Reboot Problem after adding Firewire/USB PCI Card

Message Edited by pent7301 on 08-06-200608:53 PM

Clearing the "NVRAM" (BIOS) may also fix the problem.

Here is the procedure: http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=FA1023538

I don't know if the card has a hard disk controller. I don't see that refered to in the item discription.

I did not install it in slot 4, I installed it in slot 2 which was the next available.

Yes, the DVD player does work. If I press continue when I get to that dos screen everything works just fine. My new DVD burner and my existing DVD-ROM both work; My firewire connection recognizes when I hook my camcorder up to it too. It only happens when I reboot.

I put the jumper on cable select.

I called geeks.com to get the manufatures name, unfortunately this is just a generic board, but here's the link if that helps:  http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=A-1406-N

He said to take out the board and see if it happens. If it does to try removing it and seen if the problem follows the board or the DVD-burner; if that fails, try a different slot; if that fails, try clearing the NVRAM. I'll start and post back.

Thanks,

seeburt

Message Edited by pent7301 on 08-06-200608:53 PM

Ok, I pulled the board, rebooted and the same thing happened. So I put the board back in rebooted and followed the instructions to do a NVRAM flush and still the same thing.

I've been doing a lot of reading and I know that some BIOS versions cause a DVD burner conflict when you go to high. I'm currently running A03...is that high enough?

seeburt

Message Edited by pent7301 on 08-06-200608:54 PM

Message Edited by pent7301 on 08-06-200608:53 PM

I did a google search for my DVD burner (lg: gsa-4167b) and it gave the following instructions:

¡Ø Critical Instructions: (to be followed carefully)

1. Connect the drive as ¡°master¡± by it self, on the secondary IDE controller
  with no other device on the same IDE cable, making note to set the jumper
  on the back of the drive to the¡°master¡±position.

2. Download the file GSA-4167DL13(EW).ZIP to a folder of your choice.
  This download includes this ¡°Read me(ew)¡± text file,
  as well as the GSA4167DL13.EXE program, which will auto-update your drive's firmware.

3. Close all other programs including: screen saver, antivirus and/or power-down programs.
  (If these programs are not closed, they will try to engage the PC,
  during the update process, thus interrupting the update and damaging the drive).

4. Check the drive to ensure that there is no disk in the tray before you start
  the update procedure.

5. Go into the folder with the update file and double click the GSA4167DL13.EXE program
  and click the ¡°update¡± button (red). Once the update is complete,
  you will see ¡°Firmware Update Complete¡± and the button will become green
  and advise you to reboot the system.
  You will need to reboot your PC.

 The update will be complete, after you reboot your system.
 
 WARNING: Do not open any programs or start any system functions during the update,
         as they will interfere with data transfer and damage the drive. 
         Do not cancel the operation once it has been started or the drive will

__________________________

As I see it, I need to disconnect my original DVD rom; change the jumper of the new one to master; turn off all my virus protection,etc...

Do these seem like typical instruction?

seeburt

ps. I'm out for a couple of hours. thanks for the help

Message Edited by seeburt on 04-27-200606:33 PM

Message Edited by pent7301 on 08-06-200608:54 PM

Seeburt, BIOS version A08 has a conflict with firewire cards in the 4550 model that will cause a resource problem in Windows.  Since you have installed such a card then only update the BIOS to version A06 if you are still planning to do so.   For your reference I have included below the BIOS history for versions A04 thru A08....

DELL COMPUTER CORPORATION
BIOS RELEASE NOTES
Copyright 2003 Dell Computer Corporation.  All rights reserved.
*****************************************************************************
System:        Dimension D4550
Version:       A08
Release Date:  09/23/2003

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A07 to create A08:

1. Support 1600x900 LCD screens.
2. Processor microcode updates.
3. Fixed F12 Boot Menu hang if no bootable devices are attached.
4. Update to USB functionality. Fixes system hangs with some USB multi-function
  printers, USB disk keys and USB CD-ROM drives.
5. Fixed issues with some video cards that have a PCI to PCI bridge such as, but
  not limited to the Matrox G200 or G450PCI.
6. Fix issue with WEEKDAYS auto-power-on function
*****************************************************************************
System:        Dimension D4550
Version:       A07
Release Date:  06/30/2003 (No longer available)

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A06 to create A07:

1. Free up unused portions of E000:0000 to E000:FFFF memory for memory
  mangers to use.
2. Fixed problem where system was hanging with certain add-in card and
   onboard device configurations.
*****************************************************************************
System:        Dimension D4550
Version:       A06
Release Date:  04/22/2003

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A05 to create A06:

1. Fixed IDE cable type detection problem which may cause IDE drive failures.
2. Fixed intermittent missing 2nd virtual CPU on HyperThreading processors.
3. Fixed boot problem with the Bonzai USB Mini Disk.
4. Disable USB floppy boot if Diskette A: is set to  "Not Installed".
5. Update support for newer Processors.
6. Added voltage alert message at POST when CMOS battery is removed.
****************************************************************************
System:        Dimension D4550
Version:       A05
Release Date:  01/27/2003

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A04 to create A05:

1. Alter reporting of PCI memory space in ACPI.
2. Fixed possible CMOS corruption when adjusting configuration through OMCI.
3. Prevent corruption of Boot Menu display.
4. Prevent BIOS SETUP defaults when SETUP password is set.
5. Sped up OS boot time when there is no USB floppy.
6. Clarified help messages in Setup.
7. Fixed continuous reboots during S3 resume if memory gets corrupted.
8. Added support for USB Flash memory boot.
9. Added USB Emulation online help for USB NOBOOT option.
10. Fixed possible USB HD failure when USB Floppy present.
11. Sped up USB hub detection by about 1/8 second per hub.
12. Fixed possible hang problem with Adaptec SCSI when no drive is connected
13. Prevent hang on reboot with Zenworks.
14. Updated SMBIOS token for HD ACOUSTIC.
15. Fixed USB keyboard retaining SHIFT Key info on hot-plug.
16. Updated microcode for newer processors.
*****************************************************************************
System:        Dimension D4550
Version:       A04
Release Date:  01/20/2003

The following changes have been made to BIOS rev A03 to create A04:

1. Added UDMA support for 48-bit LBA hard drives larger than 137GB.
*****************************************************************************

Thanks for that extra bit of info (I ran across your name in lots of other discussions). I was wondering what each BIO rev did. Since it's working right now I think I'll leave it alone. As long as I have your ear, I am planning to add another hard drive for video storage. Do you have any suggestions that would make this upgrad less problimatic?

Thanks,

seeburt