Insane and bizarre problems with new Athlon system

[Paladin128]

OK... I'm having absolutely horrible problems with a new system I just built for a relative of mine. Here's the specs:

AMD Athlon 1000
MSI K7T Pro2A
Crucial 256MB PC133 CAS2 DIMM
Creative nVidia TNT2
USR Performance Pro PCI modem
SoundBlaster Live! Value.
Creative Labs 8x4x32 CD-RW
IBM 75GXP 45GB
NEC internal Zip 100 drive
Generic floppy

The OS is Win98 SE. I have three problems:

1) Windows does not recognize the modem

2) When I install the Via 4-in-1 drivers, I often get a problem that prevents Windows from starting. Windows freezes as soon as it stops showing the startup splash screen. If I hit CTRL-ALT-DEL, the task list shows a lone file... something like "msgdrv.dll (not responding)"

3) Occasionally when I boot, the motherboard freezes at "Detecting IDE Drives..."

I've tried removing all non-essential hardware and re-installing several times. Last time I installed, the only perifferals connected were the graphics card, the CD-RW, the zip, the floppy, and the hard drive. I'm at my whits end here. I have a few theories:
1) The motherboard is a dud.
2) The power supply is not good enough (the dealer at the PC show advertized it as Athlon approved, but it doesn't appear to be on the AMD list)
3) Both 1 and 2
4) God is trying to tell me never to build a PC for someone again.

I've NEVER had any difficulties like this with a new PC. Anyone have any advice??

--Aaron

 

[Marzod]

As far as the modem goes, remove it from your system, reboot with it removed, then shut down again and install it to another slot. If you decide to format c and start all over, I would install the 4 in 1 drivers very first thing. Cancel anything that tries to install before you do this, especially your video card. I am using the 128's on the same board same memory and same cpu with no problems at all. I seem to remember seeing or reading the live value and via are a little tricky to get working together. I think you might have to disable emulation if the value card has it.
I wish I could help more.

 

[Marzod]

.

 

[Surfhead]

Don't feel all alone. I am having the same problems with my new system. I have a ABIT KT7A, I think your motherboard uses the same chipset. There is a problem with the chipset, and some of the peripherals that we are using. The soundblaster live sound card, and the IDE ZIP 100, don't get along with this chipset. It has been the topic of many threads on other boards. First of all, don't load the 4 in 1 drivers. Use the ones from Win98. Second, download the Busmastering IDE Drivers from Via and install them ... http://www.viahardware.com/download/580_3011.EXE See what happens then. Before this though, un-install the 4 in 1 drivers . Good Luck.

 

[Paladin128]

Marzod: Did everything you said several times. Thanks anyway.

Surfhead: I no longer have the sound card in. The Zip drive is still in though. Could that honestly be causing the problem?? I figured an IDE device would be harmless...

Update: I re-installed, this time ignoring the 4-in-1 drivers, and got the same problem on reboot.

 

[Pederv]

In addition to the suggestions given above:
Make sure your hard drive is properly detected.
Double check your IDE devices are set properly as master and/or slave. Get a win98 startup disk and try running scandisk on your hard drive, or run the diagnostic software made for your hard drive.
You may have to find the proper drivers for your modem in order for windows to recognize it. Had that problem with a friends-mom's system, it was some off the wall combo modem-sound card. Windows would recognize the sound card but not the modem, so had to find drivers that would work (major pain).

 

[Passions]

The sound card could cause those problems, I had alot of trouble with an MX300 and 1ghz t-bird. Also, had same problem with bios not detecting hd sometimes, but going to 98se fixed it. Donno man.

 

[Paladin128]

Update: I removed the Zip drive, and everything started working again. Adding back the sound card and modem soon.

Pederv: Already tried the drivers thing. I know that's common with those crappy Packard Bell soundcard/modems. This is a VERY nice PCI modem (not a winmodem, USR's top of the line internal consumer model).

Bobby Ribbs: Worst comes to worst, I guess I can use the on-board sound.

 

[CapNjacK]

I use the X-Gamer. I think most of the VIA chipset problems with the Live is really with the older Values. At least the X-gamers are cheaper now. (not by much tho)I have the same MB/CPU that would be why I compare, forgot to mention.

 

[Paladin128]

Well, got everything working. Thanks everyone for your help!!!

It turned out the culprits were the Zip drive and the floppy drive. The zip drive works in other systems, but the floppy is dead.

I have had no problems with the SB Live! after removing the other two components, re-installing Win98, and all the drivers.

My cousin and I thank you all for helping me build a poor college student a stable, inexpensive speed demon. I tried to talk her into a GeForce 2, but she doesn't do gaming.

Thanks again!!

--Aaron

 

[rgroves]

Yea, the MX300 and the KT-XXX chipsets ARE NOT COMPATIBLE... You need to get another sound card. I have problems with my KT7-RAID and a MX-300. I replaced it with a Ceative Labs Sound Blaster Live MP3 + 5.1 card and all my problems went away.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

What I usually do:
1: Install everything and just start installing windows
2: If problems occur during 1.: install the minimum and start reinstalling one part at a time until complete or diagnosed.