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2278
May 3rd, 2004 16:00
Upgrading to USB 2 locks up computer
I decided to get an external high speed USB hard disk drive for my Dimension 8100, P4-1.3, 512MB, running Win 2000 SP4.
Initially everything worked. I installed the USB 2.0 card, connected the drive, and the computer saw it right away. Great. Then about 10 minutes later, my computer completely locked up as I was starting up Real Media Player. The only way I could regain control was to turn the power off. I powered back up and the computer locked up as soon as I logged in. I powered off and removed the USB 2.0 card and then I successfully start up. I figured perhaps the card wasn’t seated perfectly so I put the card back in and everything worked again. I reformatted the drive to convert it to NTFS without any trouble. However, after about 15 minutes the computer locked up again. I powered off and back on again but this time the computer locked up immediately upon logging in. I figured the card must be defective so I returned it to the store and a got a new one made by a different manufacturer. I put that one in and, again, the computer locked up upon logging in.
I went online to check Dell support and while I didn’t find an exact match, I found a recommendation to update the BIOS. My system has always worked well so I never have updated it. It was using A06 and I updated it to A09 (a newer one exists but it is only recommended for systems running XP). Everything appeared to be working fine with the new BIOS so I put the USB card in again. Once again, the computer locks up upon logging in.
Anyone have any ideas for a next step?
TomXPS
1.3K Posts
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May 4th, 2004 16:00
Might want to try a different card slot if you have more than one empty. Could be a Interupt conflict. I installed a USB 2.0 PCI card in a system without any problems, and using it for an external disk just as you are.
Lackluster
35 Posts
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May 4th, 2004 22:00
AZSunDevilGrad
4 Posts
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May 5th, 2004 05:00
I don't see any indication on this card what chipset it uses. What brand card worked for you? (and which didn't) The first one I tried was a PPA and the second is INTEK21.
Thanks for the help!
AZSunDevilGrad
4 Posts
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May 5th, 2004 05:00
Lackluster
35 Posts
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May 5th, 2004 14:00
The old PCI card had a chip on it marked VIA. The new PCI card that works had a chip on it marked ALIA or ALadin or something like that I don't recall. However when I look at the drivers that came with the new card they are VIA drivers. The box it came in had no identification other than it's intended purpose; just a generic PCI card.It may be that my first card was a dud.
Sorry I couldn't help more.
Message Edited by Lackluster on 05-05-2004 10:48 AM
TomXPS
1.3K Posts
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May 6th, 2004 02:00
I USB 2.0 PCI adapter was made by Dynex. It appears to use the Via chip set also. Never cause me any problems worked right away. I had a Network card, modeum, and sound card installed and caused no conflict with any of them. Even the existing 1.1 USB ports on the mother board continued to function, never moved the printer off the 1.1 port. Note this was not installed in a Dell but being a Dell should really make no difference, the computer is running Windows 2000.
Hope your having better luck.
AZSunDevilGrad
4 Posts
0
May 6th, 2004 05:00
The saga continues. Went back to Fry's and found a couple other possible brands of cards (more expensive of course). I settled on the Belkin for $35 because it came in clear plastic packaging so I could clearly see the chip was branded NEC. Installed it and the system froze again upon logging on. As recommended as an alternative method by Belkin, I took the card out, installed the driver supplied by Belkin, and reinstalled the card. No difference. I tried the card in another slot. No difference. Now I haven't clue what to attempt next.
The KMODE problem with vsdatant.sys turned out to be a corrupted ZoneAlarmPro file. I needed to upgrade ZoneAlarm anyway so there's another $40 spent on this adventure.