Windows ME sounds and Nvidia drivers

[Michael Romes]

After installing a new game I suddenly heard a high pitched noise coming
from my headset. When I rebooted the computer froze while that same
strange sound was there. Reminded me somewhat of my old modem back when
it still made noises 15 years and 3 computers ago.

Restarting only lead to windows freezing and that strange sound playing.
Starting again and using F8 to start in the protected? "abgesicherter
Modus" mode Windows started without freezing.

Due to the rebooting Norton Disc Doctor checked the harddrives and found
no errors.

So I started to use the system restore option with no success. Still
freezing and strange sound.

When I de-installed the Soundblaster Sounddrivers the computer booted
normally - but as soon as I reinstalled them freezing and sounds.

As the video drivers a while ago where the cause of some troubles I
guess that they might conflict with the soundcard drivers. However I
can´t de-install the Nvidia drivers. When I go to settings - software
and chose the Nvidia entry instead of the option to deinstall them the
window crashes with an error. Which reinforces my guess that they might
be involved ^^

How can I remove the video drivers when the usual way using settings -
software does not work?

[webster72n]

Post by Michael Romes
After installing a new game I suddenly heard a high pitched noise coming
from my headset. When I rebooted the computer froze while that same
strange sound was there. Reminded me somewhat of my old modem back when it
still made noises 15 years and 3 computers ago.
Restarting only lead to windows freezing and that strange sound playing.
Starting again and using F8 to start in the protected? "abgesicherter
Modus" mode Windows started without freezing.
Due to the rebooting Norton Disc Doctor checked the harddrives and found
no errors.
So I started to use the system restore option with no success. Still
freezing and strange sound.
When I de-installed the Soundblaster Sounddrivers the computer booted
normally - but as soon as I reinstalled them freezing and sounds.
As the video drivers a while ago where the cause of some troubles I guess
that they might conflict with the soundcard drivers. However I can´t
de-install the Nvidia drivers. When I go to settings - software
and chose the Nvidia entry instead of the option to deinstall them the
window crashes with an error. Which reinforces my guess that they might be
involved ^^
How can I remove the video drivers when the usual way using settings -
software does not work?

As long as you use 'Norton' anything with ME, you can expect trouble.
Get rid of it and see if that doesn't help your situation.

Harry.

[Mart]

Taking the last point first :-

Post by Michael Romes
How can I remove the video drivers when the usual way using settings -
software does not work?

Simplest way is to "Remove" them in Device Manager (preferably in Safe
Mode).

However, my *guess* is that it probably isn't the video drivers causing your
problem. So you're on your own if you take that route!

Post by Michael Romes
When I de-installed the Soundblaster Sounddrivers the computer booted
normally - but as soon as I reinstalled them freezing and sounds.

Certainly points more towards a sound card/chip compatibility issue

Interesting that you infer that it didn't actually crash (although there was
the hi-pitch noise) immediately (?) following the installation of the game -
or did the hpn only start during the first RUN of the game?

My approach would be to (boot into Safe Mode, if necessary and) see if there
are any 'issues' in DevMan - or better yet, uninstall the game and start
over (confirming all is well - in DevMan - before you re-install) You *may*
have just had a 'bad-install'. Also confirm that the game is WinMe
compatible and that you are using the 'latest' *WinMe* drivers for your
sound card/chip.

If it re-occurs (the hpn, immediately following a re-install/first run)
check your DevMan for conflicts BEFORE re-booting.

Having said all that, as Harry pointed out elsewhere, using (any) Norton
(product) with WinMe probably doesn't help. There's plenty of anecdotal
evidence to suggest that "all bets are off" when offering trouble shooting
advice where Norton is involved.

Good luck

Mart

Post by Michael Romes
After installing a new game I suddenly heard a high pitched noise coming
from my headset. When I rebooted the computer froze while that same
strange sound was there. Reminded me somewhat of my old modem back when it
still made noises 15 years and 3 computers ago.
Restarting only lead to windows freezing and that strange sound playing.
Starting again and using F8 to start in the protected? "abgesicherter
Modus" mode Windows started without freezing.
Due to the rebooting Norton Disc Doctor checked the harddrives and found
no errors.
So I started to use the system restore option with no success. Still
freezing and strange sound.
When I de-installed the Soundblaster Sounddrivers the computer booted
normally - but as soon as I reinstalled them freezing and sounds.
As the video drivers a while ago where the cause of some troubles I guess
that they might conflict with the soundcard drivers. However I canŽt
de-install the Nvidia drivers. When I go to settings - software
and chose the Nvidia entry instead of the option to deinstall them the
window crashes with an error. Which reinforces my guess that they might be
involved ^^
How can I remove the video drivers when the usual way using settings -
software does not work?

[Mart]

Ooops! .... For :-

Post by Mart
However, my *guess* is that it probably isn't the video drivers causing
your problem. So you're on your own if you take that route!

Read :-

However, my *guess* is that as you didn't mention *seeing* problems with
your display, it probably isn't the video drivers causing your problem. So
you're on your own if you take that route!

Brain to finger co-ordination issues caused by sleep deprivation. It's very
humid in the UK at present.

Mart

<snipped>

[Michael Romes]

Mart schrieb:
...

Post by Mart

Post by Michael Romes
How can I remove the video drivers when the usual way using settings -
software does not work?

Simplest way is to "Remove" them in Device Manager (preferably in Safe
Mode).

That does not work. Removing them in the device manage actually was what
I meant I think - I´m using a german version of Windows ME and I´m
retranslating into english while describing my problem.

You mean when I click START- "Eigenschaften"/settings -
"Systemsteuerung"/Device Manager? and the select Software. A windows
opens in which I all installed programs and drivers are listed and where
I can install/deinstall parts of Windows?

When I try to remove the Nvidia driver the device manager crashes with
an error "Nvudisp hat in NVUDISP.EXE einen Fehler verursacht"/"Nvudisp
caused an error in NVUDISP.EXE" - so I can´t remove the Nvidia driver
using that way.

Post by Mart
However, my *guess* is that it probably isn't the video drivers causing your
problem. So you're on your own if you take that route!

Seeing that I can´t even normally deinstall them I still guess they are
somehow involved ;-)

Post by Mart
Interesting that you infer that it didn't actually crash (although there was
the hi-pitch noise) immediately (?) following the installation of the game -
or did the hpn only start during the first RUN of the game?

I heard tha sound first for a short while during the game. Could end the
game normally saving, rebooted the computer and only then did the
computer freeeze with the same sound.

Post by Mart
My approach would be to (boot into Safe Mode, if necessary and) see if there
are any 'issues' in DevMan - or better yet, uninstall the game and start
over (confirming all is well - in DevMan - before you re-install) You *may*
have just had a 'bad-install'. Also confirm that the game is WinMe
compatible and that you are using the 'latest' *WinMe* drivers for your
sound card/chip.

The game is Sid Meiers Pirates! and it specifically lists WinME on it´s
box. And there are to my knowlegde no specific WinME drivers for my
soundcard.

It´s an old Soundblaster Live! Player 1024 - and the newest drivers are
for Windows 98SE - at least I did not find any newer version on the
website of Creative Labs. However those worked fine for more than a year
until now.

Post by Mart
Having said all that, as Harry pointed out elsewhere, using (any) Norton
(product) with WinMe probably doesn't help. There's plenty of anecdotal
evidence to suggest that "all bets are off" when offering trouble shooting
advice where Norton is involved.

I doubt that. While I know how newer Norton software can slow down the
PC (e.g. Norton 360 on my mothers Windows Vista machine) I never had
problems with Norton. And I used Norton 2001 already when I still had
Windows 95C and continued to use it later on Windows 98SE. And now I´m
using Norton 2002 since I upgraded to Windows ME without problems until
now. That is however somewhat due to me never having Norton doing
anything in the background and only running it´s programs as I want to.

[Mart]

Post by Michael Romes
You mean when I click START- "Eigenschaften"/settings -
"Systemsteuerung"/Device Manager? and the select Software. A windows opens
in which I all installed programs and drivers are listed and where I can
install/deinstall parts of Windows?

Hmm.. not quite - your descrition 'appears' to refer to either add/remove
programs or add hardware in Control Panel. There isn't a 'Software' option
in Device Manager.

You need to look for the 'System' icon in Control Panel and in the System
Properties window select the Hardware tab. You should find the Device
Manager on that page. Now look for 'Display adapters' and it should list
your NVIDIA card and driver with an option to "Remove" it. This is better
done in Safe Mode (more reliable). There *should* be an option in the NVIDIA
contol panel to uninstall, but can't confirm that. HOWEVER - I don't think
your display is the problem!!

Post by Michael Romes
When I try to remove the Nvidia driver the device manager crashes with an
error "Nvudisp hat in NVUDISP.EXE einen Fehler verursacht"/"Nvudisp caused
an error in NVUDISP.EXE" - so I canŽt remove the Nvidia driver using that
way.

I don't do German, I'm afraid - but my *guess* is that NVIDIA include a
uninstall option in Program Files. Maybe you need to do it in Safe Mode -
but see my previous "However".

Post by Michael Romes
I heard tha sound first for a short while during the game. Could end the
game normally saving, rebooted the computer and only then did the computer
freeeze with the same sound.

Sounds like the Game attempts to 'modify' the sound card settings on first
run - again you need to look at Device Manage before and after to look for
changes - usually indication of a conflict is by a yellow question mark or
perhaps a red exclamation mark.

Regarding (all things) Norton with WinMe - well, that's your personal
choice, but much has been written in this Newsgroup regarding conflicts and
worse, over the past ten years or so.

Mart

Post by Michael Romes
...

Post by Mart

Post by Michael Romes
How can I remove the video drivers when the usual way using settings -
software does not work?

Simplest way is to "Remove" them in Device Manager (preferably in Safe
Mode).

That does not work. Removing them in the device manage actually was what I
meant I think - IŽm using a german version of Windows ME and IŽm
retranslating into english while describing my problem.
You mean when I click START- "Eigenschaften"/settings -
"Systemsteuerung"/Device Manager? and the select Software. A windows opens
in which I all installed programs and drivers are listed and where I can
install/deinstall parts of Windows?
When I try to remove the Nvidia driver the device manager crashes with an
error "Nvudisp hat in NVUDISP.EXE einen Fehler verursacht"/"Nvudisp caused
an error in NVUDISP.EXE" - so I canŽt remove the Nvidia driver using that
way.

Post by Mart
However, my *guess* is that it probably isn't the video drivers causing
your problem. So you're on your own if you take that route!

Seeing that I canŽt even normally deinstall them I still guess they are
somehow involved ;-)

Post by Mart
Interesting that you infer that it didn't actually crash (although

there was

Post by Mart
the hi-pitch noise) immediately (?) following the installation of the
game - or did the hpn only start during the first RUN of the game?

I heard tha sound first for a short while during the game. Could end the
game normally saving, rebooted the computer and only then did the computer
freeeze with the same sound.

Post by Mart
My approach would be to (boot into Safe Mode, if necessary and) see if
there are any 'issues' in DevMan - or better yet, uninstall the game and
start over (confirming all is well - in DevMan - before you re-install)
You *may* have just had a 'bad-install'. Also confirm that the game is
WinMe compatible and that you are using the 'latest' *WinMe* drivers for
your sound card/chip.

The game is Sid Meiers Pirates! and it specifically lists WinME on itŽs
box. And there are to my knowlegde no specific WinME drivers for my
soundcard.
ItŽs an old Soundblaster Live! Player 1024 - and the newest drivers are
for Windows 98SE - at least I did not find any newer version on the
website of Creative Labs. However those worked fine for more than a year
until now.

Post by Mart
Having said all that, as Harry pointed out elsewhere, using (any)

Norton

Post by Mart
(product) with WinMe probably doesn't help. There's plenty of anecdotal
evidence to suggest that "all bets are off" when offering trouble
shooting advice where Norton is involved.

I doubt that. While I know how newer Norton software can slow down the PC
(e.g. Norton 360 on my mothers Windows Vista machine) I never had problems
with Norton. And I used Norton 2001 already when I still had Windows 95C
and continued to use it later on Windows 98SE. And now IŽm using Norton
2002 since I upgraded to Windows ME without problems until now. That is
however somewhat due to me never having Norton doing anything in the
background and only running itŽs programs as I want to.