OK, here goes:
<<Do you have two memory chips in for the 256K memory? If so remove one and try it. What brand name of memory are you using and it is on the approved ASUS list?
I have two different 256MB cards. One is by Samsung, one by Kingmax.
As to being on the approved ASUS list - well, the only details about this are in the manual (even the latest download of it) and are apparently old models. So i've tried to get as close as possible to these - a Kingmax 256MB DDR300 is mentioned, and a Samsung 512MB too (but not a 256MB like mine). I haven't got a response to my query at asus.com even though i'm a VIP member. I've tried one or the other or both in the first two slots (not the third because my fingers started hurting...)
<<What brand name and wattage of power supply are you using?
It's an ATX compatible, very quiet HEC 300LR-PT that claims to be pentium 4 ready. 300W.
<<Do you have the square 12V plug connected to the motherboard?
Indeed i do. And the rectangular one...
<<What process did you use to format your hard drive and what format?
Well, it was originally NTFS. After a disaster you can read about (if you wish) in the XP Forum, i spent days trying to save my c drive and then gave up and tried to format to FAT32 and load windows98SE which later crashed with similar symptoms to the current ones. So, yes it's a bit of a mess in there right now, but i'm not booting up the c drive at all, just the cd-rom.
<<Have you cleared CMOS and set the CMOS menu at default settings?
No, i've not cleared CMOS. Most of the settings are the defaults even after my cautious tweaking. I haven't tweaked any memory or cpu settings 'cos i don't know what i'm doing there. well, not well enough to risk it.
<<If you changed any board jumpers, have you set them back to default before you tested the new setup issues that you are doing now?
I haven't need to change any board jumpers so far. I'll need to if you recommend resetting CMOS, but otherwise the defaults match my needs.
<<Is your hard drive set properly to master on IDE #1 and connected on the end of the 80 pin cable?
<<Is your CDRom that you are using to load the OS set properly to master or slave and on the proper ribbon cable postion for master or slave as you might have it set up?
Yes, the jumpers are correctly set, and the leads are connected appropriately for master and slave settings. Also tried cable select earlier, with no luck. I always check the BIOS settings correspond too. One thing:
Do PIO or DMA settings have any effect on CD-rom operation? My BIOS lets me alter them - although i've tried them all (although perhaps not all configurations).
That's a lot to get through - hope i've given you enough info but not too much. And thanks!
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