Problem installing AWE32 (Read Error .......... Synthgm.sbk

[Herkulese]

<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I have never had a problem installing a Sound Blaster AWE32 sound card in the past, but now I am working with a PC-Chips M729 MoBo with the ALi BXCel 66/100fsb chipset.

This did not happen on the first install of Win98SE, but now, after several attempts at installing Win2k, I am back to installing WIn98SE, and after installing the OS and Video drivers, then rebooting and installing the sound card and drivers, when Windows starts, just before the icons come into the desktop, I get this error message:

"Can not load..........."
"Read Error in C:\WIndows\System\Synthgm.sbk"

Windows installs its own driver for this card, and I get this message. I have overwritten the file with the one from my AWE32 driver disk, but that did not help either. I also removed all of the sound items from device manager, and when asked for the disk, reinstalled from my AWE32 driver disk, and, again, it did not help.

As I said, after years of using these cards with no problems, this just started happening. What could be causing this.</SPAN>

Background: When I bagan to work on this system, the front intake fan was seized up and drawing current for who knows how long. I have verified that the CD-Rom and Power supply were damaged, but after replacing them, I still can not get through a complete Win2k setup, even running at stock CPU speed. I had 98SE working but now, after several attempts to install Win2k, I have gone back to reinstall Win98SE and the sound driver gives me a "Read Error in c:\WIndows\System\Synthgm.sbk". I am beginning to think that the MoBo has been damaged as well.

 

[nork]

did you do a fdisk and format before you loaded win98se? If not, then maybe you should startr all over.

But, before doing that, how about going to prog/acces/system tools/sys info and do an internet explorer repair, check version conflict mgr, also check config and autoexec for errors or info that might help you.

Also, try starting in safe mode and see what happens. It may give you something to go on.

Also, look for the log files. they will show what happens on bootup and that may shed some light.

Also, this may sound silly, but even dirty install cd's can cause problems, although you did mention the prob came when windows loaded the awe32 drivers.

If you remember back at your other thread when I had probs. I fdisked and reformatted and the problem stopped. It is a similar prob as it is a "cannot write and cannot find a file" prob.

Hope I have given you a least something to think about.

Don

 

[Herkulese]

"did you do a fdisk and format before you loaded win98se?"

Yes, several times. I always fisk and format prior to installing an OS. In spite of that, I now keep getting this Read Error on the Synthgm.sbk file. I never saw that before, in several years of installs with AWE32 cards.

I have now cleaned the CD thouroghly and will try another clean install.

 

[nork]

How about clearing the cmos? Couldnt hurt any, might help.

Don

 

[nork]

another thought. Your mobo doesnt have built in sound does it? If so, then you have to turn it off in the bios before installing the awe32 card.

just a thought, I know you are more advanced than that, but if you are anything like me, I sometimes forget the simple and easy things and cause myself trouble. Look what I did with my bios upgrade! All I had to do was add the .rom extension to the command line and I was away to the races!!

It may very well be that something simple is causing the problem. That is why I mentioned the other stuff I mentioned. They are simple but its usually the simple things that get us!

 

[Herkulese]

Nork

Thanks for the tips.

"How about clearing the cmos? Couldnt hurt any, might help."

I cleared it when I swapped out the Cely 366 for a Cely 266 to remove the possibility of the CPU being the problem.

"Your mobo doesnt have built in sound does it? If so, then you have to turn it off in the bios before installing the awe32 card."

Yes it does have on board sound, but it is controlled by a jumper which is set to disabled. This is as it was set when it was running the card before. I also had it installed and working fine on an earlier install of 98SE. I can not find any settings in BIOS.

 

[nork]

i just worked on a mobo last week with built in sound and it was done in the bios. I think it was ami bios. Just a thought as to checking thoroughly thru the bios to make sure but you have done that.

Will have to think on this some more.

get back to you.

Don