eggrock
01-01-2004, 09:13 AM
I reformatted my system (found my first virus!) and reinstalled 98SE and have been having problems since. I did make some hardware changes before I reinstalled everything, switched an old CDRW with a new one, added a second HDD, added another 256Mb stick (which I took out for now), replaced the old video card with a new and same for the HSF.
Things worked fine until I reinstalled then all hell broke loose. Seems like using anything with extended HDD activity, possibly using IE and possibly anything that hits the new CDRW causes a complete lockup (even ctrl-alt-del) and the HDD activity light stays a solid red. Then on reboot one or more 'invalid long filenames' are found on one or both HDDs and I have to run Scandisk from Windows to fix. The affected files/folders are generally unrelated to anything I've been doing.
The first problem immediately after the install was having both HDDs in "MS Dos compatibility mode". Installed the latest Promise ATA 100 drivers to get rid of it.
Next were frequent lockups starting just about any program, even opening folders and such. There would be a lockup until I hit ctrl-alt-del, then I could cancel and work normally. Wound up installing a few things like drivers for the video card and NIC. Last thing I installed was the latest Via 4in1 drivers.
Next day I had to work and my mother-in-law and wife used the computer most of the day without any crashes (albeit just playing games on it). Thought I was in the clear until I went to the Micro$oft update website and tried to continue patching this sucker. Freeze + HDD light + hard reboot.
Haven't done anything since except reflash the BIOS. BTW, I'm not adding any new drivers I didn't have before reinstalling.
I'm also wondering if I screwed up the order of installation for the ATA100 drivers, Via 4in1 and BIOS. If the ATA100 drivers are screwed I'll know soon enough (BSOD with Stimon scanner software issue). Dunno about the Via drivers; I haven't had them for all that long (never had a huge problem with the SB card's sound) and I've used the same version of BIOS for awhile.
Ideas? It even froze a couple times coming here but it's letting me stay up for now. Going to try some more Windows patching if I can; otherwise I may reformat and reload again.
[edit] Oh yeah, system is:
Asus A7V + Athlon 900Mhz (Thunderbird)
256 Mb SDRAM
20 Gb WD HDD (the old one, Windows is installed here)
80 Gb WD HDD (the new one w/larger cache)
Aopen DVD-ROM
Samsung CDRW (new)
Xtasy 9600 (new)
SB Live Value!
3Com 10/100 NIC
Attached to computer is a monitor, printer & scanner.
[edit 2]
I notice deleting an (empty) folder takes half a minute or so just to do and locks up Explorer (Windows) while it does. Sometimes opening a folder does the same (on either HDD.)
Things worked fine until I reinstalled then all hell broke loose. Seems like using anything with extended HDD activity, possibly using IE and possibly anything that hits the new CDRW causes a complete lockup (even ctrl-alt-del) and the HDD activity light stays a solid red. Then on reboot one or more 'invalid long filenames' are found on one or both HDDs and I have to run Scandisk from Windows to fix. The affected files/folders are generally unrelated to anything I've been doing.
The first problem immediately after the install was having both HDDs in "MS Dos compatibility mode". Installed the latest Promise ATA 100 drivers to get rid of it.
Next were frequent lockups starting just about any program, even opening folders and such. There would be a lockup until I hit ctrl-alt-del, then I could cancel and work normally. Wound up installing a few things like drivers for the video card and NIC. Last thing I installed was the latest Via 4in1 drivers.
Next day I had to work and my mother-in-law and wife used the computer most of the day without any crashes (albeit just playing games on it). Thought I was in the clear until I went to the Micro$oft update website and tried to continue patching this sucker. Freeze + HDD light + hard reboot.
Haven't done anything since except reflash the BIOS. BTW, I'm not adding any new drivers I didn't have before reinstalling.
I'm also wondering if I screwed up the order of installation for the ATA100 drivers, Via 4in1 and BIOS. If the ATA100 drivers are screwed I'll know soon enough (BSOD with Stimon scanner software issue). Dunno about the Via drivers; I haven't had them for all that long (never had a huge problem with the SB card's sound) and I've used the same version of BIOS for awhile.
Ideas? It even froze a couple times coming here but it's letting me stay up for now. Going to try some more Windows patching if I can; otherwise I may reformat and reload again.
[edit] Oh yeah, system is:
Asus A7V + Athlon 900Mhz (Thunderbird)
256 Mb SDRAM
20 Gb WD HDD (the old one, Windows is installed here)
80 Gb WD HDD (the new one w/larger cache)
Aopen DVD-ROM
Samsung CDRW (new)
Xtasy 9600 (new)
SB Live Value!
3Com 10/100 NIC
Attached to computer is a monitor, printer & scanner.
[edit 2]
I notice deleting an (empty) folder takes half a minute or so just to do and locks up Explorer (Windows) while it does. Sometimes opening a folder does the same (on either HDD.)