smtkr wrote on 2025-04-26, 20:19:

Which CD-ROM drive are you trying to use? CD-ROM compatibility is not something I've thought about in the windows era.

I was putting together a list a the four CD drives to respond, just running out of ideas. The Microsoft manual had "such constructive direction" to move forward. My last shot idea was to drop the MHz down from 1.4GHz to 700MHz and try. Sure enough, more success!!!! (see images). I had been going around in circles for the past few days...

I read that DOS does not like more than 512GB of SD memory? I was ultimately planning a dual boot FAT16 system.

Discovered Win98 does not like over 1GB of SDRAM or 1GHz CPU clock speed, at least with initial stock settings out the box on my setup. The advertised max SDRAM for the TUV4X is 1.5GB far as I can tell, I've read up to 4GB? When I go over 1GB memory I get the (image attached) message and the system auto shuts down?

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-27, 13:02:

Discovered Win98 does not like over 1GB of SDRAM or 1GHz CPU clock speed, at least with initial stock settings out the box on my setup. The advertised max SDRAM for the TUV4X is 1.5GB far as I can tell, I've read up to 4GB? When I go over 1GB memory I get the (image attached) message and the system auto shuts down?

You can avoid a lot of Win 98 RAM headaches by going with 512MB or less.

There are patches that mostly fix the issues with larger amounts though.

pete8475 wrote on 2025-04-27, 13:11:

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-27, 13:02:

Discovered Win98 does not like over 1GB of SDRAM or 1GHz CPU clock speed, at least with initial stock settings out the box on my setup. The advertised max SDRAM for the TUV4X is 1.5GB far as I can tell, I've read up to 4GB? When I go over 1GB memory I get the (image attached) message and the system auto shuts down?

You can avoid a lot of Win 98 RAM headaches by going with 512MB or less.

There are patches that mostly fix the issues with larger amounts though.

I seem to be drawing closer to that conclusion, sounds like you have some good first hand experiences with memory? It's really not a problem at the end of the day, it's all about tinkering around with computer stuff that I am really enjoying again, been so long... Most likely I will try out some 3d games from the '98 era, very prolific period I recall, at that time money was in shorter supply, as well as young children, etc... Once I feel this machine is somewhat stable, I am going to introduce it to a Nvidia GeForce FX 5950 Ultra GPU. Currently I'm running the 32-bit Win98 (Plus) option OS. I also plan to format an additional HD with a dual boot 6.22/98 16-bit. This summer I have set a goal to re-learn MS-DOS. I think the real joy for me right now is just re-living some past experiences. Plus I have some time to kill until January to go hiking/camping the Mt. Baker wilderness area. I got caught-up in another severe storm again this past season, nothing like getting buried in snow with 50mph gusts and packing-up at 2:30AM! haha

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-27, 15:14:

I seem to be drawing closer to that conclusion, sounds like you have some good first hand experiences with memory? It's really not a problem at the end of the day, it's all about tinkering around with computer stuff that I am really enjoying again, been so long... Most likely I will try out some 3d games from the '98 era, very prolific period I recall, at that time money was in shorter supply, as well as young children, etc... Once I feel this machine is somewhat stable, I am going to introduce it to a Nvidia GeForce FX 5950 Ultra GPU. Currently I'm running the 32-bit Win98 (Plus) option OS. I also plan to format an additional HD with a dual boot 6.22/98 16-bit. This summer I have set a goal to re-learn MS-DOS. I think the real joy for me right now is just re-living some past experiences. Plus I have some time to kill until January to go hiking/camping the Mt. Baker wilderness area. I got caught-up in another severe storm again this past season, nothing like getting buried in snow with 50mph gusts and packing-up at 2:30AM! haha

Yeah a little, I worked in IT for about 20 years and 98SE was the OS of the day when I started.

I actually run Windows ME on both of my 9X machines instead of 98, it gets rid of the various shutdown related issues and the long pause on startup when you have a NIC in the machine.

One is a Tualatin machine that I constanly tinker with it's specs are currently the following:
MB - MSI MS-6337 LE5
CPU - Intel Pentium 3 1.4S running at 1585mhz
RAM - 512MB PC133 CL2 Infineon brand I think (2x256)
VID - Geforce 4 TI4200 128MB
SSD - 128GB Kingston CF Card
DVD - LG DVD-RW, LG DVD-ROM
AUD - Soundblaster Audigy

pete8475 wrote on 2025-04-28, 00:20:

Yeah a little, I worked in IT for about 20 years and 98SE was the OS of the day when I started. […]
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Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-27, 15:14:

I seem to be drawing closer to that conclusion, sounds like you have some good first hand experiences with memory? It's really not a problem at the end of the day, it's all about tinkering around with computer stuff that I am really enjoying again, been so long... Most likely I will try out some 3d games from the '98 era, very prolific period I recall, at that time money was in shorter supply, as well as young children, etc... Once I feel this machine is somewhat stable, I am going to introduce it to a Nvidia GeForce FX 5950 Ultra GPU. Currently I'm running the 32-bit Win98 (Plus) option OS. I also plan to format an additional HD with a dual boot 6.22/98 16-bit. This summer I have set a goal to re-learn MS-DOS. I think the real joy for me right now is just re-living some past experiences. Plus I have some time to kill until January to go hiking/camping the Mt. Baker wilderness area. I got caught-up in another severe storm again this past season, nothing like getting buried in snow with 50mph gusts and packing-up at 2:30AM! haha

Yeah a little, I worked in IT for about 20 years and 98SE was the OS of the day when I started.

I actually run Windows ME on both of my 9X machines instead of 98, it gets rid of the various shutdown related issues and the long pause on startup when you have a NIC in the machine.

One is a Tualatin machine that I constanly tinker with it's specs are currently the following:
MB - MSI MS-6337 LE5
CPU - Intel Pentium 3 1.4S running at 1585mhz
RAM - 512MB PC133 CL2 Infineon brand I think (2x256)
VID - Geforce 4 TI4200 128MB
SSD - 128GB Kingston CF Card
DVD - LG DVD-RW, LG DVD-ROM
AUD - Soundblaster Audigy

I searched around for the Infineon memory, its very stable and robust, hard to find! Originally was going to install 256MB sticks, I remember back in the day memory was installed in pairs, even though I don't know why? I have #8 sticks of 512BM CL3 UDIMM Non-ECC. I am currently running one stick of 512MB, at least until I get the system somewhat stable.

Spent all day troubleshooting an FX 5950. Card looks perfect, no re-work, burns, stains, trace damage, deformed caps, etc... I have power to the board, CPU is warm, fans going, but big NO GO. System powers-on, no beep codes, just fans-on with a black screen? Learned to make sure and verify I/O power for PSU, cable, and card. Wish I had a schematic and diagram. Card power is 4pin molex. Even set the 4X option to 2X in the BIOS and clocked down the CPU, still NO GO. Not sure what yet to do moving forward?.. Might look into ME for the reasons you pointed out, especially with your firsthand knowledge.

Still can't figure out why I could not boot to the CD-R with the CPU clocked to 1.4GHz when trying to install the OS? Seems there are still mysteries I may never resolve with this activity. Its all part of the fun I guess.

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-28, 03:34:

Spent all day troubleshooting an FX 5950. Card looks perfect, no re-work, burns, stains, trace damage, deformed caps

I have several FX series cards that do NOT work in this MSI board but happily work in a Gigabyte board with the same chipset and an Asus board with the 440BX chipset. Who knows why that is, I use my top end FX card in my P4 anyway.

I was unable to get the FX 5950 to work, tried all the tricks I know?.. The only consistent clue is (see attached image) after removing and replacing the 5950 card each time upon system re-start.

There is another type card I've considered as well, the ATI Radeon AIW 9800 PRO 128MB 8X. Any thoughts on the ATI in comparison to the FX 5950?

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-29, 03:15:

I was unable to get the FX 5950 to work, tried all the tricks I know?.. The only consistent clue is (see attached image) after removing and replacing the 5950 card each time upon system re-start.

There is another type card I've considered as well, the ATI Radeon AIW 9800 PRO 128MB 8X. Any thoughts on the ATI in comparison to the FX 5950?

I have both a 9700 Pro and a 9800 Pro back in the day and they were both great, with this P3 I use a TI-4200, there's not enough CPU power to really push those higher end Geforce and Radeon cards.

Tualatin has the status of a legendary CPU.
But, this is the end of the architecture and it was never the best CPU (hello from AMD BARTON + nForce 2).
At the peak of its capabilities, this CPU lasted a maximum of a year and a half.
And so, this CPU is too powerful for DOS/Win 98 games and too weak for Windows XP games.

Radeon 9600 / FX5700 is more than enough for it.

P.S.
This is the usual way.
Everyone starts with Tualatin Celeron, then P3-S, Athlon 64 s754 (AGP) and ends with Core 2 Duo + X600/800. 😀

shevalier wrote on 2025-04-29, 04:26:

Tualatin has the status of a legendary CPU. But, this is the end of the architecture and it was never the best CPU (hello from A […]
Show full quote

Tualatin has the status of a legendary CPU.
But, this is the end of the architecture and it was never the best CPU (hello from AMD BARTON + nForce 2).
At the peak of its capabilities, this CPU lasted a maximum of a year and a half.
And so, this CPU is too powerful for DOS/Win 98 games and too weak for Windows XP games.

Radeon 9600 / FX5700 is more than enough for it.

P.S.
This is the usual way.
Everyone starts with Tualatin Celeron, then P3-S, Athlon 64 s754 (AGP) and ends with Core 2 Duo + X600/800. 😀

I see you are running an Radeon 9800Pro@XT BIOS? How does that compare to th FX 5950? thanks 😀

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-29, 03:15:

I was unable to get the FX 5950 to work, tried all the tricks I know?.. The only consistent clue is (see attached image) after removing and replacing the 5950 card each time upon system re-start.

There is another type card I've considered as well, the ATI Radeon AIW 9800 PRO 128MB 8X. Any thoughts on the ATI in comparison to the FX 5950?

If it's a bx era board, it is probably 2x agp, and there were a few that couldn't deliver enough power. Either can cause problems

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-04-29, 05:22:

I see you are running an Radeon 9800Pro@XT BIOS? How does that compare to th FX 5950? thanks 😀

Re: Rebuilt W98 PC (P3 1.4 GhZ)
Something like this
But I got no one 59xx card- rarely and expensive to mach
I think Radeon faster around 10-20 percent

Well, as I stated in my original post, I purchased two of these boards. Sadly, I have not been able to get the other board up and running.

The boards are both identical, basically I just swapped boards to try out the other board. I get power, board LED, CPU slightly warm. I used all the same hooked up devices, even swapped memory and moved it to different banks. I went as far as swapping CPU and BIOS with known good parts from the other board. Still, black screen and long beep, long beep, long beep... Verified all the jumper settings too. I don't have any other ideas? Any one with some tricks up their sleeve, please respond! The boards were both NOS, it could be operator error that caused damage earlier-on, I just cannot remember the sequence of events working on the other board when I was still at the wrong power supply hook-up power-on stage.

These TUV4X boards are pricey and hard to find, it would be a shame to assume scrap. Any recommended "Board" certified doctors with proper diagnostic tools and experience out there?

What do the beeps mean?
Surely you've looked that up?
Got a multimeter? Post card?

if you lucky enough, then just VIO module may burn out

myne wrote on 2025-05-03, 03:48:

What do the beeps mean?
Surely you've looked that up?
Got a multimeter? Post card?

Long consecutive beeps indicate a memory issue primarily or a bad motherboard.

shevalier wrote on 2025-05-03, 03:54:

if you lucky enough, then just VIO module may burn out

So should I provide power to the board and check those locations with the multi meter? One leg power and the other ground on the VIO?

shevalier wrote on 2025-05-03, 03:54:

if you lucky enough, then just VIO module may burn out

Tonight I was going to check the original cable I used on the board, the same one that did not work properly due to the pin-out. I will post the results between the one currently working properly and the other. Maybe based on that you might be able to further assist with regard to something I may have previously cooked.

Kittyboy wrote on 2025-05-03, 04:06:

shevalier wrote on 2025-05-03, 03:54:

if you lucky enough, then just VIO module may burn out

So should I provide power to the board and check those locations with the multi meter? One leg power and the other ground on the VIO?

And short contact of the power button, i.e. turn on the motherboard.

VIO module is such a cool feature stupid piece of crap from Asus.

This is an artifact from motherboards with dual AT/ATX power supply.
Which do not use +3.3 V from the PSU, because the AT standard does not have it.
As a result, the board does not use the 3.3 V ATX ​​bus from the PSU at all, but makes this voltage locally.
Generally for everything - chipset, memory, AGP, PСI.
This made sense in the era of Riva TNT2, but it is practically overloaded, for example, by FX5700, which is entirely powered by 3.3 V through its own regulators.