Flaky video can simulate bad CPU cache

[theBeast]

Here's something to keep in mind. I just ran into this:
The customer's config is a Cyrix 200 w/ 32 meg DIMM, ATI 2 meg 264 video, and a PC chips mobo.
Customer complained that Win 95 would hang at the logo screen. I booted the computer, and it would hang before the "Starting Windows 95..." message.
I've seen this problem 1,000,000 times, and 99% of the time, it's attributed to bad cache. So, I immediately went into the CMOS and disabled both External and Internal caches. Booted, went into Windows fine. Reset the computer--it hung with no video. I turned it off for about 5 minutes, turned it back on and went into CMOS again. Enabled External cache, and rebooted. It went into Windows fine again. I rebooted, adn again the system hung. I turned it off for 5 minutes, went back into CMOS, enabled internal cache and the system hung right before Starting Windows 95...
Chalked it up to a stinky Cyrix CPU.
I rebooted the computer, disabled internal cache, and decided to do other tests on the computer to see if there was anything else funny with it. I ran a 3D testing program and the system hung. I pulled out the video card, and put in a known good one, and tested--it tested fine. It turned on CPU internal cache, and the system runs like a dream...well, a Cyrix dream.

Customer complained that Win 95 would hang at the logo screen. I booted the computer, and it would hang before the "Starting Windows 95..." message.
I've seen this problem 1,000,000 times, and 99% of the time, it's attributed to bad cache.

I didn't do it!

[theBeast]

Actually, it WAS you! I saw you sticking your head in the computer with a magnetic screwdriver saying, "I wonder what would happen if I touched this..."

[pcshark]

Nobody ever said the problem was a PC shark (-;

Poor BadCache!

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R. Bret Walker, CNE

Wondering what videos to rent this weekend? Check out The People's Reviews, movie reviews written for the people and by the people.

I only cause problems in networked games. "Watch out for the sneaky Basturd with the M4."

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There is no Spoon!

[AlienDyne]

Sometimes things are going pretty weird on a system. You try to fix it but you just can't. There's an alien force, an alien dyne that's preventing you from fixing it!
It's strange, but I use to call it Aliendyne!

;-)

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"Matter is passive. In spite of its power, it can't be controlled without the human mind."
Sokrates

[kannibul]

look at the hardware, that has to be the ****tiest setup i have heard (this year)
no wonder you are having these probs, get some real hardware.

[theBeast]

Yes, I know it's a crappy computer. I just fix them, though, and we didn't sell this woman this computer. If the customer isn't complaining about anything else, I can't change anything else.

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***the Beast
- Fate drove me here...then told me to get out of the car...

Originally posted by theBeast:
Actually, it WAS you! I saw you sticking your head in the computer with a magnetic screwdriver saying, "I wonder what would happen if I touched this..."

BUSTED!!! I am sorry. I won't do it again.


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Bill Gates? I never heard of him. Is he famous or something?

[Sowulo]

I think the real prob was the single screw holding in the HD

[Spoogy13]

the problem......Cyrix

enough said.