VIA Chipset / Windows 98 / 1 gig of RAM ....

[wmccormick]

I am having an issue with my and Windows 98. Here is the config:

1 gig RAM
2 Intel III 1000 flip chips
1 Microstar 694D Pro motherboard
Sound blaster Live
ATI Radeon DDR VIVO

If I take out 512 mb of RAM the system runs under Windows 98 SE but with a 1 gig of RAM the video is locked at 640X480 and 16 colors. Can anyone tell me why this is? I have installed the latest VIA sourthbridge 4-in-1 drivers, the newest versions of directX as well as the latest Radeon drivers.

Any help would be appricated

Sincerely,

William McCormick

 

[butchrecon]

To start Windows 98 does not support 2 processors. Windows 98 can "see" 2 gig of RAM BUT can only cache 320 meg at a time. So more RAM can cause system instability and/or performance loss. With the AWSOME hardware setup you have move to Windows 2K Pro. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[wmccormick]

Thank you! Win98 will only use the one CPU even if tow are in the box you can still install. The maximum amount of memory supported on Windows 98 is 2 gigs? Can you bump the cache size on 98? I have a dual boot going because I require 98 for a VPN client which only supports 1 cpu.

 

[wmccormick]

One last thing why would the memory issues relate to the Graphics ones? The issue is with the display being capped at 640 X 480. I am concerned that this is a unique case that not many have ventured upon ....

 

[butchrecon]

Sorry you cant bump up the cache. MS states its a problem and will not fix it. You want better support they state upgrade to Win2K. Its crap and its a problem for those who want large ammounts of RAM. You are correct about the CPU. I phrased my answer icorrectly. You will only be able to use the one. Most people realize there is an issue with large ammounts of RAM only after they put in the RAM chips. James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[butchrecon]

What type of monitor are you using. Did you try changing the refresh frequency in Video properties? How many colors are being displayed with the 640X480? James Collins
Computer Hardware Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

 

[wmccormick]

No it's not the monitor it's a viewsonic G90mb 19 inch. Is there any articles on the Microsoft site about this issue.

 

[Guest_imported]

I have the same problem.. I'm about to upgrade to winME to see if that fixes the problem

 

[butchrecon]

ME wont fix it. You need to upgrade to Win2K PRo to fix this issue. James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.

 

[BKnight]

k.. thnks for letting me know.. I have read that you can change the VCAHCE setting in the system.ini to fix the memory problem.. does anyone know the proper command line to do this?

 

[butchrecon]

Go to Start>RUN and type sysedit
Go to the SYSTEM.INI file and look vor VCACHE header
Next try these setting and let me know how they work. (They ARE case sensitive so input them as I have them)
Chunksize=1024
MinFileCache=16384
MaxFileCache=16384

Now these settings may help some, BUT as I stated earlier, Win98 has issues CACHEING RAM of that ammount and you will still see some issues (If you are really lucky you may not)
Let me know how that helps. James Collins
Systems Support Engineer
A+, MCP

email: butchrecon@skyenet.net

Please let us (Tek-tips members) know if the solutions we provide are helpful to you. Not only do they help you but they may help others.