Administrator
November 12, 2000, 07:23 pm
Islander13957
New Member - Welcome!
posts: 1
(10/16/00 2:23:55 pm)
BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I foolishly committed myself to upgrading my teenage son's computer this autumn. Well, he did save up over 100 GBP to buy himself a new motherboard and processor
Why this teenage extravagance,you ask? Well, I treated myself to a new USB zip drive last month to use with my second-hand Thinkpad so I could access the stuff I have on zip disks. (I had to do this because 'my dearly beloved computerphobe' likes to blast Stroggs of an evening on our main desktop computer, usually when I'd like to get some studying done). Teenage son now has his beady eye on said new USB zip drive so he can download games demos from the Internet. Needless to say, his computer isn't equipped with USB ports, hence the upgrade.....
Enough digression.
So I have swopped an Abit LX6 motherboard/Pentium II 233Mhz combo for a Gigabyte GA-5AX/AMD K6-2 500Mhz combo.
Not surprisingly, I ran into various configuration problems and eventually decided to wipe the entire hard drive and install everything from scratch. (This is the third computer I've built in the past twelve months so I feel pretty confident about it)
Windows 98 installed without a hitch, likewise the drivers and software for his AGP graphics card but I've had real problems with the soundcard. It's a Sonicstorm Pro made by Videologic and it's the only PCI card in the system (he doesn't have a modem fitted). I installed it in the second from bottom of the five available PCI slots - the same position it occupied on the previous motherboard.
I can install the drivers and software but the computer is mute - Device Manager displays a forest of yellow exclamation marks and complains that the device is disabled because it has not been allocated an IRQ number in the BIOS. I have tried to set the configuration manually but I'm not given an option to choose an IRQ even though I know that No 5 is free. I've looked in the BIOS and some of the IRQ numbers are ISA/EISA and some are PCI/P&P so should I change them all to the latter and then try reinstalling everything from scratch again?
I didn't have this problem with the previous combination AND one of the first things I did was to successfully flash the motherboard BIOS - the latest version is September 2000 and you can't get any more current than that. So there's obviously a setting in the AmiBios that is preventing the computer from setting up this PCI soundcard.
Any ideas? I'd really appreciate some advice.
Lois Ann.
sourdaisy
Member
posts: 372
(10/16/00 4:13:31 pm)
BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Lois Ann,
Try moving the sound card to the first PCI slot from the top. Believe it or not, slots have an order of priority to them. Some motherboards have the highest priorty (slot 1) at the bottom, and others have them at the top. Its possible you put the card in the slot with the lowest priorty. If the higher slots aren't filled first, using a lower one can result in problems.
Another thing to check is the make sure the BIOS is set to Plug N Play OS. If it already is, you can try turning it off. If there is an option to "update ESCD info", go ahead adn do that.
If none of this works, try taking the sound card out and making sure all of the motherboard components are properly installed in device manager before proceeding.
good luck
Dogg of Demise
Member
posts: 29
(10/16/00 4:38:03 pm)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sounds like a iroq conflict to me you need to go to start/programs/acessories/system tools/system information and check for shared resorces and iroq's
WARLORD of DEJENOL
Server Masterhttp://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/grin.gifogg's Domain 24.11.83.228
My Home Page
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 937
(10/18/00 6:08:50 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did any of this stuff work?
-- reddsteel
napster online community - naptalk.com
# 1 tech supported ezboard - Tech Guy's BB
your friendly internet community - Global Spider
Islander13957
New Member
posts: 2
(10/18/00 6:36:58 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I meant to get back but I've been competing for computer time with Strogg-slaying hubby and IT homeworking teenage son
I formatted the 2Gb 'C' drive and reinstalled Windows 98 from scratch again, having enabled P&P aware OS in the BIOS and changed all the IRQs to PCI/P&P, to see if that worked.
It didn't
At least the PCI soundcard was detected but that forest of yellow exclamation marks is back and the infobox still says that the device needs to be enabled in the BIOS.
I checked the Gigabyte manual that came with the mobo and the slots are numbered 1 - 5 starting with the one at the top. That means the Sonicstorm Pro is in Slot 4. So I shall have to speak sweet words to long-suffering hubby and see if I can persuade him to help me open up the case and relocate the card into PCI slot one.
Just wondering - why is this Gigabyte mobo sulking over the PCI card not being in slot one? The Abit LX6 mobo that it replaced had no problems with this location. My Athlon K7M currently has a PCI soundcard in the second slot from the bottom and it isn't sulking either. (I picked a slot lower down to avoid cluttering up the centre of the case and getting a better airflow over the components inside).
Manual-wise, I thought the Asus board had by far the clearest and most information-packed offering. (Admittedly, it is a LOT of information to trawl through but better lots than only sketchy stuff). The translation's pretty good too.
The Abit one has plenty of useful information and the translation isn't bad. But the Gigabyte one still has a long way to go - the translation's patchy to say the least and there's nothing in the manual to say that the PCI slots have to be filled in order, starting with 1.
I'll get back to you when I've relocated the PCI card and had another bash at reinstalling Windows. Wish me luck
Islander13957
New Member
posts: 3
(11/3/00 2:57:27 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi again!
Sorry it's taken so long to get back with the result - we went away for two weeks over the autumn half term holiday and only got back on Wednesday.
I'm glad to report success at last
Moved the soundcard to slot one (which is uncomfortably near the heatsink on the 32Mb AGP graphics card for my liking), reinstalled Windows, reinstalled the soundcard drivers, and rebooted.
I don't think I've ever been so glad to hear the 'opening Windows' sound event
All I have to do now is reinstall his computer games (plus the two new ones he got on holiday), set up his new steering wheel and pedals, install and configure the USB zip drive and drivers....................................
BTW, he's not slacking while I'm doing all this - he's mixing up concrete for his Dad
So, thanks for all your help, especially Sourdaisy. I know where to come if I need advice on computers in future
Lois Ann
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 1133
(11/3/00 5:53:04 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats good that you fixed the problem Lois Ann!
-- reddsteel
helping napster users connect - naptalk
# 1 Tech Supported ezBoard - Tech Guy's BB
Jaturp
Member
posts: 328
(11/3/00 9:23:09 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That`s great..sd is worth her beans, that`s for sure.JT.
If it ain`t broke.......I ain`t interested
The Shadowhawke
Member
posts: 659
(11/3/00 1:08:58 pm)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In regards to the heat sink and the sound card bi=eing too close one option (which is good for the computer in any case) is an auxillary fan. Does your case have an opening in the back that looks simular to the one for the power supply. If so a fan is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your computer from excessive heat. One of my video boards gave out on me, overheating, and unfortunately before it actually stopped working the heat from the video board damaged my motherboard. The motherboard had 4 days left on the warrenty, unfortunately the video card worked for another 10 days and I didn't realize it was the culprit until 5 days after the warrenty ran out. Heat is definitely something to worry about. Just my two cents worth.
THE SHADOWHAWKE
THE SHADOWREALM
ICQ 16064414
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
Islander13957
New Member
posts: 4
(11/4/00 5:24:09 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the tip, Shadowhawke, I'll keep an eye on the computer for any possible heat-related problems.
Trouble is, having gone through hell and high water to get it sorted, the last thing I need to do is ask my poor long-suffering hubby to open up the computer to install a fan. He's already sick to the back teeth of the inside of that machine
So maybe I'll have to leave it for a few months......
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 1150
(11/4/00 7:13:51 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fans arent that bad...
-- reddsteel
helping napster users connect - naptalk
# 1 Tech Supported ezBoard - Tech Guy's BB
Jaturp
Member
posts: 331
(11/4/00 5:25:20 pm)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Different strokes I guess. I get a gleam in my eye when I look at the innards.JT.
If it ain`t broke.......I ain`t interested
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 1158
(11/5/00 7:52:12 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=)
New Member - Welcome!
posts: 1
(10/16/00 2:23:55 pm)
BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I foolishly committed myself to upgrading my teenage son's computer this autumn. Well, he did save up over 100 GBP to buy himself a new motherboard and processor
Why this teenage extravagance,you ask? Well, I treated myself to a new USB zip drive last month to use with my second-hand Thinkpad so I could access the stuff I have on zip disks. (I had to do this because 'my dearly beloved computerphobe' likes to blast Stroggs of an evening on our main desktop computer, usually when I'd like to get some studying done). Teenage son now has his beady eye on said new USB zip drive so he can download games demos from the Internet. Needless to say, his computer isn't equipped with USB ports, hence the upgrade.....
Enough digression.
So I have swopped an Abit LX6 motherboard/Pentium II 233Mhz combo for a Gigabyte GA-5AX/AMD K6-2 500Mhz combo.
Not surprisingly, I ran into various configuration problems and eventually decided to wipe the entire hard drive and install everything from scratch. (This is the third computer I've built in the past twelve months so I feel pretty confident about it)
Windows 98 installed without a hitch, likewise the drivers and software for his AGP graphics card but I've had real problems with the soundcard. It's a Sonicstorm Pro made by Videologic and it's the only PCI card in the system (he doesn't have a modem fitted). I installed it in the second from bottom of the five available PCI slots - the same position it occupied on the previous motherboard.
I can install the drivers and software but the computer is mute - Device Manager displays a forest of yellow exclamation marks and complains that the device is disabled because it has not been allocated an IRQ number in the BIOS. I have tried to set the configuration manually but I'm not given an option to choose an IRQ even though I know that No 5 is free. I've looked in the BIOS and some of the IRQ numbers are ISA/EISA and some are PCI/P&P so should I change them all to the latter and then try reinstalling everything from scratch again?
I didn't have this problem with the previous combination AND one of the first things I did was to successfully flash the motherboard BIOS - the latest version is September 2000 and you can't get any more current than that. So there's obviously a setting in the AmiBios that is preventing the computer from setting up this PCI soundcard.
Any ideas? I'd really appreciate some advice.
Lois Ann.
sourdaisy
Member
posts: 372
(10/16/00 4:13:31 pm)
BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi Lois Ann,
Try moving the sound card to the first PCI slot from the top. Believe it or not, slots have an order of priority to them. Some motherboards have the highest priorty (slot 1) at the bottom, and others have them at the top. Its possible you put the card in the slot with the lowest priorty. If the higher slots aren't filled first, using a lower one can result in problems.
Another thing to check is the make sure the BIOS is set to Plug N Play OS. If it already is, you can try turning it off. If there is an option to "update ESCD info", go ahead adn do that.
If none of this works, try taking the sound card out and making sure all of the motherboard components are properly installed in device manager before proceeding.
good luck
Dogg of Demise
Member
posts: 29
(10/16/00 4:38:03 pm)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sounds like a iroq conflict to me you need to go to start/programs/acessories/system tools/system information and check for shared resorces and iroq's
WARLORD of DEJENOL
Server Masterhttp://www.helpfromtechs.com/ubb/smilies/grin.gifogg's Domain 24.11.83.228
My Home Page
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 937
(10/18/00 6:08:50 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Did any of this stuff work?
-- reddsteel
napster online community - naptalk.com
# 1 tech supported ezboard - Tech Guy's BB
your friendly internet community - Global Spider
Islander13957
New Member
posts: 2
(10/18/00 6:36:58 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sorry, I meant to get back but I've been competing for computer time with Strogg-slaying hubby and IT homeworking teenage son
I formatted the 2Gb 'C' drive and reinstalled Windows 98 from scratch again, having enabled P&P aware OS in the BIOS and changed all the IRQs to PCI/P&P, to see if that worked.
It didn't
At least the PCI soundcard was detected but that forest of yellow exclamation marks is back and the infobox still says that the device needs to be enabled in the BIOS.
I checked the Gigabyte manual that came with the mobo and the slots are numbered 1 - 5 starting with the one at the top. That means the Sonicstorm Pro is in Slot 4. So I shall have to speak sweet words to long-suffering hubby and see if I can persuade him to help me open up the case and relocate the card into PCI slot one.
Just wondering - why is this Gigabyte mobo sulking over the PCI card not being in slot one? The Abit LX6 mobo that it replaced had no problems with this location. My Athlon K7M currently has a PCI soundcard in the second slot from the bottom and it isn't sulking either. (I picked a slot lower down to avoid cluttering up the centre of the case and getting a better airflow over the components inside).
Manual-wise, I thought the Asus board had by far the clearest and most information-packed offering. (Admittedly, it is a LOT of information to trawl through but better lots than only sketchy stuff). The translation's pretty good too.
The Abit one has plenty of useful information and the translation isn't bad. But the Gigabyte one still has a long way to go - the translation's patchy to say the least and there's nothing in the manual to say that the PCI slots have to be filled in order, starting with 1.
I'll get back to you when I've relocated the PCI card and had another bash at reinstalling Windows. Wish me luck
Islander13957
New Member
posts: 3
(11/3/00 2:57:27 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi again!
Sorry it's taken so long to get back with the result - we went away for two weeks over the autumn half term holiday and only got back on Wednesday.
I'm glad to report success at last
Moved the soundcard to slot one (which is uncomfortably near the heatsink on the 32Mb AGP graphics card for my liking), reinstalled Windows, reinstalled the soundcard drivers, and rebooted.
I don't think I've ever been so glad to hear the 'opening Windows' sound event
All I have to do now is reinstall his computer games (plus the two new ones he got on holiday), set up his new steering wheel and pedals, install and configure the USB zip drive and drivers....................................
BTW, he's not slacking while I'm doing all this - he's mixing up concrete for his Dad
So, thanks for all your help, especially Sourdaisy. I know where to come if I need advice on computers in future
Lois Ann
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 1133
(11/3/00 5:53:04 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thats good that you fixed the problem Lois Ann!
-- reddsteel
helping napster users connect - naptalk
# 1 Tech Supported ezBoard - Tech Guy's BB
Jaturp
Member
posts: 328
(11/3/00 9:23:09 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That`s great..sd is worth her beans, that`s for sure.JT.
If it ain`t broke.......I ain`t interested
The Shadowhawke
Member
posts: 659
(11/3/00 1:08:58 pm)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In regards to the heat sink and the sound card bi=eing too close one option (which is good for the computer in any case) is an auxillary fan. Does your case have an opening in the back that looks simular to the one for the power supply. If so a fan is a relatively inexpensive way to protect your computer from excessive heat. One of my video boards gave out on me, overheating, and unfortunately before it actually stopped working the heat from the video board damaged my motherboard. The motherboard had 4 days left on the warrenty, unfortunately the video card worked for another 10 days and I didn't realize it was the culprit until 5 days after the warrenty ran out. Heat is definitely something to worry about. Just my two cents worth.
THE SHADOWHAWKE
THE SHADOWREALM
ICQ 16064414
The only stupid question is the one not asked.
Islander13957
New Member
posts: 4
(11/4/00 5:24:09 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thanks for the tip, Shadowhawke, I'll keep an eye on the computer for any possible heat-related problems.
Trouble is, having gone through hell and high water to get it sorted, the last thing I need to do is ask my poor long-suffering hubby to open up the computer to install a fan. He's already sick to the back teeth of the inside of that machine
So maybe I'll have to leave it for a few months......
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 1150
(11/4/00 7:13:51 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fans arent that bad...
-- reddsteel
helping napster users connect - naptalk
# 1 Tech Supported ezBoard - Tech Guy's BB
Jaturp
Member
posts: 331
(11/4/00 5:25:20 pm)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Different strokes I guess. I get a gleam in my eye when I look at the innards.JT.
If it ain`t broke.......I ain`t interested
reddsteel
Moderator
posts: 1158
(11/5/00 7:52:12 am)
Re: BIOS problem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
=)