OT: bios problem

[Guest]

Hello, Upgraded from Windows 98se to Windowsxp Home SP2, 31 minutes upgrade
time and under 2 minutes for activation. No problems with the actual upgrade.
Had to remove the modem and update the MB video drivers.
Replaced the modem with a external that did not work. External modem problem.
Installed a new internal modem, works fine.
During these procedures opened the case several times and started unit
several times.
Installed all critical updates from disc, several reboots needed.
At this time the problem with the bios emerged.
Problem: Takes from 1 minute 15 seconds to 3 minutes 10 seconds to get
beyond "Memory Testing" or upon a reboot "Memory Check". Memory shows the
following: 458752k + 64mb shared this shows at once after the wait. Before
this the time was about 5 or 6 seconds.
Once beyond "Memory Testing" the unit works in a normal fashion.
Did the following: Checked that the memory modules were clean and seated,
seem OK .
Ran the Microsoft Memory Test and the x86mem test both showed no memory
problems.
Checked in the BIOS for a type of "Quick Start" it was there and checked.
The only change I made in the BIOS was the boot order from Floppy - HD - CD
to CD - HD - Floppy.
Used Google and several different newsgroups, would appreciate any
assistance from folks in this group.
Computer Information:
Local build, company out of business. Unit bought about a year ago.
Unit used as a on-line backup, runs once a day for an hour.
AMD AthlonXP 1800MHz
MB: Biostar M7viz KM400-8235
Chipset: VIA VT8378 Unichrome KM400
Graphic: VIA/S3G KM400/KN400
BIOS: Phoenix/Award v.6.00pg
HD: Maxtor 40gb 7200rpm uata133
Memory: Kingston K 2 modules of 256mb each pc2700 ddr sdram
64mb shared memory.
I am not knowledgeable in terms of computer maintenance, will try to folllow
directions given.
Thank you for your time and any assistance you may render.
Take Care.
beamish.

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

Hello, Upgraded from Windows 98se to Windowsxp Home SP2, 31 minutes upgrade
time and under 2 minutes for activation. No problems with the actual upgrade.
Had to remove the modem and update the MB video drivers.
Replaced the modem with a external that did not work. External modem problem.
Installed a new internal modem, works fine.
During these procedures opened the case several times and started unit
several times.
Installed all critical updates from disc, several reboots needed.
At this time the problem with the bios emerged.
Problem: Takes from 1 minute 15 seconds to 3 minutes 10 seconds to get
beyond "Memory Testing" or upon a reboot "Memory Check". Memory shows the
following: 458752k + 64mb shared this shows at once after the wait. Before
this the time was about 5 or 6 seconds.
Once beyond "Memory Testing" the unit works in a normal fashion.
Did the following: Checked that the memory modules were clean and seated,
seem OK .
Ran the Microsoft Memory Test and the x86mem test both showed no memory
problems.
Checked in the BIOS for a type of "Quick Start" it was there and checked.
The only change I made in the BIOS was the boot order from Floppy - HD - CD
to CD - HD - Floppy.

Have you checked to see if the boot time changes when there is a CD in
the drive or not? Maybe the extra time you are seeing is because it is
searching for a bootable CD.

 

[Guest]

Have you checked to see if the boot time changes when there is a CD in
the drive or not? Maybe the extra time you are seeing is because it is
searching for a bootable CD.

Hello, No I have not. Will try with a CD in the drive.
Thank You for the suggestion.
take care.
beamish.