At 06:41 PM 11/16/2000, you wrote:
>I recently installed a different video card in my ASUS Super Socket 7
>motherboard. When I rebooted after the install I got a hard disk error
>message. I tried to reboot another time and went into CMOS to see if I
>could re detect my drives. Well, I quickly decided I didn't have enough
>information at hand to make the right choices and I thought exited without
>saving any changes. When I next rebooted after getting my manuals the
>posting stopped midstream. I can get to the section of the post where the
>screen shows a BIOS test completed, a processor test completed, a memory
>test completed and then this line "Award Plug and Play Extension v1.0A". At
>the bottom of the screen I am happily told to press Del to enter setup, but
>pressing del does nothing. Help?


Okay...  the odds are real great that while you had the cover off the system
you dislodged an IDE connector ribbon from either one of the drives or
from your motherboard.   I would remove the cover and press all the
IDE connectors into place.  Also check that the power connections are
in place.

Now, the next thing I would do is remove the new video card and insert
the old video card.   Reboot.  If the system has problems at Boot, then
turn it off and move the jumper on your motherboard that clears the
CMOS settings, (see your manual for the jumper locations).  Leave it
for about 10 seconds in clear mode.  Now, replace the jumper to the
normal setting.   Boot the system and press DEL during the Boot
phase, enter the CMOS settings of the Bios, then have the CMOS
search for your IDE drives and finally reset any other options as
maybe needed, (memory settings, boot from floppy, disable Com2
for a modem...  what ever is required for your configuration).

If all has gone well, you can enter into WIndows, set your Video card
to Standard VGA Adaptor.  Now, shut down Windows and install the
New Video card.  Be careful not to bump any of the cabling inside
to prevent a loss of drive settings.  Then, load the drivers for your
new video card during the start up phase of Windows.

I can only surmise this is your answer, based on the information you
have given.  There is also small chance that you have damaged
the motherboard during the install of the new video card.  If the above
does not work for you...  you need to investigate that possibility.

     Bob Wright
The NOSPIN Group
.

                Curious about the people moderating your
                   messages? Visit our staff web site:
                     http://nospin.com/pc/staff.html