No games, no fun

[redbaron_snoopy]

This is my 1st posting here...I hope some kind souls out there can help me.
I have 3 (!!) problems and not sure if they are related.

1) Unable to play VCD files (Media Player 7.1) : can hear sound but no picture
2) Unable to play 3D games : monitor freezes up or pc lock-up or
3) after installing, can't run...message says insert CD-ROM.
(the CD-ROM is there all the time !)


Here's my system information....

PII-300
256Mb ram
nVIDIA GeForce 256 card (latest 12.41 driver downloaded & installed)
(the box says it supports DirectX 7.0...does it mean I can't use 8.0a ?)
15" LCD screen
Win 98 SE
Media Player 7.1
DirectX8.0a (downloaded from Microsoft site)

C drive : 20Gb 7200rpm Quantum
D drive : 4.1Gb 5400rpm Segate
E drive : Sony 8x4x32 CD-RW
F drive : 48x CD-ROM

Games tried and failed :
Mech Commander 2
Spearhead
...even "Jumpstart Maths for Kindergartners" also freeze up the monitor.

Help Help Help !

[Xayd]

If you downloaded DX 8.0a, you'll probably need new vid card drivers, so check nVidia's site for the newest version(s).

Also, go into device manager and hit properties on computer, paste your IRQW assignments.

No video in a movie and games crashing--might be something sharing with the vid card that is causing problems.

Xayd

[redbaron_snoopy]

The driver I got from nvidia is the latest and support directx 8.
I do this after I encountered problems with vcd and games but it did not rectify the problem.

IRQ assignments as follows :
Settings Hardware using the settings
00 system timer
01 std 101/102 key or microsoft natural keyboard
02 programmable interrupt controller
03 com port (com 2)
04 com port (com 1)
06 std floppy disk controller
07 epson printer port (LPT1)
08 system CMOS/real time clock
09 VIA tech 3038 PCI to USB universal host controller
09 ditto
09 IRQ holder for PCI steering
10 VIA AC'97 audio controller (WDM)
10 IRQ holder for PCI steering
11 Lucent Win modem
11 NVIDIA GeForce 256
11 IRQ holder for PCI steering
12 PS/2 compatible mouse port
13 numeric data processor
14 VIA bus master PCI IDE controller
14 primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
15 VIA bus master PCI IDE controller
15 secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)

The above is the whole list...see any problem there ?

Thanks in advance Xayd

[Xayd]

Does it only lock up or fail to display video when you're online?

Your modem is sharing an IRQ with the vid card, which could be the problem.

Also, do you have the Via 4in1 drivers installed? There's usually always one PCI device that won't work until the IRQ routing driver is installed in Win98.

Xayd

[winston]

Not able to play VCD's in media player most likley dont have the right codec. You might need the Divx Codec which helped me out on a couple of VCD that wouldn't play video just sound.

[redbaron_snoopy]

It lock-up or freezes when modem is not in used. (I don't use both together so far) I heard about the VIA 4 in 1 but do I need it ? Nothing was mentioned in the manuals. Any "side effects" if I go ahead and install it ?

How about if I move my modem down a slot instead ? Will that change the IRQ ?

As for codec, I don't think it is the problem because a few weeks ago, I was able to use the same media player to play vcd. I've a few different players and they all exhibit the same behaviour - sound but no video.

My guess is the directx8.0a because that is the last thing I can remember downloading that relates to video. However, I'm not totally sure.
Problem is, uninstall is not available for directx 8, otherwise, I would have uninstall it and reinstall maybe directx7.
I've also tested the vid using Access-System tools-diagnostic and it says that my directx8.0a is fine. however, when i click on the tests buttons for direct3D and directx, the pc hangs. My vid drivers are the latest though.

Sorry for the long story but i hope what i did (or did not do) gives you more clues as to what problem i have.
I've a few days off starting tommorrow and would sure like your advice how I should go about it (short of reformatting).


Many Thanks

[glc]

Yes, move the modem down. Slot 1 shares IRQ with the video card - leave that one empty. Turn Com 2 off in the bios if you aren't using it. Definitely install the 4 in 1 drivers - this is mandatory.

[redbaron_snoopy]

Beakthrough alas!

Moved my modem down a slot but didn't solve problem. What did it was installing the VIA 4in1. Many thanks Xyad and glc and those who gave advice.

Still have one problem though...when I tried to run some games, it says "insert CD-rom" ?? Have the same problem with both my E and F drive (CD-writer / CD-rom respectively)

[glc]

You have to insert the CD - into the same drive letter as when you first installed the game.

[redbaron_snoopy]

I did...it didn't work.

[TdM]

there is a couple of reasons that could happen the first thing you should do is reinstall the game if you have been messing around with your pc it can do this on some games other reasons are -

a)your cd drive has gone barmy

b)your cd that the game is on is damaged in some way

c)The game is a copy and copy protection has slapped you down (inw hich case you will need a patched exe to run it - which I don't endorse - buy the game!!!)

if none of these are the problem then all I can suggest is hit your head against the table until it starts working or you knock yourself unconcious....

[Xayd]

The 4 in 1 drivers install new IDE drivers, which to the game appears to be a new IDE controller, so it might not be seeing your drives properly.

The only fix I know of is to install the games over the top of themselves, that should clear it up.


Xayd

[redbaron_snoopy]

Finally ! My pc is up and running well. Thanks Xayd and others. Thanks for the great advice