I have a question about Do I still need CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT?:

Hi, I just installed a used (bigger) hard drive in my eMachines 333cs. The drive was auto detected in the BIOS. However, when I got past the mouse tutorial after installing the OEM Win98 that came with the machine, it wanted to install a "PCI standard ISA Bridge", which I assume is a driver. THen, I found that my CD-Rom was nowhere in sight (in Explorer, for instance.) Also, in there are two items in the hardware list with yellow exlcamation points, which are the primary and secondary IDE controllers (fifo). After another reinstall, I got the following message; "compatibility mode paging reduces overall system performance". "Windows was unable to identify a real-mode driver or memory-resident program loaded in your config.sys or autoexec.bat file. You will see another message that lists the name of the driver or program causing the problem." It then goes on to explain that windows has gone into MS-Dos compatibilty mode...decreases performance, blah blah...And beneath this message was another saying; "Master Boot Record has been modified." "The master boot record has been modified by some program. This may have been caused by disk manager software used to add large hard disc drives to older computers, or encryption, or...security software." Except for the newer hard drive, I returned the machine to original state by removing my CD-RW, and there's nothing else on it except the newer, larger HD and the mouse, keyboard, & monitor. The jumpers on the drives are set as per factory with the new HD set to master. I thought i would have windows look for a better driver, but all I got was the same "PCI standard ISA bridge" which is located in "C\WINDOWS\INF\MACHINE2.INF". I'm not even sure about how to edit the Config.sys file, but I do have the Win98 Annoyances book. Maybe my motherboard can't support this larger drive. 4.?gig rather than the ol' 2.1gig drive (need the space.) Any help appreciated. Also, it's the only HD, just the single.

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

You installed the harddisk yourself?  That means you are capable of  opening the 
P.C. and checking it out :) smile.   All you need to do it find the ChipSet inside 
your P.C.  on the motherboard.  Like Intel,  Not the CPU, the chipset that runs the 
other hardware and stuff.  Look on the chips for the name and write down the Numbers 
with it.   Then do a search on the internet for the Chipset.   At Intel, if that 
is what your's is, they provide downloads, mostly in .exe  style formats that you 
can download and install,  they are self extracting
and load what you need into the right place.  Then you just reboot.   Don't  forget, 
when you get them to save them to floppy diskettes/cd-rom's  et.cetera

 If you have the other Harddisk still, with the system
on it,  or even a  CD-RESTORE  CD-ROM you get with
new computers, you could get the .infs from the harddisk or you can use the CD-RESTORE 
and it will put it back the way it was from the factory.

Hope this has helped.







On Tuesday, September 21, 2004 at 10:16 am, marc paskvan wrote:

>I have a question about Do 

>I still need CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT?:
  Hi, I just installed a used (bigger) 

>hard drive in my eMachines 333cs.  The drive was auto detected in the BIOS.  However, 

>when I got past the mouse tutorial after installing the OEM Win98 that came with 

>the machine, it wanted to install a "PCI standard ISA Bridge", which I assume is 

>a driver.  THen, I found that my CD-Rom was nowhere in sight (in Explorer, for instance.) 

> Also, in there are two items in the hardware list with yellow exlcamation points, 

>which are the primary and secondary IDE controllers (fifo).   After another reinstall, 

>I got the following message; "compatibility mode paging reduces overall system performance". 

>"Windows was unable to identify a real-mode driver or memory-resident program loaded 

>in your config.sys or autoexec.bat file.  You will see another message that lists 

>the name of the driver or program causing the problem." It then goes on to explain 

>that windows has gone into MS-Dos compatibilty mode...decreases performance, blah 

>blah...And beneath this message was another saying; "Master Boot Record has been 

>modified."  "The master boot record has been modified by some program.  This may 

>have been caused by disk manager software used to add large hard disc drives to 
older 

>computers, or encryption, or...security software."  Except for the newer hard drive, 

>I returned the machine to original state by removing my CD-RW, and there's nothing 

>else on it except the newer, larger HD and the mouse, keyboard, & monitor.  The 
jumpers 

>on the drives are set as per factory with the new HD set to master.  I thought i 

>would have windows look for a better driver, but all I got was the same "PCI standard 

>ISA bridge" which is located in "C\WINDOWS\INF\MACHINE2.INF".  I'm not even sure 

>about how to edit the Config.sys file, but I do have the Win98 Annoyances book. 
 

>Maybe my motherboard can't support this larger drive.  4.?gig rather than the ol' 

>2.1gig drive (need the space.)  Any help appreciated.  Also, it's the only HD, just 

>the single.

>
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Well, thanks Spike. I see though, that I'm going to have to take the fan off the processor--looks like there's a clip of some sort on it. Then I'll check it out. But I thought, that since it's a Cyrix, Mark 2; that Cyrix got bought out by some other manufacturer...well, I suppose I'll find out soon enuf, if I try and Google it. I'm not sure what you mean by your second point though. Anyway, it may be that this motherboard doesn't support large drives--at least not larger than the measly 2.1 gig drive they installed. Arg. In that case it's 'trade-up time'.... Marc

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Mark, NOT The CPU (Processor)....

The chipset is the "Other Chips" that communicate with
the processor.

Disregaurd the whole message of the Harddisk(s).
It isn't because of the harddisk(s).  they are small, I must have been a little groggy 
when I answered the
question, and didn't read it correctly.

Look for the chips that are soldered onto the board.
They are usually square or rectangular.

If you do a search for chipset on the net, you should
be able to see a description.  Better yet, look for the
Number, usually in what looks like a taped-over, white
area,  with a number, on your motherboard.  Do a search
on that number, you will probably find the maker of the
motherboard and whole pages devoted to your MOB.
Most MOB makers have updates,
(like the ones you are looking for), and .pdf's for the users like us.  The  .pdf's 
 will/should tell you everything
you need to know about your motherboard, including
amount of RAM you can use, how to set the switches,(jumpers), BIOS Settings, et. 
cetera.

Please don't remove the processor when not needed.








On Friday, September 24, 2004 at 9:13 am, marc paskvan wrote:

>Well, thanks Spike.  I see though, that I'm going to have to take the fan off the 

>processor--looks like there's a clip of some sort on it.  Then I'll check it out. 

> But I thought, that since it's a Cyrix, Mark 2; that Cyrix got bought out by some 

>other manufacturer...well, I suppose I'll find out soon enuf, if I try and Google 

>it.

>I'm not sure what you mean by your second point though.  Anyway, it may be that 
this 

>motherboard doesn't support large drives--at least not larger than the measly 2.1 

>gig drive they installed.  Arg.  In that case it's 'trade-up time'....

> 

>Marc 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Boy this whole thing just makes me want to chuck the old drive back in and get a second computer... ;) Anyway, I took your advice and it seems that the correct driver IS loaded. The OS is saying, (in Device Manager) that it "does not have all its drivers loaded, may not be working properly, etc.. (That second one did give me pause, but hey, if it weren't working properly, i think it wouldn't even show the desktop, or something equally aggravating. I did buy this thing used and it was made in '97 (the "new" drive). Recalling the Config.sys thing; I opened that file in Notepad and everything showing already had "REM" in front of it. There was a note about a CDROM driver, and another thing which I've no idea what it is (forgot to bring the printout). As I say, the CDROM drive isn't even showing up in Explorer or My Computer. I'll try to pop in later with the exact wording as it looked in Config.sys. The eMachines tech guys couldn't figure this one out when I called them. I sent 'em a new eMail asking whether or not this motherboard supports larger drives. Whatever, haven't heard back. I also tried searching for a better driver; that's when I found out I pretty much had the correct one in. I suspect Config.sys loaded a driver for the CDROM and it's interfering with the functionality of the IDE controller. One of the eMachines Tech guys said to change the jumper on the CDROM to "cable select" but that did nothing. Looks like I'm gonna have to take a quick course in DOS commands in order to edit Config.sys. I tried to copy it entirely--for backup--and it said "file not found"; yippeee!! Arg. OH well, thanks a lot Spike; but it ain't over 'till it's over...

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Anyway, here's what showed up in Config.sys when I opened it; (everything already had REM in front of it), [CD-ROM drive] device=C:\Cdrom\Oakcdrom.sys /d:gem001, and the only other one that had a note under it had nothing after REM but this; ---------------------device=c:\windows\cwdinit.exe /A, and that's that. the other categories in brackets [] were stuff like miscellaneous, scsi controllers, etc., with no further note. Like I say, I don't know what the second item is, but perhaps "device=C\Cdrom\Oakcdrom, etc., is the offending article. When I used to use my Adaptec eZ CD creator program, the CD-Rom showed up as a Samsung brand device--though I don't know if the OS would name it that. Any help appreciated...

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Hi Marc,

This :
Device=c:\windows\cwdinit.exe /A
Is usually written for MSDOS, it is a driver for a sound
card. Crystal Audio, Realtek and many others can use
this, like Yamaha.
Like I said, you do need motherboard drivers.
Windows thinks it has the right drivers installed but
when you see yellow exclamation points like that,
especially for the "PCI standard ISA Bridge", this is a 
positive sign you 'Must Have Motherboard Drivers...'

When you open your P.C.  not the processor now,
look for the small chip package that works With the
Motherboard. ( the best bet is to find the mob #)
from there, if you can post it, I will help you find the
maker and  hopefully the drivers you need.

The Config.sys, as far as not being compatible,
That is tell you it is loading MSDOS drivers and
Windows is almost being forced to used them.

The PCI to ISA Bridge, must be installed by .inf(s)
you will/can not be able to assign IRQ's correctly without Windows loading the correct 
.inf's to decifer
which drivers to load.   That is all it is,  the INF files
tell Windows 98 which drivers to use and it probably
has them, it doesn't know what to install to create
the PCI standard ISA Bridge.
So, as far as I can see you DO need to install drivers
for the motherboard (MOB)...

As far as I can tell, you should be able to Rename or Move  the Config.sys and Autoexec.bat 
files.

Have you tried to rename or move them?
If you type  REN config.sys Config.sy_
REN autoexec.bat  Autoexec.ba_
and reboot, your Windows 98 may load better,
but it still will not release you from having to load
the motherboard info for the your OS
 







On Monday, September 27, 2004 at 2:18 pm, marc paskvan wrote:

>Anyway, here's what showed up in Config.sys when I opened it; (everything already 

>had REM in front of it), [CD-ROM drive] device=C:\Cdrom\Oakcdrom.sys /d:gem001, 
and 

>the only other one that had a note under it had nothing after REM but this; ---------------------device=c:\windows\cwdinit.exe 

>/A, and that's that.  the other categories in brackets [] were stuff like miscellaneous, 

>scsi controllers, etc., with no further note.  Like I say, I don't know what the 

>second item is, but perhaps "device=C\Cdrom\Oakcdrom, etc., is the offending article. 

> When I used to use my Adaptec eZ CD creator program, the CD-Rom showed up as a 
Samsung 

>brand device--though I don't know if the OS would name it that.  

>

>Any help appreciated...

>

>

>
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Cool! Well, I won't even pretend to understand everything completely, but yes, as per your advice, a few nights ago I looked at the chips other than the processor. One (second largest) was from a company called VIA. I went to that website and input my OS and selected a line that had IDE in it, and got a bunch of forum posts, and this was under "drivers"...whatever, my PDF on the computer will help me identify those chips, as I pretty much figured them out; one's for the monitor, etc.. I think this will be quickly resolved once I follow your advice (i hope), as you seem to know your stuff. I just wouldn't want to drag this out too long and infringe on anyone's time to a great extent. I'll get this info this evening and likely get back here tomorrow. (I appreciate the offer for help in locating these resources, because, as I say, I tried, but the websites weren't exactly self explanatory, and I don't know if those company's sites are even the best resource.) Thanks again!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

OK, the "AGP sets PCI/AGP Controller" is a VIA VT82C598MVP (other numbers on this chip; 9918ce,12g476000), the "PCI bus mastering controller" is a VIA VT82C596A (9917ce,1300n4300), the "super I/O controller" is an AMBIOS American Megatrends N551100, the number on the green motherboard surface is "Mat, NO: 108455 Delhi-111 19990317", I have numbers for other chips, like the graphics controller or the BIOS Rom, but I think these are what we need, right? (I didn't look at the processor, it's under its fan.) Marc

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Sorry,  I don't know where you got the motherboard
number from;  "Green Board..." ?

You need the largest boards number
if you download this, and run it from,  even your temp
folder, it will tell you everything you need to know.
Save a report on the CPU and post it, or even, it may
give you an address to link to from the log.
Look for "CHIPSET" in the report. 




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On Wednesday, September 29, 2004 at 10:19 am, marc paskvan wrote:

>OK, the "AGP sets PCI/AGP Controller" is a VIA VT82C598MVP (other numbers on this 

>chip; 9918ce,12g476000), the "PCI bus mastering controller" is a VIA VT82C596A (9917ce,1300n4300), 

>the "super I/O controller" is an AMBIOS American Megatrends N551100,  the number 

>on the green motherboard surface is "Mat, NO: 108455 Delhi-111 19990317", I have 

>numbers for other chips, like the graphics controller or the BIOS Rom, but I think 

>these are what we need, right?  (I didn't look at the processor, it's under its 
fan.) 

> Marc
 

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

That was the only number I could see, printed on the motherboard--the actual, green material of the board itself, the board on which all the chips and processor are mounted. I suppose it could be printed on the reverse side, but that would require major surgery to investigate, as most of the guts of the machine would need be removed. I could look again, but, it would seem to be a simpler matter to have an actual report, so we'll go with that for now, but do to time constraints, I may not be able to get back to this forum with the goods until Monday. Have a good one, and thanks mucho much!

[Reply or follow-up to this message]

Posted here yesterday, but it didn't go through. ANyway, I gave up and put the old hard drive back in. Before I did I REMarked out that cdrom driver, and then when that didn't do much, I did the same to that other driver--which was when it went into safe mode on restart. I noted something interesting there; it had two drivers loaded for the cdrom, and no less than six for the hard drive. THey (in disk manager) said something like "generic IDE drive type 00", (2 each.), "generic IDE drive type 47" (two each, I may have the second digit wrong, but it was forty something.), and "gerneric IDE drive type 'eighty-something', (two each, and I can't recall the second digit). When I put the old drive back, I looked under the hard drive controller in disk manager, and it said mine was 'gereric IDE drive type 47'. I suspect I would have needed only one of the Type 80.... Whatever, I may just get a newer computer, or go back to tinkering with this when my disgust level subsides. But thanks again, Spike.


On Thursday, September 30, 2004 at 9:31 am, marc paskvan wrote:
>That was the only number I could see, printed on the motherboard--the actual, green
>material of the board itself, the board on which all the chips and processor are
>mounted. I suppose it could be printed on the reverse side, but that would require
>major surgery to investigate, as most of the guts of the machine would need be removed.
> I could look again, but, it would seem to be a simpler matter to have an actual
>report, so we'll go with that for now, but do to time constraints, I may not be able
>to get back to this forum with the goods until Monday. Have a good one, and thanks
>mucho much!

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