Re: Unable to boot/start win98 computer
I've reviewed the correspondence again and will attempt to provide the
additional information.
I previously stated that the BIOS (in CPU Soft Menu) correctly lists the
processor and I went back to this area to be certain. The processor is Intel
Pentium III 450 MHz MMX and that is what is listed in the soft menu. The CPU
Operating Speed however is only at 233 (66) and I don't know if that should
be 450 instead?? I doubt if this is a factor however??
In the Soft Menu the choices are:
!!CPU SOFT MENU!!
ESC: Quit
F1: Help
F5: Old Values
F7: Load Setup Defaults
(Shift)F2: Color
I chose the F7 based on my understanding of Glen's note but I presume
that was the wrong choice??
In the BIOS there are 12 lines from CPU soft menu, standard CMOS setup,
BIOS features setup, Chipset features setup,load set defaults,........ exit
without saving. Each section has multiple entries as you know. It would
take a long time to list each item in each subsection.
This computer was built in 1999 by a local professional computer guru.
The motherboard is a BH6. I have the box it came in with the name ABIT on it
so I presume that was the manufacturer?? I am unable to see any writing on
the board itself inside the computer that would identify it any further nor
am I able to provide a model number. I do have the BH6 User's Manual however
but no model number is included therein.
I have not added anything. I did remove the check marks from the
"atmsys.drv" boxes in the msconfig/system.ini area as was suggested in a help
section on the Win98 startup disc but when the same errors came up I replaced
them. It was then that I noticed on boot up that the "atmsys.drv" was now
replaced by the "lmouse.drv" line when I would click the screen after the
"Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a
Widows application. asivmsvc.vxd" and then the computer again shuts down.
I did use the run/sysedit section to change the "system.drv=atmsys.drv"
to system.drv=system.drv" and that line is in the [boot] section in both the
system configuration editor and the msconfig/system.ini area.
Glen the "etc" is was referring was the other file, the "asivmsvc.vxd"
but nothing else.
Sorry for the confusion guys. I hope this helps a little.
Lew
--
LJB
"glee" wrote:
> Actually, some BIOS setup programs used the name "Setup Defaults" for the optimized
> defaults. Of the setups I have seen that used that term, they called the "failsafe"
> settings "BIOS Defaults". It can get confusing.
>
> Lew, to be clear, please look in your BIOS setup and tell us what the choices are
> for loading default settings.....what are the names it uses for your choices? Give
> us that info along with the info Brian has requested.
>
> Also, you are adding stuff now that I don't recall seeing in your earlier posts.
> You mention "atmsy.drv; lmouse.drv, etc" where before you only mentioned the first
> file. What are the "etc" files? How many files are missing according to the
> messages you receive at startup?
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>
>
> "Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message
> news:ePgvM$nKIHA.4272@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> > Lew, Lew, Lew. What are we going to do with you?
> > Please read the responses carefully and follow them explicitly so we can get the
> > machine back in order.
> > Glen stated:
> > <quote>
> > The idea is to NOT load the "BIOS defaults" or "FailSafe Defaults".
> > </quote>
> >
> > You loaded the Default Setup, no, no, no.
> >
> > I notice you mention the Soft Menu shows the correct CPU. It should also show
> > some other settings such as the AGP, RAM, FSB, etc.
> > Could you please provide the Motherboard manufacturer/make/model and the CPU
> > installed so I/we can look up information on it. It appears to me that the FSB
> > may have been changed from what it should be to match the CPU to match the RAM
> > to......
> >
> > Batteries are cheap enough, may as well pick one up to swap out to be on the safe
> > side. Make sure you get the correct one for your mobo, as Glen mentioned the
> > CR2032 is the most prominent one around, yet there are the rare occasions that
> > one's different.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> > Conflicts start where information lacks.
> > http://basconotw.mvps.org/
> >
> > Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
> > How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
> >
> >
> > "LewB" <whoislew@hotmail.com(sparethespam)> wrote in message
> > news:06C4EA41-94A6-4B1E-87D2-1B0D01745075@microsoft.com...
> >> Hi Glen,
> >> Responding to your last reply the BIOS Soft Menu does show the correct
> >> processor and I entered "Load Setup Defaults" and saved but the same
> >> "unworkable CPU" line comes up on reboot. Which takes precedence, the
> >> problem with CMOS or the file problem ("atmsy.drv; lmouse.drv, etc)?? Should
> >> I proceed to install a new battery in view of everything?? Thanks
> >> --
> >> LJB
> >>
> >>
> >> "glee" wrote:
> >>
> >>> Is the BIOS setup Soft Menu showing the correct processor? If so, when you did
> >>> the
> >>> "routine", did you Load Setup Defaults (or Optimized Defaults...the language may
> >>> vary)? The idea is to NOT load the "BIOS defaults" or "FailSafe Defaults".
> >>>
> >>> If you do replace the battery, you need to be very careful not to break the
> >>> battery
> >>> holder or its clips.
> >>>
> >>> You must use the exact battery number replacement...the most common is the
> >>> CR2032
> >>> Lithium battery.
> >>>
> >>> You must turn off AND UNPLUG the computer first.
> >>>
> >>> You must follow proper ESD procedures to avoid ElectroStatic Discharge from your
> >>> body that could damage you motherboard's electronics.
> >>>
> >>> After replacing the battery, you may need to Load Optimized Defaults in the BIOS
> >>> setup again, and also make sure the correct processor is being shown, then Exit
> >>> Saving Changes.
> >>>
> >>> How to Avoid Destroying a Computer With Electrostatic Discharge
> >>> http://www.wikihow.com/Avoid-Destroying-a-Computer-With-Electrostatic-Discharge
> >>>
> >>> What is ESD or ElectroStatic Discharge
> >>> http://www.computerhope.com/esd.htm
> >>>
> >>> How to replace the CMOS battery
> >>> http://www.cybertechhelp.com/tutorial/article/how-to-replace-the-cmos-battery
> >>>
> >>> CMOS battery 2032
> >>> http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&safe=off&q=CMOS+battery+2032&um=1&ie=UTF-8
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> >>>
> >>>
> >>> "LewB" <whoislew@hotmail.com(sparethespam)> wrote in message
> >>> news:835B9238-F568-4166-9F1A-33221AEC4C93@microsoft.com...
> >>> > Hi Glen,
> >>> > I tried the "exit with savings" routine but the boot window continues to
> >>> > show that the CPU is unworkable or has been changed.
> >>> > The processor is a Pentium III 450 MHz. I'll try to find the battery for
> >>> > replacement. I've not done that before but believe I have seen it on the
> >>> > motherboard. Thanks for the input.
> >>> > --
> >>> > LJB
> >>> >
> >>> >
> >>> > "glee" wrote:
> >>> >
> >>> >> Replies inline....
> >>> >>
> >>> >> "LewB" <whoislew@hotmail.com(sparethespam)> wrote in message
> >>> >> news:7DA990A9-2165-4BAA-A1B5-F032CD4E0C5D@microsoft.com...
> >>> >> >I am trying to rescue some old files from a computer that has Win98 SE as
> >>> >> >the
> >>> >> > OS. The computer did function until recently and I obviously did something
> >>> >> > wrong. Now when I power up this error message immediately comes on:
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > "CPU is unworkable or has been changed. Please recheck-CPU SOFT MENU
> >>> >> > Press F1 to continue, DEL to enter SETUP
> >>> >> > Award Modular BIOS v4.5lPG, An Energy Star Ally
> >>> >> > Pentium III CPU at 300 MHz"
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > If I go into CMOS via DEL there is a CPU SOFT MENU II but there is nothing
> >>> >> > there to effect a change; only lists the CPU operating Speed and power
> >>> >> > supply.
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >> The BIOS setup program has forgotten what processor is installed. The Soft
> >>> >> Menu
> >>> >> allows you to choose the processor speed. It sounds like your CMOS battery
> >>> >> may
> >>> >> be
> >>> >> dying, causing the system to lose its settings.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Often just entering the BIOS setup, then choosing the option to Exit Saving
> >>> >> Changes
> >>> >> (even though you made no changes) will allow the system to properly detect
> >>> >> the
> >>> >> processor again. You may need to also load setup (or optimized) defaults in
> >>> >> the
> >>> >> BIOS setup.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> You may need to replace the CMOS battery on the motherboard (usually a
> >>> >> coin-type
> >>> >> battery), then enter the BIOS setup and load setup (or optimized) defaults,
> >>> >> save
> >>> >> changes and exit.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Do you happen to know what processor is installed?
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >> > If I click the F1 button the computer goes to the brief Windows welcome
> >>> >> > screen and then to another screen that is this:
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > "Cannot find a device file that may be needed to run Windows or a
> >>> >> > Widows application.
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > The windows registry or SYSTEM.INI file refers to this device file, but
> >>> >> > the device file no longer exists.
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated
> >>> >> > application using its uninstall or setup program.
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > If you still want to use the application associated with this device
> >>> >> > file, try reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > asivmsvc.vxd"
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >> In answer to this portion of your question, asivmsvc.vxd is a NEC printer
> >>> >> driver
> >>> >> file.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> Once you get the system working you can reinstall the NEC printer driver and
> >>> >> software from its disc, or from a download from the NEC support site. If you
> >>> >> no
> >>> >> longer use and had removed the NEC printer, after reinstalling it you can
> >>> >> correctly
> >>> >> uninstall it via Add/Remove Programs or via the Uninstall shortcut on the NEC
> >>> >> printer's Start Menu> Programs menu. Don't just remove the printer from the
> >>> >> Printers control panel.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> The error messge does not affect the running of your system, so it is not
> >>> >> critical
> >>> >> to fix right now.....your other problems need to be handled first. See
> >>> >> Brian's
> >>> >> reply for the atmsys error.
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >> > If I click any key the next screen is very brief but I was able to catch it
> >>> >> > with a camera and it reads: "error loading: atmsys.drv"
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >> As mentioned by Brian, open the system.ini file in Safe Mode, with Notepad or
> >>> >> Sysedit.
> >>> >> Under the [boot] heading, change the line:
> >>> >> system.drv=atmsys.drv
> >>> >> to
> >>> >> system.drv=system.drv
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >> > The system then shuts down but if I reboot I have a new screen that allows
> >>> >> > me to go into the safe mode. But there are only basic drivers here and I
> >>> >> > can't do much. I have gone to the HELP section in safe mode and tried
> >>> >> > several of the suggestions that have not resolved the problem.
> >>> >> >
> >>> >> > I want to reinstall Windows98 SE but in the Safe Mode the system does not
> >>> >> > seem to recognize my CD drive. I know this is a long winded piece but I
> >>> >> > appreciate any help from you experts in cyberspace. Thanks.
> >>> >>
> >>> >> --
> >>> >> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>> >>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
>
>
>