PCI troubles for an expert -- help!

kal25 · 03-03-2005, 11:40 PM

Hi,

I recently reformatted a PC from a friend that was pure junk -- it wouldn't even start windows. I reformatted the drive and re-installed windows 98. It runs OK, but graphics display is limited to 16 colors, and in my hardware devices, the yellow circle with the question mark indicates there's a problem with the following devices:

PCI Ethernet COntroller
PCI Communication Device
PCI System Management Bus
PCI Multimedia Audio Device

After checking their description of the problem, it says in some cases there is no driver, or there is an IRQ conflict that needs to be resolved in BIOS. I'm missing driver software for the monitor, soundcard, and ethernet card. AND...no internet.

The good news is that i have a working pc connected to the internet right beside it to download and software and transfer it over.

Where would be the best place to start?

batty_professor · 03-03-2005, 11:55 PM

Hi, and welcome to TSF. I'm wondering if bios issues weren't the root of the problem to start with. My suggestion to correct the situation is, first remove the problem devices in the device manager. Second of course shut down after the devices are removed, then reboot. Use the "delete" key, (or other, if you know differently.) to boot into the bios. In bios, set the default values for all available pages. "Save and exit". When it reboots to windows, it should re-install all the devices with a truly configurable clean slate.

crazijoe · 03-04-2005, 12:08 PM

You did a fresh install of Win98 and you still need to install the device drivers. You are going to need to know the brand and model of each device with the yellow question mark next to it. Then download the drivers from the manufacturers website and install them. The first thing I would do is get the brand and model of the Motherboard and get the chipset drivers for it. If the Audio and Ethernet are integrated into the MB, download those drivers as well. You will also need to know the graphics controller for your system and get drivers for it also.

kal25 · 03-06-2005, 08:49 PM

ok, thanks...it's an on-going thing, so i'll check back in over the next week and let you know how it goes. thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!

03-03-2005, 11:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
kal25 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2 OS: win 98	PCI troubles for an expert -- help! Hi, I recently reformatted a PC from a friend that was pure junk -- it wouldn't even start windows. I reformatted the drive and re-installed windows 98. It runs OK, but graphics display is limited to 16 colors, and in my hardware devices, the yellow circle with the question mark indicates there's a problem with the following devices: PCI Ethernet COntroller PCI Communication Device PCI System Management Bus PCI Multimedia Audio Device After checking their description of the problem, it says in some cases there is no driver, or there is an IRQ conflict that needs to be resolved in BIOS. I'm missing driver software for the monitor, soundcard, and ethernet card. AND...no internet. The good news is that i have a working pc connected to the internet right beside it to download and software and transfer it over. Where would be the best place to start?

03-03-2005, 11:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
batty_professor Asst. Manager, Alternative Computing Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Hooterville Il 45 mi. east of St. Louis mo Posts: 2,608 OS: Fedora Core 5 for now	Hi, and welcome to TSF. I'm wondering if bios issues weren't the root of the problem to start with. My suggestion to correct the situation is, first remove the problem devices in the device manager. Second of course shut down after the devices are removed, then reboot. Use the "delete" key, (or other, if you know differently.) to boot into the bios. In bios, set the default values for all available pages. "Save and exit". When it reboots to windows, it should re-install all the devices with a truly configurable clean slate. __________________ It's better to know me and not need me than to need me and not know me. B. While users are never under any obligation, if you feel the urge please feel free to visit our donation page. Every little bit helps. And we thank you for your support. Microsoft free Registered Linux user 397458

03-04-2005, 12:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
crazijoe Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Omaha, The Center of the Universe Posts: 7,632 OS: WinXP, Win2K3 My System	You did a fresh install of Win98 and you still need to install the device drivers. You are going to need to know the brand and model of each device with the yellow question mark next to it. Then download the drivers from the manufacturers website and install them. The first thing I would do is get the brand and model of the Motherboard and get the chipset drivers for it. If the Audio and Ethernet are integrated into the MB, download those drivers as well. You will also need to know the graphics controller for your system and get drivers for it also. __________________ Microsoft MCSA + Messaging, MVP, A+, Network+ http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b3...other/Help.jpg Do you want a real Republican? HDD diagnostic tools / HDD data recovery software

03-06-2005, 08:49 PM	#4 (permalink)
kal25 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 2 OS: win 98	ok, thanks...it's an on-going thing, so i'll check back in over the next week and let you know how it goes. thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!