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Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 11th 06, 09:40 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
George
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 24
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

I have an ASUS A7V running Windows Millennium and would appreciate any help:

This board has 5 PCI slots. plus Nvidia video adapter in AGP video slot.

In BIOS:
- I have PnP O/S configured as Yes
- No Serial ports activated
- Only 1 IDE channel activated
- USB activated - USB mouse connected

I have 4 cards:

SBPCI16
Dlink 510 wireless
Pinnacle Firewire
Lava PCI Parallel (LPT2)

The board manual says:
Slot 1 shares IRQ with AGP
Slot 2 shares IRQ with on board ATA100 (which is used)
Slot 3 has it's own IRQ
Slot 4/5 share another IRQ with each other and USB controller

I have tried various arrangements that Windows often says are working, but
they are not really because of the shared IRQs causing slowdowns or
malfunctions. For example, if the Dlink is in Slot 5 and I add the Lava in
slot 4, the internet connection becomes so slow it is not useable.

Right now, I have the SB card in Slot 1 and it seems happy to share with the
AGP card.

The Dlink seems to want it's own IRQ in order to work properly. It is
currently in slot 3.

The Firewire also seems to prefer it's own IRQ. I have had it sharing with
the Lava card, and Windows reports all is well, but it intermittently does
not find the AV device (Video Camera). Firewire seems to like minimum
interference from other devices. Not presently installed.

I use the Lava card to connect to a Canon FB630P scanner (parallel). It has
a pass through connector on the back, but I believe that the printer does
not work properly when connected, especially since I use it as a copier -
scan/print at same time. Lava not presently installed.

Nothing seems to want to share with the ATA100 controller but I have not
fully tested this.

Is there any chance I could get all these card working together? Prior to
the wireless network card, they did work for years with a wired NIC - not
sure why wireless makes a difference, but it does seem to!

Would Windows 2k Pro (which I have) or XP make a difference?

Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel scanner to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?

Any advice welcomed!

Graham


  #2  
Old October 12th 06, 12:51 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
Mart
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,190
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel scanner to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?


Belkin did produce a "Printer Adapter" - for 'Connecting Parallel Printers
Through USB' - Belkin Part # F5U002. Don't know if they are still available,
but try Google.

N.B. "Certain features of multifunction printers will not work with this
product. Not compatible with scanners or Zip drives"

Mart


"George" wrote in message
...
I have an ASUS A7V running Windows Millennium and would appreciate any
help:

This board has 5 PCI slots. plus Nvidia video adapter in AGP video slot.

In BIOS:
- I have PnP O/S configured as Yes
- No Serial ports activated
- Only 1 IDE channel activated
- USB activated - USB mouse connected

I have 4 cards:

SBPCI16
Dlink 510 wireless
Pinnacle Firewire
Lava PCI Parallel (LPT2)

The board manual says:
Slot 1 shares IRQ with AGP
Slot 2 shares IRQ with on board ATA100 (which is used)
Slot 3 has it's own IRQ
Slot 4/5 share another IRQ with each other and USB controller

I have tried various arrangements that Windows often says are working, but
they are not really because of the shared IRQs causing slowdowns or
malfunctions. For example, if the Dlink is in Slot 5 and I add the Lava in
slot 4, the internet connection becomes so slow it is not useable.

Right now, I have the SB card in Slot 1 and it seems happy to share with
the
AGP card.

The Dlink seems to want it's own IRQ in order to work properly. It is
currently in slot 3.

The Firewire also seems to prefer it's own IRQ. I have had it sharing with
the Lava card, and Windows reports all is well, but it intermittently does
not find the AV device (Video Camera). Firewire seems to like minimum
interference from other devices. Not presently installed.

I use the Lava card to connect to a Canon FB630P scanner (parallel). It
has
a pass through connector on the back, but I believe that the printer does
not work properly when connected, especially since I use it as a copier -
scan/print at same time. Lava not presently installed.

Nothing seems to want to share with the ATA100 controller but I have not
fully tested this.

Is there any chance I could get all these card working together? Prior to
the wireless network card, they did work for years with a wired NIC - not
sure why wireless makes a difference, but it does seem to!

Would Windows 2k Pro (which I have) or XP make a difference?

Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel scanner to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?

Any advice welcomed!

Graham




  #3  
Old October 12th 06, 08:17 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
George
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 24
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine


"Mart" wrote in message
...
Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel scanner

to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?


Belkin did produce a "Printer Adapter" - for 'Connecting Parallel Printers
Through USB' - Belkin Part # F5U002. Don't know if they are still

available,
but try Google.

N.B. "Certain features of multifunction printers will not work with this
product. Not compatible with scanners or Zip drives"

Mart


Thanks!
Last paragraph rules the adapter out for use with my scanner - May work with
printer though.

Still trying to get Me to work properly with Asus A7V.

Anyone know how to run without acpi? I would like to go back to a standard
AT configuration.




  #4  
Old October 13th 06, 09:35 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
Mart
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,190
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

Can't really help you further except to suggest you consider migrating to
more USB devices - modem, WiFi, etc., and fit a Combo PCI -USB 2.0/Firewire
card e.g.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=76675
(There used to be a picture there once g)

May not be a 'short-term' solution, but could give you future flexibility.
Certainly taken the hassle out of 'IRQ worries' with my box.

Mart


"George" wrote in message
...

"Mart" wrote in message
...
Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel scanner

to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?


Belkin did produce a "Printer Adapter" - for 'Connecting Parallel
Printers
Through USB' - Belkin Part # F5U002. Don't know if they are still

available,
but try Google.

N.B. "Certain features of multifunction printers will not work with this
product. Not compatible with scanners or Zip drives"

Mart


Thanks!
Last paragraph rules the adapter out for use with my scanner - May work
with
printer though.

Still trying to get Me to work properly with Asus A7V.

Anyone know how to run without acpi? I would like to go back to a standard
AT configuration.






  #5  
Old October 13th 06, 05:15 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
George
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 24
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

Thanks for the idea Mart. Had a look at the card - Presumably it would also
require one or two IRQs?

My computer has 7 USB 1.1 ports. I have used them for mouse and connection
to iPaq, but have now disabled USB to reduce IRQ problems. If my printer,
scanner and Wifi were replaced with USB, all I would be left with would be
the Firewire and the Sound card. Because there is only one unshared slot,
one would still have to share with onboard USB. May work OK. Problem is that
many new USB devices seem to require 2.0.

I think I will have to just do without scanner or Firewire (I can run these
on old laptop) until next year when I will probably get new Vista based
machine - Hopefully MS have done enough testing this time to ensure minimal
problems after release? Otherwise, maybe its time for a Mac!


"Mart" wrote in message
...
Can't really help you further except to suggest you consider migrating to
more USB devices - modem, WiFi, etc., and fit a Combo PCI -USB

2.0/Firewire
card e.g.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=76675
(There used to be a picture there once g)

May not be a 'short-term' solution, but could give you future flexibility.
Certainly taken the hassle out of 'IRQ worries' with my box.

Mart


"George" wrote in message
...

"Mart" wrote in message
...
Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel

scanner
to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?

Belkin did produce a "Printer Adapter" - for 'Connecting Parallel
Printers
Through USB' - Belkin Part # F5U002. Don't know if they are still

available,
but try Google.

N.B. "Certain features of multifunction printers will not work with

this
product. Not compatible with scanners or Zip drives"

Mart


Thanks!
Last paragraph rules the adapter out for use with my scanner - May work
with
printer though.

Still trying to get Me to work properly with Asus A7V.

Anyone know how to run without acpi? I would like to go back to a

standard
AT configuration.








  #6  
Old October 14th 06, 08:39 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
Mart
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,190
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

George, although I understand your concern for IRQ issues, I wonder if they
are the cause for ALL your "slowdowns or malfunctions". I've never really
suffered IRQ issues since the days
of pratting around with non-pnp modems in 95/98 g Most of my IRQ's (well,
9 thru' 15) share, anyway. It might just be worth looking for other
'resource' issues.

Try using WinTop, part of the old MS Kernel Toys, to determine running
processes (and cpu usage). It works fine on WinMe and can be download it
from :-
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/useful/wintop.htm

Good luck

Mart



"George" wrote in message
...
Thanks for the idea Mart. Had a look at the card - Presumably it would
also
require one or two IRQs?

My computer has 7 USB 1.1 ports. I have used them for mouse and connection
to iPaq, but have now disabled USB to reduce IRQ problems. If my printer,
scanner and Wifi were replaced with USB, all I would be left with would be
the Firewire and the Sound card. Because there is only one unshared slot,
one would still have to share with onboard USB. May work OK. Problem is
that
many new USB devices seem to require 2.0.

I think I will have to just do without scanner or Firewire (I can run
these
on old laptop) until next year when I will probably get new Vista based
machine - Hopefully MS have done enough testing this time to ensure
minimal
problems after release? Otherwise, maybe its time for a Mac!


"Mart" wrote in message
...
Can't really help you further except to suggest you consider migrating to
more USB devices - modem, WiFi, etc., and fit a Combo PCI -USB

2.0/Firewire
card e.g.
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...roductID=76675
(There used to be a picture there once g)

May not be a 'short-term' solution, but could give you future
flexibility.
Certainly taken the hassle out of 'IRQ worries' with my box.

Mart


"George" wrote in message
...

"Mart" wrote in message
...
Are there any adapters that would allow me to connect parallel

scanner
to
say serial or USB or firewire ports?

Belkin did produce a "Printer Adapter" - for 'Connecting Parallel
Printers
Through USB' - Belkin Part # F5U002. Don't know if they are still
available,
but try Google.

N.B. "Certain features of multifunction printers will not work with

this
product. Not compatible with scanners or Zip drives"

Mart

Thanks!
Last paragraph rules the adapter out for use with my scanner - May work
with
printer though.

Still trying to get Me to work properly with Asus A7V.

Anyone know how to run without acpi? I would like to go back to a

standard
AT configuration.










  #7  
Old October 14th 06, 01:19 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
Mart
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,190
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

BTW - George also wrote :-

Because there is only one unshared slot,
one would still have to share with onboard USB


My PCI - USB 2.0/Firewire combo co-exists and shares IRQ9 along with my
wireless LAN PCI card without any conflict or perceptible degradation.

.. Problem is that many new USB devices seem
to require 2.0.


A sign of the times - and no bad thing as far as I am concerned. The
difference over USB 1.x can be almost 'spectacular'

Mart

snipped


  #8  
Old October 14th 06, 04:43 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
George
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 24
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine


"Mart" wrote
George, although I understand your concern for IRQ issues, I wonder if

they
are the cause for ALL your "slowdowns or malfunctions". I've never really
suffered IRQ issues since the days
of pratting around with non-pnp modems in 95/98 g Most of my IRQ's

(well,
9 thru' 15) share, anyway. It might just be worth looking for other
'resource' issues.

Try using WinTop, part of the old MS Kernel Toys, to determine running
processes (and cpu usage). It works fine on WinMe and can be download it
from :-
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/useful/wintop.htm


I do have some other utilities that may do that, but WILL have a look at
that link.

What I have done (and it has taken a lot of time!), is:
- Remove all cards
- Down load and install later versions of BIOS, VIA Drivers and ATA100
drivers
- Clear out all double or unneeded entries in Device manager (from Safe Mode
in WinMe)
- Disable USB in BIOS and used PS2 mouse
- Do same or similar for W2K Pro which I am able to switch to within BIOS
- Add cards back starting with Dlink wireless NIC in slot 3 (cleanest slot
and Internet speed is priority), then SB in slot 4 making sure latest
drivers are installed
(Installed for W2K and WinMe)

I then added firewire card in slot 5 and it seemed to work fine.

This gave me a clean working system with good speed. Interesting comparison
of Me vs W2K - W2K puts everything under IRQ 9, but WinMe with same BIOS
settings sticks to slot sharing as dictated by BIOS (same IRQ for everything
on slots 4&5).

I then reactivated USB in BIOS and replaced PS2 with USB mouse. Now USB, SB
and Firewire are all sharing IRQ. System is working and , as before, no
conflicts reported, but I suspect that SB and Firewire will not work 100% in
WinMe but likely better in W2K. But, I can always deactivate USB and go
back to PS2 mouse.

I had another look at my printer/scanner combination and after some messing
around found that if I set BIOS to Normal instead of ECP for parallel port,
scanner and printer would coexist (daisychain) on the on-board parallel
port. This meant I could eliminate the Lava LP2 card!

So I think I am there! But because W2K "looks" more solid, I am thinking
about using it and abandoning Me. I made a full copy of my WinMe boot drive
and then tried installing Win2K over it, so as not to have to reinstall all
my software. But, it reports it cannot do this because something is missing
(I forget exact words, but it meant Win95 upgrade or something like that).
So my next challenge, is how to install W2K over WinMe which itself results
from a series of upgrades going back to Win 3.1!!
(Win3.1-WFW-W95-W98-W98SE-WinMe). W2K Pro is not an upgrade.

I WILL look locally for a combo USB/Firewire card if I need USB 2.0 for
anything.

Thanks for all your input!


  #9  
Old October 14th 06, 05:27 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
Mart
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 1,190
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine

George wrote :-

WinMe which itself results from a
series of upgrades going back to Win 3.1!!
(Win3.1-WFW-W95-W98-W98SE-WinMe).


Assuming an MS Retail Upgrade CD then you can directly 'clean-install'
WinMe. You will however need proof of a previous product - e.g. Win95/98/SE
CD or even the Win 3.1x floppies. Just pop them in the A: drive (or CD
drive) when requested.

I WILL look locally for a combo USB/Firewire card
if I need USB 2.0 for anything.


You will George, - you will g

Good luck

Mart


"George" wrote in message
...

"Mart" wrote
George, although I understand your concern for IRQ issues, I wonder if

they
are the cause for ALL your "slowdowns or malfunctions". I've never
really
suffered IRQ issues since the days
of pratting around with non-pnp modems in 95/98 g Most of my IRQ's

(well,
9 thru' 15) share, anyway. It might just be worth looking for other
'resource' issues.

Try using WinTop, part of the old MS Kernel Toys, to determine running
processes (and cpu usage). It works fine on WinMe and can be download it
from :-
http://www.dewassoc.com/support/useful/wintop.htm


I do have some other utilities that may do that, but WILL have a look at
that link.

What I have done (and it has taken a lot of time!), is:
- Remove all cards
- Down load and install later versions of BIOS, VIA Drivers and ATA100
drivers
- Clear out all double or unneeded entries in Device manager (from Safe
Mode
in WinMe)
- Disable USB in BIOS and used PS2 mouse
- Do same or similar for W2K Pro which I am able to switch to within BIOS
- Add cards back starting with Dlink wireless NIC in slot 3 (cleanest slot
and Internet speed is priority), then SB in slot 4 making sure latest
drivers are installed
(Installed for W2K and WinMe)

I then added firewire card in slot 5 and it seemed to work fine.

This gave me a clean working system with good speed. Interesting
comparison
of Me vs W2K - W2K puts everything under IRQ 9, but WinMe with same BIOS
settings sticks to slot sharing as dictated by BIOS (same IRQ for
everything
on slots 4&5).

I then reactivated USB in BIOS and replaced PS2 with USB mouse. Now USB,
SB
and Firewire are all sharing IRQ. System is working and , as before, no
conflicts reported, but I suspect that SB and Firewire will not work 100%
in
WinMe but likely better in W2K. But, I can always deactivate USB and go
back to PS2 mouse.

I had another look at my printer/scanner combination and after some
messing
around found that if I set BIOS to Normal instead of ECP for parallel
port,
scanner and printer would coexist (daisychain) on the on-board parallel
port. This meant I could eliminate the Lava LP2 card!

So I think I am there! But because W2K "looks" more solid, I am thinking
about using it and abandoning Me. I made a full copy of my WinMe boot
drive
and then tried installing Win2K over it, so as not to have to reinstall
all
my software. But, it reports it cannot do this because something is
missing
(I forget exact words, but it meant Win95 upgrade or something like that).
So my next challenge, is how to install W2K over WinMe which itself
results
from a series of upgrades going back to Win 3.1!!
(Win3.1-WFW-W95-W98-W98SE-WinMe). W2K Pro is not an upgrade.

I WILL look locally for a combo USB/Firewire card if I need USB 2.0 for
anything.

Thanks for all your input!




  #10  
Old October 15th 06, 01:55 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsme.general
George
External Usenet User
 
Posts: 24
Default Adding PCI cards to Windows Me machine


"Mart" wrote

Assuming an MS Retail Upgrade CD then you can directly 'clean-install'
WinMe. You will however need proof of a previous product - e.g.

Win95/98/SE
CD or even the Win 3.1x floppies. Just pop them in the A: drive (or CD
drive) when requested.


Not sure if you understood, but I was asking about installing W2K Pro (Full
version) over WinMe so as to not have to reinstall everything. But it seems
that this is a bad idea! I am going to run them side by side and hopefully
gradually add software to W2K until I no longer need WinMe.

With intense testing, I found that my new slot set up failed

But, this was only when I had USB activated. I turned it off and reverted to
a PS2 mouse and all seems well. Seems that USB, SB2 and Firewire can't get
along on one IRQ in WinMe. I have also moved the SB2 to slot 3 and the NIC
to Slot 4.

GM


 




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