BIOS settings

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paradoxdb3
  • Start date Start date
P

Paradoxdb3

Guest
A few questions (now that I've used this forum a few times, I'll get hooked!)

If I want to install a sound card and video card, do I need to disable sound
and video from the BIOS settings? I've blown the on board sound card in my
computer. Heard a pop and no longer have sound. Video still works, but I am
considering getting a separate video card for enhanced performance.

Next, if my CMOS battery dies, does that clear my BIOS password and other
BIOS settings? Do I need to go back and set another password and all the
settings to the way I had them before the battery died? Also, can I change a
battery any time? Must the computer be unplugged first?

Lastly, I have an IDE hard drive. It's a 40 GB Samsung, 7200 RPM (sorry, I
don't know the model). It's partitioned into three parts. My operating
system and program files are on drive C. If I ever reformat that drive, then
I still have backup and installer files on Drive D. Drive E contains all my
digital pictures/videos/music (I've labelled that drive MEDIA...go figure!)
Anyway, I'm getting off track. I am thinking of upgrading to a new computer,
but want my hard drive installed in the new computer, either as the master
(and still use Windows 98) or as a slave. My first thoughts are as the
master. The newer computers will not take IDE drives in them, correct? So
then I need to find a newer computer that is not too new? And secondly, how
fast can the processor be for Windows 98 to properly work? I've heard that a
2 Mhz processor causes all kinds of problems with Windows 98. True, or not
true?

Okay, sorry for all the questions. As I mentioned in another post, I really
do want to be able to contribute here and not just suck the life out of
people! :-)
 
Re: BIOS settings

"Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9737DCE2-E60D-44A0-BFEA-A7A056DDAFF9@microsoft.com...
> A few questions (now that I've used this forum a few times, I'll get
hooked!)
>
> If I want to install a sound card and video card, do I need to disable
sound
> and video from the BIOS settings? I've blown the on board sound card in
my
> computer. Heard a pop and no longer have sound. Video still works, but I
am
> considering getting a separate video card for enhanced performance.

Yes: if Sound on Board fails, it must also be disabled in BIOS,
in order that a separate sound card may work.

> Next, if my CMOS battery dies, does that clear my BIOS password and other
> BIOS settings? Do I need to go back and set another password and all the
> settings to the way I had them before the battery died? Also, can I
change a
> battery any time? Must the computer be unplugged first?

The CMOS battery maintains the memory chip where the BIOS password
and BIOS settings are saved: so removal of the battery lets the memory
wipe (which takes more than 10 sec., probably less than a minute.)

It is unwise to lay a hand on the motherboard (literally) without
first unplugging the power supply.

> The newer computers will not take IDE drives in them, correct? So
> then I need to find a newer computer that is not too new?

Vista PCs use the SATA drive connection. I think you will find
WinXP PCs had/have IDE connections.

> And secondly, how
> fast can the processor be for Windows 98 to properly work? I've heard
that a
> 2 Mhz processor causes all kinds of problems with Windows 98. True, or
not
> true?

Yes, the critical speed is 2.2 or 2.4 GHz. Microsoft distributed an
NDISFIX programme to remedy this but it did not work as advertised.
Faster PCs usualy fail to reboot the 2nd time during installation
of Win98, reporting NDIS error. Once in a while (the 8th or 10th
attempt) the reboot succeeds and the OS installation completes
OK but few users are sufficiently patient.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
 
Re: BIOS settings

=?Utf-8?B?UGFyYWRveGRiMw==?=
<Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
news:9737DCE2-E60D-44A0-BFEA-A7A056DDAFF9@microsoft.com:

Intro: what the hell... It's been 4 hrs and no one has
replied...

> A few questions (now that I've used this forum a few times,
> I'll get hooked!)
>
> If I want to install a sound card and video card, do I need
> to disable sound and video from the BIOS settings?

Yes.

> I've
> blown the on board sound card in my computer. Heard a pop
> and no longer have sound.

It may still be OK, but only a technician can tell you for sure.
These things rarely "get blown".

> Video still works,

They are separate chips.

> but I am
> considering getting a separate video card for enhanced
> performance.

Good idea but only if you need it. If you have the money and a
spare slot in your machine, sure, why not, but if you don't do
serious graphics work or gaming you don't need a graphics card.

> Next, if my CMOS battery dies, does that clear my BIOS
> password and other BIOS settings?

Yes.

> Do I need to go back and
> set another password and all the settings to the way I had
> them before the battery died?

Yes but many BIOSes allow you to save the settings to a floppy
for such an eventuality.

> Also, can I change a battery
> any time?

Yes but mo point in doing so unless something starts screwing up
- usually your clock is way off or always at 12:00 (like in a
VCR). They usually last a LONG time (4-6 years IME).

> Must the computer be unplugged first?

Experts differ. I would say the computer should remain plugged
in so there's a ground connection, but you should *turn it off*,
and might want to be careful where you stick your fingers,
although except for the inside of the power supply, everything
is under 15 volts.

> Lastly, I have an IDE hard drive. It's a 40 GB Samsung,
> 7200 RPM (sorry, I don't know the model). It's partitioned
> into three parts. My operating system and program files
> are on drive C. If I ever reformat that drive, then I
> still have backup and installer files on Drive D. Drive E
> contains all my digital pictures/videos/music (I've
> labelled that drive MEDIA...go figure!) Anyway, I'm
> getting off track. I am thinking of upgrading to a new
> computer, but want my hard drive installed in the new
> computer, either as the master (and still use Windows 98)
> or as a slave. My first thoughts are as the master. The
> newer computers will not take IDE drives in them, correct?

I don't know but I don't see why not. SATA is not a the only
standard YET.

> So then I need to find a newer computer that is not too
> new? And secondly, how fast can the processor be for
> Windows 98 to properly work? I've heard that a 2 Mhz
> processor causes all kinds of problems with Windows 98.
> True, or not true?

I have a 2GHz (you meant giga Hertz not mega Hertz, there ARE
and never were any 2 MHz processors AFAIK) and run 98SE with no
problem. What you don't want is too much memory. I only have
256MB RAM and NO problems. I believe you can have 512 and no
problems. I believe 1GB CAN cause problems.

> Okay, sorry for all the questions. As I mentioned in
> another post, I really do want to be able to contribute
> here and not just suck the life out of people! :-)

Well, you have helped me kill ten minutes so thank you.
 
Re: BIOS settings


<snip>
>
> I have a 2GHz (you meant giga Hertz not mega Hertz, there ARE
> and never were any 2 MHz processors AFAIK) and run 98SE with no
> problem. What you don't want is too much memory. I only have
> 256MB RAM and NO problems. I believe you can have 512 and no
> problems. I believe 1GB CAN cause problems.



Win98 can run with more than 512 megs of RAM
but a vcache setting needs to be changed.
It's best to start with 512 megs or less...then add RAM after the setting is
maded.

However...
with newer hardware there may not be drivers for win98 so if a new machine
is built
I highly recommend against using win98.

I'd use Win2k or XP
 
Re: BIOS settings

"Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9737DCE2-E60D-44A0-BFEA-A7A056DDAFF9@microsoft.com...
>A few questions (now that I've used this forum a few times, I'll get
>hooked!)
>
> If I want to install a sound card and video card, do I need to disable
> sound
> and video from the BIOS settings? I've blown the on board sound card in
> my
> computer. Heard a pop and no longer have sound. Video still works, but I
> am
> considering getting a separate video card for enhanced performance.
>

Normally, with working onboard sound and wanting to use an audio/sound card
instead, yes, disable the onboard sound and anything else related to it.

> Next, if my CMOS battery dies, does that clear my BIOS password and other
> BIOS settings? Do I need to go back and set another password and all the
> settings to the way I had them before the battery died? Also, can I
> change a

When the cmos battery dies, so do all the custom bios settings including
disabling onboard video and sound, password, time and date as well.

> battery any time? Must the computer be unplugged first?

Unless you have good reason to open the PC case and fool with the innards
while plugged in, the PC's power supply should be unplugged. All external
peripherals should be off.

>
> Lastly, I have an IDE hard drive. It's a 40 GB Samsung, 7200 RPM (sorry,
> I
> don't know the model). It's partitioned into three parts. My operating
> system and program files are on drive C. If I ever reformat that drive,
> then
> I still have backup and installer files on Drive D. Drive E contains all
> my
> digital pictures/videos/music (I've labelled that drive MEDIA...go
> figure!)
> Anyway, I'm getting off track. I am thinking of upgrading to a new
> computer,
> but want my hard drive installed in the new computer, either as the master
> (and still use Windows 98) or as a slave. My first thoughts are as the
> master. The newer computers will not take IDE drives in them, correct?
> So
> then I need to find a newer computer that is not too new? And secondly,
> how

Most are SATA only, some take ide as secondary storage, not boot drives.
Initially, SATA would map to ide on the first versions a couple of years
ago. You may get a windows ifshlp error if booting from a SATA drive as one
example. As with any new motherboard/PC, you need the motherboard and other
hardware specific drivers to effectively use it in the version windows you
intend to use.

> fast can the processor be for Windows 98 to properly work? I've heard
> that a
> 2 Mhz processor causes all kinds of problems with Windows 98. True, or
> not
> true?
>

Believe there was a KB article on it, the problem started at 2.1 GHz and up.
The ME version of the file can fix it by replacing the current version. At
least it did here. Don specified the filename in another reply, ndis.vxd.

> Okay, sorry for all the questions. As I mentioned in another post, I
> really
> do want to be able to contribute here and not just suck the life out of
> people! :-)
 
Re: BIOS settings

On Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:24:00 -0700, Paradoxdb3
<Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and
composed:

>A few questions (now that I've used this forum a few times, I'll get hooked!)
>
>If I want to install a sound card and video card, do I need to disable sound
>and video from the BIOS settings?

My socket 7 box has onboard video. If it detects a PCI graphics card,
then it automatically uses it instead. In my case there is no need for
any BIOS settings to be changed. The onboard sound, OTOH, needs to be
disabled in the BIOS setup, although on some motherboards this also
disables the onboard dialup modem.

>I've blown the on board sound card in my
>computer. Heard a pop and no longer have sound. Video still works, but I am
>considering getting a separate video card for enhanced performance.

You can gauge the impact of shared RAM for your onboard graphics by
running a memory benchmark utility. Compare the result at 640 x 480 x
256 colours with the result at 1024 x 768 x 64K colours. Choose lower
and higher resolutions if possible. If your motherboard is anything
like mine, you will see a big speed increase at lower resolutions.

>Next, if my CMOS battery dies, does that clear my BIOS password and other
>BIOS settings?

Probably, although sometimes the clock starts to run slow well before
the CMOS RAM contents are lost. If you quickly replace the battery at
this time, then your settings should be retained.

>Do I need to go back and set another password and all the
>settings to the way I had them before the battery died?

There are software utilities to backup and restore your CMOS RAM to
and from a file.

>Also, can I change a
>battery any time? Must the computer be unplugged first?

I always unplug a machine before changing any parts. When a machine is
in standby mode, +5VSB power is still present on the motherboard.

>Lastly, I have an IDE hard drive. It's a 40 GB Samsung, 7200 RPM (sorry, I
>don't know the model). It's partitioned into three parts. My operating
>system and program files are on drive C. If I ever reformat that drive, then
>I still have backup and installer files on Drive D. Drive E contains all my
>digital pictures/videos/music (I've labelled that drive MEDIA...go figure!)
>Anyway, I'm getting off track. I am thinking of upgrading to a new computer,
>but want my hard drive installed in the new computer, either as the master
>(and still use Windows 98) or as a slave. My first thoughts are as the
>master.

I'd install it as a slave.

The new machine will have hardware that doesn't match what Device
Manager found in your old box. If you want your old drive to be the
master, then you may need to boot into safe mode and install/replace
the various device drivers.

>The newer computers will not take IDE drives in them, correct? So
>then I need to find a newer computer that is not too new? And secondly, how
>fast can the processor be for Windows 98 to properly work? I've heard that a
>2 Mhz processor causes all kinds of problems with Windows 98. True, or not
>true?

I'm running an Athlon XP 2500+ on a 3 year old board. Not quite 2GHz,
but close.

>Okay, sorry for all the questions. As I mentioned in another post, I really
>do want to be able to contribute here and not just suck the life out of
>people! :-)

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
Re: BIOS settings

Windows protection error in NDIS with a CPU that is faster than 2.1 GHz
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/312108

--
HTH,
Curt

Windows Support Center
www.aumha.org
Practically Nerded,...
http://dundats.mvps.org/Index.htm

"Paradoxdb3" <Paradoxdb3@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:9737DCE2-E60D-44A0-BFEA-A7A056DDAFF9@microsoft.com...
|A few questions (now that I've used this forum a few times, I'll get
hooked!)
|
| If I want to install a sound card and video card, do I need to disable
sound
| and video from the BIOS settings? I've blown the on board sound card in
my
| computer. Heard a pop and no longer have sound. Video still works, but I
am
| considering getting a separate video card for enhanced performance.
|
| Next, if my CMOS battery dies, does that clear my BIOS password and other
| BIOS settings? Do I need to go back and set another password and all the
| settings to the way I had them before the battery died? Also, can I
change a
| battery any time? Must the computer be unplugged first?
|
| Lastly, I have an IDE hard drive. It's a 40 GB Samsung, 7200 RPM (sorry,
I
| don't know the model). It's partitioned into three parts. My operating
| system and program files are on drive C. If I ever reformat that drive,
then
| I still have backup and installer files on Drive D. Drive E contains all
my
| digital pictures/videos/music (I've labelled that drive MEDIA...go
figure!)
| Anyway, I'm getting off track. I am thinking of upgrading to a new
computer,
| but want my hard drive installed in the new computer, either as the master
| (and still use Windows 98) or as a slave. My first thoughts are as the
| master. The newer computers will not take IDE drives in them, correct?
So
| then I need to find a newer computer that is not too new? And secondly,
how
| fast can the processor be for Windows 98 to properly work? I've heard
that a
| 2 Mhz processor causes all kinds of problems with Windows 98. True, or
not
| true?
|
| Okay, sorry for all the questions. As I mentioned in another post, I
really
| do want to be able to contribute here and not just suck the life out of
| people! :-)
 
Re: BIOS settings

Philo, if you use a newish type of machine with a Pentium 4 board
architecture then Windows 98 Second Edition will work fine. That is what I
am currently doing. <grin>

"philo" wrote:

>
> <snip>
> >
> > I have a 2GHz (you meant giga Hertz not mega Hertz, there ARE
> > and never were any 2 MHz processors AFAIK) and run 98SE with no
> > problem. What you don't want is too much memory. I only have
> > 256MB RAM and NO problems. I believe you can have 512 and no
> > problems. I believe 1GB CAN cause problems.
>
>
>
> Win98 can run with more than 512 megs of RAM
> but a vcache setting needs to be changed.
> It's best to start with 512 megs or less...then add RAM after the setting is
> maded.
>
> However...
> with newer hardware there may not be drivers for win98 so if a new machine
> is built
> I highly recommend against using win98.
>
> I'd use Win2k or XP
>
>
>
 
Back
Top