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Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

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Ok well this is strange because when the system works, its fast and it works great – no weird sounds no strange characters on the screen–nothing. The deal is that I built a brand new (all new parts) computer with an AMD K6-2 550mhz CPU and 128megs of RAM. I was testing the system (as I do with all new systems) and rebooted it a few times, leaving a couple minutes in between each reboot. Well out of about 10 reboots on 4 of them the computer gave me a black screen with an hour glass when loading Win98SE. Each time it happens I can’t get my system back unless I restart into safe mode then restart again.

I just don’t know why it works and works so well when it does some times, yet other times it hangs. Any suggestions?

I need this system as stable as possible because its for work not play.

-Tom

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Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Strange indeed…The only thing I could think of is your video drivers. What type of graphics/video card is present on this system? Also try going into safe mode and reducing the resolution and number of colors. The actual driver for your card may be incorrect causing the system to hang on occasion. Remember safe mode loads a generic video driver at its lowest resolution so I would bet its your video card or the driver.

(Dont always assume that the Win95 driver works with win98 either…I found that one out the hard way!)
Hope I could help!

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Install the shutdown patch from MS. I’ve seen a couple of articles on video card support sites that describe exactly what you’re saying and that was their fix for that. Apparenly there is something that isn’t updated in the registry (like a refresh rate or something) on shitdown.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Couldn’t find anything. not providing the url is next to no help at all. Thanks anyway.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Check for Overheating CPU i.e. AMD or INTEL

Pyro

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

I suspect this is the problem

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

The shutdown patch is a good idea … also have you DLed all the patches and updates from the ‘windows Update’ site?

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Tomsal,

You’re answer can be found in the AMD website and the most inportant solution you is a Bios Flash Update since AMD K6-2 are super-socket 7 based mobo and with WIN98SE, you need to Flash the BIOS.
Another suggestion, check the videocard manufacturer if they have any existing issue or problem with the type of Processor and Motherboard or even chipset that you have. Usually, SS7 mobo with Intel processor and chipsets has no conflicting issues like this but AMD had so many so I stronglysuggest to check with AMD.

Jun

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

I searched and couldn’t find the file, unfortunately I’m too busy to look for it in a huge site. Thanks anyway.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Download latest SPs for Win98 @ http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/default.asp

Be sure your hardware has the latest Win98 drivers…

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

Thanks for trying, but drivers wouldn’t have anything to do with this problem.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

I only offer this since you said it was a new Notebook. Does it have Norton Antivirus2000 on it? If so uninstall it and see what happens. If uninstalling it fixes the problem then call the notebook manufacturer or Norton and ask them how to configure it so it won’t keep happening. Also check for Realplayer and uninstall it also.

I just bought 3 new Dell Inspirons and had to remove Norton AV2000 altogether to make the lockups quit.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

In reply to Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t

I never said it was a notebook. Its a desktop. Thanks anyway, as a side note we have several Inspirons for our sales force and they run great with Norton.

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