Install problem win98

[PJAlt]

When installing Win98 on a re-formated HD I keep getting "fatal exception OE at 0028:C004... bla, bla..." and also problem with "Rundll 32" file. This problem appears at the end of install as windows is updating settings. I have Fdisked and Reformated before loading. Is this a hardware or software problem??? Any advice?

[Carpedebass]

Is this a known good drive? I had a similar problem that turned out to be bad RAM. But it could be several things. Have you made any hardware or software changes before the installation?

[PJAlt]

Yes, the drive was fine. Ram? I do get a set of three beeps at start up. I have heard that these mean something.
No hardware or software changes. Would not reformating wipe all software off the system?

[pillainp]

what system specs?

[pillainp]

By the way, here is a list of sites where you can learn about the (cryptic) beep language spoken by the BIOS:
http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml
http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm
http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/sys/beep/index-i.htm
http://www.abios.com/index.html

Hope you find those helpful.

NPP

[GaryRouth]

Definitely check out the beep codes that match your bios from pillainp's links. Probably bad/incorrectly-timed RAM. To test the RAM, you can try DocMemory from http://www.simmtester.com It's free for personal use. It creates a bootable floppy. It will start the computer in PC-DOS (or "Free-DOS", I can't remember which), then run the tests from there.
. . . Gary

[PJAlt]

Thanks, I will read up on beep codes and have dowloaded "DocMemory" and will reseat ram sticks and test. System specs: AMD K6-2 300 from Tiger Direct. I can't ident the motherboard but looks like Soyo. Having trouble with the video card. Only get 16colors @ 640x480. Trying to locate driver or will replace. But would these cause bad OS load???

[Carpedebass]

Actually yes it could. If the Vid card is trying to go out on you, it could cause some anomolies. I know this from experience. A Pentium 300 Mhz I have in my daughter's room had similar problems. I replaced the Vid card and all is well.

[GaryRouth]

If I remember, one of the three beep codes is for system memory (I think the first 640k error for the AMI bios), while on another bios vendor (can't remember if it was Award, or ?) one medium beep followed by three short beeps was an error in the video memory - so yes, it could be either system memory or video memory.

On a system of K6-2 vintage, the cd-drive might be dicey (or just dirty) by now. If you solve the bios beep codes with a part replacement, and still have file corruption errors, you may need to try a different cd-drive ( & test the hard drive, too)
. . . Gary

[p.s. .... 16 colors and 640x480 is normal for a new install of Windows 98. That is what the default Standard VGA driver built into Windows uses. After the operating system has finished installing OK, you can then install a driver written specifically for your video card. ---Also, I'd recommend starting over from scratch (reformat/reistall) once you clear the hardware trouble causing the bios code beeps. Otherwise you might be hitting corrupted files later on from your initial install]

[PJAlt]

Problem found! Bad RAM stick. Bad stick out, reformated and clean reinstall. New ram stick and other goodies ordered and on the way.

Thanks to GaryRouth for "DocMemory" a great utility and to Pillaimp for beepcodes. And thank you Carpedebass, you nailed it on the first reply.

[Carpedebass]

No problem. Glad you got it working again!