Blank Screen 2

[joker19745]

I fdisked, partioned, formatted a 10 gig drive and installed Windows 98 SE upgrade, everything went fine until I tried to reinstall the modem, I didn't have a driver. Since it was an old rockwell modem, I bought a new one today, a US Robotics. I installed the modem, driver. Then I went to install earthlink isp and about midway through that installation I got a conmgr error. I restarted using ctrl-del-alt but the system wouldn't boot from the drive. Next I booted from a floppy, ran scanreg.exe /restore and restored the registry. I tried to boot from the drive and all I get now is a blank screen. I'm suspecting the hard drive crashed or the IDE controller is bad but not sure how to check them. This is the 3rd day I've spent on this computer, any help would be greatly appreciated.
PS. This is a Systemax computer with a K6-350mhz processor

 

[MiggyD]

What do you mean by a Blank Screen?

? Does the DOS prompt show up? (try typing WIN if that's the case)

? Do you even see the window's logo and then BLANK? (may be window's files are corrupt)

? Did you try using Safe mode to see if Win will start at all? (If it doesn't, you may have to try reformating the drive.)

--MiggyD

 

[joker19745]

No dos prompt, no cursor at the top left, I can't even boot from a boot disk now. I know the monitors ok because I swapped one. The start screen doesn't even come up. Wish I could get into safe mode, or even be able to fdisk and start over again.

 

[MiggyD]

Oh oh!

I can't even boot from a boot disk now.

Virus maybe?

You said 98 UPGRADE? How can you upgrade if the hd is reformated? It would have lost the original C\windows directory. If you ment 98 OEM, then try getting another bootable floppy and use fdisk /mbr to reset the master boot sector. Then, run the CD again.

--MiggyD

 

[joker19745]

I installed 98 SE upgrade using a 98 disk when Microsoft asks for the original operating system during the authentication key part. I have several 98 boot disks and none of them work on that machine now, even though the one I fdisked with did on Saturday night. I was thinking boot sector virus too, but I can't figure out how to get it to boot.The diagnostic screen doesn't even come up. When I turn the computer on the monitor screen stays the same color as when it's off. Appreciate the help

 

[MiggyD]

Starting to sound like something's EITHER fried or there's an unresolved IRQ conflict.

you DO HEAR the ps working, right? (if so, shut off system, open up cover and double check the connections to the HD and other prepherials. Once, I though my NEW modem was no good, turned out it wasn't seated properly. after removing and reinseting it, it worked just fine. so double check connections including the outside plugs.)

If you hear the ps and there's no POST (and you've check the connections) try removing the new modem. It may be actually causing a conflict. try rebooting again.

if you removed the "new" modem but still no POST, try changing the video card (if possible).

Anyone else have some suggestions?

--MiggyD

 

[joker19745]

I removed the new modem and it booted up right away. How do I troubleshoot the IRQ conflict? Thanks so much, Miggy for your help so far.

 

[joker19745]

When I install the usr modem(the new one) windows doesn't boot again. It's so simple to put a modem card in a PCI slot I don't see how I coulda goofed that up, though I've done dumber things. I'm at the USR page and trying to figure it out, maybe it's a bad modem?

 

[joker19745]

I've reinstalled the modem, had a port conflict, windows didn't recognize the new modem so I had to select it from the USR CD. Since windows didn't recognize it, do I need to set the IRQ myself?

 

[MiggyD]

Well that's very good to hear. I have w98 at work, but I'm not there right now; I'm on wME.

I can tell you that when my original modem (that came with this system) fried, I couldn't install another modem until I went and removed the old modem from the system's hardware list. On WinME, it was listed in Control Panel > System > Device Manager; after I removed it, it still showed up in the MODEMS icon in the CP.

I had to physically remove the old drivers (so that I wouldn't have to re-install the OS) from the hard drive THEN! registry hacking to removed it from the MODEMS list (it was a bit time consumming) but it finally worked. I was able to install the new drivers (again) and it showed only that (new) modem in the list--then it didn't work because it wasn't seated properly. But I finally got it going.

I think you may be able to get away with checking ON the "DISABLE IN THIS HARDWARE PROFILE" and also checking OFF the "EXISTS IN ALL PROFILES". Then try installing the new one again--but AFTER you reboot.

You'll have to do trial and error 'cause I'm uncertain to the exact steps with Win98. Most likely you'll probably have to do it like I did--the hard way.

Well, at least it's up and running for the moment. Good luck joker19745 and let us know how it turns out.

--MiggyD

 

[joker19745]

The modem is using irq4, that's the same irq for the port com1. Is this right?

 

[MiggyD]

Yes, and the range should be '3f8-3ff'.

 

[joker19745]

I found some files and registry keys for the original modem and deleted them, managed to delete my modem applet from the control panel but restored it, too funny. When I reinstalled the new modem (USR) I pressed the modem properties tab on the diagnostic tab and got the following error: The modem faoled to respond. When I checked the device manager/modem it says it's working fine. I gotta call it a night before I do something dumb, thanks for your help, MiggyD, and I'll get started again in a few hours.

 

[TekTippy4U]

Hi joker19745;
I think AMDs may have some configuration issues...check the MS site for info.
Also, First remove the card and all related software (your old modem is out and disconmnected already...correct? .....then boot into Safe Mode and remove the devices ( COM and Modem) from Device Manager.
Restart and Boot into BIOS setup and configure COM1 and 2 to "Auto"....
Also find ESCD and select "reset"..or 'clear'.
Exit Saving Changes and allow to boot fully.....
Shutdown...unplug ATX power connector
Reinstall the PCI card (choose a slot that is in the middle - the last PCI slot is shared with the one ISA usually present near the edge of mobo -don't use that one)

Plug in and Boot to BIOS again...."Reset" the ESCD...exit saving changes.....allow to fully reboot and Windows Hardware Wizard should auto build a driver info database and ask you to install the drivers.....Don't bother allowing it to Search.....choose "I want to Select it from a list"......choose HAVE DISK....now navigate to the USR CDROM directory where the .inf file and drivers are.
Success?


TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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[joker19745]

Still having problems, I removed the new modem (the old one has been removed along with all its software) then removed all the software using the find files. Then booted into safemode and removed the com and modem. When I restarted into BIOS I only have one entry for com1/com2 and reset it to auto. I can't find the ESCD anywhere in the BIOS, I first looked into PnP and then searched every tab, maybe I don't have this option? I saved changes in the BIOS for the com1/com2 auto setting. I unplugged the power cable, reinstalled the modem (I only have one open PCI slot, it's white, the slot at the end of the board is black) then booted into windows, but the hardware wizard didn't appear so I installed the modem through the modem applet in control panel, chose the have disk option, then installed from the cd. When I tested the modem by clicking the more info button through the diagnostics tab in the modem properties window, I got the error The modem failed to respond, so I'm back where I started. I do appreciate everyones help, trying to keep from taking it to a repair shop, I'd rather learn how to fix problems than pay someone else to do it.

 

[TekTippy4U]

You did the tshooting i asked quite orderly...very nice;

I can't find the ESCD anywhere in the BIOS,

It's usually in a sub-menu on the IRQ page or Peripherals page..I'll look in mine (I have one box with a '99-2000 BIOS),
-- *what year's yours?

It sounds like a pretty old mobo...and like I said if the PCI slot is the one near the ISA (black) slot.....no good

Since the hardware wizard did NOT appear, it means windows doesn't detect that a new device has been attached.

Maybe try a BIOS update, soon

-- *Post your Mobo make and model and PC Brand Manu. (if not a clone)

-- *How many PCI slots overall?

-- *Any AGP slot?

-- *Can you return that one for an External USR modem? ....COM (serial port jack) much better, especially on dated systems


TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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[joker19745]

The Bios is AMIBIOS Version 1.20e 2000 American Megatrends. There's a sticker at the bottom of the computer that says Eurone Technologies BB599LMR-17B. It has two PCI slots, the first one has a video card, and the second one is in between the first PCI slot and the ISA slot. It doesn't have an AGP slot.I'm having a hard time trying to figure out the motherboard make and model #'s. I couldn't find it in the BIOS or POST, looked for a FCC code and couldn't find one, I'm probably not giving you the information you need. I surfed the net trying to find answers, with no success. Thanks for bearing with me

 

[MiggyD]

Did you look at the CD and see if there's any troubleshooting TXT files?

Another thing I kind of remember; I've had probs with the modem wizard in the past. Instead of using that, did you try "ADD NEW HaRDware" wiz? using the advanced install (if there's one?)

Also, my current modem is PNP also, and it had to install another driver to (re)enumerate the IRQs. Mine (which is showing up in CP > SYSTEM > "Device Manager") is call: DSI WDM MODEM ENUMERATOR.

--MiggyD

 

[joker19745]

Don't have an advanced tab in the add hardware applet, but I've tried to install it using the add hardware and it doesn't work. I browsed the CD for the USR (new) modem and didn't find DSI WDM MODEM ENUMERATOR, did you download this off the internet? Appreciate your help

 

[TekTippy4U]

See if you can find more info on your sys by running Belarc (free)

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

Go here for your mobo

http://www.eurone.com.tw/euronenew/support.php

obtain manual and look for BIOS updates, after you have mobo info

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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