Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.packardbell (
More info?)
Wow...so much valuable information. I have upgraded the memory and am
actually running Windows XP without too much trouble. The video card problem
is more than likely a PCI 2.2 issue since this board is 2.1. If you have
1.09 I would appreciate it if you send it to me. I can disable the onboard
video using the jumper on the MB although when I install a video card, it is
automatically detected and used instead of the onboard graphics. I suspect
an older card such as a 64 MB Geforce 2 would be more in order or an ATI
Radeon 7000. Thanks for the information and the BIOS.
Regards,
John O.
"RRR_News" <nospam@isp.com> wrote in message
news:I4WdnWXkVtzWhfjfRVn-3Q@comcast.com...
> JJO,
> I have the PB MultiMedia 955, w/Win98 1st Edition, 333Mhz K6-2 AMD, 128
> SIMM
> (3.3V) NONPARTY EDO60NS RAM, PB850 motherboard. Manufactured in 1998,
> sold
> in Michigan, USA. During the boot-up, it shows FR500 in the BIOS
> description. You should go to
http://priorityonesupport.com , register an
> email address/password. Then in the Driver's section of the site under
> Packard Bell, you can try checking your PC's Serial # under System
> configuration. If the model is there it will give you the specs for it,
> when
> manufactured. You should take the time and download drivers/manuals for
> your
> PC, and copy them to a CD, for emergency use. just in case, this website
> ever closes.
>
> Now, if it is the same motherboard that I have, and you are using the
> Packard Bell Restore Disk, you can only upgrade the BIOS to version 1.09 .
> There is an issue with the PB OEM Restore Disk, reinstalling Windows,
> recognizing a later BIOS version. You will get an error stating the
> installation failed, because it doesn't recognize the PC as a Packard
> Bell.
> This occurs for units manufactured for the US, and possibly for Canada
> too.
> Basically the OEM installation CD is locked to the BIOS chip. For European
> Packard Bell units, they placed some (Tattoo.exe) software on the hard
> drive, for the installation to verify that the PC was a Packard Bell. If
> you
> are using a Microsoft OS installation CD, it shouldn't matter what BIOS
> version you are using.
>
> PriorityOneSupport, has version 1.07 there to download, I found version
> 1.09
> on the web, and can send you a copy if you want. I have tried different
> 2.XX
> versions of the BIOS, and they did not work for me. I was able to flash
> back
> the bios, to the version I currently have.
>
> Now for your graphics card, it may be more than a BIOS issue. In addition
> to
> getting the correct BIOS installed. You may need to disable the on board
> graphics chip. You can try the following:
>
> 1. If you bought a new Graphics card, make sure it is compatible with your
> Windows OS. Some of the newer cards need at least Win98 Second edition
> running on PC. Win95/Win98 1st Edition will not work. Since some drivers
> the
> card needs, are not found with earlier Windows versions.
>
> 2. Make sure that your Power supply will work with your Graphics card, if
> you need to upgrade buy a quality one. I tried to upgrade twice, with
> CompUSA's generic brand, and the both of them got fried, within months of
> purchase.
>
> 3. Restart PC> During boot-up press F8 until you get into SafeMode> Then
> go
> to Control Panel> System> Device Manager> Display Adapters> Right click
> the
> on board adapter> Select to disable and/or not run in all profiles.
>
> 4. There should be a way of disabling the onboard graphics, by changing
> pin
> settings on the motherboard. Again you can get the manuals from
> www.PriorityOneSupport.com .
>
> And additional problem I had with the installation of a PNY 64MB GeForce
> 400
> graphics card in my Packard Bell. I could not use the PB OEM Restore CD,
> without pulling the card out. Even with the onboard graphics disabled on
> the
> motherboard. I may have not done it right, I don't know. But during the
> installation process, the installation process looks for the graphics
> chip,
> if it can't find it, an error notice will occur, stating that the PC is
> not
> being recognized as a Packard Bell.
>
>
> --
>
> Rich/rerat
>
> (RRR News) <message rule>
> <<Previous Text Snipped to Save Bandwidth When Appropriate>>
>
>
>
> "JJO" <jjo@nospam.ca> wrote in message
> news:w259e.5271$Jg5.441382@news20.bellglobal.com...
> I am going to update the BIOS with the FR500 2.00 BIOS that I have found
> at
> the PB site. However I hesitate doing this since I have found almost no
> information on the 950C anywhere on the Net. The BIOS displayed at bootup
> is
> the FR500 1.03 and I have to assume that the various models of the
> Multimedia systems used the GVC motherboard (FR500). Can anyone give me a
> little more information to go on? Thanks for any help.
>
> Oh, updating the BIOS because I attempted to install a new NVidia video
> card
> and once the drivers were installed the system would blue screen and
> reboot.
>
> Regards,
> John O.
>
>
>