RE: [SLE] Windows install *after* Linux
Paul Abrahams [mailto:abrahams@acm.org]
and started over from scratch. But then, that's just me.
In fact, I did just that and still had problems with the simplest Windows install, which confirmed my suspicion that hardware was involved and was screwing me from the beginning. I thought I had fixed those problems, but even now, when I've installed Windows but not yet installed Linux, Windows sometimes fails on bootup and sometimes doesn't. That sort of inconsistent behavior is almost certainly caused by hardware intermittency.
I've checked the drive itself several times with the Maxtor utility (from the Ultimate Boot CD) and also zeroed it out completely.
Something else to consider... have you added or upgraded hardware in that computer, from the time it was new? Maybe the power supply was barely adequate to the original configuration, and is now "fighting above its weight", as they say. The result, if that's the case, is usually intermittent glitches as multiple peak loads happen to occur simultaneously - say some demand on the video card, while the CD/DVD drive is spinning up, while the network card is pushing packets, while your USB nite-lite is on, and your USB desk-fan/hula dancer is twirling.... :-) A nice, quiet, super-stable 400W or 450W unit is simple to install and not too costly. Just a thought, if you haven't nailed down other causes, and the results of your testing so far suggest that the drive itself might be in fine shape, but it intermittently suffers reduced power when something else in your machine makes demands that the power supply isn't up to. Been there, done that (after _much_ frustration). Kevin The information contained in this electronic mail transmission may be privileged and confidential, and therefore, protected from disclosure. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by replying to this message and deleting it from your computer without copying or disclosing it.
On Friday 22 September 2006 2:37 pm, mlist@safenet-inc.com wrote:
Something else to consider... have you added or upgraded hardware in that computer, from the time it was new?
Maybe the power supply was barely adequate to the original configuration, and is now "fighting above its weight", as they say. The result, if that's the case, is usually intermittent glitches as multiple peak loads happen to occur simultaneously - say some demand on the video card, while the CD/DVD drive is spinning up, while the network card is pushing packets, while your USB nite-lite is on, and your USB desk-fan/hula dancer is twirling.... :-)
A nice, quiet, super-stable 400W or 450W unit is simple to install and not too costly.
Just a thought, if you haven't nailed down other causes, and the results of your testing so far suggest that the drive itself might be in fine shape, but it intermittently suffers reduced power when something else in your machine makes demands that the power supply isn't up to.
Been there, done that (after _much_ frustration).
That's an interesting possibility and one I should check out. As I've mentioned before, my system, with both Linux and Windows, was running just fine in the old box. I switched boxes because the old box (actually a newer one) was a gamer-type box with fewer open bays, only one USB port on the front, and a "front door" that kept getting in the way. (It was more stylish, though.) But the old one had a 400W supply and the newer one a 300W supply. So perhaps I should try transplanting the 400W supply to the current box (and get more current :=)). A more general question for anyone who's listening: are there any recommended hardware diagnostic tools out there that can find problems like these and either run under Linux or run freestanding? Paul
On 06/09/22 15:02 (GMT-0400) Paul Abrahams apparently typed:
On Friday 22 September 2006 2:37 pm, mlist@safenet-inc.com wrote: ...
Maybe the power supply was barely adequate to the original configuration, and is now "fighting above its weight", as they say....
That's an interesting possibility and one I should check out. As I've mentioned before, my system, with both Linux and Windows, was running just fine in the old box. I switched boxes because the old box (actually a newer one) was a gamer-type box with fewer open bays, only one USB port on the front, and a "front door" that kept getting in the way. (It was more stylish, though.) But the old one had a 400W supply and the newer one a 300W supply. So perhaps I should try transplanting the 400W supply to the current box (and get more current :=)).
Sounds like a shockingly good plan. O_O
A more general question for anyone who's listening: are there any recommended hardware diagnostic tools out there that can find problems like these and either run under Linux or run freestanding?
I don't think exist any such things in a form other than what a high volume shop might cost justify. I think the closest you'll find is the software collection that's on that Ultimate Boot CD. Puters are modular. As such, the quickest and simplest diagnostic procedure is usually swapping modules. I just took delivery today and yesterday of two different 400W and 450W power supplies for much this reason. My last good spare was needed to replace a working system's PS that died, leaving me with no unspoken-for power supply for diagnostic purposes. Now I have one ready to install when the need arises (again), without relieving me of an important diagnostic tool. There are quite cheap PS testers around, but those I'm familiar with are basically go/nogo guages that are little help when dealing with intermittent trouble. -- "Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." Proverbs 4:7-8 NIV Team OS/2 ** Reg. Linux User #211409 Felix Miata *** http://mrmazda.no-ip.com/partitioningindex.html
participants (3)
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Felix Miata
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mlist@safenet-inc.com
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Paul Abrahams