Computer video not working - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

The Warden · #1 01-14-2003, 05:12 AM

Yet another computer problem that's driving me nuts...

I built my girlfriend a "new" computer, using a Soyo Dragon Lite motherboard (SiS chipset) and an Intel Celeron 1.7GHz socket 478 processor. I used this combo 'cause it was on special, I'll admit. It's got 128 MB of PC2100 DDR RAM, and is running Windows 98SE (there are too many programs that we can't replace that are XP-incompatible).

I have tried this with DirectX versions 8.0 and 9.0, and with two AGP video cards and one PCI video card. All associated drivers were downloaded from the appropiate websites (Soyo for the AGP driver; ATI for the two AGP cards, and S3 for the PCI card; the PCI card's an older one, but I know it's capable of playing video). With every configuration, I've got a few problems.

First, attempting to run DXDIAG.exe succeeds in only locking up the computer. Second, attempting to run any videos (such as an mpg file) results in the same problem. Third, attempting to open a game (such as SimCity 3000) results in the computer locking up on a black screen.

Given that I've tried three different video cards, unless the motherboard's got a problem, I don't think that's it. THe two AGP cards were brand-new; the PCI card is known to work, and has worked on a computer that could play videos/games before. At this point, my best guess is a software problem.

Before I re-install Windows, does anyone have any ideas on what else I could look for and update? Windows Update doesn't have anything new, and again, I've got the latest drivers and the latest version of DirectX, to my knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

maximus · #2 01-14-2003, 07:56 AM

There is a few things you could check

first i would stick with direct x 8.0 since u r using win 98se
check in your bios to see if you have the optimal and turbo mode
if you do set it to optimal or it could be normal or power mode
and make sure you assign an irq to your video card so that it is not sharing with your sound card etc
Also if you have windows xp you might want to install it because there is a compatibility option on xp that will allow you to play ur game what you have to do b4 u install the game make sure u go to properties and install with 98 se compatible ,

Hope this helps, I am not an expert just a diy'er

Ashman · #3 01-14-2003, 12:10 PM

I would rearrange the pci cards in the computer. I would also reset the bios to factory defaults for each section, and boot up. then I would change bios settings one at a time and reboot until the problem reappears.

Sometimes the latest drivers for hardware don't work out well on some computers.

I would also run the following windows utilities....

1. SFC - system file checker. Click start then run, type sfc and hit enter. Run the checker, and replace any corrupted or files suspected of being corrupt.

2. Msconfig - run this, and disable startup items. Reenable one at a time, rebooting between each change, and testing to see if you still get the problem.

3. Scandisk and defragment.

4. I would also run norton utilities windoctor to assist in cleanign windows.

5. IF all that doesn't help, I would see if you have access to another hard disk. Set it up, with just the OS and appropriate drivers, and test. if all works ok, you know its something with the OS. if not, definately some problem with a piece of hardware conflicting. If everything does work fine with a clean install, you may think about bumping up the memory to 256mb and putting on windows xp. xp will run most games, and is a much more stable platform than windows 98. But windows 98 is still a great OS that usually doesn't give too many problems, I had several win 98 computers running at my dad's office, and they only needed various software programs to be removed and reinstalled for updating. other than that, they were pretty reliable for 3 years.

Alon