> > Folks...
> > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, but
hopefully
> > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts to
> > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezes
when
> I
> > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It is
irrelevent
> > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when I
use
> > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when I
chat,
> > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I use
the
> > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, and
it
> > froze when I was typing this very message the first two times tonight
> (using
> > Outlook Express). I can also state that it only happens when I have the
> SB
> > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming from
> any
> > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the computer
> not
> > froze, not stutter or repeat.
> > A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the same
> problems
> > with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed a
> new
> > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't in the
> > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did change the
> > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking into it,
> but
> > no solutions have been found.
> > Sys Specs
> > Windows 998
> > 400 mhz PII
> > 96 mb ram
> > Voodoo 3 2000--latest drivers (1.04)
> > SB Live! X-Gamer (Liveware 3.0)
> > ethernet card
> > The onboard soundcard has been disabled, with the onboard soundcard
> > software/drivers removed, and none of the components have the same IRQ.
> > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard and videocard,
I
> am
> > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the
addition
> of
> > the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower than
> the
> > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird that
> it
> > only freezes when I use the keyboard, and not while using the wheel in
N3,
> > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulation
does
> > not prevent the computer from locking up. I've read that there is some
> way
> > to tell the temp of the computer, or bios. How can I do this??
> > Lastly, I have a dvd-drive and I have the spdif line-out from the dvd to
> the
> > soundcard hooked up, so that I can use the digital sounds through the
> > Cambridge Soundworks DTT 2500 speakers.
> > Any help would truly be appreciated, as I really like the soundcard and
> > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the
freezing...
> > Dave
Dave
> > > Folks...
> > > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, but
> hopefully
> > > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts
to
> > > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezes
> when
> > I
> > > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It is
> irrelevent
> > > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when I
> use
> > > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when I
> chat,
> > > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I use
> the
> > > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, and
> it
> > > froze when I was typing this very message the first two times tonight
> > (using
> > > Outlook Express). I can also state that it only happens when I have
the
> > SB
> > > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming
from
> > any
> > > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the
computer
> > not
> > > froze, not stutter or repeat.
> > > A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the same
> > problems
> > > with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed
a
> > new
> > > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't in
the
> > > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did change
the
> > > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking into
it,
> > but
> > > no solutions have been found.
> > > Sys Specs
> > > Windows 998
> > > 400 mhz PII
> > > 96 mb ram
> > > Voodoo 3 2000--latest drivers (1.04)
> > > SB Live! X-Gamer (Liveware 3.0)
> > > ethernet card
> > > The onboard soundcard has been disabled, with the onboard soundcard
> > > software/drivers removed, and none of the components have the same
IRQ.
> > > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard and
videocard,
> I
> > am
> > > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the
> addition
> > of
> > > the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower
than
> > the
> > > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird
that
> > it
> > > only freezes when I use the keyboard, and not while using the wheel in
> N3,
> > > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulation
> does
> > > not prevent the computer from locking up. I've read that there is
some
> > way
> > > to tell the temp of the computer, or bios. How can I do this??
> > > Lastly, I have a dvd-drive and I have the spdif line-out from the dvd
to
> > the
> > > soundcard hooked up, so that I can use the digital sounds through the
> > > Cambridge Soundworks DTT 2500 speakers.
> > > Any help would truly be appreciated, as I really like the soundcard
and
> > > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the
> freezing...
> > > Dave
First I would check out the device manager and make sure that windows is not
detecting the card regardless of whether or not you disabled it in the bios.
If it is, disable it in the hardware profile. Next, I would check my
DirectX diagnostics under the sound card, and make sure there is only one
listed. If there are two, disable the onboard chip. Then I would lookup
the website for the motherboard manufacturer, and make sure I have the
latest bios for my board.
You can check if it's a software problem by running 'msconfig' and disabling
all your startup items except for the systray. If everything works, enable
one program at a time and restart to test for each program.
On-board chips can be quite a hassle, even if they say they are disabled,
they can interfere.
Let us know how it goes.
DblDamage
This is likely a motherboard issue, as you are describing basic input
lockups. Find out the manufacturer of the board, and see if there is a BIOS
flash update for it. If not, record your current BIOS settings, and then go
through and reset all the BIOS defaults to see if it clears up. If you want
to throw money at the problem then maybe it's time to upgrade. I'm an AMD
fan myself, and I see Super7/K63 500 Mhz combos going for $135 - $150 all
the time. Or maybe a nice little K7 Athlon? 800 Mhz is a pretty nice bang
for the buck right now....
The best bet is to start a system from scratch where you control every
single item in your box. That way you know there are no issues with
disabled/enabled onboard sound etc. I realize that doesn't help you much in
your current situation, but it is something to think about when you're ready
to upgrade.
Motherboards and CPUs are relatively cheap now. Since you already have a
monitor, floppy, CD, video and sound cards, CPU, RAM, all you need is a new
chassis and motherboard. Not a bad investment IMHO.
-/-Walk Walker
1) Make sure that if the Motherboard has a jumper to disable the onboard sound
card it is set as such.
2) It may be an IRQ conflict. If you need info on how to troubleshoot IRQs,
reply and i'll walk you through it.
Regards,
Butcher
Remove "nospam" to respond.
------------------------------
"What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Actually, there may be something like this, but I'm not exactly sure what I
would be looking for.
I've checked this a number of times, with the technician from the store I
purchased the computer, with the technician from SB Live!, and as recently
as yesterday, when I spoke to a technician from 3DFX. We all went through
the IRQ's one by one, and nothing stood out as being out of place. Terribly
frustrating.
Dave
> Butcher
> Remove "nospam" to respond.
> ------------------------------
> "What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the
Galaxy
> > Folks...
> > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, but
hopefully
> > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts to
> > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezes
when I
> > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It is
irrelevent
> > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when I
use
> > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when I
chat,
> > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I use
the
> > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, and
it
> > froze when I was typing this very message the first two times tonight
(using
> > Outlook Express). I can also state that it only happens when I have the
SB
> > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming from
any
> > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the computer
not
> > froze, not stutter or repeat.
> > A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the same
problems
> > with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed a
new
> > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't in the
> > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did change the
> > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking into it,
but
> > no solutions have been found.
> > Sys Specs
> > Windows 998
> > 400 mhz PII
> > 96 mb ram
> > Voodoo 3 2000--latest drivers (1.04)
> > SB Live! X-Gamer (Liveware 3.0)
> > ethernet card
> > The onboard soundcard has been disabled, with the onboard soundcard
> > software/drivers removed, and none of the components have the same IRQ.
> > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard and videocard,
I am
> > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the
addition of
> > the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower than
the
> > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird that
it
> > only freezes when I use the keyboard, and not while using the wheel in
N3,
> > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulation
does
> > not prevent the computer from locking up. I've read that there is some
way
> > to tell the temp of the computer, or bios. How can I do this??
> > Lastly, I have a dvd-drive and I have the spdif line-out from the dvd to
the
> > soundcard hooked up, so that I can use the digital sounds through the
> > Cambridge Soundworks DTT 2500 speakers.
> > Any help would truly be appreciated, as I really like the soundcard and
> > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the
freezing...
> > Dave
If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plans are
to remove the new soundcard and return it, going back to my original
soundcard. At that time, I would also be formatting my hard-drive. By
doing this, formatting the hard-drive, would it also reset the BIOS to the
original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it's done,
that's it, no turning back??
Lastly, if someone would be willing, I could provide you with my computer
serial number and some specific system info and maybe someone could
generously check to verify that I do in fact have the correct bios...
Dave
> Actually, there may be something like this, but I'm not exactly sure what
I
> would be looking for.
> > 2) It may be an IRQ conflict. If you need info on how to troubleshoot
> IRQs,
> > reply and i'll walk you through it.
> I've checked this a number of times, with the technician from the store I
> purchased the computer, with the technician from SB Live!, and as recently
> as yesterday, when I spoke to a technician from 3DFX. We all went through
> the IRQ's one by one, and nothing stood out as being out of place.
Terribly
> frustrating.
> Dave
> > Regards,
> > Butcher
> > Remove "nospam" to respond.
> > ------------------------------
> > "What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the
> Galaxy
> > > Folks...
> > > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, but
> hopefully
> > > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts
to
> > > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezes
> when I
> > > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It is
> irrelevent
> > > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when I
> use
> > > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when I
> chat,
> > > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I use
> the
> > > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, and
> it
> > > froze when I was typing this very message the first two times tonight
> (using
> > > Outlook Express). I can also state that it only happens when I have
the
> SB
> > > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming
from
> any
> > > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the
computer
> not
> > > froze, not stutter or repeat.
> > > A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the same
> problems
> > > with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed
a
> new
> > > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't in
the
> > > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did change
the
> > > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking into
it,
> but
> > > no solutions have been found.
> > > Sys Specs
> > > Windows 998
> > > 400 mhz PII
> > > 96 mb ram
> > > Voodoo 3 2000--latest drivers (1.04)
> > > SB Live! X-Gamer (Liveware 3.0)
> > > ethernet card
> > > The onboard soundcard has been disabled, with the onboard soundcard
> > > software/drivers removed, and none of the components have the same
IRQ.
> > > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard and
videocard,
> I am
> > > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the
> addition of
> > > the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower
than
> the
> > > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird
that
> it
> > > only freezes when I use the keyboard, and not while using the wheel in
> N3,
> > > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulation
> does
> > > not prevent the computer from locking up. I've read that there is
some
> way
> > > to tell the temp of the computer, or bios. How can I do this??
> > > Lastly, I have a dvd-drive and I have the spdif line-out from the dvd
to
> the
> > > soundcard hooked up, so that I can use the digital sounds through the
> > > Cambridge Soundworks DTT 2500 speakers.
> > > Any help would truly be appreciated, as I really like the soundcard
and
> > > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the
> freezing...
> > > Dave
>If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plans are
>to remove the new soundcard and return it, going back to my original
>soundcard. At that time, I would also be formatting my hard-drive. By
>doing this, formatting the hard-drive, would it also reset the BIOS to the
>original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it's done,
>that's it, no turning back??
>Lastly, if someone would be willing, I could provide you with my computer
>serial number and some specific system info and maybe someone could
>generously check to verify that I do in fact have the correct bios...
Joe
Eldred
--
Tiger Stadium R.I.P. 1912-1999
Homepage - http://www.umich.edu/~epickett
GPL hcp. 2:12.80 minutes GPLRank:332 and falling..
Never argue with an idiot. He brings you down to his level, then beats you
with experience...
Remove SPAM-OFF to reply.
Doug
> If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plans are
> to remove the new soundcard and return it, going back to my original
> soundcard. At that time, I would also be formatting my hard-drive. By
> doing this, formatting the hard-drive, would it also reset the BIOS to the
> original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it's done,
> that's it, no turning back??
> Lastly, if someone would be willing, I could provide you with my computer
> serial number and some specific system info and maybe someone could
> generously check to verify that I do in fact have the correct bios...
> Dave
> > > 1) Make sure that if the Motherboard has a jumper to disable the onboard
> > sound
> > > card it is set as such.
> > Actually, there may be something like this, but I'm not exactly sure what
> I
> > would be looking for.
> > > 2) It may be an IRQ conflict. If you need info on how to troubleshoot
> > IRQs,
> > > reply and i'll walk you through it.
> > I've checked this a number of times, with the technician from the store I
> > purchased the computer, with the technician from SB Live!, and as recently
> > as yesterday, when I spoke to a technician from 3DFX. We all went through
> > the IRQ's one by one, and nothing stood out as being out of place.
> Terribly
> > frustrating.
> > Dave
> > > Regards,
> > > Butcher
> > > Remove "nospam" to respond.
> > > ------------------------------
> > > "What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the
> > Galaxy
> > > > Folks...
> > > > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, but
> > hopefully
> > > > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts
> to
> > > > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezes
> > when I
> > > > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It is
> > irrelevent
> > > > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when I
> > use
> > > > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when I
> > chat,
> > > > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I use
> > the
> > > > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, and
> > it
> > > > froze when I was typing this very message the first two times tonight
> > (using
> > > > Outlook Express). I can also state that it only happens when I have
> the
> > SB
> > > > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming
> from
> > any
> > > > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the
> computer
> > not
> > > > froze, not stutter or repeat.
> > > > A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the same
> > problems
> > > > with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed
> a
> > new
> > > > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't in
> the
> > > > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did change
> the
> > > > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking into
> it,
> > but
> > > > no solutions have been found.
> > > > Sys Specs
> > > > Windows 998
> > > > 400 mhz PII
> > > > 96 mb ram
> > > > Voodoo 3 2000--latest drivers (1.04)
> > > > SB Live! X-Gamer (Liveware 3.0)
> > > > ethernet card
> > > > The onboard soundcard has been disabled, with the onboard soundcard
> > > > software/drivers removed, and none of the components have the same
> IRQ.
> > > > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard and
> videocard,
> > I am
> > > > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the
> > addition of
> > > > the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower
> than
> > the
> > > > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird
> that
> > it
> > > > only freezes when I use the keyboard, and not while using the wheel in
> > N3,
> > > > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulation
> > does
> > > > not prevent the computer from locking up. I've read that there is
> some
> > way
> > > > to tell the temp of the computer, or bios. How can I do this??
> > > > Lastly, I have a dvd-drive and I have the spdif line-out from the dvd
> to
> > the
> > > > soundcard hooked up, so that I can use the digital sounds through the
> > > > Cambridge Soundworks DTT 2500 speakers.
> > > > Any help would truly be appreciated, as I really like the soundcard
> and
> > > > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the
> > freezing...
> > > > Dave
> >If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plans
are
> >to remove the new soundcard and return it, going back to my original
> >soundcard. At that time, I would also be formatting my hard-drive. By
> >doing this, formatting the hard-drive, would it also reset the BIOS to
the
> >original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it's
done,
> >that's it, no turning back??
> >Lastly, if someone would be willing, I could provide you with my computer
> >serial number and some specific system info and maybe someone could
> >generously check to verify that I do in fact have the correct bios...
> You should create a boot floppy (go to Add/Remove Programs and click the
> Startup Disk tab). You should add your BIOS flash program to the disk,
> along with the new BIOS. You boot from the floppy and before flashing the
> new BIOS you definitely save the old (current) BIOS as a backup. The
> flash prog should give you this option. That way if you don't like the
> new BIOS you can go back to the old one.
> Joe
"This file will update the BIOS on the 870 motheboard to version P06-0007.
Download this file to your Desktop, execute it and follow the onscreen
instructions.
Running this file will create a bootable update diskette. This process
requires a diskette in drive A."
Where exactly do I find my setups for the old BIOS....
Dave
>> >Well, I found an updated BIOS for my computer at the NEC website, but my
>> >concerns are about the effects of installing the newer BIOS. The SB
>Live!
>> >Technician also thinks it could be a problem with the BIOS. Basically,
>is
>> >there a realistic chance that flashing the BIOS could cause serious
>problems
>> >to my
>> >computer?? I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he
>> >refused to do it. That being said, I spoke to a couple of other people,
>a
>> >technician at work and another technician I know, and they both stated
>it's
>> >not usually a problem provided I have the right update.
>> >If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plans
>are
>> >to remove the new soundcard and return it, going back to my original
>> >soundcard. At that time, I would also be formatting my hard-drive. By
>> >doing this, formatting the hard-drive, would it also reset the BIOS to
>the
>> >original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it's
>done,
>> >that's it, no turning back??
>> >Lastly, if someone would be willing, I could provide you with my computer
>> >serial number and some specific system info and maybe someone could
>> >generously check to verify that I do in fact have the correct bios...
>> You should create a boot floppy (go to Add/Remove Programs and click the
>> Startup Disk tab). You should add your BIOS flash program to the disk,
>> along with the new BIOS. You boot from the floppy and before flashing the
>> new BIOS you definitely save the old (current) BIOS as a backup. The
>> flash prog should give you this option. That way if you don't like the
>> new BIOS you can go back to the old one.
>> Joe
>From the website where I'll be getting the BIOS:
>"This file will update the BIOS on the 870 motheboard to version P06-0007.
>Download this file to your Desktop, execute it and follow the onscreen
>instructions.
>Running this file will create a bootable update diskette. This process
>requires a diskette in drive A."
>Where exactly do I find my setups for the old BIOS....
>Dave