Alright, I have another problem that may be related. Ever since the reformat, I've noticed an overall slowdown with my computer. For example, I cannot even run ad-aware when my system is not in safe mode, but when it is it runs just fine, as it used to. Is there something that normally loads with windows 98 SE that would cause this massive slowdown? Or is it the driver, which I don't think it is since programs run fine in safe mode.

0

Oh, by the way, I have defragged/virus scanned/spyware scanned, all in safe mode, so I am sure that is not the problem.

0

Hi I'd say when a program will run in safe mode but won't after a normal boot - it has to have something to do with the drivers. You are going to find out exactly what model you ide controller card is I believe. It could be another problem, like another driver you havn't installed yet but I presume the rest of the system is functioning ok.

0

Alright, I popped open my computer again and took out the pci card, and verified that it was an Ultra 66, so I updated the bios/drivers. My computer is still sluggish on a normal boot, so I disabled all startup programs to make sure they were doing it. Alas, my computer still ran the same as before. Is there any way to troubleshoot the problem? I was thinking selective startup, but there's too many things that load. Oh, and thanks for all the help so far anenenfan!

0

Err, I forgot to proofread. The "were" should be a "weren't," to clarify things.

0

Hi Ok things are not right somewhere there. Its going to be hardware/driver related. You have a 80 wire ide cable from the promise card to the drives? What are the models of your harddrives especially those set as master?

0

Yeah, the wire is connected just fine. Eh, I never checked the master/slave status, I'll open it back up tomorrow, unless there's another way. As far as models go, I have a WDC WD20 4BA (don't ask me) and a Maxtor 2 b020h1.

0

Hi For a drive to operate at ata66 a 80 wire ide cable is required. Sometimes the cable can stop functioning properly. It is very hard to tell if the cable is working properly. Sometimes the hard drive diagnostics will indicate there may be some sort of problem with the cable , but not always. This 80 wire cable is most important. I think, however, there is more of a chance that your problem involves installation difficulties rather than a bung (less than perfect - so useless) 80 ide cable. the wd is a 20G eIDE drive. ata66 Your drive is half way down the list.wd204BA And you will probaly need to use the Ultra ATA utility to set up your wd drive. WD software libary Maxtor is Fireball 541DX 20G eIDE ata100 Maxtor Check all your jumper settings on your drives. Visited the promise site. I don't know what model your computer is but promise don't support the cards that were in various Computers -- "Systems such as those from Dell, Gateway, Micron, NEC, Fujitsu or others that may include a Promise controller"

0

I don't see why the master/slave settings should matter, they were exactly the same before when my computer actually ran programs just fine. Oh, and btw it is a dell, pos company, I swore that this is the last computer I don't build. Just gotta wait for that paycheck and order a shuttle case :)

0

Hi Ah! yep ok -- well the promise site states if you have a promise oem board to get the driver from the OEM site Refer to Promise download page "NOTE Promise Technology only offers technical support for Promise branded retail products. Different OEM manufacturers may have made unique modifications to the Promise hardware or software and they are responsible for supporting their products. Promise does not offer support on any of the following - o Controllers sold under another vendors name o Systems such as those from Dell, Gateway, Micron, NEC, Fujitsu or others that may include a Promise controller o Motherboards which have an embedded Promise controller If you have purchased any of the products listed above, please contact the vendor from whom you purchased the product for technical support."</B Dell controller cards Documentation ultra66 OK I'll post this off Dell search page is taking an age to work out how to get a download with out knowing the model of the computer.

0

Hi Ok I stuffed that last little bit - In a hurry and pasted one little bold command and must have put it a character or 2 out of place.(after checking I don't know how many times previous) These are some models that might be close? 4A4LL0X0.10A: Dell Dimension XPS D series AL440LX 4A4RB0X0.10A: Dell Dimension XPS V series AR440BX 4S4EB0X1.10A: Dell Dimension XPS R series SE440BX 4S4EB2X0.10A: Dell Dimension XPS T series SE440BX-3 (OEM-only)

0

Hi Nah not much turning up at Dell. If only they could arrange their download like their documents. Its just posible that they were using the 440bx chipset in 19999. Has the controller card always been in the Dell? Its just a thought.

0

Let's see, it's a xps t600r. I did get the maxtor installed, at the time I was computer illiterate so I didn't do it myself. I have no clue if the card actually came with my computer though.

0

Hi DELL XPS T_ series Intel PIIX4 Promise ata 66 card I hope the links above are helpful. Uninstall the other driver and put the dell one in.

0

Yeah, I tried the new drivers and they worked worse than the old ones. Meh.

0

Hi OK back at the start but we know more now. When things aren't going as the should I o Check memory - I use Memtest86 o Get all diagnostics available Go to Western digital and Maxtor and download hard drive diagnostics. Remove the pomise card altogher and check the drives on the normal ide channel [both your drives are less than 32G so it won't be a problem to test them like this] Next put the card back and test (with hard drive diagnostics) both drives on the promise card. [As you have them now] o Really have a good look inside the computer, is it as it should be? Is the promise card out of a dell or something else? o Run the diagnostic from Dell - it might indicate a problem not yet diagnosed. DELL Diagnostics

0

Alright, passed memtest, passed the harddrive diagnostics, now I'll try the Dell ones and the other suggestions.

0

Hi Just a thought. When you tested the hard drive on the promise card, did the hard drive diagnostic call the promise card by its model or just promise 66. Anyhow I hope the Dell diagnostic is able to point out the problem.

0

I'm pretty sure promise 66. I didn't try out the dell ones yet, I'll let you know about them later.

0

Hi Rico, I had the same problem as you. I also had the yellow questionmark at the "PCI mass controller" If you check the System in "start" ->"configuration" ->" System" Tab "prestations" do you see that it say's somthing like: "MS-Dos compatebility.." Yes? Than that is why your system is slow and you can't run forinstance "Adaware" Solution: Your Motherboard misses some drivers. Reinstall the drivers from the CD or Floppydisk that belongs to the Motherboard. Check again the start-configuration-system and the yellow questionmark is disapered! And also the "MS-Dos competability..." If not: click the button "refresh driver" I use a Dutch configuration so I translated the words of the startmenu and systemtab. Perhapse the name is not exact good, the methode is! Good luck.

0