Jeff is right on the money with this diagnosis. Although it's a last ditch
solution, it sounds like you are at the end of your rope! Scratch it, wipe
it, clean it, do everything from scratch and add one component at a time.
The good news is this will almost always prove where your problem lies.
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
"Jeff Jones" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:aGX05.6593$[email hidden]...
> If it were me, the first thing I would do is try a different keyboard,they
few
> programs (one at a time) that you've been having problems with. If youhave
Keyboard freezes after installing SB Live sound card
Dave St.Onge's keyboard kept freezing after he installed an SB Live card in an NEC PC. Suggestions included disabling the onboard sound chip, checking IRQ conflicts, installing the latest LiveWare drivers and flashing an updated motherboard BIOS, with advice on doing the flash safely. He had not solved the problem by the end of the thread.
tech supporthardware: PC/graphics
Automated summary.
Sounds like the on-board chip is the problem to me.
First I would check out the device manager and make sure that windows is not
detecting the card regardless of whether or not you disabled it in the bios.
If it is, disable it in the hardware profile. Next, I would check my
DirectX diagnostics under the sound card, and make sure there is only one
listed. If there are two, disable the onboard chip. Then I would lookup
the website for the motherboard manufacturer, and make sure I have the
latest bios for my board.
You can check if it's a software problem by running 'msconfig' and disabling
all your startup items except for the systray. If everything works, enable
one program at a time and restart to test for each program.
On-board chips can be quite a hassle, even if they say they are disabled,
they can interfere.
Let us know how it goes.
DblDamage
"Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Sa815.58$[email hidden]...
> The other card was hardwired to the motherboard, but all the software and
> drivers from that card was removed. In addition, the onboard soundcardwas
> disabled in the bios...
>
> Dave
"Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]...
> Folks...
>
> I'm at my wits end with my computer. <<SNIP>>
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 - $150 all
the time. Or maybe a nice little K7 Athlon? 800 Mhz is a pretty nice bang
for the buck right now....
Sounds like the motherboard could be at fault here.
"Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]...
> 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 whenI
> 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 theSB
> Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming fromany
> game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the computernot
> froze, not stutter or repeat.
>
> A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the sameproblems
> with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed anew
> 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
am
> starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the additionof
> the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower thanthe
> videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird thatit
> 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 someway
> 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 tothe
Quoted text (13 lines)
> 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, IQuoted text (12 lines)
> 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 > > > > >Since you got the computer factory ready, is there a possibility of a sound
feature (possibly another card hardwired to the mobo) already exisiting in
your system. If so that could be a problem due to conflicts. You may want to
check on that.
sunil
"Heretic" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
hopefully
> > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts to
> > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezeswhen
> I
> > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It isirrelevent
> > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when Iuse
> > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when Ichat,
> > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I usethe
> > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, andit
I
> am
> > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can theaddition
> 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 inN3,
> > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulationdoes
freezing...
Quoted text (8 lines)
> Sounds like the motherboard could be at fault here. > > > "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]... > > Folks... > > > > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, butQuoted text (31 lines)
> > 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,Quoted text (11 lines)
> > 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 theQuoted text (9 lines)
> > > > Dave > > > > > > > > > > > >The other card was hardwired to the motherboard, but all the software and
drivers from that card was removed. In addition, the onboard soundcard was
disabled in the bios...
Dave
"Sunil Bharitkar" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:8i2ue8$bil$[email hidden]...
> Since you got the computer factory ready, is there a possibility of asound
> feature (possibly another card hardwired to the mobo) already exisiting in
> your system. If so that could be a problem due to conflicts. You may wantto
> check on that.
> sunil
>
> "Heretic" <[email hidden]> wrote in messagenews:[email hidden]...
to
the
> > SB
> > > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds comingfrom
> > any
> > > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had thecomputer
> > 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 installeda
> > new
> > > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't inthe
> > > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did changethe
> > > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking intoit,
IRQ.
> > > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard andvideocard,
> 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 lowerthan
> > the
> > > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weirdthat
> > 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 issome
> > 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 dvdto
> > 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 soundcardand
Quoted text (10 lines)
> > Sounds like the motherboard could be at fault here. > > > > > > "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]... > > > 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 attemptsQuoted text (16 lines)
> > > 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 haveQuoted text (13 lines)
> > 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 sameQuoted text (13 lines)
> > > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the > freezing... > > > > > > Dave > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >Hey Dave, I wouldn't recommend messing with a BIOS update just yet. It
ruined my computer when I did one and I updated it perfectly. First maybe
you should try a different brand of videocard. Since you were able to return
the card the first time try going with a different manufacturer. Just a
thought. The x-gamer may just not work with your system. Good Luck
Dave St.Onge <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]...
> 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 whenI
> 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 theSB
> Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming fromany
> game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the computernot
> froze, not stutter or repeat.
>
> A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the sameproblems
> with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed anew
> 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
am
> starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can the additionof
> the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower thanthe
> videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird thatit
> 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 someway
> 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 tothe
Quoted text (13 lines)
> 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, IQuoted text (12 lines)
> 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 > > > > >A couple of things to try that i don't think have been covered yet but others.
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
[email hidden]
Remove "nospam" to respond.
------------------------------
"What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy
"Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]...
Quoted text (56 lines)
> 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 > > > > > >> 1) Make sure that if the Motherboard has a jumper to disable the onboardsound
> 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 troubleshootIRQs,
> 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
Galaxy
>
> "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]...
> > Folks...
> >
> > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, buthopefully
> > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attempts to
> > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezeswhen I
> > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It isirrelevent
> > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when Iuse
> > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when Ichat,
> > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I usethe
> > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, andit
> > 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 theSB
> > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds coming fromany
> > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had the computernot
> > froze, not stutter or repeat.
> >
> > A couple of months ago, I purchased the soundcard, and had the sameproblems
> > with the computer freezing, so I returned that soundcard and installed anew
> > 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
I am
> > starting to believe that it could be a heating problem. Can theaddition of
> > the soundcard cause this problem, even though it is two slots lower thanthe
> > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weird thatit
> > only freezes when I use the keyboard, and not while using the wheel inN3,
> > or other graphically intense cards? Opening the case for circulationdoes
> > not prevent the computer from locking up. I've read that there is someway
> > 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 tothe
> > 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 thefreezing...
Quoted text (8 lines)
> Regards, > > Butcher > > [email hidden] > Remove "nospam" to respond. > ------------------------------ > "What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to theQuoted text (13 lines)
> > 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,Quoted text (10 lines)
> > > > 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...
Dave
"Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:Y3p15.1017$[email hidden]...
> > 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 whatI
Terribly
to
the
> SB
> > > Live! X-Gamer soundcard in my computer. If there are sounds comingfrom
> any
> > > game when it freezes, the sounds continue as they would had thecomputer
> 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 installeda
> new
> > > one. Same problem, but it doesn't occur when the soundcard isn't inthe
> > > computer. I also know it's not a keyboard thing since I did changethe
> > > keyboard, but to no avail. I have sb live tech support looking intoit,
IRQ.
> > > Although I have two open pci slots between the soundcard andvideocard,
> 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 lowerthan
> the
> > > videocard. Secondly, if heating is the problem, is it really weirdthat
> 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 issome
> 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 dvdto
> 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 soundcardand
Quoted text (10 lines)
> 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.Quoted text (22 lines)
> frustrating. > > Dave > > > > Regards, > > > > Butcher > > > > [email hidden] > > Remove "nospam" to respond. > > ------------------------------ > > "What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the > Galaxy > > > > "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]... > > > Folks... > > > > > > I'm at my wits end with my computer. I have posted before, but > hopefully > > > someone can point out something that was missed before in my attemptsQuoted text (15 lines)
> > > alleviate the glitch in my computer. Basically, the computer freezes > when I > > > use the keyboard, after I use the computer for a while. It is > irrelevent > > > which program I am using, ranging from n3, where it will freeze when I > use > > > the chat (but not once during any racing), to PGA 2000 (only when I > chat, > > > not during gameplay), to UT and Half Life (which freeze because I use > the > > > keyboard to move the player). It also freezes when I use Autocad, and > it > > > froze when I was typing this very message the first two times tonight > (using > > > Outlook Express). I can also state that it only happens when I haveQuoted text (13 lines)
> but > > > no solutions have been found. > > > > > > Sys Specs > > > Windows 998 > > > 400 mhz PII > > > 96 mb ram > > > Voodoo 3 2000--latest drivers (1.04) > > > SB Live! X-Gamer (Liveware 3.0) > > > ethernet card > > > > > > The onboard soundcard has been disabled, with the onboard soundcard > > > software/drivers removed, and none of the components have the sameQuoted text (14 lines)
> > > speakers, and would hate to have to return them because of the > freezing... > > > > > > Dave > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, Dave St.Onge wrote:
>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.
NEC typically uses crap motherboards. NEC techs would know if their boards
work with SB Live! cards or not (depends on how old their boards are).
Updating the BIOS most likely will not change a thing on an NEC board as far
as IRQ and DMA settings for Audio are concerned.
>Basically, is
>there a realistic chance that flashing the BIOS could cause seriousproblems
>to my
>computer??
Only if you install the wrong BIOS, causing your computer to never boot
again.
>I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he
>refused to do it.
Smart guy. He knew to stay out of it. Don't need the store's manager
giving you a new computer for free if something goes wrong. A BIOS's readme
file will explain why it is needed. If the SB Live! is not mentioned in the
readme, the new BIOS won't make a difference.
>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.
They're correct. They should have also asked why you even waste your time
with an NEC system.
>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??
Formatting the hard drive will erase your files, not alter your BIOS
settings. A good flash program will make a backup of your existing BIOS
software before flashing a new version so you can flash the old version back
if needed (which is never).
>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...
NEC can answer that one. Oops! You have an NEC. Maybe they can't (won't).
--
SHONNER
http://www.geocities.com/shonner2000
http://www.annihilated.com/ubb/Ultimate.cgi?action=intro&BypassCookie=true
______________________________________________________________________
Posted Via Uncensored-News.Com - Still Only $9.95 - http://www.uncensored-news.com
With Servers In California, Texas And Virginia - The Worlds Uncensored News Source
Dave St.Onge wrote:
> 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've updated dozens of motherboards - no lost patients
yet. In nearly every case it's been the solution that
fixed some trouble I was having (the most common problem
recently has been recognizing drives larger than 8GB, but
sometimes other things are affected too).
> I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he
> refused to do it.
He was just being snotty. BIOS upgrades are reasonably
painless these days. I've still got my old EPROM burner
(what you had to use to upgrade BIOS in the old days), and,
friend, FLASH memory is a wonderful thing.
> 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.
Correct. Just make sure the update matches your
existing BIOS and go to it.
> 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??
Flashing the BIOS would stick. To change it back you'd
have to explicitly flash in the old version.
> 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...
The only serial number that really matters is the one
for the BIOS itself. Typically what I do is read off the
serial number from the BIOS and then do a web search on
any parts of it that seem to be distinctive.
--
Nathan Engle
Shop Steward Electron Juggler's Guild, Local #1
[email hidden] http://php.indiana.edu/~nengle
"Some Assembly Required"
In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, "Dave St.Onge"
<[email hidden]> writes:
>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??
Formatting the drive has NO effect on the BIOS. No worry.
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.
In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, Dave St.Onge wrote:
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
Quoted text (20 lines)
>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...I hope this hasn't been covered already, but have you tried installing your SB
Live not with the drivers on the CD, but with the latest Liveware 3 core package
from Creative? These cards have at times made my life hell and had me doubting
motherboards until I started doing that. I don't know who's at fault, but any
time I have grief with a Live I forego the CD. Just a thought.
Doug
"Dave St.Onge" wrote:
Quoted text (157 lines)
> 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... > > Dave > > "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:Y3p15.1017$[email hidden]... > > > 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 > > > > > > [email hidden] > > > Remove "nospam" to respond. > > > ------------------------------ > > > "What a depressingly stupid machine." - Marvin, Hitchiker's Guide to the > > Galaxy > > > > > > "Dave St.Onge" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > > news:lSW05.10553$[email hidden]... > > > > 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 > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >
"Joseph Huesmann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, Dave St.Onge wrote:
> >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 SBLive!
> >Technician also thinks it could be a problem with the BIOS. Basically,is
> >there a realistic chance that flashing the BIOS could cause seriousproblems
> >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 statedit's
> >not usually a problem provided I have the right update.
> >
> >If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plansare
> >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 tothe
> >original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it'sdone,
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
Quoted text (14 lines)
> >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. > > JoeIn article <DuJ15.993$[email hidden]>, Dave St.Onge wrote:
Quoted text (58 lines)
> >"Joseph Huesmann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >news:[email hidden]... >> In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, Dave St.Onge wrote: >> >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 > > > > >When you flash your BIOS, your old BIOS image is USUALLY saved on to the floppy
disk that you booted to.
You can take a look at the readme file that you will get when you download the
BIOS upgrade.
At this point, you don't sound too comfortable with the upgrade, so let me ask
this question. Is there anything wrong with your PC as it is that would make
you think that the BIOS might help solve it?
Myself, I upgrade my BIOS a few times a year, because I'm upgrading to new
hardware components all of the time. But, most people, don't do it, because it
isn't necissary unless your having problems.
That's just my opinion
Glen W. Haag
[email hidden]
"Dave St.Onge" wrote:
Quoted text (52 lines)
> "Joseph Huesmann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, Dave St.Onge wrote: > > >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.... > > DaveQuoted text (20 lines)
>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...Well, the reason for the upgrade is that since I've installed my SBLive!
soundcard, the keyboard keeps freezing up on me. I tried everything from
moving the soundcard to a different pci slot, ordering a new soundcard,
updating the drivers, checking the IRQ's, spending $130 to get the card
installed, not once, but twice, formatted my hard-drive, to virtually every
other conceivable idea to get this thing working. The freezing only occurs
when I use the keyboard, not the steering wheel or the joystick. I have
switched the keyboard, to no avail. The problem ONLY occurs with the SB
Live! card, not with my onboard soundcard, which has been disabled in the
CMOS. I could return the soundcard, but I also ordered speakers for $400,
specifically to use with the soundcard. Not to mention I like the setup,
aside from the freezing.
That being said, I am concerned about flashing the bios.
Dave
"Glen W. Haag" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> When you flash your BIOS, your old BIOS image is USUALLY saved on to thefloppy
> disk that you booted to.
>
> You can take a look at the readme file that you will get when you downloadthe
> BIOS upgrade.
>
> At this point, you don't sound too comfortable with the upgrade, so let meask
> this question. Is there anything wrong with your PC as it is that wouldmake
> you think that the BIOS might help solve it?
>
> Myself, I upgrade my BIOS a few times a year, because I'm upgrading to new
> hardware components all of the time. But, most people, don't do it,because it
wrote:
> > > >Well, I found an updated BIOS for my computer at the NEC website, butmy
> > > >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 otherpeople,
> > a
> > > >technician at work and another technician I know, and they bothstated
> > it's
> > > >not usually a problem provided I have the right update.
> > > >
> > > >If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, myplans
> > 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 BIOSto
> > 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 mycomputer
> > > >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 clickthe
> > > Startup Disk tab). You should add your BIOS flash program to thedisk,
> > > along with the new BIOS. You boot from the floppy and before flashingthe
> > > 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 likethe
P06-0007.
Quoted text (12 lines)
> isn't necissary unless your having problems. > > That's just my opinion > > Glen W. Haag > [email hidden] > > "Dave St.Onge" wrote: > > > "Joseph Huesmann" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:[email hidden]... > > > In article <kJz15.470$[email hidden]>, Dave St.OngeQuoted text (7 lines)
> > > 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 versionQuoted text (9 lines)
> > 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 referred to the system specs on my computer, and it stated that the
motherboard was an MB870, and the website stated the same thing, with the
same model type, when I provided my serial number. At the website it
provide a "version P06-0007", but my existing version is "SEP0511A" from the
specs. I bought my computer in Nov 98, but the new bios is dated July
99.....
Dave
"Nathan Engle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Dave St.Onge wrote:
> > 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 SBLive!
> > Technician also thinks it could be a problem with the BIOS. Basically,is
> > there a realistic chance that flashing the BIOS could cause seriousproblems
it's
> > not usually a problem provided I have the right update.
>
> Correct. Just make sure the update matches your
> existing BIOS and go to it.
>
> > If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, my plansare
> > 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 tothe
> > original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it'sdone,
> > that's it, no turning back??
>
> Flashing the BIOS would stick. To change it back you'd
> have to explicitly flash in the old version.
>
> > Lastly, if someone would be willing, I could provide you with mycomputer
Quoted text (18 lines)
> > to my computer?? > > I've updated dozens of motherboards - no lost patients > yet. In nearly every case it's been the solution that > fixed some trouble I was having (the most common problem > recently has been recognizing drives larger than 8GB, but > sometimes other things are affected too). > > > I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he > > refused to do it. > > He was just being snotty. BIOS upgrades are reasonably > painless these days. I've still got my old EPROM burner > (what you had to use to upgrade BIOS in the old days), and, > friend, FLASH memory is a wonderful thing. > > > That being said, I spoke to a couple of other people, a > > technician at work and another technician I know, and they both statedQuoted text (13 lines)
> > serial number and some specific system info and maybe someone could > > generously check to verify that I do in fact have the correct bios... > > The only serial number that really matters is the one > for the BIOS itself. Typically what I do is read off the > serial number from the BIOS and then do a web search on > any parts of it that seem to be distinctive. > > -- > Nathan Engle > Shop Steward Electron Juggler's Guild, Local #1 > [email hidden] http://php.indiana.edu/~nengle > "Some Assembly Required"Hey Dave .......... make sure you print out your existing bios settings...
since everything maybe reset to default after you flash...
Also , if you try and get an error about not enough memory , and it looks
like you have nothing loading in dos ( doublespace, and something else like
it which can be running in the background without you realizing it,can't
remember) use the /tiny command in the command line. That's what I had to
do. The flash worked without a problem after that.
good luck
Dave St.Onge wrote in message ...
>Well, I referred to the system specs on my computer, and it stated that the
>motherboard was an MB870, and the website stated the same thing, with the
>same model type, when I provided my serial number. At the website it
>provide a "version P06-0007", but my existing version is "SEP0511A" fromthe
my
Quoted text (9 lines)
>specs. I bought my computer in Nov 98, but the new bios is dated July >99..... > >Dave > >"Nathan Engle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message >news:[email hidden]... >> Dave St.Onge wrote: >> > Well, I found an updated BIOS for my computer at the NEC website, butQuoted text (60 lines)
>> > 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've updated dozens of motherboards - no lost patients >> yet. In nearly every case it's been the solution that >> fixed some trouble I was having (the most common problem >> recently has been recognizing drives larger than 8GB, but >> sometimes other things are affected too). >> >> > I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he >> > refused to do it. >> >> He was just being snotty. BIOS upgrades are reasonably >> painless these days. I've still got my old EPROM burner >> (what you had to use to upgrade BIOS in the old days), and, >> friend, FLASH memory is a wonderful thing. >> >> > 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. >> >> Correct. Just make sure the update matches your >> existing BIOS and go to it. >> >> > 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?? >> >> Flashing the BIOS would stick. To change it back you'd >> have to explicitly flash in the old version. >> >> > 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... >> >> The only serial number that really matters is the one >> for the BIOS itself. Typically what I do is read off the >> serial number from the BIOS and then do a web search on >> any parts of it that seem to be distinctive. >> >> -- >> Nathan Engle >> Shop Steward Electron Juggler's Guild, Local #1 >> [email hidden] http://php.indiana.edu/~nengle >> "Some Assembly Required" > >Dave,
Before you do anything rash, please download and install the latest SBLIVE
package that contains all the drivers and other stuff-I think it is 3.1 now and
is on the sblive website.
This cleared up a myriad of problems I was having in other games, including
Superbike2000 which crashed on me every time I tried to start a race. I know it
sounds crazy, but give it a shot.
Chris
"Dave St.Onge" wrote:
Quoted text (71 lines)
> Well, I referred to the system specs on my computer, and it stated that the > motherboard was an MB870, and the website stated the same thing, with the > same model type, when I provided my serial number. At the website it > provide a "version P06-0007", but my existing version is "SEP0511A" from the > specs. I bought my computer in Nov 98, but the new bios is dated July > 99..... > > Dave > > "Nathan Engle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > news:[email hidden]... > > Dave St.Onge wrote: > > > 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've updated dozens of motherboards - no lost patients > > yet. In nearly every case it's been the solution that > > fixed some trouble I was having (the most common problem > > recently has been recognizing drives larger than 8GB, but > > sometimes other things are affected too). > > > > > I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he > > > refused to do it. > > > > He was just being snotty. BIOS upgrades are reasonably > > painless these days. I've still got my old EPROM burner > > (what you had to use to upgrade BIOS in the old days), and, > > friend, FLASH memory is a wonderful thing. > > > > > 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. > > > > Correct. Just make sure the update matches your > > existing BIOS and go to it. > > > > > 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?? > > > > Flashing the BIOS would stick. To change it back you'd > > have to explicitly flash in the old version. > > > > > 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... > > > > The only serial number that really matters is the one > > for the BIOS itself. Typically what I do is read off the > > serial number from the BIOS and then do a web search on > > any parts of it that seem to be distinctive. > > > > -- > > Nathan Engle > > Shop Steward Electron Juggler's Guild, Local #1 > > [email hidden] http://php.indiana.edu/~nengle > > "Some Assembly Required"H.P. <[email hidden]> wrote in message
> 3) Your base system (CPU, board, case, memory) is worth about $100, less
> than your soundcard. Give it some effort to get the combo to work, but if
> you need to dump something, dump the box rather than the sound card. My
> thought is that you are trying way too hard to get an old junky box towork
> with new stuff.
Boy, does this ever sound familiar.
I get tapped constantly from co-workers and friends and realtives for
upgrade advice. The place I work out of recently did a huge upgrade and
basically gave away all the old boxes to employees who had no computers.
All the old boxes are Hewlett Packard 486s, mostly DX2/66. Few have CDs,
few have soundcards, none have modems, all come with ancient VGA monitors
that won't go over 640x480 and no-name ISA NIC cards ("the telephone jack is
too big").
Without knowing that he had one of these doorstops, a guy asked me what he
could do to improve the video performance in his computer. I told him to
get a better video card. He ran out and bought a VooDoo3/2K for a 486
DX2/66 with 8MB of RAM. For good measure, he bought a 56K modem and a 52X
cd-rom. Now he's 200$ into a 50$ computer and wants to know where to spend
his money next. He's hot to buy a 30G hard drive and I am trying to get him
to understand that he need to spend his money on a new computer!!! To him
(and many like him) this totally defeats the purpose of getting a free
computer and, well, he's right! I showed him a few 250$ options (new
motherboard and mem, C400 or AMD K2 500, etc.) and he says he wants to
"Spend less than 200$ but stay current for at least three years." *sigh*
Another woman with one of these things bought a Xerox combo scanner/fax
machine/printer (yikes!) and couldn't get it to work. She shipped it off
to me to look at and I told her she could spend about 600$ upgrading it to
make it work like slightly faster CRAP or she could just buy a 600$ computer
that runs about 6 times faster. She reported that her sister had a "Pretty
fast" computer that was "All screwed up" and she would sell it to her. She
gave me the HP 486 (add to the pile of obsolete computers in my basement)
and paid her sister 400$ for a Packard Bell Pentium 120 which I also got to
sort out for her. It featured one of those STUPID modem/soundcard combos.
Joy.
If I could just get them to go to a software shop and read the spines of
some boxes for minimum requirements, then realize how far under those
requirements they are starting, then maybe they would get it. They all
claim to want to just "Get online, get email, surf the web, maybe play a
game or two" but you know darn well their 14 year kid is going to be loading
Quake (or Quisp) on it and filling up the 120MB hard drive with Napster
downloads as soon as it gets home.
And then there's the trying to explain why they can't connect to their free
internet service ("I'm not paying 20$ a month") blah blah blah.
Just whining.
~daxe
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Just at the website...it's version 3.0, which I already have on my computer.
Thanks, and that being said, I reinstalled the drivers from the website,
hoping maybe something was wrong the first time...
Dave
"capa" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Dave,
>
> Before you do anything rash, please download and install the latest SBLIVE
> package that contains all the drivers and other stuff-I think it is 3.1now and
> is on the sblive website.
>
> This cleared up a myriad of problems I was having in other games,including
> Superbike2000 which crashed on me every time I tried to start a race. Iknow it
the
> > motherboard was an MB870, and the website stated the same thing, withthe
> > same model type, when I provided my serial number. At the website it
> > provide a "version P06-0007", but my existing version is "SEP0511A" fromthe
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,
stated
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 BIOSto
bios...
Quoted text (7 lines)
> sounds crazy, but give it a shot. > > Chris > > "Dave St.Onge" wrote: > > > Well, I referred to the system specs on my computer, and it stated thatQuoted text (9 lines)
> > specs. I bought my computer in Nov 98, but the new bios is dated July > > 99..... > > > > Dave > > > > "Nathan Engle" <[email hidden]> wrote in message > > news:[email hidden]... > > > Dave St.Onge wrote: > > > > Well, I found an updated BIOS for my computer at the NEC website,Quoted text (21 lines)
> > is > > > > there a realistic chance that flashing the BIOS could cause serious > > problems > > > > to my computer?? > > > > > > I've updated dozens of motherboards - no lost patients > > > yet. In nearly every case it's been the solution that > > > fixed some trouble I was having (the most common problem > > > recently has been recognizing drives larger than 8GB, but > > > sometimes other things are affected too). > > > > > > > I asked the technician where I purchased the computer, but he > > > > refused to do it. > > > > > > He was just being snotty. BIOS upgrades are reasonably > > > painless these days. I've still got my old EPROM burner > > > (what you had to use to upgrade BIOS in the old days), and, > > > friend, FLASH memory is a wonderful thing. > > > > > > > That being said, I spoke to a couple of other people, a > > > > technician at work and another technician I know, and they bothQuoted text (7 lines)
> > it's > > > > not usually a problem provided I have the right update. > > > > > > Correct. Just make sure the update matches your > > > existing BIOS and go to it. > > > > > > > If the update doesn't eliminate my computer freezing problem, myQuoted text (12 lines)
> > the > > > > original settings, or is flashing the BIOS something where once it's > > done, > > > > that's it, no turning back?? > > > > > > Flashing the BIOS would stick. To change it back you'd > > > have to explicitly flash in the old version. > > > > > > > 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 correctQuoted text (12 lines)
> > > > > > The only serial number that really matters is the one > > > for the BIOS itself. Typically what I do is read off the > > > serial number from the BIOS and then do a web search on > > > any parts of it that seem to be distinctive. > > > > > > -- > > > Nathan Engle > > > Shop Steward Electron Juggler's Guild, Local #1 > > > [email hidden] http://php.indiana.edu/~nengle > > > "Some Assembly Required" >Although I have yet to get a solution to my problem, the efforts of all of
you are greatly appreciated, as many of you have taken the time to respond
to this problem....once again, Thank you very much, regardless of the
outcome.
Dave
"capa" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> Dave,
>
> Before you do anything rash, please download and install the latest SBLIVE
> package that contains all the drivers and other stuff-I think it is 3.1now and
> is on the sblive website.
>
> This cleared up a myriad of problems I was having in other games,including
> Superbike2000 which crashed on me every time I tried to start a race. Iknow it
the
> > motherboard was an MB870, and the website stated the same thing, withthe
> > same model type, when I provided my serial number. At the website it
> > provide a "version P06-0007", but my existing version is "SEP0511A" fromthe
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,
stated
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 BIOSto
bios...
