Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

September 10, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

news:amrec4t9fi1ogt74ika8996tio0noqnb8h@4ax.com...

> On Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:15:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

> mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>

>>I have been perusing the Seatools for Dos. My HD is Seagate. Unfortunately

>>the System requirements are given as PC with a Pentium or greater processor

>>and a minimum of 64MB of RAM. It looks as though it will not run on a WIN

>>98SE Computer with only 40MB of RAM.

>

> I don't believe it. A DOS program that fits on a floppy diskette

> should not require 64MB of RAM. In fact I just ran SeaTools for DOS on

> a 486 box with 48MB of RAM.

I don't believe it either, Franc. I've run Seatools for DOS on really old hardware.

Just checking.....did you use the latest version on that 486 box? I usually use an

older version of Seatools on the older boxes, since I have older versions archived

here.

--

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+

http://dts-l.net/

http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

September 10, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

On Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:34:57 -0400, "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com>

put finger to keyboard and composed:

>"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

>news:amrec4t9fi1ogt74ika8996tio0noqnb8h@4ax.com...

>> On Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:15:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

>> mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>>

>>>I have been perusing the Seatools for Dos. My HD is Seagate. Unfortunately

>>>the System requirements are given as PC with a Pentium or greater processor

>>>and a minimum of 64MB of RAM. It looks as though it will not run on a WIN

>>>98SE Computer with only 40MB of RAM.

>>

>> I don't believe it. A DOS program that fits on a floppy diskette

>> should not require 64MB of RAM. In fact I just ran SeaTools for DOS on

>> a 486 box with 48MB of RAM.

>

>I don't believe it either, Franc. I've run Seatools for DOS on really old hardware.

>Just checking.....did you use the latest version on that 486 box? I usually use an

>older version of Seatools on the older boxes, since I have older versions archived

>here.

I used SeaTools for DOS v1.09 which I downloaded in November last

year.

ISTR I once used an earlier version that had a file system checking

option. It had a bug that caused it to incorrectly analyse a

particular FAT32 boot sector, so I didn't trust it completely after

that.

- Franc Zabkar

--

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

September 10, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

Franc

I have ascertained that my motherboard is based on the Intel i430 FX Triton

Chipset and was manufactured by Fugutech.

Identification marks/Part numbers on the RAM Chips removed from the Computer

are as follows:

TI - 70

TMS44409DJ

OE 5A AIE81

Note: I had difficulty distinguishing between the letter I and number 1 and

between the letter O and the number 0 in the above. Please make any

correction if necessary.

There are 8 chips ( in 2 groups of 4) on each of the two modules removed.

The Modules are made by Texas Instruments with part no. TM124FBK32S - 70

96141

Not having an internet connection on the WIN 98SE computer I downloaded &

saved the Celem Cache Test program & on another Computer. I unzipped the

files and copied them to floppy disk. The unzipped program contained 5

files including 2 No. executable files, CCT386.EXE AND CCT4GW.EXE. I used

the Windows startup disk to boot the Computer to an A:\ prompt. I then

inserted the floppy containing the Celem test program in drive A, I didn’t

know which of the two applications I should run. When I tried to run

CCT386.exe I got an error message “A:\CCT*.FON not found”. I then tried to

run CCT4GW.exe and got a fatal error “Syntax - DOS4G (executable. xxx)”. I

don’t know where I have gone wrong.

Franc you gave me a web link to a program for testing the RAM which I did

not follow up because I had decided that I would be changing the RAM which I

still intend to do. However, at Glee’s suggestion I have run Windows Memory

Diagnostic Extended Test Suite for 15 hours and no errors were found.

Glad to hear that I should be able to run SEATOOLS on my WIN 98 Computer

with 40MB of RAN notwithstanding the stated min. requirements.

I will try it out in a day or two and let you know how I get on.

Many thanks for all your help not forgetting the clarification of the opus

operandi for testing the COM Port.

--

JJ MacA

"Franc Zabkar" wrote:

> On Mon, 8 Sep 2008 15:11:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

> mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>

> >Thank you Franc

> >The COM port is enabled in the BIOS setup. I have not replaced the CMOS

> >battery for about three years but the time and date settings are correct so I

> >am assuming that it is OK.

> >I would like to test the Com Port but before attempting to do so I would

> >like a little bit more advice. When you say to use a paper clip to connect

> >any output pin to any imput pin do you mean to connect say RXD to TXD

>

> Yes, this will verify those two signals.

>

> > or DTR

> >or RTS on the COM port an the computer.?

>

> Connect, say, RTS to CTS, and DTR to DSR, at the same COM port

> connector at the rear of the computer.

>

> > Does the flash appear the same for

> >each connection. ?

>

> The flash rates differ so that the user can easily associate the

> various signals with LEDs in an RS232 breakout box, or with readings

> on a multimeter.

>

> Here is a typical RS232 breakout box:

> http://www.escience.ca/GFX/PRODS/XC-138.jpg

>

> There are other COM port diagnostic programs, but they require a

> special loopback connector, eg http://www.iec.net/l1341.html

>

> >Is there a danger of creating a short if say pin 2 was

> >inadvertently connected to pin 5.?

> >Are any precautions necessary?

> >The Win98 Computer does not have an internet connection. which means that I

> >cannot download directly to it. Instead of testing the RAM I intend to

> >replace it.

> >Thanks for your help

>

> When your mouse stops responding in Windows, hold down Ctrl-Esc, then

> press R, and type the following into the Run box:

>

> C:\WINDOWS\CONTROL.EXE sysdm.cpl,system,1

>

> This should bring up Device Manager.

>

> Now type F to reFresh the device list. If your mouse hardware has

> hung, then this may restart it. Otherwise, if your mouse stops

> responding as a consequence of a general system hang, then this won't

> fix it.

>

> BTW, typical mouse failures include intermittent cables. I had to

> shorten the cable in my mother's serial mouse for the this reason (a

> replacement mouse wasn't available from the local stores).

>

> - Franc Zabkar

> --

> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

>

September 10, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

On Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:37:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>Franc

>I have ascertained that my motherboard is based on the Intel i430 FX Triton

>Chipset and was manufactured by Fugutech.

>Identification marks/Part numbers on the RAM Chips removed from the Computer

>are as follows:

>TI - 70

>TMS44409DJ

>OE 5A AIE81

>Note: I had difficulty distinguishing between the letter I and number 1 and

>between the letter O and the number 0 in the above. Please make any

>correction if necessary.

>

>There are 8 chips ( in 2 groups of 4) on each of the two modules removed.

>The Modules are made by Texas Instruments with part no. TM124FBK32S - 70

>96141

These chips are 1Mx4 EDO 70nsec DRAMs:

http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tms44409.pdf

Each module therefore has a capacity of 4MB.

>Not having an internet connection on the WIN 98SE computer I downloaded &

>saved the Celem Cache Test program & on another Computer. I unzipped the

>files and copied them to floppy disk. The unzipped program contained 5

>files including 2 No. executable files, CCT386.EXE AND CCT4GW.EXE. I used

>the Windows startup disk to boot the Computer to an A:\ prompt. I then

>inserted the floppy containing the Celem test program in drive A, I didn’t

>know which of the two applications I should run. When I tried to run

>CCT386.exe I got an error message “A:\CCT*.FON not found”. I then tried to

>run CCT4GW.exe and got a fatal error “Syntax - DOS4G (executable. xxx)”. I

>don’t know where I have gone wrong.

CCT386.exe is the executable. There are 17 files in the ZIP, including

two .FON files.

I expect that your graphical output will show three levels, the first

at around 8KB or 16KB, the second at around 256KB or 512KB (depending

on your motherboard cache), and the third at around 512KB or 1MB.

- Franc Zabkar

--

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

September 11, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

news:9u9gc456b3mgqpg2dvf3g1v79gc17on3pi@4ax.com...

> On Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:34:57 -0400, "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com>

> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>

>>"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

>>news:amrec4t9fi1ogt74ika8996tio0noqnb8h@4ax.com...

>>> On Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:15:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

>>> mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>>>

>>>>I have been perusing the Seatools for Dos. My HD is Seagate. Unfortunately

>>>>the System requirements are given as PC with a Pentium or greater processor

>>>>and a minimum of 64MB of RAM. It looks as though it will not run on a WIN

>>>>98SE Computer with only 40MB of RAM.

>>>

>>> I don't believe it. A DOS program that fits on a floppy diskette

>>> should not require 64MB of RAM. In fact I just ran SeaTools for DOS on

>>> a 486 box with 48MB of RAM.

>>

>>I don't believe it either, Franc. I've run Seatools for DOS on really old

>>hardware.

>>Just checking.....did you use the latest version on that 486 box? I usually use

>>an

>>older version of Seatools on the older boxes, since I have older versions archived

>>here.

>

> I used SeaTools for DOS v1.09 which I downloaded in November last

> year.

>

> ISTR I once used an earlier version that had a file system checking

> option. It had a bug that caused it to incorrectly analyse a

> particular FAT32 boot sector, so I didn't trust it completely after

> that.

They've got a version 2.x now at the download site, and it has a busier GUI and

mouse support, IIRC. It probably requires more RAM that the 1.x versions, but I

would still be surprised if it required more than the OP's 40MB RAM.

Only one way to find out......try it. :-)

--

Glen Ventura, MS MVP Windows, A+

http://dts-l.net/

http://dts-l.net/goodpost.htm

September 11, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

On Wed, 10 Sep 2008 23:20:48 -0400, "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com>

put finger to keyboard and composed:

>"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

>news:9u9gc456b3mgqpg2dvf3g1v79gc17on3pi@4ax.com...

>> On Wed, 10 Sep 2008 14:34:57 -0400, "glee" <glee29@spamindspring.com>

>> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>>

>>>"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

>>>news:amrec4t9fi1ogt74ika8996tio0noqnb8h@4ax.com...

>>>> On Tue, 9 Sep 2008 15:15:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

>>>> mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>>>>

>>>>>I have been perusing the Seatools for Dos. My HD is Seagate. Unfortunately

>>>>>the System requirements are given as PC with a Pentium or greater processor

>>>>>and a minimum of 64MB of RAM. It looks as though it will not run on a WIN

>>>>>98SE Computer with only 40MB of RAM.

>>>>

>>>> I don't believe it. A DOS program that fits on a floppy diskette

>>>> should not require 64MB of RAM. In fact I just ran SeaTools for DOS on

>>>> a 486 box with 48MB of RAM.

>>>

>>>I don't believe it either, Franc. I've run Seatools for DOS on really old

>>>hardware.

>>>Just checking.....did you use the latest version on that 486 box? I usually use

>>>an

>>>older version of Seatools on the older boxes, since I have older versions archived

>>>here.

>>

>> I used SeaTools for DOS v1.09 which I downloaded in November last

>> year.

>>

>> ISTR I once used an earlier version that had a file system checking

>> option. It had a bug that caused it to incorrectly analyse a

>> particular FAT32 boot sector, so I didn't trust it completely after

>> that.

>

>They've got a version 2.x now at the download site, and it has a busier GUI and

>mouse support, IIRC. It probably requires more RAM that the 1.x versions, but I

>would still be surprised if it required more than the OP's 40MB RAM.

>Only one way to find out......try it. :-)

The readme file that came with v1.09 also called for a Pentium and

64MB.

The autoexec.bat file created a 3MB RAM disc into which was extracted

the SeaTools executable ... with about 2MB to spare.

Anyway, I went through the procedure to download the latest version

(V2.07) and got to this page:

http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools/seatooldreg

The requirements were listed as:

====================================================================

You can run SeaTools for DOS to test your disc drive if your PC has:

at least one (1) disc drive. Seagate Technology disc drives will

support enhanced features.

an IBM / Intel compatible PC with a 386 or greater processor.

SVGA 800 x 600 or greater graphics capability.

at least 8 megabytes of RAM.

1.44 megabyte floppy disk or CD-ROM drive for the bootable SeaTools

application.

====================================================================

However, the new readme file once again asks for a Pentium with 64MB

of RAM, but only a 640x480 VGA resolution. <shrug>

V2.07 still runs fine on the 486 box, though, and it still creates a

3MB RAM disc.

- Franc Zabkar

--

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

September 11, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

Franc

Many thanks for the information.

Regarding the Celem Cache Test program I downloaded the zip file to memory

stick where i unziped it. The unziped files got mixed with others on the

memory. I identified 5 files which I copied to a floppy disk but there were

clearly others which I missed. I will check that out shortly.

I Have checked the com port on the Computer. (Pin nos.1 to 5 L to R top row

6 to 9 L to R bottom row)

Results:

Pins 2 to 3 No Flash when shorted. DC voltage between pins 12 V

Pins 4 to 6 No Flash when shorted. DC voltage between pins 9V

Pins 7 to 8 No Flash when shorted. DC voltage between pins 9V

Can any conclusions be drawn from these results.?

Thank You

--

JJ MacA

"Franc Zabkar" wrote:

> On Wed, 10 Sep 2008 15:37:01 -0700, jj mac <jj

> mac@discussions.microsoft.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>

> >Franc

> >I have ascertained that my motherboard is based on the Intel i430 FX Triton

> >Chipset and was manufactured by Fugutech.

> >Identification marks/Part numbers on the RAM Chips removed from the Computer

> >are as follows:

> >TI - 70

> >TMS44409DJ

> >OE 5A AIE81

> >Note: I had difficulty distinguishing between the letter I and number 1 and

> >between the letter O and the number 0 in the above. Please make any

> >correction if necessary.

> >

> >There are 8 chips ( in 2 groups of 4) on each of the two modules removed.

> >The Modules are made by Texas Instruments with part no. TM124FBK32S - 70

> >96141

>

> These chips are 1Mx4 EDO 70nsec DRAMs:

> http://focus.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/tms44409.pdf

>

> Each module therefore has a capacity of 4MB.

>

> >Not having an internet connection on the WIN 98SE computer I downloaded &

> >saved the Celem Cache Test program & on another Computer. I unzipped the

> >files and copied them to floppy disk. The unzipped program contained 5

> >files including 2 No. executable files, CCT386.EXE AND CCT4GW.EXE. I used

> >the Windows startup disk to boot the Computer to an A:\ prompt. I then

> >inserted the floppy containing the Celem test program in drive A, I didn’t

> >know which of the two applications I should run. When I tried to run

> >CCT386.exe I got an error message “A:\CCT*.FON not found”. I then tried to

> >run CCT4GW.exe and got a fatal error “Syntax - DOS4G (executable. xxx)”. I

> >don’t know where I have gone wrong.

>

> CCT386.exe is the executable. There are 17 files in the ZIP, including

> two .FON files.

>

> I expect that your graphical output will show three levels, the first

> at around 8KB or 16KB, the second at around 256KB or 512KB (depending

> on your motherboard cache), and the third at around 512KB or 1MB.

>

> - Franc Zabkar

> --

> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

>

September 11, 2008

Re: Mouse not detected and Windows 98SE Freeze issues

Sorry Franc. I apologise that when I carried out the COM Port tests I

overlooked your program. I had simply booted up the computer and carried out

the tests without using the test progam. Please ignore the results I posted

which are not correct. I will let you have the corrected results as soon as

I carry out the test properly.