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Spinman

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  1. Started a clean install of XP-MCE 2005 last night and discovered that Windows Update will no longer update XP-SP2. As I recall from a prior reinstall - certain aspects of MCE2005 must be updated in SP2 mode - once SP3 is installed, the components will not update. Is this true? Or can I install SP3 and let Windows Update do all the work? I've previously downloaded and have been able to manually install the following (9) updates: KB900325 = MCE Rollup 2 KB912024 = ehome rollup #2 KB913800 = WMP10MCE update KB925776 = MCE2005 - Post2 Rollup KB954086 = MCE2005 Protected Content KB976738 = Post 2 Rollup Security KB2502898 = Post 2 Rollup Security KB2619340 = Post 2 Rollup Security KB2628259 = Post 2 Rollup Security Are there any other MCE specific updates that I need to install before I apply SP3? Thanks!
  2. No modifications that I'm aware of (other than installing Hard Disk Sentenial - that changes the drive icons to a 'vista' scheme) Just rebuilt one of the other machines last night with a fresh OS reinstall. Following the inital boot - I had the same problem on that machine as well - showing all the drives (disk, optical, flash) from the same desktop in the other section. Have never experienced this before...
  3. Have 6 computers networked at home - on one of them, I am showing the drives from another computer in the other section of explorer. Strange that just this 1 computer is showing and only on this box - all other combinations are what I would expect... How can I remove? [image attached for problem clarity] drives.bmp
  4. Greetings - I'm playing around with the evaluation version of Window Home Server (built ontop of Server 2003) and have run across a video issue: Yes, I know that the video card and drivers are not supported in W2k3, but... I'm running an ATI 9200SE (128MB) PCI video card using driver v.6.11 [2006.11.15] - using XP drivers [installed in XP compatability mode]. I have not installed the control center, as I've read that it is not compatable with Server 2003. I've increased the settings for both the primary and the seconday display to full acceleration. When I run only with the SVGA monitor attached - everything works fine. When I run only with the S-Video TV attached - everything works fine. However, when I try to operate with both the monitor and the TV attached - my problems begin. 1) Colors shift slightly - pure whites become pinks on the monitor 2) Sharp details become slightly fuzzy and slightly distorted on the monitor. 3) The output on the TV is reduced from a great full screen image to 6 multiple, repeating images that are distorted and unviewable. Connect both S-Video & SVGA = problem begin Disconnect either SVGA or S-Video = problems end When testing the same configuration on my XP-Pro machine - I don't have any problems - I'm able to view output on both devices simultaneously. So it's not the card - its either the setup or configuration on the WHS box. Is there anything additional I can check / set / change in my configuration? Thanks -
  5. Some additional information - For some reason, after several boot attempt over the course of 1/2 hour - I finally got to the post test. I was able to do a warm boot and recycle through up to the Post test several times. Decided to flash the bios, to ensure I had the latest version - it worked fine (apparently I did have the latest version). I was able to boot the floppy and hard drive (once). Then the same problem returned - no post test. Reviewing the diagnostic tree on the SOYO web site, I ran a variety of tests and analysis. I changed the jumper settting to clear the cmos - when I rebooted, I was able to reach the post test. I'll keep checking for the next day to see if it has stabalized - or if problems return. I think I'll leave it on today and not press my luck - perhaps time for a little burn in test...
  6. Anything I'm overlooking? I decided to build a new box using new spare parts I've accumulated over the years for a "no-cost/low-cost" system. All new, untested retail components. Soyo SY-P4RC350 motherboard with Centron D-345 processor (478 socket/533mhz/3.06g/90n Prescott) Using onboard video, no additional agp or pci cards at this time. I mounted everything, booted normally and installed windows. Was relatively pleased that the system exhibited no problems (no warranty/exchange for defective parts available). During the assembly and windows installation process - the system was on for perhaps 1 hour and rebooted several times (both cold and warm). Once everything was up and running properly, I shut down and removed power cord for the evening. I returned the next day, added a few more hard drives to the system - when I tried to boot - nothing. No bios splash screen. The CPU fan spins, the led's on the board light, the hard disk spins - but no bios boot screen on my monitor. Does not make the sounds associated with booting (running but no video) - too silent. Tired reseating everything (memory, cpu, cables) - no improvement. Tried a different power supply - no improvement. Detached all hard drives - no improvement. Swapped memory chips - no improvement. Removed motherboard from case and tried to run on the bench - no improvement. Cant get to the bios splash screen and continue booting from there. Am I correct in assuming that the motherboard is garbage? Don't have another 478 socket board at this moment to swap out and check... Can't think of anything else to do to check / correct the problems... Thanks -
  7. Sorry I was so verbose - I guess I didn't clearly explain my through process... 1) Invest in a new P4 Prescott to achieve increase in performance over existing system ($70 - $130 out of pocket expenses) vs. expense of acquring new dual-core/Vista technology. Use this machine as my production box. 2) Retire existing P4 2.4g box from main production to home server (or possibily a MCE2005 box). I'm interested seeing if there is any noticeable performance difference between 3.0 and 3.4 prescott - will I notice the processor performance for the $60 expenditure - which I expect would be my main production box for another 2-3 years ($20/year for performance boost). 3) Do nothing and keep existing P4 2.4g system for another 2-3 years until switching to state of the art system. Save $70 - $130 by not buying obsolete prescott ($25 - $45/year). I guess I'm talking myself into the Prescott - just wondering about the heat issues - is the 3.0 cooler than the 3.4? or is that difference immaterial? More speed - more is better, No?
  8. Thinking about building a system from parts in my junk drawer - have everything available except a processor. Hate to invest money in a 478 socket processor - but otherwise, I see no future for the motherboard, PC3200 memory and cpu cooler I have collecting dust. Thought this might be something to stepup from a system with 845g chipset, 2.4g P4 w/ PC2100 memory until I make the leap to dualcore and Vista (which would allow me to dedicate the 2.4g system to use as a home server). Scanning the web, I see current prices for OEM P4 prescott's are as follows: 3.0g = $70 3.4g = $130 Is the 3.4g unit worth the $60 price differential (considering it is depreciated technology) so that I would have the best of the 478 processor family - or would I be better to get the 3.0g unit to minimize my investment in old technology. Or of course the other option is to skip the 478 entirely and build from scratch with current technology - and keep my junk drawer for future component failures. At which point, I would probably wait another year and keep plugging away with my 2.4g system. Just seeks some opinions before I jump....
  9. Trying to boot my laptop from a PCMCIA ATA Flash Card in order to install W98SE onto a new hard drive. (laptop is Itronix XC-6250-PRO, which does not have an internal floppy drive or internal CD drive). The bios supports booting from a PCMCIA Card (either ATA Flash or CF). Using a laptop already running W98SE, I have used FDISK to create a partition [1.2g, the card's capacity] and set the partition as active. Using Windows Explorer, I have formatted the card (FAT32) and installed the system files. (Don't think that I need to use FAT). When I reboot, the bios informs me that it is booting from the PCMCIA card - and after a few moments, receive message "Type the name of the command interpreter (e.g., C:\Windows\Command.com)". I assume that this message is generated by the hidden bootstrap files on the PCMCIA card, and not by the bios itself. So, it appears that the system is recognizing the card, starts to boot from it, but can't / won't load command.com to finish the process. I have tried entering just "command.com" and "X:\command.com" using drive letters a - z, but nothing worked. I have googled the message, and received suggestions about possible MBR or corrupt disk issues. Using FDISK to setup a new partition, I would have thought that would have resolved any possible MBR issues. Running Scandisk on the card completes with no errors identified. After booting from HD, I can insert the card and access it from both windows and dos. The command.com and bootstrap files are still present on the card. So it's not a readability issue, per se. Note: After using the DOS sys command to install the system files on the card, I get a message that the card can't boot due to I/O errors. Note: After using the DOS format command to format the disk and install the system files on the card, I get a message that the card can't boot due to I/O errors. Only when I format and install system files using Windows Explorer, will the machine begin to boot from the PCMCIA card - until I get the type name and location of the command interpreter message. Strange. Hardware incompatability issue? Does Dos format in FAT32 or just FAT? Does DOS format support a 1.2g capacity? In as much as it is W98 DOS v 7 - I assume no issue with Fat32 and 1.2g. Wondering if I purchase a CF card and reader to try this process - would I get the same results - or possibly get me over this hurdle? Do I need a type I or type II CF to emulate the ATA card? Appreciate thoughts -
  10. The box does not have built in lan - have PCMCIA lan card. Therefore, can't install from a network. USB port is not bootable. No CD. No Floppy. In the past, I've removed the drive and installed the OS via Ghost while mounted in a desktop. Guess I'll see if I can trackdown someone with a PCMCIA CF card reader and CF memory card - hand on experimentation.
  11. Not looking to run an OS from the flash card - I have a laptop that does not have an internal cd drive. Do not have the bootable external devices normally used with this configuration. Wanted to boot into w98 emergency startup disk loaded on the CF - and from there install windows from a directory that was previously installed in the card while it was in another system (that does have a cd drive). So my game plan is to use a 1 g CF card that would be bootable and from there start the windows installation onto the hard drive. Once installed - system would boot normally from the hard drive. Just trying to understand if any regular type CF card (type 1 / type 2) is bootable when used with a PCMCIA CF reader - or do I need something special that has "ATA capabilities"?
  12. My laptop is capable of booting from a PCMCIA ATA Flash PC Card (ie: http://www.simpletech.com/commercial/produ...aflashcard.html ) I have also heard that you can boot using a CF memory card - because it mimicks the ATA protocol and is recognized by the BIOS as a drive. Would like to confirm that statement. Can I use any combination of CF memory card and PCMCIA/CF adaptor - or do I need to look for something special to accomplish this? Some of the CF memory cards specifically state that they are ATA compatable, most do not. A few of the PCMCIA/CF adaptors state that they are ATA compatable - most do not. Are the few that mention it, different - or are they just marketing their components differently than the run of the mill CF products to justify a higher price? The general CF memory cards and PCMCIA adapters for digital photography are cheaper than those that state ATA compatable. Just wondering if anyone has any experience....
  13. I know back in the old days - it was important to properly install ATA devices to obtain max data transfer speeds. Wondering if the setup for motherboard RAID drives would run better if I installed the drives in a particular order - or is it inmaterial? I'd rather keep matching drives on the same controller if it won't degrade performance... Gigabyte 8IEXP running hacked full raid with onboard Promise 20276 chip Raid Drive A Controller 1 Channel 1 Raid Drive A Controller 1 Channel 2 Raid Drive B Controller 2 Channel 1 Raid Drive B Controller 2 Channel 2 - or - Raid Drive A Controller 1 Channel 1 Raid Drive B Controller 1 Channel 2 Raid Drive A Controller 2 Channel 1 Raid Drive B Controller 2 Channel 2 Because Raid Drive A will write 2 drives - is it better to send the two signals on the same controller or on different controllers? Is the signal send to the two devices simultaneously or sequentually? If simultaneously - then in my mind, it would make sense to use different controllers. If sequentually - then it should not matter. I searched Promise literature, but never saw the issue addressed - all they say is hook up the drives and then establish the array in the setup utility.
  14. The system itself is nearly 4 years old - no problems to date, with the exception of previously failed hard drives. Hardware is constantly updated. When I do a drive test using a floppy dos test - this is testing each drive individually - because the raid drivers have not loaded. However, I'm assuming that the vendor test program is properly using the raid chip properly. I have relocated my windows folder pointers off of the raid drives and back onto the C:\ drive. Next step is to break the raid configuration and boot with each drive as a stand alone device (if necessary). I was able to place my ear next to the drive cage and isolated the clunking drive to cage #2 - but was unable to determine a particular drive. This evening I removed my PCI ATA/100 card, and the drives attached to it - and have not had any lockup or clunking for the past 3 hours. I'll need to retest the card and drives to ensure they are operating properly. Starting to wonder if I was experiencing a conflict between the Promise 20276 Raid and the Promise Ultra 100 - even thought they have been installed and operational together for several years. Got to love the diagnostic process - swap and replace - until problem is isolated. Gigabyte 8IEXP motherboard running hacked full raid
  15. One of my machines has started displaying problems - wondering if anyone has any out of the box suggestions... Clean system - have run anti-virus and spyware detection tools - results are clean. Just to be sure, recently performed a clean install. System will lockup after about 15 minutes (don't know if it is time related, or work related). Hard drive access light is on steady. Keyboard inoperative. Have to hit the reboot button on the case (or power off / on). Several minutes prior to lockup - one of my hard drives starts to give the clunk / clunk sound of a drive beginning to fail. I have 8 drives in the machine - 4 stand alone drive and 4 assigned to 2 raid-1 arrays. OS is on C:\ (stand alone), while all data files (My Documents, etc) are on the 2 raid arrays. Have run Maxtor and Segate drive analysis from floppy disk during boot - all drives are reported as functioning normally - SMART is normal - no problems detected. If I take this at face value - wondering if this might indicate a power supply (voltage) or motherboard (chip) problem - or if I should refocus back on the hard drives. My next step would seem to be to reassign the data file folder pointers (not the data) back to the C:\ drive so that I can safely disconnect the raid drives. I would then disconnect the 7 other drives (one at a time) and use the system to see if lockup and clunk noise continues. If so, proceed to another drive. If not, reconnect and see if it returns. Replace drive as testing indicates. I guess I'm confused as to why the drive tests report that the drive are OK, but I'm getting the clunking, the lockup and the constant hard drive activity light (when lockup occurs).
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