Why does Win2k boot fine but Win98 takes several attempts?..more...

[moocat]

I'm running a MSI BXMaster with a 133mhz FSB with these components; P3 700@933mhz, SBLive, Linksys NIC, Voodoo5 AGP, 2x128mb pc133, dual booting Win2k/98SE.

I can boot to Win2k 100% of the time with no problem but Win98SE hangs on the windows splash screen 3-6 times before I can get it to load completely. Once it boots 98 runs completely stable for weeks at a stretch. 98 will boot consistently at 100mhz FSB.

I suspect it's the V5 not liking the 89mhz AGP clock, but I've also noticed that during boot (w/FSB 133mhz), while ram is being tested, that the counter goes in spurts instead of counting smoothly up to 256mb. On 100mhz FSB the ram count is smooth. I don't think I've ever noticed that on any other computer I've seen boot. I'm not sure if that is relevant or not.

I've tried different ram and more conservative ram timing. I've tried 2 different cpus including the one that is in there now and a legit p3 1ghz chip. I just don't get why Win2k is fine with this configuration but 98 isn't.

Please enlighten me!!

 

[moocat]

I suppose you might wonder why I don't just abandon 98 altogether and just run Win2k exclusively. The answer to that is I have a ISA gamecard that is unsupported in Win2k. Why not just abandon the gamecard you ask?
Well...it is hooked up to a controller that is utilizing conductive plastic 50k pots that do not work well with other gameports...also, the Lightening 4 gamecard is faster and more precise than any current standard ports.

Why am I rambling on about this? To disguise this BUMP as a legit post

Seriously..this boot problem is driving me nuts. Any info would be apprectiated greatly.

 

[moocat]

Anybody?

 

[moocat]

I suppose this might be bettter served in the software forum. But one more bump before I move it over there.

 

[gsaldivar]

Youve tried a fresh W98SE installation?

 

[moocat]

No..no reinstall yet. I was trying to avoid that since I'm pretty busy right now. I also kinda figured that since it was so reliable(once it booted) into 98 that I wouldn't likely solve the problem that way. I have absolutely no problems with it once it's up and running. In fact it has been one of the most well behaved computers I've ever had with Win98 installed.