Messages

1

Quick Q&A / BIOS

« on: December 24, 2008, 09:46:17 AM »

 I swear...after this im done screwing with my pc for a while.
 After my fresh install of Vista, I poped in the CD that has my MSI P35 drivers & utilities. Updated the drivers, then installed an auto-update program which began flashing errors when trying to run it. "The service has not been started" & "Flash_MMIO_Map DeviceIoControl error".
 After unistalling this, then going to MSI's website, I DL'd it directly from there, and assume it was an updated version because it worked. I updated the newest chipset drivers, the decided to make a first attempt at a BIOS flash, since a new version was avaliable. Everything seemed fine, and the box noted my pc will restart when completed. NOTE: I did not make a BIOS backup floppy. Reason? I dont own 3-1/2" disks. I know theres a way to make a backup disk, but it didnt offer that option. And besides, I wasnt expecting to have a power-failure in the next 2 minutes, so i winged it. Im guessing that wasnt the wisest decision.
 After my PC reboot, I got a single long beep (this tone isnt mentioned in the troubleshooting page at MSI) Then, I saw "CheckSum Bad" flash on the screen & it brought me into BIOS, where I exited without saving. Windows loaded fine after that & I immediately restarted the pc 2 more times to see if it would happen again, and it did. SO......My curiousity got bad results, and I should've created a backup plan.
 Next boot I entered BIOS & selected "Load FailSafe Defaults".
 Everything has been fine during the reboots, no more strange beeps. The MSI auto-updater still shows 1 available update for my BIOS, and my BIOS version being splashed during reboots is the same as the origional, so I assume the BIOS flash never took, or was reverted back.
 After the goofs I made, and errors recieved, I dont want problems from the get-go, so I did another clean install of Vista. This time I let Intel install my chipset drivers.
 Only wierd thing is, besides having no idea what caused the BIOS update to go bad, is my CPU cooler fan no longer spools up to 100%, then drops down to a normal sounding speed when I restart my pc.
 In BIOS, the stock setting runs the cooler at a full annoying 100%. I have to tell it what target temperature I want (I tried 40C & 50C) and what minimum speed to run at (I tried 25% & 12.5%) in order for it to speed up or down according to temperature.
 The only thing I havent done is tried to heat up my CPU to see if it speeds the fan up accordingly.
 When this is enabled in BIOS, it used to always speed up to 100%, then backoff to a reasonable speed (Im guessing somewhere close to my "minimum" I selected)
 I dont know what I screwed up here, or what I need to fix, or If I should attempt to flash again.....?..
 Also...I just checked BIOS & im not seeing anything that states whether to allow or not allow BIOS updating. I'll continue to look online, and the manual. I also just cleared CMOS & that did nothing other than make me reset the time & date.
 I guess the CPU fan not doing what it used to isnt a huge deal, nor is not being able to update my BIOS...just strange.

2

Operating Systems & Software / Re: DVD Decoder?

« on: December 24, 2008, 09:16:32 AM »

 Yeah like I said, it sounded a bit strange as I never had a problem with it before. Im wondering if CCCleaner maybe deleted something during a registry cleaning process.
 

3

Operating Systems & Software / DVD Decoder?

« on: December 24, 2008, 04:26:46 AM »

 Hello BCC once again! Just a quick update from a previous post....I just got married a few days ago (thank you thank you) And enlisted in the US Army.....shipping out in less than 2 weeks & trying to get my affairs in order. (including my pc)
 The other day while having a game of BF2, my new MSI P35/Q6600 system decided it was time to show me what a BlueScreen looks like. Quite pretty I might add....the blue & all, with white text. (very wintery & seasonal)
 I checked Vista's error log & found my DVD software mentioned as a troublesome piece on that date, at that specific time. (CyberLink PowerDVD v.6)
 I never had a problem with this software before, so decided to NOT bug you guys for once & ask some clan members, which at 1 guys advice, to remove it completely as its known to cause "Many Troubles" for people, and some reference to being "poo".
 I did remove it, and went to majorgeeks to get VLM MediaPlayer.....then I noticed my media buttons on my Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard no longer could pause/play/stop/rewind/FastForward or control the volume.  A few days later, again in an intense virtual frag match of BF2, I saw that beautiful wintery BlueScreen again.
 This time windows error log was less specific as to the cause & listed no 3rd party software...matter of a fact, I believe the problem was something due to windows itself? Maybe a missing file? Didnt really specify, and what it DID specify was over my head. I allowed it to look online for a solution, to find none  available.
 Since I'll be away from my pc for the next 7 months, I'd like it to be error free when I get permanantly stationed in the Army, so Its getting a shiny new clean install of x64 Vista Basic as we speek.
 I just wanted to ask you all here, what has been your experiences with the whole DVD-playing situation? Windows Media Player recommends the Roxio Cineplayer plugin, but on Roxios forum, I see plenty of people complaining of problems.
 Any other thoughts?
 

4

Quick Q&A / Re: Wierd boot issue

« on: December 15, 2008, 07:39:09 PM »

 Honestly, this may just be the end for me with emachines. The few I had previous to gateway acquiring them were fine (for what they were). But now that you guys have helped me learn & build, I think im over the pre-assembled rigs. If the pc gives me any more trouble & requires more hardware, its only a MB & OS away from being a new pc.

5

General Hardware / Re: Perpetual Dead Hardware Thread

« on: December 14, 2008, 08:44:14 PM »

 Yay....my first dead-post. Hitachi DeathStar (deskstar) 160Gb IDE HD gone

6

Quick Q&A / Re: Wierd boot issue

« on: December 14, 2008, 08:40:12 PM »

 Ok... I picked up a WD Caviar 7200Rpm 160Gb SATA. Old was a Hitachi 200Gb 7200Rpm EIDE.....so and upgrade still. (Im sure she'll never fill 160Gb anyways) So far so good  Thanks Fujitsu!!!!

7

Quick Q&A / Re: Wierd boot issue

« on: December 12, 2008, 10:22:58 AM »

The "click click click" sounds like a hard drive to me, your really not having much luck at all with this PC are you?

The drive will usually still show up in the Bios even though its clicking (and most likely dead), I had this unfortunate experience a few months ago on my main system, and yah, reloading sucks.....

 I dont mind reloading, as much as I dont want to leave for the Army & have this same problem reoccur. Mom & my future wife (Tminus 7 days & nervously counting) wont have a clue what to do.
 Best part is, If it does crap out while im gone, mom wants to take over my girlfriends ASUS C2D SLI  rig I built her ($$$).......and then the girlfriend takes over MY p35 quad rig I built ($$$$$) HAHA-ahHA-ehhhhhhh all this power so they can play majong & send emails

8

Quick Q&A / Re: Wierd boot issue

« on: December 12, 2008, 05:58:21 AM »

 Well....latest update. The pc powered on, but once again nothing displayed on monitor, and the same "spooling up" sounding whine, followed by a click click...over & over, in a loop. It was my mother that started it, so I shut it down, disconnected the PSU & Digital VGA cables, waited, then reconnected & powered up. Upon post/bootup, the monitor showed the Video card type w/RAM amount page (as it should), then proceeded to the Emachines splash page with selections on entering BIOS/Boot sequence (as it should), then flashed the "To start recovery, press F11" text for 3 seconds (as it should).....but then, nothing. Windows never started.
 I tried it again. Same thing. I tried for the sake of trying, removing the Corsair RAM & putting stock RAM back in, and removing the Graphics card & going back to the onboard graphics. Nothing.
 I went into BIOS to see if maybe the HD wasnt recognized or sumthin, but all was present & accounted for.
  Unfortunately, I just enlisted in the US Army, and have 3-4 weeks before I ship-out for basic training.....so I wont be around to help with her PC problems should it reoccur. The pc has been working fine since the PSU upgrade, but she also has been leaving the pc on 24/7, with the "occasional" power downs & restarts here & there. I also havent made any hardware changes since the PSU, but after doing some looking around on the net, the noise im experiencing seems to resemble what others are calling the "click of death". And considering this happened a few weeks ago (except NOTHING came on the screen....just the HD noise) but now the OS wont load, should I assume the HD finally died? Even though its listed in BIOS? Should I be off to Fry's getting a new HD instead of bothering you guys? :p (Sry...but ive never had the pleasure of experiencing HD failure)
 
 
 

 

9

Quick Q&A / Re: AVG/Adware

« on: November 25, 2008, 10:23:36 AM »

 Should I consider DLing a second AV program verify & remove?

10

Quick Q&A / AVG/Adware

« on: November 23, 2008, 12:16:01 PM »

 Ive been running AVG (paid-version) Internet Security on my Vista x64 pc since I built it, since my old program wasnt Vista, much less x64 compatable.
 I ran into an issue a while back where AVG detected adware.xupiter on my pc.
 Strange thing is, first AVG makes me enable UAC (which I hate) then reboot & scan again, just to remove my infections/warnings.
 Well, with this one particular adware.xupiter, AVG says (after enabling UAC) That "threats cannot be removed by average user, do I want to remove as a Power User?" Which I choose yes.
 Sometimes it then asks the same thing again 
 Then I get an error saying "Some infections could not be repaired".
 Basically, I cant "heal" or "move to vault"......so, it remains.
 Location of said Adware:
 HKLM\System\ControlSet002\Enum\USB\6&2025D8a0&0&000\\ConfigFlags
 I tried typing this in Google with no results. Google results on Xupiter basically shows adware that can cause pop-ups....which I havent experienced.
 I tried booting into safe-mode & running AVG.....its supposed to automatically "heal" or "move to vault", neither which it did.
 I tried running regedit, to find the problem myself, when I got to the last folder "6&2025D8a0&0&000", I highlight it, and see the file in question called "ConfigFlags". Problem is, the 4 or so subfolders under USB, along with the one I highlighted ALL have a file called "ConfigFlags".
 Along with my many concerns, theres golden rules to follow by...
 #1 "If it aint broke, dont fix it"
 #2 "If you dont know what youre doing, stay the hell out of BIOS & Registry"
 Thanks to you guys, Im no longer scared in BIOS, but dare I delete a registry entry when I have no clue? *gasp
  I guess its not too huge of an issue, as im not experiencing any major problems with my pc, other than the norm........occasional game crashes & lag/disconnect issues, but I think these are irrelevant to this.

11

Quick Q&A / Re: Wierd boot issue

« on: November 21, 2008, 11:46:24 AM »

 I thought about that, but figured better just to get an upgraded PSU.......I got an Antec 500W Earthwatt on sale there for $50 (on sale) for my girlfriend's pc a few days ago, so checked again  yesterday and found a Thermaltake 500W one for my moms pc. Installed this morning, so, time will tell. Now i can throw that spare 300W one away (less clutter to the collective spare parts)

12

Quick Q&A / Re: Wierd boot issue

« on: November 20, 2008, 09:37:40 AM »

  Ok, ready for the punchline?
 Its 300W Delta Electronics 

 Yeah, this was my first assumption, unfortunately the only spare PSU lying around to test with is a ........you got it! Another Emachine supplied 300W Delta 
 Just wanted to hear some opinions before I spend $ (not that I have it to spend ATM)
 So......when the funds become available, that'll be the first thing I do. Thanks guys 

13

Quick Q&A / Wierd boot issue

« on: November 18, 2008, 07:00:28 AM »

 Hello BCC! Ive been w/o internet for 6Mo, so its good to be back! .
I'll be short. Just relocated back to Chicago from Florida BRRRRR !
 I recently ran into an issue with my GF's pc. I changed the processor cooler, changed the RAM (corsair value-2GB) and installed a PCI-E nvidia 7200GT (digitally connected to LCD)(latest drivers)
 I set the BIOS to boot CDROM first, and fresh-installed vista upgrade from XPME. Then after realizing her all-in-one printer isnt vista compatable, used the supplied restore disk to go back to XP. The HD does have a partition for recovery, and im not sure if this was overwritten during the process, or if the pc utilized this partition for a portion of the restore along with the disk data.
 Anyways, occasionally, during a restart or power-up, the monitor displays nothing. and I can hear what sounds like the HD going through some kind of a "loop" ie. whine like its winding up, followed by a click, over & over & over. The CDROM drawer also will not open. I also noticed that the processor cooler fan doesnt go to max speed, then slow down like my 2 other pc's usually do upon startup.
 The first time this happened, I connected the monitor using an analog cable with no improvement....unfortunately, I dont remember if I removed the video card & used the onboard, or just changed cables & continued using the card. Either way, I do remember just unplugging the power cable from the PSU didnt make a difference itself.....I ended up disconnecting the digital cable from the card, reconnecting it, then reconnecting the PSU cable & it powered up. Since then, Ive noticed the same sequence allows the pc to power up.......remove PSU cable, remove digital video cable from card, replug, and it powers up. Maybe just a coincidence, but I dont know. Im curoius what anyone here has to say.
 Heres the origional specs before the RAM & video upgrade:
 CPU:  Intel® Pentium® D Processor 805 (dual-core)
(2.66GHz, 533MHz FSB, 2 x 1MB L2 cache)
Operating System:  Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005
 
Chipset:  ATI Radeon® Xpress 200
Memory:  1024MB DDR2 (2 × 512MB), 533MHz (PC4200)
Expandable to 2GB
Hard Drive:  200GB (7200rpm, 2MB cache)
Optical Drives:  16x multiformat dual-layer DVD±RW
(Up to 8.5GB with dual-layer media)
Write max: 16x DVD±R, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+RW, 4x DVD+R DL, 40x CD-R, 24x CD-RW
Read max: 16x DVD-ROM, 40x CD-ROM
Media Reader:  9-in-1 Digital Media Manager™ (Memory Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, CompactFlash®, MicroDrive, SmartMedia, xD-Picture Card™, USB 2.0)
Video:  ATI Radeon® Xpress 200 integrated graphics solution
Up to 128MB of shared video memory
PCI-Express® (PCI-E x16) slot available
Sound:  6-channel (5.1) high-definition audio
Network:  10/100Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port)
Modem:  56K ITU V.92-ready fax/modem (RJ-11 port)
Peripherals:  Premium multimedia keyboard, 2-button wheel mouse, amplified stereo speakers (USB powered)
Ports/Other:  5 USB 2.0 (1 in front, 4 in back), VGA external connector, parallel port, serial port, 2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse), 5 audio ports (2 in front, 3 in back)
Dimensions:  14.25"H x 7.25"W x 16"D
Weight:  22.5 lbs
Windows Vista® Capable 
 I assumed it may be a lack of power issue, but ive only had 2 experiences with this. Either crashes or the PSU just dies......so.....im kinda confused with this one.
 

14

Quick Q&A / Re: No Front Audio

« on: April 16, 2008, 05:33:51 AM »

My word to FEVER: Let your own experiences guide you.  If the card works great - love it, cuddle it and be happy.  If it sucks for you and causes nothing but issues - be a Creative hater.  Until then - decide for yourself.

 Thats most likely going to be the approach im taking. Like I said, I ONLY ONLY ONLY purchased this card to resolve a motherboard issue. Other than that, I would much rather have dumped the much needed $100 into a 3870x2 I cant yet afford. I purchased an $1800 Velocity Micro pc, then dumped another grand or two customizing...........and 1 year later, Im running a new system, all updated & modern P35 with the old nvidia 7950GT that came in this VM stock. I way overpaid to have a "Brand" pc.....ive only owned emachines in the past & finally wanted something that gained respect, and had abilities for upgrades & overclocking. I was still to scared of a new build, and it came at an expensive cost. Now, I finally somewhat grasped how to overclock, im not scared in BIOS anymore, and I finally built a pc in a way ive never done before. Ive done PSU swaps, Case swaps, etc etc. But never a completely new MB transfer untill now.
 I have to be given SOME slack just for being a noob at this. And im not a "Creative Supporter", nor have I ever been. I didnt help them to get where they are today, and had I known before purchasing, I may have made a different decision. But Im with Ben on this one. It works, im happy, I dont see any "lack" of features, and if there ARE a lack of, I dont miss it. What am I losing, DTS? Everything seems to function fine in Vista, and I guess if I wanted to take precautions, I could save my current drivers to disk.....this should solve "minimal support" issues, correct? Or am I already past this point running ok in Vista?

15

Quick Q&A / Re: No Front Audio

« on: April 15, 2008, 05:57:23 AM »

 Funny how some things just fly right by you. I looked around at quite a few cards looking for 2 things, functionality for exactly what I needed/wanted, and brand name. I would have loved to gone with ASUS on a soundcard.......AND another one of their motherboards, but their 5h!t is too expensive nowadays. Competition keeps prices competitive, but lack thereof and its a runaway train. Throw in efficiency, customer service & known issues and you have yourself a migraine.
 I'm as familiar with the name SoundBlaster as much as the next guy, but yeah......I missed the part about it being a Creative product. Dont ask......it flew over my head somewhere between researching, pricing, grabbing off the shelf, reading the box before paying for it..........all the way until I got home & started to open it.....or maybe when I was installing the drivers.....I dont remember. I DO remember the piece of crap Creative keyboard that came with my Velocity Micro, and thats about my entire experience with them. I would love to take it back now that you bring this to my attention, plus im not a big-fan (yet) of their products........but at the same time, I wasnt able to find another product that offered special effects for headphones, THX, switchable modes, 2.1 jack for speakers and a header for my front I/O jacks. All for $100. Plus a very much needed PowerDVD for my new rig...free. Avaliable at my local big brick store 2 miles from my home, for only $20 more than the net had to offer.
 Instant gratification sells. Thats why we have so many fat-girls in the US 
 I never ever never considered wasting my money on a soundcard, when a pc came with audio stock.
 I dont have surround on my pc, and only as of last year got some really nice Klipsch 2.1 speakers. I didnt buy into the "sounds oh so much better" or the claims to "faster" whatever ingame.
 Unfortunately, I was just starting to like this card.
 It gave me my front audio back, 3D simulated surround in my headphones, sooo many sound effects to play with, and I finally dont have to plug, unplug, replug, my wireless headphones/pc/cable TV either.
 I believe Ive got 30 days, no questions asked return. If I can find a card with these features, for a similar price, I'll consider giving creative back their card.
 Thanks for the info. I'd love to jump onboard "sticking to" todays corporations, but this card was a simple answer to not having to tear apart my first "complete" build, just to RMA what seems to be a perfectly fine functioning MB.......other than an issue with front audio (that possibly may even have been a result of my own doing)