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Hi Everybody

APOLOGIES TO ALL - PREVIOUSLY MIS-POSTED THIS THREAD IN OPERATING SYSTEM ISSUES.

I have been given a hand-me-down PC from work, details pasted below.

I am sloooooowly setting it up at home but can't get the monitor speakers to work but sound is working with desktop speakers.

Also, my BT Voyager modem keeps on dropping it's connection. This has only happened since I had the PC put upstairs in the spare room..... I had a chap come in and install an extension for me. At the same time I also got one of those combined printer/scanner jobs. I have looked on the BT broadband help page. I admit to laughing at someone complaining their modem was disconnecting every time he used the microwave (I seriously thought it was an April fool) and now realise it could indeed be the new printer that is causing my problems. However, the modem disconnects even when the printer/scanner is not being used.

Looking at the log below, is there anything I should be deleting or adding to this PC?

I have just "upgraded" from a super old PC & Pentium II so this is like warp speed to me, lol.

Any comments/help greatly appreciated.

Cheers Jane
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OS Information:
PropertyValue
OS Name Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional|C:\WINNT|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Service Pack 4.0
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINNT


Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 1800
Description x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 4
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.80GHz


Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label Bank0/1
Capacity 134217728

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~128 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 127MB

Disk Drives:
PropertyValue
Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model ST340014A
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 34356994560 (~32 GB)
Number of Partitions 1

Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model BUFFALO ClipDrive USB Device
Media Type Removable media other than floppy
Size 1036385280 (~1 GB)
Number of Partitions 1


Installed Printers:
PropertyValue
Name HP PSC 1400 series
Port Name USB001
Driver Name HP PSC 1400 series

Name hp deskjet 6122 series
Port Name LPT1:
Driver Name hp deskjet 6122 series

Name \\newserver\hp deskjet 950c series
Port Name USB001
Driver Name hp deskjet 950c series


Motherboard:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Quntumn Designs Limited
Model
Name Base Board
Part Number
Product PLATINIX-2
Serial Number
Version V1.XX


BIOS:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Award Software International, Inc.
Name Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Release Date 20020605******.******+***
Version Ver 1.65


Monitor:
PropertyValue
Description Plug and Play Monitor
Name Plug and Play Monitor
Screen Height 768
Screen Width 1024


Keyboard:
PropertyValue
Description Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard


Pointing Device:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Microsoft
Name PS/2 Compatible Mouse


Sound Card:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Cirrus Logic, Inc.
Description Crystal WDM Audio Codec
Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_2445&SUBSYS_59344352&REV_05\3&13C 0B0C5&0&FD


Video Card:
PropertyValue
Adapter Compatibility NVidia
Adapter RAM 33554432
Description NVidia Riva TNT2 Model 64
Installed Display Drivers nv4.sys
Driver Version 5.00.2165.0327
Driver Date 27/10/1999 15:23:38
Video Mode Description 1024 x 768 x 65536 colors


DirectX Installation:
PropertyValue
Version 6.03.01.0148


Modem:
PropertyValue

Network Adapters:
PropertyValue
Description WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface
Description BT Voyager 105 ADSL Modem

External Ports:
PropertyValue
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator Detected
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator

Expansion Slots:
PropertyValue
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation PCI
Slot Designation AGP
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Hello Jane,

Let me throw some ideas your way but first I wouldn't have thought 128mb of internal ram was nearly enough for your system you need to buy and install some more ram.

I'm not sure with Win 2000 but look for your control panel, find sound & audio settings, your looking for something like speaker settings, should be an option to change from desktop to monitor speakers, try that first and test speakers

IMHO monitor speakers are crap----however if you insist you may also have to enable the onboard sound in the BIOS.

As for your modem, it has nothing to do with your printer/scanner.

First off, your chap that installed the BT extension socket, he did install a slave and not a master socket, cos' that would cause modem difficulties. How do you find out?---well in the first instance ask him, if that option is not available to you remove the two small screws on the face plate of the extension box and gently---gently now take a look, what you don't want to see is something that looks like a round fat battery.

I'm not sure but something else springs to mind, Have you got anything like call waiting or caller ID or an external answer phone, again there are settings that have to be configured so your modem can deal with these.
Johanus

Morning Johanus and thank you for your reply.

On the basis I can't even get monitor speakers working do you think I could install some RAM? LOL. I know a gal who can though!

The audio settings are indeed set to monitor speakers and the external speakers still work on this setting. My external speakers are very basic (TEAC PowerMax 80/2) and probably no better than the monitor speakers? Enabling sound in BIOS is probably something else I could ask my friend to do for me......

I have taken a look at the extension socket - it doesn't have the battery thingymebob.

I do have caller ID but that was on my line BEFORE I got broadband and well before I moved to the upstairs office.

I have contacted BT for a new modem as I think this one has an intermittent fault and they keep on giving me the same old "turn off the computer, disconnect the USB cable, leave it 5 mins and restart your computer". Of course this works, just as reconnecting to the internet each time it disconnects works! It's a BT Voyager 105 modem. Do you think I should insist they send me a replacement modem?

OH BLIMEY!!! I've just thought, I now have a fax machine (complete with TAM) on the same extension as my modem - again, this was connected at the same time I moved all the equipment upstairs. Do you think this might be causing the problems even though the fax isn't receiving/sending when the modem drops its connection??

Regards Jane

Good morning Jane,

As this is a hand me down it might be usefull to know what make this PC is, Dell, Compaque.

If this PC is getting on it is probable that the motherboard didn't support onboard sound but look at the bios anyway, cos' it might and you need to enable it.

As far as ram, ( memory ), is concerned,128bm of ram for todays needs is not enough, ( double it as your bare minium, note--512mb is a starting point in most systems today altho' I know there are thousands PCs that work quite happily on 256mb or less ),do not however just go out and buy memory even if you're told it will work------ram needs to be matched.

I don't know what your system is but if it is four years old + it might require PC 100 ram
Don't get hung up on it it's resolvable but you can't buy it new.

One of this site moderators DJ Nafney can sort/sell the ram to you, give him a post, there are others, if he/they can't let me know but don't buy it off E-bay uness your happy to do so.

Unless space or budget is an issue, honestly Jane invest £20 in a set desktop speakers
making sure they have their own power supply, you can't go far wrong with Maplins or a store like that.

Hmm----yes that was a rather important detail---disconect your TAM---see if that helps.

I really don't think your modem is faulty-----change it that's up to you---I don't think it faulty that said some modems don't like or will not work off extensions.

Post back
Johanus

Hi Johanus

The computer is a custom build, I guess, by the guys who provide my employer with IT support. It's certainly NOT a branded PC. They know what the usage requirements are and provide PCs to those requirements. Originally, the monitor speakers did work but after the boss complained about us listening to CDs (when we should have been working!) the office manager had the sound disconnected......

I have (cheekily) put a call out to the IT guys for their advice on 1) monitor speakers 2) memory. Ideally, I could do with freeing up a socket (getting rid of desktop speakers and using the monitor speakers would solve this).

We got the new computers in work about 3 or 4 years ago now. How will I know if I have motherboard problems?

I had already taken a look at the DAL auctions and noticed DJNafney is offering 256mb memory for sale. Only problem is I don't know if my machine accepts SDRAM - something I will ask the IT chaps if they do get around to returning my call, lol.

I guess as I get more confident with all this PC malarkey I may well want to invest in a good quality sound system, I may well start burning CDs, I may well dabble with downloading music and movies but really, all I use the computer for is logging onto the internet to do a spot of research or a bit of shopping, I'll collect my email and my lad will mess around on cBeebies! ROFL.

That is the maxium I use it for. I do realise there is a wealth of resource out there for me and I will tap into that - but I'm a bit of a technophobe! I'm almost embarrassed to admit that most of it is over my head. I have been reading through some of the forums on here and, to me, it's written in a foreign language. Yes I have a mobile phone but it's not state-of-the-art, I don't have an MP3 player, we don't have an XBox or Play Station, we don't even have a 16:9 TV! I only just got a DVD player last year. My clip drive is only a couple of months old. I still insist on using 35mm film........

In a couple of years' time, I'm sure my little boy will tut at me and raise his eyebrows in frustration as he realises just how technologically inept his mother is but at the same time I hope he shows me how to use it all, ROFLMAO.

Cheers for taking the time to help and advise me. I will turn off the ans machine when I'm on the internet and see if this cures the problem and I will also ask BT if the Voyager modem is compatible with a fax machine/TAM.

Jane

Hello Jane,

It probably is a Dell or something like that then, is it a desktop PC? networked or stand alone unit.

You don't have motherboard problems, it's simply a bios setting--I think.

Your IT guys, myself or someone on this forum can hopefully sort that for you.

It seems your pretty determined to use your monitor speakers---so be it but please do reconsider, exspecialy if yo are going to use this new PC the way you say you will and for CDs onboard sound is utterly-utterly dire but I suppose you'll need to find that out for yourself.

You're not inept, you're learning.

Without a shadow of a doubt, taking into account your requirmemts for this PC you'll have to maximise your ram, 512mb at least, if you can.

I'm afraid to say you might have to consider upgrading your graphics card in the future if it's your intention to play DVDs on the PC but first things first.
Johanus

Johanus you are too kind!! LOL. When my little boy is chastising me for not keeping up with technology I will remember "I'm not inept, I'm learning". Thank you!

The "very nice man" from the IT place has asked me to take the computer in. He'll look at my email issues (I was going to post separately on the appropriate DAL forum for help), he'll install some extra RAM and he'll also give me an audio cable.

That would be the reason (apparently) that the monitor speakers aren't working!! The office manager must have disconnected them to prevent us turning the sound back on at work ROFL.

It wasn't so much an issue of insisting on using the monitor speakers, more of an issue of "why aren't they working?". Now I know why!

As I slowly get my stuff installed in my home office I will also upgrade peripherals. But at the moment, I have limited resources; I need an electrician to come in and install extra sockets (I have 2 sockets in this room and both are working with extension leads), I need lighting more appropriate for monitor work (there is a bog-standard ceiling light right in the centre of the room and directly over my head as I sit at my desk) and new speakers are on the list but they're not at the top of it.

Other than hearing "You have mail mistress" and the pinging and dinging of various windows applications, my use for speakers at the moment is not very great. Monitor ones will do for the next couple of months while I get to grips with this "beast".

I've never had such a good computer at home and I am looking forward to learning about how it works and how I can make it work better, faster and in surround sound!

If you like, I'll post back in a couple of days when my PC comes back?

Thanks again, Johanus.

Jane

Hello Jane,
I'm a little puzzled, and audio cable------Hmmmmm.

I have noticed you have used the abbreviation ROFL, what do they stand for?

Oh how I know what you mean, I have spent hours trying to resolve something just because it niggles me-----ludicrious-----as least your speaker issue is practical.

Once your new PC is up and running, if you haven't already, please, please buy a 6/8 gang socket surge protector with phone sockets in/out puts, (looks just like an extension lead).

There are several brands available, a really good one is the Belkin brand sold in Argos, other outlets and online.
They're one of the few brands that guarantee to replace PC and other devices should they be damaged by an electrical surge when their unit is in use, these surges can and do happen----often and screw PCs.

I trained up as an electrician & gas fitter I own and run a successful building company among other things.

I have no idea what type of home you live in but it will either have ring or radial electrical circuits.

If your electrician is worth his salt and he will be, he should be able to extend the ring circuit in your room or run new radial circuits to your consumer unit, ( fuse box).
It's posible to do both without having to lift a floor board, more so with an extended ring circuit but there are other factors to consider, your sparky will let you know.

Unless you're going to go through the trouble and mess of having new cable chased in to walls then it's conduit for you, never gainly but practical.

My reason for my slight digress, ( apart from showing you how talented I am ), is you might wish to consider when specifying your socket requirements, that you have one double socket installed at waist height very near to your PC, (you won't need more cos' you are going to buy that surge protector), you won't regret it.

As for upgrading peripherals, you have the right idea, upgrade as required but don't spend to much on this PC.

As for your little'un by the time he comes of age he won't want to be seen near this PC, by which time in any case you'll be on your second maybe third gen' PC and teaching him-----he will be impressed, he really will be and brag like hell to his mates about his Mum.

BTW, did disconecting your TAM do any thing.
Keep posting
Johanus

Hi Johanus

Well I got the audio cable today...... and the monitor speakers are working!!! And probably WORSE than you predicted - ROFL - rolling on the floor laughing. The sound is pretty bad.... maybe those speakers will rise on the priority list?

My PC went in today for the memory upgrade. BTW it's PC133. They happened to have 512mb in stock, without looking up the price, he gave me a ball-park of £45, so I've asked them to put it in.

They're wiping my hard disk and re-installing programs as they could spend several hours trying to resolve my email issues (so glad it wasn't me being super thick!).

They're also fitting me a USB 2.0 port at the front of the machine as I have been using a hub (which always seems to be hanging near the floor).

Thanks for the leccie tips - hadn't even thought about getting a surge protector, so I'll get that next time I'm around Argos (prob Fri, but remember I've been without one up until now) and the advice about waist height sockets is so practical and so common sense but it did need pointing out to me, lol. Nice one. I shall make sure sockets go in at that level.

As for the rest of the advice - well over my head but I shall make noises at the electrician and make him think I know what I'm talking about.

Too soon to say about the TAM - as the broadband wasn't disconnecting that often but when it did it was usually at the most inoportune moment!

My little lad will have a separate PC to me and I'm sure his will have a far greater spec than mine. My PC will last me for several years, I'm sure, and it wouldn't surprise me if I get my son's cast offs as he upgrades!

Thanks again, Jane