Re: [PLUG] Computer Problems

[Paul <paul@dpagin.net>]

QUESTIONS:

Do the PCs work well if you do a fresh install of NT 4.0 without having any cards
installed?

Have you tried installing the cards one by one?

Does the problem occur when only the hardware is installed, or does it occur after
the drivers or applications are installed?

Why aren't you using the last and latest service pack (6a I believe)?

Is the BIOS up to date?

Have you checked the log files for clues?

Sometimes IRQs are assigned based on the slots that the cards are installed into.
How many slots are available before the cards are installed?

What kind of sound cards did you use in the past?


David Hull wrote:

> Hey Guys-
>
>     I work for a company that sells research equipment.  These machines are
> operated using computers, in this case a Dell Precision 330 running WinNT 4.0
> (service pack 5).  In order to run the machine we have to install 3 pci cards in
> the computer, a motion controller, an additional network-like card, and a sound
> card.  Note:  the computer's have a PCI bus.  Here's the problem:  when these
> cards are installed on the machine, it locks up.  Sometimes at boot-up, sometimes
> while running, sometimes resulting in a physical memory dump.  I'm positive that
> it's not the cards, because I took the cards out of another computer we have
> running the machine (a Dell Optiplex GX 110), and used those and the same thing
> happened.  I've set up 5 of these machines in the last 4 months, 2 using the
> Precision 330's, 3 using Precision 430's.  The 2 330's both experience the same
> problem.  I need to find a solution to this problem.
>
> 1.  I need to definitively tell Dell that there is a problem with their computers
> and get them to fix it.
>
> 2.  I need to find out what the problem is and fix it.
>
> I know that this is Linux group, but you guys are all very knowledgeable about
> computers, and while I know a fair amount, I am stumped by this.  There are only
> two things that I can think of that are different between the two types of
> computers (in terms of how I set them up).  First, I had to reinstall the OS on
> both of them because I put the wrong kind of sound card in and it didn't work
> properly.  I checked with Dell to see if I missed any steps when I did this, they
> say no.  Second, I installed the sound cards (Sound Blaster Live) vs. having Dell
> install them.  This means I used generic sound blaster drivers.  I ran the Dell
> Diagnostics test and it did not report any errors.  If anyone can think of any
> tests I can run to find out what the problem is, or has heard of similar problems
> with these computers, please talk to me.  I'm VERY desparate!
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
>     Dave
>
> ______________________________________________________________________
> Philadelphia Linux Users Group       -      http://www.phillylinux.org
> Announcements-http://lists.phillylinux.org/mail/listinfo/plug-announce
> General Discussion  -  http://lists.phillylinux.org/mail/listinfo/plug


______________________________________________________________________
Philadelphia Linux Users Group       -      http://www.phillylinux.org
Announcements-http://lists.phillylinux.org/mail/listinfo/plug-announce
General Discussion  -  http://lists.phillylinux.org/mail/listinfo/plug