Just Built Computer - Minor Problems - Need Help

[SSJpn]

Just built computer and loaded WinME with no problems (going to upgrade to Win2000 in a couple days to handle all the memory)

Specs
AMD Athlon XP 1700+ (1.47GHz)
ASUS A7V266-E motherboard
512MB DDR PC2100
Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 PCI
Seagate Barracuda IV 40GB ATA/100 7,200 RPM
ACER 56x CD-ROM
TDK VeloCD 24x10x40 CD-RW


Problem 1:
Sound doesn't work. Its very screechy and you cannot make out anything altough it is outputting something. In the device manager it says its working fine. I don't know much about sound cards but my guess is that the sound card is out of date? (old technology?) PS - i did just buy it a week ago so its new

Problem 2:
Under System Properties (Control Panel -> System) and the 'Perfomance' Tab I have these problems

"Compatibility-mode paging reduces overall system performance"
and
"Drive C is using MS-DOS compatibility-mode file system"


Problem 3:
How do I know how fast my CPU is working? I don't know anything about BIOS setup so I just left it at default, which is...

CPU Speed [Manual]
CPU: System Frequency Multiplier [11.0x]
System/PCI Frequency [100/33]

I was wondering if I could change any of this to get optimal SAFE performance (ie: no overclocking)

 

[cdogg]

For problem 2:
See if you can find updated drivers for your mobo. Sometimes the appropriate disk controller in device manager doesn't function correctly with the ATA 100 spec unless the mobo drivers are at least reinstalled. Better to upgrade while you are at it. The ones that came on cd are most likely outdated. Asus has excellent driver suppport at their website...

If that doesn't resolve it (which it should) follow-up with Seagate's support

 

[Jakespeare]

Via4in1 drivers.........
You MUST load those. ( latest version 4.36)

QUIT MESSING with settings that you don't know about: Leave the settings at DEFAULT. (see below)

** ON SOUND ** Disable ALL the sound settings in the BIOS.
If that isn't the problem, dump that old sound card and buy a SB PCI128 for about $22 (with shipping)

LAST: READ the mainboard manual. You say you don't know anything about the BIOS, but you built your own computer.
So,,,,,,,,, time to pay some dues. READ.

 

[ceh4702]

A soundblaster 16 puts out pretty good sound. Not stereo quality, but it sounds pretty good. Often it is the speakers or the settings for the sound. Just make sure you aren't sharing the IRQ with another device.

Some sound cards Come with software with an equalizer that can do reverb, make sure that isnt causing it!!! The microphone input can also be turned on.

I had the incompatability problem once causing the MS DOS compatability mode to come on and I just reinstalled windows and it went away. I use a FIC AD11 motherboard with built in sound and it sounds pretty good. But it was scratchy at first till I installed the sound software that came with the board. If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[SSJpn]

Oh I forgot I had another problem

Problem 4:
When i shutdown, the monitor goes black (like the computer shut off) but the computer is still powered on (Power LED is on and fans still on). How come it isn't shutting off?

Also while trying to fix problem #2 I know have a BIG problem. I changed the sound card and disabled onboard audio like Jakespeare suggested and then the sound worked fine. So i got happy and tried to install a game (counterstrike) While installing all of a sudden i got a long and non-stopping beeeeeeep and computer froze. On first restart i got the beeeeep again on desktop load up. On 2nd restart BIOS comes up and says that computer hung because improper CPU speed setting but i have it at default (1100MHz) but my CPU is an AMD Athlon XP 1700+ (1466MHz ??) so this shouldn't be a problem right?

All my fans are working fine too.
Look at my original post up top to see computer specs and original problems.
PLEASE HELP WITH MY NEW BIG PROBLEM!!~~

 

[osuman]

Your CPU is only clocking at 1100. You need to change the system bus speed to whatever it's supposed to be, mostly likely 200 or 266mhz and then select the appropriate muliplier so that it equals 1700. You could probably also take it off manual and let it autodetect what the CPU should be set at. I would get that taken care of first as you never know what other kinds of problems can develop from that being inproperly set.

 

[SSJpn]

osuman - don't you mean set the multiplier so that it equals 1466MHz and not 1700MHz?

Can anyone tell me the correct
1) CPU: System Frequency Multiple
2) System/PCI Frequency (MHz)

that my BIOS should be set at for my particular system?
I was thinking [11.0x] and [133/33].

OR

should i just set the CPU speed from [manual] to [1466] ??? that way I don't have to set the two items mentioned above.

 

[SSJpn]

I have fixed a couple of my problems but I still have

Problem 2:
Under System Properties (Control Panel -> System) and the 'Perfomance' Tab I have these problems

"Compatibility-mode paging reduces overall system performance"
and
"Drive C is using MS-DOS compatibility-mode file system"

AND

Problem 4:
When i shutdown, the monitor goes black (like the computer shut off) but the computer is still powered on (Power LED is on and fans still on). How come it isn't shutting off?


can anyone solve these for me?

 

[osuman]

You stated in your first post that you processor is an Athlon XP 1700+ (1.47ghz). I failed to read the part in parenteses and thought it was a 1700mhz CPU. My bad. You want to set the clock frequency to equal 1.47ghz. You can either set it manually or select the other option..which is what I would do. You also stated that you plan to migrate to Win2000 instead of Win ME first. I my opinion, you should do the migration now and see what other problems develop and which ones take care of themselves. I wouldn't be suprised if the other two problems you listed go away under 2k.

 

[SSJpn]

After a few reboots the other problems somehow fixed themselves - as of right now all systems are go!!~~

thanks all for responses and input - greatly appreciated