Compaq site stinks... Seeking info...

[CLTEK]

A while back, a friend of mine wanted some upgrades on his eMachine... Of all things. Anyway, I went to the Emachine site found the information. There it was. Right there infront of my face. Easy to find, and just as easy to get the upgrades taken care of.

Anyway... Before I go off on a bit of a rant, I was wondering if any of the resident 'Compaq Gurus' would be able help me out.

I have a Compaq Presario 5020 running Win98. I'm reduced to using if for my music, but the soundcard sounds TERRIBLE! What I want to do is install an SBLive Value or SB Live Platinum 5.1.

Dilemma: I only have two PCI slots. One is taken by the modem, the other is for the SCSI card for my external burner. Now... Do I have to disable the onboard sound via jumpers and/or the BIOS? I can't seem to find a schematic or jumper settings for the MOBO for this activity.

Next question... Since I don't have the money to build a new machine in order to alleviate all of my problems for recording (No PCI slots available), would it be possible to interchange the SCSI card and a Sound card by just switching the cards in/out of the PCI slot when I'm using the machine in different situations?

This is the thought process involved... When I'm recording, I never use my burner. Is it possible to just shut off the machine, pull the SCSI card and, in turn, throw the SB Live! card in the slot (as well as take the reverse action for burning), turn it on and be good to go? Seems to me the BIOS would detect the change at boot and run accoringly. Is this possible?

Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

REspectfully, Cory

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Age and Treachery will forever triumph over Youth and Skill.

[sea69]

hey Cory


There are no jumpers to disable in hardware, nor is there a provision for this in the BIOS or F10 setup.

To disable the audio chip in both Windows 95 and 98:

1. Right click on My Computer and select Properties, Device Manager tab.

2. Click on the + next to Sound, video and game controllers and highlight the entery for your audio (either the ESS1887 or 1869 Plug and Play AudioDrive), then click on the Properties button.

3. Check the box labeled "Disable in this hardware profile." Then reboot.
For the video controller, follow the same procedure for Windows 95, except click on the + next to display adapters and highlight the controller, either the S3 Trio 64V2, S3 ViRGE or ATI Rage Pro, depending upon your model number. Then check the disable in this hardware profile box and when prompted for a reboot, do NOT. Just shut down the computer and install your new card.

There is no "disable in this hardware profile" in Win 98 for the video controller. This was done to accommodate the dual monitor/video card capability of 98.
To disable in 98:
1. Right click on the desktop and select Properties.
2. Click on the Settings tab, then the Advance button.
3. Click on the Adapter tab, then the Change button.
4. On the first Wizard screen, hit the Next button.
5. On the next screen, select "display a list of all the drivers......" then hit Next.
6. On the next screen, select Show all Hardware, then highlight (Standard Display Types) at the top, then in the right window, select Standard Display Adapter VGA, Microsoft, 5-11-98, then hit Next.
7. You may be asked to insert the 98 upgrade CD to load the driver.
8. If Windows asks if you want to restart, say NO.
9. Shut down the computer and install the new video card.
When you reboot, Windows should detect the new card and you can install the drivers for it.

oh.. and I see no problem with your idea of switching, just disable onboard 1st.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)



[This message has been edited by sea69 (edited 07-03-2001).]

[yawningdog]

I don't recommend switching cards back and forth. Those slots are not designed for that kind of use and will wear out quickly.

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He thrusts his fists against the posts but still insists he sees the ghosts.

[iisbob]

Are you useing that system to aces the net at all/ if not, it would be simpler to just remove your modem, and place the new sound card there. I used to have a presario 7360, and you're correct about Compaq being a crappy support site. The easiest way to remove your onbard sound is to go into your " add/remove programs " control applet and select the ESS audio drivers, the select remove. the all you have to do is install the soundblaster and load the drivers. Sea is correct that there is no jumpers on Compaqs mobo's, at least not the retail ones that i've seen. hope this helps you a little. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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iisbob
"Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run."

[CLTEK]

Thanks guys! Thanks a ton!

Sean...

Thanks for the intructions. But I'm a bit confrused. Do I have to worry about the video drivers at all? Seems to me, if I just disable the audio drivers, I'll be ok. Are they connected somehow? I have the ESS 1869 PnP Audio Drive.


Yawningdog...

I wouldn't be switching the cards very often. I think I'll be ok for a while

iisbob...

I will in fact be using the machine for internet access. Much as I'd like to get another machine, this one is the only one may family has. My wife uses it contantly in order to keep in touch with her family in Georgia. So putting the soundcard in the slot where the modem is located is out of the question. LOL! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

Thanks again guys.

MLAR, Cory


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Age and Treachery will forever triumph over Youth and Skill.

[sea69]

no Cory.... I only included the instructions for removing both for reference.

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

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sea1_69@hotmail.com

homepage (http://www.seanweb1.homestead.com/3.html)


;)~

[CLTEK]

Thanks again, Sean.

Have a great 4th y'all! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

MLAR, Cory

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Age and Treachery will forever triumph over Youth and Skill.