Help! Computer won't bootup.

  • Thread starter Thread starter mada
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mada

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OK, let me give you a little background information before I get into the problem at hand. My system:

AMD Athlon 1GHz
ABIT KT7a-RAID with a VIA chipset
512 MB RAM
4gig 5400 RPM for apps
30gig 7200 RPM for audio
Win2k pro
N-track
Delta 44

I was having the common problem that VIA mobos have of clicks/pops/crackle during playback, and after searching the net and trying everything suggested, I finally found something that worked. I disabled ACPI. I did this in device manager by updating the drivers to "Standard PC". After restarting, I had to reload all my drivers, including the MoBo, video, and delta drivers. I did some tests in n-track and everything worked and sounded great. I came back a couple of days later and my system would not bootup. It got stuck at the white Win2k startup screen. So, I reloaded ACPI, in safe mode, and it booted up right away. I figured that disabling ACPI the way I did caused my system to not bootup, so I reinstalled win2k as a standard computer. Again, everything worked perfectly. I even shutdown the computer and restarted and it booted up fine. But, the same thing happened a couple days later. I tried to boot up and it stalls at that same screen. Does anyone know why this is?

I'd appreciate any help with this. I've been trying to get my studio up and running for a while now, but it seems like there are an endless amount of little problems. If you need any more information just ask.

Thanks in advance,

Adam
 
"I was having the common problem that VIA mobos have of clicks/pops/crackle during playback"


HUH? I've built my last three DAW PCs and none has had this "common" problem.

Troubleshooting for me goes like this: "what's the last thing I installed before the problem started?" Usually it's some cheap biz card or videophone or web cam software. This is why I use a dedicated DAW PC now. What is the last thing you installed? Try disconnecting everything except the monitor mouse and keyboard. Some printers or scanners dont like some computers. Don't ask me why, it just is. I go from the last thing added and remove until the problem is fixed. Be sure to remove all drivers associated with each device or all roots of any software. When you arrive at the culprit you can either ditch it if it's not important or find better drivers/versions.

Good luck!
 
Ok, I realize that not all mobos with a VIA chipset have this problem, but a lot of the older ones did. It may also be a problem with the Delta drivers and the VIA chipsets. Anyway, I'm not sure how to troubleshoot this one because everything seems to be working fine, untill I try and bootup a few days later. This is a dedicated DAW with only a mouse, keyboard, monitor, and the Delta 44. Anyone have any ideas or know anything about ACPI that might help?
 
How long is the stall? The little progress meter in Win2k will hang up at several points for as long as 15-30 seconds at a time as it brings everything online. Make sure you're not being impatient! The next time it appears to lock up when you start the machine, go make a sandwich or something and see if it doesn't finish booting.

Also, if you're not running ACPI, disable it in the system BIOS as well.

Slackmaster 2000
 
Adam, what service pack are you running on that machine? A little poking around revealed this article:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q266344

While it is not specifically your issue, the article does specifically mention VIA chipsets and hanging with regards to ACPI. If there is some common feature that causes both this and your problem, the service pack may well do the trick. You can get this stuff at

www.windowsupdate.com

Good Luck.

Also, what is your video setup in this machine? I have seen 2000 Hang at the exact same point while setting up machines that have an disabled integrated video card and an upgraded card in one of the expansion slots.

Hope you get it sorted,

OB
 
Ma/T said:
buy a Mac. Problem solved! ;)
Click to expand...
Man that is soooo lame! Help or shaddup.


I did outline the troubleshooting method I use in my first post. I still think that if it was working before something new, software or hardware has caused the instability.

Remove installed components from last to first until the problem is found then work on finding the newest drivers or versions of software.

Osbick makes a good point. If any onboard video or sound chips are booting wiht the installed video or soundcards it could hang like this. Disable onboard sound or graphics in the system BIOS.
 
Here's what I've done. I turned it on and went and had a shower, just to see if I was being impatient. :) The computer was still stuck at the same point after about 20 mins. So, I resarted and noticed that it hangs right when the delta 44 card is initilized (I can hear the little click). I booted up using safe mode and unistalled the delta 44, removed the card from the slot and rebooted and what do you know, it worked! So I shut down the computer (it didn't turn itself off, this might be another problem?), reinstalled the delta card, restarted, and it hangs again at the same point. :( Could it be a problem with the Delta card and not having ACPI enabled? I might try using a different pci slot. Any other ideas?
 
mada said:
Here's what I've done. I turned it on and went and had a shower, just to see if I was being impatient. :) The computer was still stuck at the same point after about 20 mins. So, I resarted and noticed that it hangs right when the delta 44 card is initilized (I can hear the little click). I booted up using safe mode and unistalled the delta 44, removed the card from the slot and rebooted and what do you know, it worked! So I shut down the computer (it didn't turn itself off, this might be another problem?), reinstalled the delta card, restarted, and it hangs again at the same point. :( Could it be a problem with the Delta card and not having ACPI enabled? I might try using a different pci slot. Any other ideas?
Click to expand...
If you need help please answer the questions. Are there any onboard sound or video chips on the motherboard?
 
mada said:
I have a 16mb AGP video card and no onboard video.
Click to expand...

I already answered this about the video. And no there is no onboard sound.
 
Sorry I missed the video card thingie.
Another question round. Was the Delta ever working? What was the last thing you installed? Did the boot problem coincide with any hardware or software additions? Does the computer have a new printer or scanner? Did you install any new audio software recently?
 
jake-owa said:
Was the Delta ever working? What was the last thing you installed? Did the boot problem coincide with any hardware or software additions? Does the computer have a new printer or scanner? Did you install any new audio software recently?
Click to expand...

Yes, everything was working before I disabled ACPI. No, there are no printers or scanners or any other device attached except a mouse, keyboard, and monitor. No I didn't install any new software recently.
 
Thanks for those links. I poked around but didn't find anything useful.

Anyone else have any ideas?
 
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