386SX wrote on 2022-02-03, 14:19:
No problems in editing the posts, I usually edit updating them but sometimes get faster to write in the Quick Reply. 😉
I think it's not a capacitors problem (even if I'd not be surprised), at least it wasn't before trying the unsupported cpus, now seems like the system has difficult time reinstalling the o.s. even with previous bios. I've noticed that disabling the Promise Fastrack100 IDE controller crash the installation process beside it seems Win ME hang during the Plug&Play initial installation and reboot itself. I switch back to install Win 98 first edition patching it later. Is it better the leave Plug&Play "yes" or "no" in the bios for Win 9X and ME?
It's strange now I got these problems before with the default bios/cpu I had not. I might try previous bios versions too who knows, maybe not everything get always fixed as expected.
I always ended up ignoring the Promise controller altogether, basically pretending it isn't there.
I don't remember if I disabled it in BIOS but it would be my first thing to try.
I installed ME on several A7V133 systems and also on at least one single A7v (but probably different revisions) so it should definitely be doable.
I'm unsure of what BIOS version but it was usually the last available one.
However, installing ME is something new in itself in some way. I even wrote something of a guide about it but it essentially goes like this:
When wanting to install ME on a new ('new', hehe) system, I always formatted the drive in at least 2 partitions with the 1st partition for just ME (minimum 1 gb but it didn't have to be really massive unless I really needed to install a lot of junk on there and left all my junk files on the desktop which is really just the C drive). I used 1 stick of RAM (one stick only!) and only a PCI Virge and no other cards (no sound and no NIC, only VGA CPU and RAM and of course HDD, FDD and ODD). Disabled all unnecessary onboard stuff I was never gonna use (this includes any extra IDE stuff and sometimes but not always onboard sound but do disable onboard sound if you intend to use a dedicated sound card).
Install ME fully from disk (or harddrive, whatever floats your boat) until installation is finished.
After I'm on the desktop I sometimes would copy all needed files over like drivers.
Then I shut windows down, unplug anything and remove the Virge and add/swap memory modules till the desired configuration has been achieved.
If I feel uncomfortable about something I'd literally insert the expansion elements one at the time, completely unplugging the system each and every time. I'd then boot her up again, install the driver and if succesful shut down the system, unplug and add the next component, boot up again, install another driver, rinse and repeat till all drivers are installed.
Just keep installing components until the desired end-configuration has been achieved. Tweak windows and install the drivers and once these have been done do some stability tests like benchmarks or play some more demanding games on it for a couple hours.
Before installing, set up the BIOS. Only change the BIOS again after the desktop has been reached and you want to start adding components.
Sure it takes a bit longer perhaps, but it's so much easier this way than having to try and fix spooky odd bugs later.