Delta 2496 install problem on Win2000

  • Thread starter Thread starter mgchicago
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mgchicago

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Hello. I'm about to pull my hair out. With the card that I'm installing I'm having the following problem>

I did the install as it described, got the drivers on as far as I knew. When I restarted the computer, it would stay on the screen just before getting the black Win2000 screen with the loading meter at the bottom, with the option for F8 to troubleshoot.
In the end the only option I had was to take the card back out, restart (which worked) and reinstall the card, which then would fully start and I'd be able to use the computer, and have acess to the Delta screen for settings.
I was able to record with this, everything worked fine.

There is another soundcard that came with my computer, built into the motherboard (I guess most would have this) I have disabled this card as well, to run everything from the 2496 through a mixer.

Then, when I shut down to restart, the same problem happens-it will not go past the initial screen, leaving me to repeat the same process again. I even uninstalled the drivers, restarted, took the card out, and restarted again without the card, then again with the card again.
It was detected, however I didn't install the drivers because I wanted to see if I had the same problem again even without the card installed.

Any ideas? The card works, all is well with that (still a problem getting stereo output for some reason) but as it is now the card is not in the computer and I have no idea what to do, frustrated there is no tech support on the weekends.

I really appreciate your help. Thanks to those who have answered my previous question, I bought the 2496 and the Eurorack mixer, and if all finally works I'll have a nice setup here. Just tired of unhooking everything constantly.

Thanks in advance, I hope to get this solved by Monday :)

Michael
 
maybe an irq problem?- right click on "my compuer" choose "properties" find "hardware" or "device manager"- click "view" choose "resources by type" and make sure that youre card doesnt share the same irq with anything else- this may only be an xp issue- its a thougt though
 
Hello,

I've just done that, and keep in mind the card is not installed right now. However, on IRQ listings, the existing soundcard that came with the computer is listed, as are a variety of things like comm ports, keyboard, other stuff.

So, if the sound card I'm installing and the one built into the computer were both there, this would possibly be the problem?
If so, how would I fix it? I've disabled the existing sound card, should I do more?

Thanks, I appreciate it...Frustratingly writing music with my other guitarist wishing we could get this new stuff recorded...

Michael
 
no- they should both be there- the big question is, when the delta is installed, is it sharing an irq with anything else- i've heard the delta stuff doesnt share well- diabling the onboard should be more than sufficient- sometimes you can even use both at the same time- try installing the card in a pci slot- and make sure your NOT using the top slot (the one right below the agp video slot)- those two commonly share an irq
 
Thanks again for replying.

I have used both cards together, the problem is when I restart the computer. It won't fully start up.

I only have one free PCI slot in my computer, and that is where I am putting the audio card. The other one is taken by a modem.

How can I adjust the number of the card(s) IRQ within Windows?

Thanks,

Michael
 
Hi, this is my first post here but I may as well jump right in. I had the same problem with a Delta44 card. Do you have a network card in your pc? if so, then try removing it and see what happens. If you have an onboard network adaptor try disabling it.
 
There's not a lot you can do with IRQs in Win2000 without a fair bit of tweaking.
The root of the problem probably is IRQ sharing and Delta cards don't like it, at least not the way Win2000 does things.

For motherboard devices that you will never ever use, it's best to disable these in the BIOS set up.
Usually, hit DEL when booting to enter Bios setup.
The integrated / on board devices screen gives you the options to disable the sound, game and com ports. Windows will then completely ignore them.

To use Windows Hardware Profiles.
I can't remember the exact details but...
Find the Hardware profiles tab in System properties.
Copy the profile to new.
Rename the original profile - "Normal"and the copy "Audio"
Look in the hardware properties tab and go through all the properties of devices that you never ever use and check "Disable in ALL profiles" I'll bet serial port COM2 can go and COM1 as well if you have a PS2 mouse. The onboard Audio and Gameport get the push as well as the dreaded "WAV Device for Voice Modem" if you have it.
Now restart and select the Audio profile from the new Profiles menu Windows has created.
Now you can do the device disable procedure again only this time you ckeck the "Disable in THIS profile" option.
Out can go Parallel port (printer), Modem, Network Adapter. Anything you don't need for music.

The pci slot you fit your Delta card in can still make a difference. The second slot from the AGP graphics card is probably the best on most motherboards.
 
Hello, it's Monday and this problem went on all weekend. As I mentioned, I was able to record Saturday, it's just the startup process that doesn't work if I restart.

Maybe I should mention that my computer, though upgraded to win2k, was originally a Compaq Presario bought in 1998. All the specs meet the requirements of the Delta card. It's just that it's one of those integrated motherboards where the computer's soundcard and video card are built in, not in a PCI slot. I have two available PCI slots now after removing the data/fax modem (don't need, have DSL)
So, the suggestions I see about moving around PCI hardware-I'm not so able to do.
I don't think I'm completely at a stalemate, after all everything worked with Cakewalk Saturday and I was definatly pleased with the quality and finally being able to record better than I ever have. I was quite happy, just frustrated!
I'm at work all day today so no access to my computer at home. Will probably call the support number for M-Audio this afternoon.

I tried disabling the IRQ steering, thinking that I could manually assign them, but this doesn't seem to be the case. By now I should know every single thing there is to know about IRQ's with all the reading I've done...

Thanks again,

Michael
 
Win2000 uses ACPI to share IRQs. You can reinstall the OS and force it to PC STANDARD mode so you can have manual control over IRQ assignment. But... you will lose the auto power off as a result. The system will shut down and issue the "Safe to Turn Your Computer Off" message, but it will not shut itself off.

A Compaq Presario is not the ideal platform for this type of work. You are using old hardware with a newer operating system, and a very new piece of PCI hardware.

Remove all non-essential cards from your machine. Including the sound card. If it is a SoundBlaster, this is probably the cause anyway. SB cards are well documented as being bus mastering hogs and belligerant behavior on the PCI bus. Update the BIOS on your machine.

Be sure you are running Service Pack 3 on Win2000, and any hot fixes that apply to your situation.
 
Well, with all these problems I seem to be convincing myself of buying a new computer. What's nice is that this computer, at 350Mhz with an AMD chip has gotten me so far, got it in college at the end of 1998. Made many upgrades, Win2k, extra 20GB hard drive, cd burner, 400M of memory. For graphic design work that I do, Flash, Photoshop, etc. it has been more than good for me, I have DSL so that has been fine too. I have my Win2k disk so I wouldn't need that. I've got a 19" monitor, so no need for that.
I'd rather not spend more money to get a new computer, I've just spent $320 on a mixer, the audio card, headphones and cables.
Waiting to put money down on a new guitar as it is.
If this is my perfect solution, I'll see what I can do. However, everything recorded fine, decent speed, etc. when it was working Saturday.

Thanks for your suggestions, please keep them coming.

Michael
 
I've just about had it. I don't doubt that M-Audio is a good company, and that this card works somehow, but when hardware is produced that causes such problems, shouldn't the problem be corrected before selling more of the cards?

Michael
 
mgchicago said:
I've just about had it. I don't doubt that M-Audio is a good company, and that this card works somehow, but when hardware is produced that causes such problems, shouldn't the problem be corrected before selling more of the cards?

Michael
Click to expand...
Mike,
The AP 2496 is a very reliable card. Many folks here use and I have used it without a hitch. I do believe the problems reside in your PC. I would seriously consider a New PC if your going to use it for recording. Compaq's are good machines for most operations, but not recording... and at 350MHz your on the borderline of minimum requirements.
 
Well, now I'm going the new computer route. All this, and at first I was going to get a standalone digital 8-track for around $300! :D

Finding some very good deals at this site: www.tigerdirect.com
Probably will be able to put together a nice system, about triple my current setup. If anyone is curious or has reccomendations, feel free to reply.
As it is now I've probably started with a barebones bundle, motherboard, cpu, case and fan for $155, which is this:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?sku=S450-3053

I'd only be needing additional memory (I think my current computer is pc100) another hard drive, and a network card. Would be right around $250 I think.

Michael
 
Well...let me preface this with the statement that I'm no computer guru (I'm just building my first system)...

That system will definitely smoke your current system in performance but it is a bit on the backside of the current technology curve. You may be able to get a bit more machine for a bit more money that will help you be a upgrade-proof for a bit longer.

I am building mine from scratch...but here's what I did compared to your barebones system.

P4 2.4 533 fsb - $162
Abit BH7 mobo - $92
512 mb Crucial PC2700 RAM $65 (I actually go 2 :D)
Caese & PSU - $60 (estimate - mine was free :D)

That puts you at about $200 more than what you have now. But you could trim these prices a bit further by gettting cheaper, yet good, components. Going AMD would save you some $ & you could get a cheaper mobo. Maybe you could trim another $50 mine for a comparable system. Then you should have a longer time before your next major upgrade.

But hey...if yours is what your budget can handle...that's cool too. Just wanted put my $.02 in :)

OH..& plus the PC100/133 RAM is getting quite pricey I've noticed. I just had to do an upgrade of my wife's computer. I paid as much for 512 mb of pc100/133 (Kingston) RAM $120 as I did for my 1 GB of Crucial PC2700 ($130) RAM. Just a thought :)
 
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