Hangs at boot, displays garbage.

[TopHat2]

OK, I have this problem with a PC I'm trying to fix.

Spec:
CPU=Cyrex 333.

Motherboard= GemLight GMB P57SAX V1,
with SiS 5598 chipset, onboard graphics (SiS) and sound (ESS).

OS=Win98 SE.

Problem:
The PC Hangs on the inital screen, and after the text:

"SiS True Colour Graphics and Vidio Accelorator"...

Displays A screen full of random ASCCI characters and dots. Occasisionaly it will booth into windows and work for a short while before hanging, and displaying an "interference" type patrtern of moving dots acros the screen.

Any sugestions as to how I should proceed welcome.

 

[ngagne]

Make sure you have the latest video drivers. Nate Gagne
ngagne@numa-inc.com

 

[johnv20]

Hi,
here's a few suggestions

(1) If you can get your hands on a port 80 card install this
- when the system hangs at post you should be able to look up the error code with the port 80 booklet and this should tell you exactly what's wrong

(2) Remove any cards you have installed and see if the problem goes away

(3) Install a new video card

 

[TopHat2]

NGANGE
Sorry but this does not make sense. The problem manifests on the initial boot screen BEFORE any drivers are loaded.


JOHNV20
1). I don't have a "port 80" (POST test?) card, and probably could not afford one.

2) Only card installed is a 56k v90, but I will try removing it.

3) The PC worked previously, but I will try this if I can work out how to disable the onboard display.

 

[edfair]

More like a bios problem. How about reseating the bios chip several times to eliminate the possibility of corrosion on the chip legs. Not familiar with the M/B so it may not be pluggable. Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

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