Standard PC vs ACPI PC

SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
edited September 2003 in Science & Tech
A Gigabyte GA-7ZM KT133 ATX mobo has come my way, and it's having that age old problem of thinking its crapper than it's not.

It has obviously been installed as a Standard PC, and not an ACPI PC. Probably because it required a BIOS update before original install of Windows XP. I've updated the BIOS now to the latest one, but I'm still having trouble getting the OS to load an ACPI driver set.

Can someone remind me how I can do this without performing a re-install. I've tried updating the driver, but only the Standard PC is listed.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • QCHQCH Ancient Guru Chicago Area - USA Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    AT YOUR OWN RISK...

    Open Device Manger. Expand Computer and right click on the "Standard PC". Select "Update Driver... ". Select "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)". Next, Select "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install." The next screen, un-check the "Show compatible hareware". The selection should increase from just Standard to include ACPI and ACPI Uni-Processor and a bunch others.

    Just be sure you have the right selected. If you don't, the wrong kernal and HAL will be installed and make the pc un-bootable. Dell's use the uni-processor(ACPI) not the Advanced Control Power Interface (APCI). If you can, image the PC first so if the selection goes wrong, you have a way out.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Whatever you do, dont try and upgrade the driver and force it to use the ACPI driver. I tried that and the machine just bluescreened on every boot.

    As far as I can remember, you had to format to remove ACPI and go back, so I have a horrible feeling it probably applies the same way visa versa :(

    I'm no master of ACPI though...

    NS
  • QCHQCH Ancient Guru Chicago Area - USA Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    I create images that have to work on various systems; from high PII to P4's. All my images are set to Standard PC then after the image is installed, I tweaked the Computer driver to whatever the manufacture recommends. Most new PC's run the ACPI or the Uni-Processor. My Asus A7VBX-X is running Uni-Processor. If you choose the wrong one, the PC won't boot. BSOD. I'm no master but I have done this to well over 100 PC's and I know it works. I would image the PC with Image Center or Ghost first.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    QCH2002 said
    I create images that have to work on various systems; from high PII to P4's. All my images are set to Standard PC then after the image is installed, I tweaked the Computer driver to whatever the manufacture recommends. Most new PC's run the ACPI or the Uni-Processor. My Asus A7VBX-X is running Uni-Processor. If you choose the wrong one, the PC won't boot. BSOD. I'm no master but I have done this to well over 100 PC's and I know it works. I would image the PC with Image Center or Ghost first.

    I actually posted before you had posted so I wasnt contradicting you, I was just speaking from experience.

    NS
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    Open Device Manger. Expand Computer and right click on the "Standard PC". Select "Update Driver... ". Select "Install from a list or specific location (Advanced)". Next, Select "Don't search. I will choose the driver to install." The next screen, un-check the "Show compatible hareware". The selection should increase from just Standard to include ACPI and ACPI Uni-Processor and a bunch others.

    Thanks guys, but that was the first thing I tried and 'Standard PC' is the only one listed.

    Any other ideas?
  • TheLostSwedeTheLostSwede Trondheim, Norway Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Spinner,

    Look in the bios for something called APIC and disable it if you want to run pure ACPI. (note APIC and ACPI)

    In device manager, you need to untick the option to look for all sort of drivers or whatever it´s called. There you will probably get more options. Im at a hotel on a pc with limited priviliges right now so i cant get you any pics.

    Mac
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    There isn't that setting in that boards BIOS, there isn't any ACPI, APIC or anything settings at all.

    As for the untick option, well I did do that but still only 'Standard PC' remains.

    It's puzzling the hell out of me. Would a repair install help at all do you think?
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    I've managed to convince the systems owner that it needs a re-install. So... problem solved. At least for now.

    Thanks for all you advice guys. I'll post back when I get it all working.

    Cheers
  • TheSmJTheSmJ
    edited September 2003
    In my expirence, it's possible to go from ACPI to PC, but not vice versa without a reinstall.
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    SMJ is correct.

    You may go from ACPI/APIC to standard PC, but going from standard back to ACPI/APIC messes up the IRQ routing tables resulting in a necessary reformat.
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited September 2003
    Reformat or repair install? I thought you had to do a repair in XP.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    I managed to get back 2k Pro with a repair install, but I may have just been lucky.....

    NS
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited September 2003
    You never have to format a XP or win2k install. Thats total BS. You repair the install. Win2k is more flexible about letting you merely upgrade the device in device manager using update driver to switch HALS. XP locks you out of most changes but a repair install will always update the HAL and hitting f5 can force a specific HAL to be used. And if you choose it incorrectly you get trashed with BSOD's.

    Tex
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Tex, I knew you wouldn't be able to resist this thread. And that's a compliment. Thanks for your expertise.


    Leo

    :wave:
  • ThraxThrax 🐌 Austin, TX Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Tex, you know I meant a repair install.

    Format was a slip of the hand. How many times did I switch around APIC/ACPI/Standard PC on icrontic back in the day? Probably 3 dozen times.

    Calm down.
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    If you are running a P4C on an 875/865 chipset, your install will be "ACPI Multiprocessor". That is with APIC turned on in the BIOS.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Leonardo said
    If you are running a P4C on an 875/865 chipset, your install will be "ACPI Multiprocessor". That is with APIC turned on in the BIOS.

    er.....
    Gigabyte GA-7ZM KT133 ATX (AMD + VIA)...

    NS
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Why would a K7 register as multiprocessor? I don't recall that on any of my AMD builds. Maybe it was there and I just don't remember.
  • EnverexEnverex Worcester, UK Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Er....... what are you talking about Leo? The only thing involving Processors that anyone has mentioned was the Uni-Processor Core (Uni = 1)....

    NS
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited September 2003
    Leo: It should not be a multi processor unless you have two cpu's. If you disable ACPI and have a apic compliant MB then it runs great usually as a MPS uniprocessor whcih is a pure APIC HAL. with 128 IRQ's as oppossed to teh acpi/apic combo HAL that has 24 IRQ's.

    And thrax I didn't even notice who posted about the format thing to be honest Bud. So many think (not meaning you!) that a format is required to fix device probs and usually a repair will fix 95 percent of the device related probs. No disrespect inetended my friend.

    tex
  • LeonardoLeonardo Wake up and smell the glaciers Eagle River, Alaska Icrontian
    edited September 2003
    Dell's use the uni-processor(ACPI) not the Advanced Control Power Interface (APCI)

    Just commenting on the various setups available at F5 during install/repair install.

    Sorry, I guess I was out in my own little chapter of the book there for a minute.
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited September 2003
    If "dells" do then they are not running acpi is all. I run that HAL for all non abit single cpu MB's that support APIC. I love it ! I have no use for ACPI personally. I don't need any of those features so if the MB will run APIC stable then the MPS uni-processor hal is just the cats meow for my needs.

    Tex
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    Well, the system in question has got a few more problems than the original ACPI problem I mentioned, frankly it's a mess, throw in a bad case of the original blaster virus and you've got yourself a bloody good reason to format.

    Under normal circumstances I would try a repair, but now I have convinced the owner to format, I'm going to take the oppotunity while I've got it.

    It's just a shame you can't 'standard pc' to 'ACPI pc' without a repair in re-install of some kind. I had this problem funnily enough on a similar Gigabyte board. The problem originates from an incompatibility with the boards and Windows XP. Of course fixes were released in the form of BIOS updates, but usually the OS has been installed without any thought given to checking the BIOS is the most uptodate.

    Still...

    I have a feeling that I'm still gonna have to manually force the correct PC type upon installation, F5 all the way baby!

    Thanks again people.
  • TexTex Dallas/Ft. Worth
    edited September 2003
    Spinner said
    It's just a shame you can't 'standard pc' to 'ACPI pc' without a repair in re-install of some kind.

    Its because it would take multiple reboots trying to find new software and setting IRQ's for the devices and they found when doing that its simply more stable to do a 30 minutes repair install to be sure they catch everything. 30 minutes to spend on a change this serious isnt really that much. Really its alot better then spending 3 to 8 reboots finding new hardware and still have it confused in my opinion anyway.

    Tex
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    Tex said
    Really its alot better then spending 3 to 8 reboots finding new hardware and still have it confused in my opinion anyway.

    Tex

    Agreed. PC's with identity crisis's need smooth and swift action, not swings and roundabouts with IRQ's.

    That is at least, unless you like a challenge.;)
  • SpinnerSpinner Birmingham, UK
    edited September 2003
    For those who care, a re-install did the trick, though I still had to manually force the correct computer mode. Works great now. Thanks for all the help, advice and general tips. I guess the best way to close this thread would be by concluding:

    ACPI PC to Standard PC without a re-install or repair install, is near impossible. My advice, if in doubt, upon install of an OS manually select the PC mode you want. Windows XP is typically the most common cause of problems like this, as some older (around VIA KT133 era) boards which are normally ACPI happy, sometimes have trouble with the latest OS. Check for a BIOS update before you do anything.

    Cheers
Sign In or Register to comment.