|
Trying to salvage old computer
|
joanne
12/31/01
|
I was given an old Packard Bell Multimedia M415 3.2GB Hard Drive/24 MB Ram (DIMM). I installed IE 5.5 and now when the computer boots up all I get is a message saying "Explorer - This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down." Displaying the details says: "Explorer caused an invalid page fault in module <unknown> at 00:bfbfd400." And it goes on to list the registers. When I click "Close," the same illegal operation box comes back up..over and over again. I can't get into the system to remove IE 5.5. I did boot up in safe mode..but the same illegal operation message was there. I am trying to salvage this computer to give to my nephew who does not have one. What I really need to know is: is it salvageable? Is it something that can be fixed by someone with *very* limited experience (myself) or do I need to take it to a technician? Is it even worth taking in? Other pertinent facts are that I have no boot disk, the A drive doesn't work, and I do not have the original installation CD. Geez. This sounds pretty hopeless but I'd like to be sure. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks very much and Happy New Year!
|
Frank
01/02/02
|
There is an option to boot without loading any drivers. I would try this. Failing this try booting into dos mode.
Then look in c:\windows\startm~1\programs\startup
Move any files here that look okay to move to a temporary directory.
mkdir \starttmp
move xx.lnk \starttmp Now try rebooting in Windows. Maybe you will have removed something starting up which was causing a problem. Failing this go back to dos.
Edit the c:\windows\win.ini file.
You should be able to use the old edit program. edit c:\windows\win.ini Look for:
[windows]
load=??
run=??
NullPort=None Write down whatever is listed in the load= and the run= then remove them. [windows]
load=
run= There are also entries in the registry for startup programs. Editing the registry is very tricky. Let's hope some of the above fixes it first. Failing that your final option might be to format the harddrive and install Win98SE. That should run okay on many of the older boxes. This is dangerous though since you don't know if you have all the required driver disks for the computer.
|
joanne
01/03/02
|
Thank you *so* much, Frank. Your suggestions worked perfectly. Not only did I use your advice, I'm printing it out for future reference. I now have the computer running well enough to connect to the internet. Bless you for taking the time to respond!
|
Linda
zoobarn@access995.com
03/16/02
|
I was given a used PC for last Christmas. It has alot of old files on it and stuff I do not need or use. How can I get his stuff all off here and restore it back to original "out of the box" condition? I have all of the discs that go with it, but not sure how to erase everything and start over. It is 2 year-old Gateway with Windows 98. Do I need to take this to the shop and let them do it?
|
tony
04/27/02
|
i recieved a packard bell m415 166mhz. I deleted the primary partition without making a boot dist for it. I've made boot disks from the internet and nothing seems to work. I can't find an oem boot disk for it anywhere. I've recently viewed a bios setup to ensure propper function of the a:\ all I recieve instead of getting to an a:\ prompt is operating system missing DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE TO FIND AN OEM BOOT DISK FOR A PACKARD BELL M415
|
jim
09/10/02
|
discs for pb m415 can be purchased from pcfactoryoutlet
|
Tom
10/08/02
|
I recently bought and installed 128MB of new RAM for my Packard Bell M415. In the "My Computer" properties, it only shows 40MB being used. It only had 24MB of DIMM before so I would like to know why it only upgraded 16MB instead of the full potential of the chip. The RAM chip that I removed was a Hyundai chip and the chip that I installed is a RK-Byte. I only installed one chip instead of two.
|
Ross
10/12/02
|
I Have, the same problem with my cousin's computer. I pretty sure it has something to do with the speed of RAM your putting in what is the speed rated at 66 100 etc I know RAM is backwards compatible. But the motherboard may not fully utilize the full potential of the memory installed. I put the same amount and it only came up to 64, I would try updating the BIOS and basically everything else. And see if the old bird spreads her wings... Oh yeah it was PNY 133 sdram.
|
Lee
extremelee80@hotmail.com
12/23/02
|
I am having a meltdown trying to reinstall windows on a Packard Bell Multimedia m415. I have Fdisked the computer, reformatted the hard drive (in that order) copied over the basic drivers, and I still cannot install windows, or even get to the windows installation window? Any Ideas besides tossing it over my balcony??
|
john carroll
coguard@bellsouth.net
01/01/03
|
If your CDrom works, then, using a WIN98 S/U disk, load the CDROM drivers. Then, make a directory on your HDD callled C:\Win98. To do this from DOS, at the C:\prompt, type "C:\md Win98" Next, type in (from the C prompt), "C:>copy E:\win98\*.* C:\win98"
This will copy the contents of the WIN98 folder from your CDrom disc to yuour HDD. from DOS, go to your C:\win98 folder, and type setup.exe, as follows:
C:>\cd win98
C:\win98>setup.exe
This will start the Windows installation program. fRom here, even if your cdrom quits, it won't matter, becuase all the win98 files are already on your HDD.
good luck
|
Woody Brackens
tomcatvf33@yahoo.com
01/11/03
|
Have a Platimun 1 series Nackard Hell, no boot disk. 95 crashed, formated 1.3 gig HD, on reload the quad speed CD installs, but not working. Fancy paper wieght now, any help would be much thanks.
|
Bill Connellee
billconnellee@msn.com
02/21/03
|
Go to this site and download the boot file. Transfer it onto a floppy and do a cold boot with the floppy; the CD will be called Q: and from there you can install whichever OS you want -- suggest 98SE. Just rebuilt an old PB M415 for father-in-law from spare parts and had to do that. BTW, if anybody knows where to plug in the CD cable to the mainboard of the machine PLEASE let me know.
Thanks
|
Marty
WordsAreMyGame@aol.com
03/11/03
|
A friend of mine was given a Packard Bell Multimedia M415 computer. The only time she had the computer on it took about an hour of pushing the on/off button to get it to turn on. That was about a month ago. Last night she and I rearranged her workstation and she wanted me to make sure everything was plugged into the CPU correctly -- everything was. However, after several times of pushing the on/off switch, I told her I would try to get some help online first. She thinks that maybe there's some kind of spring for the button. It looks like it tries to read C drive and her CDROM drive; however, nothing happens. I double and triple checked to make sure everything was plugged into the computer as it should be and it is. Does anyone have any suggestions. At first I thought maybe it was the fan; however, after seeing that it wasn't even turning on the power, I gave up. She said the person who gave her the computer tried it and it was the same thing. This person told my friend that she hadn't had that kind of problem with the computer before she gave it to Margaret. Any help would be greatly appreciated as Margaret is financially strapped and wanting to try to get the computer up and running.
|
Zoe
zoe@solien.com
03/14/03
|
Have you tried removing the front cover? I'm not familiar with how Packard Bell computers look like, but most power buttons are just a piece of plastic that hovers over the actual power button. If you can try pushing that actual button yourself, perhaps that piece of plastic is misaligned somehow.
|
Buddy
hlmercer@yahoo.com
04/06/03
|
Where can I find a bios upgrade for a Packard Bell M415? I cannot seem to get any info at all on this computer from the PB websight.
|
jeff
jeff@thetexasexpress.com
06/04/03
|
Does anyone have the drivers for the M415? I really need them and can't find them..
Thanks
|
David S.
06/15/03
|
Regarding Packard Bell M415 and other drivers: www.priorityonesupport.com/home.asp has them.
As far as memory upgrades, you will not be successful unless you use memory that meets the technical requirements for a Packard Bell M415. If you use other memory brands(types)they will only give 1/4th of the actual memory installed. That is if they work at all. It has nothing to do with the BIOS.
Packard Bells: Ya love 'em and ya hate 'em!!!
|
Liz I.
07/18/03
|
Adding to what David S. posted, the site listed below is an excellent place to purchase RAM for the Packard Bell M415:
http://www.memoryx.net/multimediam415.html
They explain there that, "This is the only 64mb module we have which is compatible with many Packard Bell Systems. Regular PC66 SDRAM is not compatible, and will only register 1/4 of the memory..Compatible with All Packard Bell systems which have a maximum of 128MB, and have two 168pin DIMM slots".
I just upgraded my dad's computer from 24 to 80MB, which doesn't sound like much, but turned out to be a valuable and cost effective improvement. So far it has been the lowest priced RAM I found on the web for the M415.
Next, I'm planning to upgrade the CPU. If anyone has any advice or prior experience upgrading the CPU on this machine I'd be very grateful.
Thanks
Liz
|
mike
twodogs4@comcast.net
08/01/03
|
I have a PB comp. that had the hard drive reformatted. It took win.98 but it seems like the drivers for the vidio,usb,sound,and what ever PB combines on there start up disc is not installed. If any one can tell me where to download the master boot disc for a Packard Bell Mod. 910 ID# 845120102 I would really Appreciated the info.
|
Larry
STEAMLOCOLARRY@aol.com
08/23/03
|
Just upgraded a PB M415 without the original disks and here is what I encountered: Formatted the hard drive and installed Windows 95b. USB support is not automatically installed; you have to install it manually from the installation disk. Look for a folder named "other" on the disk. Inside is another folder called USB. Open it, and install the USB support package. Use device manager to try and identify the audio and video chip manufacturers, as well as the modem chip manufacturer. Life will be easier if you can open the case, and write down the numbers of all these chips, as it will make life easier! to find the drivers for these old beasts. Go to www.software.drivers.com to find the drivers you need. An old, but still valuable site for older PB computers is: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Lakes/8774/ Note that the links to PB no longer apply. Boot disks for any Operating System can be downloaded at www.Bootdisks.com I installed 128Mb of memory purchased at www.Kahlon.com
Their memory is guaranteed to work, if it is specifically for your system. For up-to-date graphics, I installed a PNY Verto PCI card designed to run on a Pentium system. Lastly, I flashed the Bios with an upgrade from www.esupport.com Now the system is in the 20th century. Next in line is a 400Mhz CPU upgrade from www.Evertech.com Look for their "Spectra 400". That will be needed, as Windows XP Pro will not work with a processor slower than 300 Mhz. Windows 98, and 2000 will work without a processor upgrade. That will bring this old dinosaur into the 21st century. After that, maybe a bigger hard drive... Bios upgrade, memory, and video card cost me $180. I hope this will be of help to you all.
|
Jess
jessyager@earthlink.net
10/03/03
|
Seriously screwed bell
My friend has a PB 2980 and another guy took out the processor and put it back in and now nothing will come up not even the dos prompt and I don't know what the deal is I work with mostly new computers and am a bit out of my element we tried using a windows 98se boot disk and it still won't do anything the comp worked fine before the processor was removed but now the monitor just stays with yellow led like it's not even plugged in so any info would be greatly appreciated
|
"flow"
Freestylbreakr88@aol.com
10/03/03
|
Hey..I got a windows 98...and i installed windows 2000 on it(professional edition) but most of my software wont work on it..how can i bring it back to windows 98..i already tried fdisk on it and i tried formatting the hdd..Help me..Please tell me how to bring it back step by step...post ur reply on this website or u can just email me...At FREESTYLBREAKR88@aol.com
|
"flow"
Freestylbreakr88@aol.com
10/03/03
|
Hey jess...u should try rebooting ur computer with the cd..or jus replace the processor...GET UR MONEY BACK..lol
|
Conrad
10/13/03
|
To the person that had to turn the computer off & on a few times before anything happened...
If the problem wasn't an actual physical one, (ie the power button was not aligned) try replacing the CMOS battery, I had a similar problem with a customers PC a while ago.
PS the CMOS baterry is the 2-3cm silver disc that looks like a watch battery)
Hope that helps
|
nick
playbackodie@aol.com
11/21/03
|
my friend copied some softwere on to a cd-r 80 disc and my computer wont load the disc. is there any way and can get it to load with out spending any money
|
Rachel
12/16/03
|
I formatted the hard drive of my Packard Bell PB 400. When I tried to reinstall DOS I found my system disc has an error. I borrowed a system disc (Gateway) from a friend but it does not install the CD drivers properly. At this point my computer is non operational--a large paper weight. What can I do???
|
wedge
12/23/03
|
to plug the cd rom into the mobo; look between the rear usb conn and the header for the onboard sound for a little white socket- you should have a ribbon cable going from the header to an i/o bracket w/ joystick and speaker/mic ports. if not, its moot! plug into the sound card you put in. btw, windows will pass the sound from the cd-rom without the cable... you planning on doing alot of DOS?
|
Nanci
nancinh@juno.com
12/28/03
|
I have just recently taken out my old Packard Bell M415 and decided to put it back together with various parts I have accumulated, for a friend who has never had a pc. . I got it up running and installed win 98 on it, very happy with it, except it does not have a fan inside, I found a small fan that works but it doesn't seem to go anywhere or mount anywhere, am I missing something?
|
terry
01/01/04
|
Rachel ,
if you go to bootdisk.com they have start-up disks with cd support for download .
good luck,
terry
|
Comp01
02/26/04
|
I recently got a Packard Bell "Legend 812CD" now, its been upgraded (From 8MB of RAM to 24 MB of RAM, and from Win95 to Win98SE) I need to know, where can I get an orignal boot disk image to download (For free) So I can reformat it, and reinstall Windows98 from the CD-rom? The CD-rom does not work AT ALL in DOS mode, I tried a normal Windows 98 boot-up disk, but, even starting it with CD-rom support, the CD-rom does not work, any help on this would be appreciated!
|
Joe Douglass
jadougla@optonline.net
03/01/04
|
Try Connect my M415 w/ PCI Adapter to Cable modem
I am working on an old Packard Bell system (Multimedia M415 with 166 MHZ Pentium Processor 24mb RAM. I have repartition and reformatted the hard drive and reloaded the WIN95 software. I am trying to connect to the network via Cable Modem, Linksys router 2.4 gHz 802.11.b and 10/100 LAN card (LNE100TX ver. 5.1). I have successfully installed and load the drivers for the LAN Card.
When I try to Run the WINIPCFG to Release and then Renew the IP address I receive an Error message “DHCP Server Unavailable: Renewing adapter”.
I have tested the cable from the Router to the Computer with another system and it work’s fine so I know the connection up to the PC is OK. I replaced the LAN card with a new one, unloaded and reloaded drivers and still have the same problem. I have followed the setup for the TCP/IP protocol exactly from the installation instructions. If have even tried to manually input the IP Address, Gateway and DNS address. No luck.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Joe
|
