Compatibility Athlon 1600XP and Win9x

[BmthGary]

Hi

I started a project for work which involves building a number of PCs for work. Main components consist of: Epox 8KTA3L+, AMD Athlon 1600XP and ASUS -V7100. Hardware install went perfect no problems, apart from upgrading the BIOS on the MOBO to recognise the XP, which it did.

I managed to get a trouble free installation of Windows98SE all hardware was detected and no problems. When installing the VIA 4-in-1 drivers and VGA card (V7100) is detected probably i install from the disk supplied from ASUS and hit OK to restart. The PC restarts OK but when it reaches windows a windows general protection error occurs and hangs.

I've been told by Epox that the XP isn't compatible with 16/32bit O/S but I think the problem is with the MOBO? Can aynone concur or help!!!?!?!

Regards

Gary

 

[paparazi]

I don't think AMD would put a processor out on the market that wouldn't go into 90% of peoples PC's
I just built one anyway, XP 1600 512DDR windows 98SE, No probs apart from with a creative labs 1024 card.
They fly!! Martin

 

[BmthGary]

Now thats what I thought. So i've doing some playing around and managed to get the system stable on:

Cirrus Logic 5446 (Ancient I know!) PCI Card

and

Restricted the RAM to 512 which then allows me to use the ASUS AGP card! What is going on!!!

 

[cdogg]

What amount of RAM did you have in the system before? If you're only planning on running Win98 on the system, then anything more than 256 MB is too much. Windows 95/98/98SE can see up to 2 gigs of RAM, but can only cache 320 MB at a time. This means that any amount over 320 MB will actually degrade performance and increase the risk of encountering BSOD's.

The best order to setup a new PC is to install the main components (mobo, cpu, video) first. Next, update the chipset drivers and video drivers which in your case are the 4-in-1 drivers. Then install any PCI cards or peripherals. Before you install the PCI cards, make sure Windows is stable.


~cdogg

 

[Jakespeare]

BmthGary,
A note on building systems:

It is VERY important, just critical to use the latest drivers out there for your hardware.

I almost NEVER use ANY CD-ROM that comes with hardware
because it's already out of date, and the manufacturers don't have an opportunity to keep up with the changes. It's the NET,,,,,,, that's where you go.

VIA CHIPSET - 4in1 ....... new versions out on almost a monthly basis, and they DO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

****** VIDEO ****** You installed ANTIQUE (G) drives on your Asus video card.
There must be 3 or 4 NEWER versions out since the ones on that CD-ROM. They make a HUGE difference.

* * cdogg was right about installation,,,,,

I will add one note to his post:

I set up Win98.
> REBOOT
> VIA 4in1 ( now it's the version 4.35 I believe)
> ** DIRECTX 8.1 or 8.0a

>>>>> Then the hardware devices. You must have the DirectX 8 updates for proper functionality of the VIDEO & SOUND with the NEWEST drivers available.
The video or sound ain't going to work right,,,,, if you use the Windows 98 SE DX 6.......

 

[cdogg]

Jakespeare is absolutely right...I left out the step to install DIRECTX 8. It's always best to use the latest set of DIRECTX drivers before you continue installing other hardware like the soundcard...