USBMAN.com & deleted all problem devices while in safe mode & allowed win98 to reinstall on boot up....original problem has returned.

It now appears I have two options: Upgrade to XP or leave SiS Host Controllers disabled (& perhaps put in a non-SiS PCI USB card?)

Unless of course any of you can suggest an alternative solution.............

[CuratoR]

In the CMOS setup, change the "Resource Controlled by" to manual if its set to Auto or change it to Auto if its set to manual. You may find this option probably in PCI Configuration Setup or PCI Plug n Play Setup. And than see if the problem goes away. You may have to remove the USB host controller and rebbot the machine after doing above. May or may not work, just give it a go.

GPF! hmm, Maybe the memory itself is causing the problem. If its possible try with another(different) RAM module.

[imon]

Thanks for your advice CuratoR......
I attempted the changes you suggested to the CMOS setup twice. On the first attempt no joy. However, I decided to attempt your suggestion a second time!
This time after removing the host controller & rebooting when windows asked me to install the host controller I opted to install the generic host controller drivers, rather than the SiS version.
This appeared (at first) to solve the problem......as the host comtrollers & root hubs all appear in my device manager in a happy state.

After a couple of successful reboots convinced I had solved the problem I plug in the USD FDD which I use these days......windows realised I'd added new hardware & asked me for a driver, I tried to install the win98 USB FDD driver from the manufacturers CD but no way could I get it to work. (Same with every other bit of USB kit that I plugged in!)

OK I removed all the USB devices from device manager....also all the FDD controllers. The last resort appears to be CuratoR's suggestion re swopping RAM modules with one of my other boxes! But just before doing that I go into CMOS one more time.......setting everything back to manufactorers default (which it was before taking Curator's advice)...then as a last action I disable FDD's....(don't have any, just the USB one.)
Boot up win98, add the SiS USB drivers once again, this time everything seems happy..... I check in device manager & note the USB Open Host Controllers now use a differant memory range. Add the USB FDD, instal its driver & it works fine! I guess I've solved the problem, but don't know exactly how......!

[CuratoR]

The problem solved, thats it! ;)