XP head scratcher

[TLMitchell]

I did a fresh XP install on a newly rebuilt machine and ran into something just plain goofy. One physical hard drvie installed with a single partition, Drive C. 1 optical drive... Drive D. Every time XP starts up it's showing a phantom USB drive as Drive E. Uninstall it using the Safely Remove Hardware applet and it disappears. I installed some Service Packs from a USB drive and left it in while doing the never-ending Windows Updates. I'm guessing that may have something to do with perpetually showing a Drive E. Any ideas how to get rid of it?

Thanks in advance.... TL

[Dark Mantis]

Hi

My first idea would be to clear the CMOS thoroughly. Please follow the next instructions exactly:

Remove the power cable from the mains supply and then press the power switch on the case for a few seconds just to drain any residual energy in the PSU capacitors.

Once done remove the motherboard battery for at least one hour before replacing it.
 
Next plug back into the mains supply and boot.
 
You will now need to enter the BIOS by pressing DEL and load Optimised BIOS Defaults.

Make any other changes to the BIOS settings to suit your self like disabling the floppy drive, disabling the full screen logo and making the HDD the primary boot device and then press F10 to save and exit.

[TLMitchell]

Hiya DM,

Thanks for the reply. I shall give the CMOS clearing a try and report back with results. As this is my old MSI board that I migrated to someone else's machine when I upgraded to the GA-880GA disabling the splash screen is easy... it's selectable in the BIOS. I asked in another thread and didn't see the issue addressed... is there any way to disable the Gigabyte splash screen at bootup? I don't see a selection in the BIOS and my USB keyboard doesn't power up until the splash is already displayed. In order to enter the BIOS or any other functions displayed on the splash I have to plug in a PS2 keyboard.

Thanks.. TL

[absic]

Hi TL,

to disable the BOOT Logo go to Advanced BIOS features and disable the Show Full Screen Logo.

This probably won't cure your keyboard problem though, are you using a wireless one?

[Ben]

Have you tried to get a USB to PS2 connector for your keyboard as I had that problem a long time ago used to drive me batty.

Ben.

[Dark Mantis]

Or even just purchase a PS2 keyboard to use in these types of situations. Always a worthwhile investment for the price of a couple of pounds!

[TLMitchell]

to disable the BOOT Logo go to Advanced BIOS features and disable the Show Full Screen Logo.

BIOS FF on the 880GA... no such animal. Believe me, I've looked repeatedly thinking I must be missing something.

This probably won't cure your keyboard problem though, are you using a wireless one?

Wireless keyboard/mouse combo, single USB plug with a separate PS2 plug for the mouse, if needed. And an adapter for the keyboard. It still is a 50/50 proposition getting into the BIOS plugged in with the adapter.

Or even just purchase a PS2 keyboard to use in these types of situations. Always a worthwhile investment for the price of a couple of pounds!

On this side of the pond they won't give you squat for a couple of pounds. If so I've got about 15-20 I wouldn't mind shedding.   

I have a spare PS2 keyboard I was using but it was a PITA unplugging it from the other machine I was configuring on the other side of the room. I've got spares of darn near everything, old 'puter stuff doesn't sell for much and you never know when you might need somethingorother. Need a serial mouse? Parrallel cable? Howzabout a 200MB IDE drive or DOS 5.0 install disks?     You.....just....never....know...

Thanks, TL

[Dark Mantis]

Or even just purchase a PS2 keyboard to use in these types of situations. Always a worthwhile investment for the price of a couple of pounds!

I've got spares of darn near everything, old 'puter stuff doesn't sell for much and you never know when you might need somethingorother. Need a serial mouse? Parrallel cable? Howzabout a 200MB IDE drive or DOS 5.0 install disks?     You.....just....never....know...

Sounds just like my place that. Soime of the old stuff I've got tucked away probably never see the light of day again but I hate to part with it. Windows 3.1 disks anyone?  1 MB RAM module ?

[TLMitchell]

Sounds just like my place that. Soime of the old stuff I've got tucked away probably never see the light of day again but I hate to part with it. Windows 3.1 disks anyone?  1 MB RAM module ?

No thanks, already have 'em. 3.11 WFW too.     

In a sorta related vein... first time I bought RAM it was $52/MB. Remember that silicon plant fire somewhere in Asia in the '90s and RAM skyrocketed? I just figured the 8GB I paid 40 bucks for (plus a $10 rebate) would've cost over $400,000 at those prices.     Tech stuff keeps getting cheaper they ought to start giving it away soon! Just back up the truck and load up...

TL