Author Topic: stop me from smashing this computer! (Read 4295 times)

rackoon · « **on:** September 27, 2006, 10:51:57 pm »

So I built this computer from scratch and I turned it on and all was good. I start to install windows and I get to the license screen and I can only see the top half of screen. I turn off computer and turn it back on and all I get now is a pci listing screen that says at the bottom (verifying DMI pool data.........) with a blinking cursor. HULK SMASH!

RandyT · « **Reply #1 on:** September 27, 2006, 11:10:31 pm »

Quote from: rackoon on September 27, 2006, 10:51:57 pm

So I built this computer from scratch and I turned it on and all was good. I start to install windows and I get to the license screen and I can only see the top half of screen. I turn off computer and turn it back on and all I get now is a pci listing screen that says at the bottom (verifying DMI pool data.........) with a blinking cursor. HULK SMASH!

Video card problem? Does the drive light keep blinking?

What kind of video is in the thing? It sounds like Windows install may have loaded the wrong driver somewhere.

RandyT

Organic Jerk · « **Reply #2 on:** September 27, 2006, 11:19:09 pm »

I did a quick search on google for you and these are some of the interesting links I came up with:

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000474.htm

http://www.duxcw.com/faq/computer/dmi.html

http://www.computing.net/os2/wwwboard/forum/964.html

GoPodular.com · « **Reply #3 on:** September 28, 2006, 12:06:09 am »

Win98 and a large hard drive?

rackoon · « **Reply #4 on:** September 28, 2006, 01:40:05 am »

I basically have a
p4 2.66
80GB harddrive
aopen cdw dvdw drive
512MB ram
elite mb
ultimarc VGA card

krick · « **Reply #5 on:** September 28, 2006, 02:16:53 am »

Quote from: rackoon on September 28, 2006, 01:40:05 am

I basically have a
p4 2.66
80GB harddrive
aopen cdw dvdw drive
512MB ram
elite mb
ultimarc VGA card

So, you have an ArcadeVGA in your machine when you're installing windows?
Probably not a good idea that would explain the top-half video issue.

I'd pick up a cheap used nvidia based video card and do your windows install with that on a PC monitor, then shut down, swap in the ArcadeVGA, connect to the arcade monitor, and boot, hitting F8 at the right time to get into safe mode so you can install the drivers.

The reason I suggest an nvidia based card is to prevent possible driver conflict trouble with ATI cards and the ArcadeVGA.

Glaine · « **Reply #6 on:** September 28, 2006, 12:41:40 pm »

Or couldn't he just use his motherboard's vga connection and not buy an nVidia? I'm assuming he has that on his board, but I've never seen a board that didn't.

_Iz- · « **Reply #7 on:** September 28, 2006, 12:47:54 pm »

His problem is that the harddrive is not yet bootable...

He needs to restart the windows installation from the cd. Watch carefully for the "press any key to boot from cd" message. The boot order in the bios may also need to be revised to make the computer check the cd/dvd drive first.

Boz · « **Reply #8 on:** September 28, 2006, 01:06:18 pm »

Unless you have the brand new Arcade VGA card... the one that supports standard PC monitors... YOU MUST REMOVE the Arcade VGA card and use a standard video card (doesn't matter what type) to do anything. All previous versions of the AVGA will only drive multi-sync and true 15Khz arcade monitors.

Arcade VGA will NOT drive a PC monitor. Again, unless you have the latest version of this card.

leapinlew · « **Reply #9 on:** September 28, 2006, 01:06:57 pm »

Quote from: krick on September 28, 2006, 02:16:53 am

Quote from: rackoon on September 28, 2006, 01:40:05 am
I basically have a
p4 2.66
80GB harddrive
aopen cdw dvdw drive
512MB ram
elite mb
ultimarc VGA card

So, you have an ArcadeVGA in your machine when you're installing windows?
Probably not a good idea that would explain the top-half video issue.

I'd pick up a cheap used nvidia based video card and do your windows install with that on a PC monitor, then shut down, swap in the ArcadeVGA, connect to the arcade monitor, and boot, hitting F8 at the right time to get into safe mode so you can install the drivers.

The reason I suggest an nvidia based card is to prevent possible driver conflict trouble with ATI cards and the ArcadeVGA.

This sounds right to me too.

Lewis Black · « **Reply #10 on:** September 28, 2006, 01:09:51 pm »

I confirm this, it happened to me last year. AVGA cannot handle the video modes used in the XP installation routine.

leapinlew · « **Reply #11 on:** September 28, 2006, 01:22:34 pm »

Ultimately, I say smash up the computer.

If you get this frustrated this quick.... it'll get smashed up sooner or later.

Glaine · « **Reply #12 on:** September 28, 2006, 03:50:27 pm »

Agreed, those without patience are hereby forbidden computer usage.

rackoon · « **Reply #13 on:** September 28, 2006, 03:52:11 pm »

I have a dottronix monitor set to RGB. I was installing XP.

I don't usually get frustrated this easily but my new three week old daughter wakes me up every two hours. I get so tired cant think sometimes.

Do I need a video card to set up windows. Can I just use an old monitor and the VGA port on motherboard?

If I need a video card than I think I can get a used one for $10.00. Are they plug and play?

Lewis Black · « **Reply #14 on:** September 28, 2006, 03:54:52 pm »

Quote from: rackoon on September 28, 2006, 03:52:11 pm

Can I just use an old monitor and the VGA port on motherboard?

Yes!

Glaine · « **Reply #15 on:** September 28, 2006, 08:44:46 pm »

Quote from: Not Lewis Black on September 28, 2006, 03:54:52 pm

Quote from: rackoon on September 28, 2006, 03:52:11 pm
Can I just use an old monitor and the VGA port on motherboard?

Yes!

Hmm, I wish I had thought of that. No wait, I did.

Quote from: Glaine on September 28, 2006, 12:41:40 pm

Or couldn't he just use his motherboard's vga connection and not buy an nVidia? I'm assuming he has that on his board, but I've never seen a board that didn't.

Not trying to start anything, just saying I don't type because I like the sound. I'll take your word on the lack of sleep though, that sux.
G'Night

Santoro · « **Reply #16 on:** September 28, 2006, 09:59:47 pm »

Glaine, you get credit for the solution. Feel better?

Boz · « **Reply #17 on:** September 28, 2006, 10:41:23 pm »

Quote from: Santoro on September 28, 2006, 09:59:47 pm

Glaine, you get credit for the solution. Feel better?

leapinlew · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2006, 10:58:54 pm »

lol....

Krick answered it first and answered it best.

Glaine · « **Reply #19 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:43:26 am »

Quote from: In2ishun on September 28, 2006, 10:41:23 pm

Quote from: Santoro on September 28, 2006, 09:59:47 pm
Glaine, you get credit for the solution. Feel better?

*whew* My ego almost deflated. Now I can lay my overinflated head down. This may be my only chance so I want to thank all the little people. Because midgets rock. That and wheel chair basketball.

rackoon · « **Reply #20 on:** September 29, 2006, 03:37:29 pm »

Well it turn out that I don't have a VGA port on my motherboard so it looks like I will have to look on eBay for a used video card. I guess the computer part of my MAME cab will have to be put on hold until I get a video card. I still have a little wood work to do anyway.

If I push delete real fast before my computer locks up I can get into an advanced BIOS section that will allow me to boot up from disk. I'm guessing this is what you guys are talking about.

leapinlew · « **Reply #21 on:** September 29, 2006, 03:59:00 pm »

Most motherboards I buy don't have a VGA onboard. I was wondering if yours would or not.

It sounds like you'll need to reinstall windows with a proper video card. Shouldn't be too bad - hopefully you can borrow someones video card or something just to get the install done.

krick · « **Reply #22 on:** September 29, 2006, 04:12:03 pm »

Quote from: rackoon on September 29, 2006, 03:37:29 pm

Well it turn out that I don't have a VGA port on my motherboard so it looks like I will have to look on eBay for a used video card. I guess the computer part of my MAME cab will have to be put on hold until I get a video card. I still have a little wood work to do anyway.

If you're considering buying a new card, this is probably one of the best cheap AGP cards you can get.
Plus, it's fanless which is always a big plus in my book...

$54 - XFX Nvidia GeForce 2600 256MB DDR
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?name=XFX-6200A2

Quote from: rackoon on September 29, 2006, 03:37:29 pm

If I push delete real fast before my computer locks up I can get into an advanced BIOS section that will allow me to boot up from disk. I'm guessing this is what you guys are talking about.

If you hit F8 while windows is booting, you'll get a menu that allows you to boot into "safe mode". This has nothing to do with the BIOS.

rackoon · « **Reply #23 on:** September 29, 2006, 05:52:11 pm »

I don't have a chance to even get to booting windows. First I get a black and white screen that say energy star and lists componets like CPU and drives. This lasts about 3 seconds then it jumps into a screen that says looking for dmi pool data with a blinking cursor at the end. At this point it is totally locked up.

At the bottom of the first screen is says press delete if you want to go into mother board set up or something.

I just bought a cheap used 4x agp nvidia tnt2-m64 video card off eBay to go with a old sony trinitron monitor to get this puppy up and running. I suppose when it gets here I will take another stab at it. By the way will I need to get a driver for the nvidia video card if I'm only using it to set up window xp before I go back to my ultimarc card?

By the way thanks for all the help guys

ArcadEd · « **Reply #24 on:** September 29, 2006, 06:00:20 pm »

Find a used computer shop nearby and buy an old 8mb 3drage or something for the install. No sense waiting for shipping, someone around you has to have an old card.

Hell, I'll send you one for free if you have not gotten one yet. Might be PCI or AGP, I'd have to look at what I have. but you should have both ports on your board.

rackoon · « **Reply #25 on:** September 29, 2006, 10:47:34 pm »

Wow that really cool of ya but I bought a cheap used one on eBay this morning for $9.99 and free shipping.
Thank you for the offer though.

I live in the Sierra mountains of California between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, near a ski resort and I'm not close to any computer stores so I use the Internet for all my shopping. So there isn't any Mom and Pop stores.

ArcadEd · « **Reply #26 on:** September 29, 2006, 11:23:28 pm »

Quote from: rackoon on September 29, 2006, 10:47:34 pm

Wow that really cool of ya but I bought a cheap used one on eBay this morning for $9.99 and free shipping.
Thank you for the offer though.

I live in the Sierra mountains of California between Yosemite and Lake Tahoe, near a ski resort and I'm not close to any computer stores so I use the Internet for all my shopping. So there isn't any Mom and Pop stores.

Ahh bummer, wish I would have seen this thread earlier. I hope you get it worked out then

.

leapinlew · « **Reply #27 on:** September 30, 2006, 12:07:39 am »

Does your motherboard have an AGP slot? heh...

rackoon · « **Reply #28 on:** September 30, 2006, 03:39:38 pm »

Oh yea it's got one of those 4x/8x AGP slots

.

jelwell · « **Reply #29 on:** September 30, 2006, 05:00:48 pm »

Please post pictures and video if you end up doing the Hulk smash on your computer.
Thanks,
Joseph Elwell.

rackoon · « **Reply #30 on:** October 01, 2006, 06:19:22 pm »

Pictures of me crying is more likely. I have a lot of skill building furnature but lack real bad in the computer department. I suppose you could say my computer skills are

(always wanted to do that)

rackoon · « **Reply #31 on:** October 11, 2006, 04:58:22 pm »

Well I got my video card yesterday and hooked it up to my computer and an old monitor and changed the bios to boot up on disk. Everything went great and I installed windows then changed the bios to boot from the harddrive again. Thanks again for all the help guys!

Now I guess I need to download the driver for my VGA card then swap the video card with the VGA card and all will work?

When I down load the ultimarc VGAcard driver do I need to put the file somewhere or will it just go where its suppose to?

One more question. Should I download MAME32 and ROMs before I install VGAcard?

Glaine · « **Reply #32 on:** October 13, 2006, 10:13:54 am »

Think you can put the roms in at anytime once your OS is going good. I would read up on the order of uninstall/install procedures for your video cards, I remember reading that its been a nightmare for alot of users here who did them in the wrong order, but I wouldn't know.

I hereby retract my above statements about getting to be right. Dangit, this thread once again proves that I never really get to be right.


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