BleepingComputer.com: insane computer-2

I had an earlier thread but will start a new one. The subject dealt with an old Compaq 400mhz AMD computer W98.

I was presented with some solutions in thread #1 (I think) and such things I can't persue in 52 seconds.

I was just trying to fix this thing before I toss it.


Several questions.



(1) Ever see a W98 computer that in 'control panel' and 'internet options' there is NO 'GENERAL' page? The page where you list your start page and control temporary internet files,etc???

(2) My FATAL EXCEPTION errors seemd to (almost) vanish with removal of any 128 Ram Memory. The computer won't run on a 128 chip. If one is added it won't be recognized. Put 3 (theres 3 slots) 64's in and all fine.(even different manufacturers) I took the 128 sticks and put in a very similar 475mhz Compaq and they work wonderful.


(3) I can get no modem to work. Windows recognizes it...installs drivers....but never will any modem work.....


In Device Manager (my computer-properties-device manager) it lists one MODEM. Correct one. On modem it lists COMM 2 as port.(with no option to change)

On the listing of ports further down in 'device manager' it lists that LPTD? (whatever it is) which is printer port. The only other listing is COMM 1.


Modem on COMM 2?

I only have 2 pci sockets. Switched modem and it still listed under COMM 2.


Is this normal?

Hey....a little help?







I don't have experience with endless w98 computers to know what is normal or not.




The only one I have up and running now I'm using now...old CTX Laptop with W98.




A little simplier question?



In Control Panel I click MODEM and it shows it on COM2



RIGHT CLICK 'MY COMPUTER...'PROPERTIES'...'DEVICE MANAGER' it lists only LPT and COM1.




Now I do this on this laptop it shows MODEM on COM3. In Device Manager its lists LPT and COM1 and COM4.


Why? I'm dialing up fine with this laptop and COM3 not on list.




I need a tutorial on 'ports' and and what shows in device manager,etc.



The computer with problems I sat there for hours this morning running a Compaq Diagnostic Disk and according to it and all else tried EVERYTHING IS NORMAL. It only goes throgh a COM1 test as to COM ports.


A computer that will not recognize a modem. I boot up...new hardware...windows installing the software for it....---but never a workable modem.....



I guess maybe I should try an USB modem....or SERIAL PORT? Who wants to invest in a 400mhz computer?(spend anything)


At one time I bought a Windows ME updater disk.(to use over 98) Maybe I should stick that in there and take a big guess what happens. I'm just relying(sp?) on RESTORE disk from Compaq. With one disk I presume the whole works should be on it. As to wiping the hard-drive and installing w98 from somewhere I'm not quite that experienced. All the driver stuff,etc.

Have you made any upgrades to this computer or is it just like the day you bought it?

You can try to go to the device manager and remove the modem and then restart the computer and let it reinstall the drivers.

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When you double click internet options from the control panel the is no general tab. Is that correct.

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Compaq's are very picky about the RAM I have seen this in several cases. You will need to make sure you are using the correct speed of RAM and not putting in more then the MB will support.

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Yes this is normal. The operating system will assign the correct comm ports.

I picked the computer up for almost nothing a couple
years ago. It sat in its box until now. By box it's a
Compaq RE-FURBISHED. Preserio 5190 400mhz 12gb
hard-drive....should be able to take 3 128 ram
chips....

I'd guess the thing was a lemon that got shipped back
to Compaq and Compaq shipped it out again and threw in
a RESTORE disk.

I just hate to have the thing beat me. Of coarse it's
getting ancient but-----



The thing is just insane. Every direction to try to
de-bug another crazy problem. As of this morning it
boots up fine into Windows but try safe-mode or bios
the keyboard does not work. Its works when booted into
Windows. A new one.




The only thing I ever did with computer is about a
year ago dial-up with it and install Microsoft
Updates. I heard the rumor they might discontinue w98
updaters so---- (otherwise as said...never used)


Of recent I pulled it out (october 2005) and started a
little internet use with it. Downloaded-installed a
few programs. Anti-Virus.

One day I went to dial-up and no modem any more.

I tried to figure that out with no luck. I installed
some HI-VAL modem I had sitting around here never used
and says Win 95/98 on box. No luck. I bought another
modem (Diamond) that did not work.(noticed later it
said Windows 98SE/ME/XP) I bought another modem that
said W95/98/ME/XP on it. No work. (same modem Staples
is selling this week for free after rebate)


OK...Wonderful by theory Windows will find the modem
and install the drivers and correct port.


In Device Manager it will list the modem correct. The
only ports listed are COM1 and LPT1 (LPT for printer)


I was just curious about this:::::::::::: In Control
Panel click MODEM and it shows it on COM2. Should not
COM2 show up in Device Manager?




I have removed Modems from Device Manager and done the
re-boot endless times.


This morning I pulled the last modem out. Guess what
happens when I click to dial-up? It gives a blue
screen and error code: INVALID VXD Dynamic link call
from ROKV42 to Device 367B SERVICE 8001. Do a Google
and thats a Rockwell modem code. Rockwell was the
original default modem thats been out of the machine a
long time.



I've run diagnostic tests from the Compaq disk and
nothing is ever wrong. I've run a couple software
programs and nothing is ever wrong. (Symantec
Systemworks..VCOM System Suite)


I did a complete RESTORE. A few times it stopped
saying could not read disk but continued to 100%.


Is there anything on this hard-drive in some
partition? I think everything is on the RESTORE disk.


Maybe its infected with a virus. Sure acts like
it.---but a RESTORE would not get rid of that?




As to your questions/answers-----




Yes...In Control Panel under Internet Options there is
NO GENERAL page. The page where you usually set your
'start page'...has something about Temporary Internet
Files,etc.




As to Ram. As noted I had nothing but problems with
the 128 stick and the machine would not run with just
that in it nor would it be recognized if added with
the 64's. Now it has 3 64's.



So if I have a question left its about Device Manager.
If Modem lists itself on COM2 (in control panel-modem)
no COM2 shows in Device Manager?





So as said..this morning left with a computer that the
keyboard does not work until Windows is entered. Try
to run RESTORE with Compaq disk when booted up you get
a pop-up box that says;;;do you want to save
dfyhyfthfthfthfhfhf.HTM. (or some other insane prompt)


Maybe the keyboard will work so can go to SAFE MODE OR
BIOS if I give the thing some sleep.


I am not BIOS expert but maybe I really should look in
there again.


I think if I remove the CMOS battery things will go
back to default?

Gotta find the battery. The hard-drive sits over the
CD/DVD drive. That and a ZIP drive sits over the
motherboard.




By RESTORE disk might I guess the default on this
computer is it never worked? Maybe the rehab lab threw
any red RESTORE disk in the box?






__________________________________

Hello
Your computer should accept up to 3 256mb RAM chips, PC100 Low density (8 chips per side, 16 chips total). Compaq desktop usually don't like EEC RAM either. I have had 2 PII and 4 pIII and never got them to work with EEC.
With Windows '98 you would be best to find 2 128mb PC100 Low dnsity RAM. 256 should be fine althought I have run '98 amd ME with 512.

Have you tried changing to a different PCI slot. Delete the referance in the device manager. Go to your BIOS and turn off your PNP option or select use the OS PNP. Reboot nd Windows should see the modem.