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Hchsbear
Posts:4
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| 10/03/2008 9:12 AM |
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Computer Specs:
E4600 @ 2.4 Core 2
2GB Ram
XP Sp3
Problem:
Currently we are running two cards in one computer for a total of seven stations including the host. At the moment we have 5 rows of computers, all with 7 in each row. Rows 1-3 will only have 3 computers boot up. The other 3 will say "signal error". This is our first attempt at such software / hardware, so we did what a normal person would do. We reseated the cards in each others spots, but after about 2hours to days, the monitors would error out again.
This problem is only happening in Rows 1-3, row 4-5 are perfectly fine. All the hosts have the same specs,and they all had the same install procedure. So currently, i've reseated them, switched out for new cards, and replaced a patch cable. With no luck. They're all running the same ncomputing update. |
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hjkcga
Posts:143
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| 10/04/2008 5:13 PM |
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To be clear can you answer the following please:
You are running 35 stations on 5 computers?
All on 100% identical hardware/brand configurations?
All on 100% identical Windows XP instalation disk? (Not asking about liscencing, just want to ensure you are using the same install not say a Dell on one and an OEM on another.)
What version of the Ncomputing software are you running? |
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Hchsbear
Posts:4
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| 10/06/2008 7:35 AM |
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Yes, we have 6 stations hooked into 1 Host computer. 5 rows of 7 computers.
Yes, 100% hardware (Tangent)
Yes, All same Xp Disk.
The ncomputing software is the most compliant to Sp3. Can't remember the verison and the computers aren't infront of me.
I figured i'll pull sp3 out and downgrade back to the sp2 patch. Let me know. |
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hjkcga
Posts:143
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| 10/06/2008 11:54 AM |
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Well in that case...that is bizarre.
Have you tried to swap a card from the not good system to the good system to see if it is the card itself?
Have you reviewed your BIOS settings?
The advantage you have is that you have 7 identical systems, so all you really need to do is identify the difference on the non-working system. |
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Hchsbear
Posts:4
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| 10/06/2008 1:28 PM |
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| The only major change i've done was just reseat the cards in the same machine. Next time i'm down that way i'll reseat a bad row with a good row and see what i get. |
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Doug900
Posts:3
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| 10/07/2008 2:23 PM |
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I have been having the same thing happen. The weird thing is I have 5 rows of seven each with Dell Optiplex 755 Core 2 pc in each row that are clones! A couple of the rows don't have any problems, and I can't get a couple other rows going to save me.
What happened to me when I thought I solved the problem is, I uninstalled the software, unistalled the X300 enumerator in device manager, shutdown, removed the cards, restarted without cards, shutdown again, installed cards, let windows find the cards and id's and installed them. Installed the software.
All 6, plus main computer came up and our auto-logon happened perfectly. The minute I restarted, 3 computers all on one side didn't respond! Keep in mind, these rows are running from cloned computers.
Does anybody have any ideas? |
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Hchsbear
Posts:4
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| 10/08/2008 11:40 AM |
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Just to re add more confusion to the mix. I installed another set of x300's in the school here. So we have 1 host with 6 slaves connected to it. Same specs as the other ones i've mentioned with sp3 and the newest x300 patch. All 7 are working flawlessly. Not sure if a few of them have a faulty seat or what. The teacher said only one of the rows is acting up atm, and only three of the 6 are down. So i guess for now those ones can stay down.
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hjkcga
Posts:143
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| 10/09/2008 12:29 PM |
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Doug900
The problem is probably the fact that they are Dells. Ever since this board has opened up for users, Dell has been synonymous with problems mostly because they put their own version of the Operating System in place of a standard MS version.
Common issues for you to check:
Is auto-update turned on any of the machines?
Is the BIOS the same on all of the machines?
Is the hardware actually the same? Dell will change the hardware in the same series of machines. Something as simple as a different jumper setting on the MB has caused people issues.
You do have the same advantage as Hchsbear; you have identical systems, so all you really need to do is identify the difference on the non-working system(s).
Good Luck. |
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Doug900
Posts:3
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| 10/16/2008 10:52 AM |
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Posted By hjkcga on 10/09/2008 12:29 PM
Doug900
The problem is probably the fact that they are Dells. Ever since this board has opened up for users, Dell has been synonymous with problems mostly because they put their own version of the Operating System in place of a standard MS version.
Common issues for you to check:
Is auto-update turned on any of the machines?
Is the BIOS the same on all of the machines?
Is the hardware actually the same? Dell will change the hardware in the same series of machines. Something as simple as a different jumper setting on the MB has caused people issues.
You do have the same advantage as Hchsbear; you have identical systems, so all you really need to do is identify the difference on the non-working system(s).
Good Luck.
Actually we use a volume licensing version of XP Pro, and not the OS that comes pre-loaded with the 755's. I do a complete wipe disk on the hard drive, then load one PC with XP plus everythign we like, then create a ghost image. So, I've eliminated the os theory.
Auto-updates are not turned on.
And, I do not like SP3, so that is out.
As far as I know, all of the bios are the same.
The problem seems to be a PCI issue. When you remove the card that does work, the side that didn't work suddenly gets a lease on life. It then goes dead again after you install the other side back in. Just like the old days when you couldn't get a modem to work because it was installed in the slot next to the sound card (remember those days?). So you would move it to a different slot to avoid conflict. Unfortunately there are only 2 pci slots on a Dell 745 and 755, otherwise I would at least give it a shot.
So far, this Ncomputing system consumes my time, far far more than separate computers ever would. I'm considering purchasing the 36 units (PC's) that I would need and scrap this system, If I don't find a resolution soon. I never thought it would come to this.
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hjkcga
Posts:143
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| 10/16/2008 12:46 PM |
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Posted By Doug900 on 10/16/2008 10:52 AM
The problem seems to be a PCI issue. When you remove the card that does work, the side that didn't work suddenly gets a lease on life. It then goes dead again after you install the other side back in. Just like the old days when you couldn't get a modem to work because it was installed in the slot next to the sound card (remember those days?). So you would move it to a different slot to avoid conflict. Unfortunately there are only 2 pci slots on a Dell 745 and 755, otherwise I would at least give it a shot.
So far, this Ncomputing system consumes my time, far far more than separate computers ever would. I'm considering purchasing the 36 units (PC's) that I would need and scrap this system, If I don't find a resolution soon. I never thought it would come to this.
Funny you should mention the old conflict days. I do in fact remember those days, and just the other day someone posted on this site about a Dell having COM3 confilicting with thier X300 card. I believe they changed the BIOS.
I do not actually use the X300, I use the L series. I have 5 L100s 1 L200 and 1 L130. I love them. In the environment I am in (1 computer, accounting office) I have realized huge time savings, not to mention power savings. 5 terminals use 25w compared to probably 4,000w. The L series seems to be more stable to me. A lot of the complaints on the L side are almost always firewall/network issues. On the X side because it is a pci card there just seem to be more things that can go wrong. |
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Doug900
Posts:3
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| 10/17/2008 7:11 AM |
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safetylca suggested disabling the Intel Active Management chip on com3. It works!! I have Dell 755's. This morning I restarted all 3 rows in our computer lab, and the right bank of all 3 rows didn't come up. I went into device manager and under "ports com & Lpt", I disabled "Intel Active Management chip on com3". I restarted and all 3 rows came right up. I have never had that happen before, so I know it works! You don't know how I've struggled with this system! Good job safetylca!!   Doug |
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