hmm..Help me out here

[Comixion]

Had a co-worker bring his IBM Aptiva PC to work this morning with a prob, and a very unusual one.<BR><BR>When you boot it up , it makes the IBM splash screen, then goes to prompt this: 0--jjjj<BR><BR>Now those are not the letter "j" ,just straight lines, (I cant type out the exact appearance) Its a "0" then a dash then 2 straight lines. geez.<BR><BR>and after typing whatever on the keyboard 3 times it prompts this then says: "Incorrect password specification,System halted"<BR>and thats as far as I can go. I cant even get into setup. I dont have a bootdisk on hand here so I cant check the volume of windows if any.<BR><BR>any ideas on how to bypass this or even what is it? <BR><BR><BR>I suppose I'll have to take it home and slap another HD In it I have with an OS on it. go from there

[Colin]

How old is this computer?<BR><BR>I know that my really old IBM P200MMX (Yes I bought it... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">) has an actual password switch on the PCB of the motherboard... Enabling it required me to enter a password everytime the computer started and turning it off made the password thingy go away...<BR><BR>If you can, remove the case on the computer and look at the system diagram of the computer to see if you can find this pw jumper/dip switch... It might solve your prob! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Comixion]

Manuf. 7-99<BR><BR>I'm looking in it now, spotted one jumper/dipswitch w/ 4 switches. 1 in the 'on" position. fooled with it but still no go. still gives me "system halted"<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0"> <BR>It did ask me to press F1 to go to setup but it wouldnt take me there, <BR><BR><BR>Ahem, I think were all guilty of one time buying one of those store bought "eye-candy" pc's<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

Hmm... I think you hit the right switches...<BR><BR>Do you see a diagram of the innards of the computer anywhere on the case? If you can find it check to see if there's a pw switch...<BR><BR>It also might be a CMOS password, maybe if you clear the cmos it will reset the pw.<BR><BR>Does htis thing look like a hardware password or software?

[Comixion]

oK , after foolin with the switches I get:<BR><BR>0127. CPU Clock Mismatch<BR>0162. Equipment Configuration Error<BR><BR>Then prompts me to hit "F1" to go to setup or 'Enter' to continue.<BR>Either way it takes me to the previous prompt mentioned.<BR><BR>

[Comixion]

prob fixed<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

What did you do?

[Comixion]

removed the battery<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif" border="0"> lol..if all else fails.<BR><BR>I got the OS installed in it (Wim98SE) Now just trying to disable the onboard graphics since I put him in a cheapo graphics card which is better than the integrated $#%. windows of course continues to detect it.<BR><BR>Now he has this GVC modem in it and I gotta find drivers for that thingy too.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

Haha! That's cool, lol should have thought of that.<BR><BR>Yuck, onboard graphics suck ass. I'm assuming the new graphics card is PCI right? Well you got a dual monitor setup now! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>That shouldn't be too hard, if you need help snap a shot of the modem and we'll do what we can! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[CygnusX1]

if you can find the FCC ID # on the modem, go to www.driverguide.com login: drivers pass: all<BR><BR>and you can search by FCC ID # to find manufacturer info, product, and drivers...<BR><BR>has worked for me on may occasion trying to find drivers for "mystery" hardware.

[Comixion]

Good idea Colin, I think we have a Digital Camera here in the Office, If not I'll bring mine tomorrow. Or I have a couple Compaq modems at home in my debris drawer.<BR><BR>I checked the man. site but no luck.<BR><BR>Windows keeps detecting new modem, pCI Communications Device, and also a PCI Multimedia Audio device???? arrrggg!!!!!

[Comixion]

I'm there now Cignus,,have been all morning. <BR>just gotta narrow it down.

[Colin]

Just wondering is the modem a native part of the computer? Also is the soudn card built in?<BR><BR>You might want to see ify ou can find your model aptiva on IBM's site...

[Comixion]

Ok, I installed the Modem drivers, now just to determine the PCI multimedia audio device it keeps detecting.<BR><BR>Yes Colin, its onboard sound

[Colin]

What model Aptiva is it? That should be quite simple to find on IBM's site once you get the model number...

[Comixion]

IBM 2170<BR>Model: 175<BR><BR>Now its showing 2 modems in the device manager..arrgg!!! I remove the one and it wants to reinstall it. Although I have the drivers for one.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR>These eye-candy dinosaurs can be a pain.

[Colin]

Well this might <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.pc.ibm.com/support?lang=en_US&doctype=Downloadable+files&subtype=All&page=brand&menu=model&brand=IBM+Aptiva&family=IBM+Aptiva%7CAptiva&machineType=IBM+Aptiva%7CAptiva%7C2170&model=IBM+Aptiva%7CAptiva%7C2170%7C175&subtype=All">help</a>... That's all I can find about your computer.

[Comixion]

thanx C. Just what I needed...but...the files are 1.79megs for the sound and 5.38megs Modem...and I have no way to tranfer these to his PC from mine.<BR><BR>Unless I can instruct him to download them from his house. But I really know he dunno how to.<BR><BR>thinking................................. <BR><BR><BR>Wait; didnt I say I installed the modem drivers/ and it was only a 1.27 exe. file, why would they be 5.38megs from IBM site

[Colin]

Do you have access to a CDRW?<BR><BR>Other then that, I guess you're pretty much stuck... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">

[Comixion]

Duh,,,,( slapping forehead),hell yea I do, Tech support upstairs has plenty.<BR>I'll just send them up via Groupwise and I'm in business <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

Haha! Cool dude! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"><BR><BR>Shouldn't you be working? <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> LOL, I'd hate it if you got in trouble! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

[Comixion]

dogonnit! why does it wanna install 2 modems in the device manager?<BR><BR>BTW: I'm still using the exe. file I got off driverguide.com<BR><BR>Havent used the new ones from IBM site just yet. Waiting on the CD

[Colin]

Is that modem the original or a new one?<BR><BR>It mgiht be possible that you do have 2 modems in your system if one is built on the motherboard...

[Comixion]

Its the original,,as he tells me. He says never had anything done to it. Its funny though, when I go to install the drivers for the Modem I end up with 2 in device manager, but only 1 showing me details as to the COM being used. but both functioning properly. Thats a first 4 me. I,ve dealt with my share of the infamous yellow question marks but never 2 modems showing. and they are not near to each other.

[Colin]

Hmm... That is strange, but I guess if it's only a cosmetic error that's not too bad... <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif" border="0">

[Comixion]

Cosmetic..lol....I'm not about to pop a pic of this pitiful looking rig.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> <BR>Anywho, They burning my CD right now, maybe the drivers from the IBM site will work better.

[Colin]

Cool dude, I'd like to see this little monster sounds like it gave you quite a headache today!

[Comixion]

That;s an understatement Colin, had to double up on the medicines.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR>BTW Colin, I appreciated you taking time to help me out. I know I ask alot of questions, but I'm still learning here and there.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0">

[Colin]

Haha! Np man! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0"> <BR><BR>We're all buddies here and I love helping ppl out dude! I just hope that thing doesn't give you any more problems!