Computer lockups when trying to access TV Card

[Jeomite]

I was wondering if someone would help me out with this problem. I just installed my ATI TV Wonder (PCI) and installed the drivers/software that came with it. I know it's MMC 6.2 and not the latest MMC. But every time I try to load ATI TV, it lockups my computer. Every other ATI MMC program, such as VideoCD Player and AudioCD Player works perfectly fine. Also, when I try to enter Capture Mode with VirtualDub, it also locks up. So it must be something related to the TV Card. Any ideas?

Here are my specs if it'll help:
AMD Athlon TBird 1.33Ghz
256MB DDR
GeForce2 MX200 32MB
ATI TV Wonder Card [PCI]

Thanks for any assistance.

[BadAsh]

I had the same exact problem on my old computer (PII 266MHz).

I had installed my new Hauppauge WinTV PCI (dbx FM) and every time I tried to run the TV software or capture in VirtualDub I got the same error you are getting... computer just locked up.

Well, I was never able to solve the problem. I actually think I introduced more problems on this computer because at the time I was installing too many new pieces of hardware on this old machine.

Anyway, Hauppauge support had the following recommendations:

By default Hauppauge installs the VFW (Video For Windows) drivers for its card. One solution is to remove these drivers and install the WDM drivers.

I would ASSume that the ATI TV Wonder is very similar. It most likely uses VFW drivers as those are the most popular for this sort of device. However, you should check because they may have WDM drivers for your card. Check out their support site.

Another solution Hauppauge gave was to uninstall everything (remove hardware through Device Manager) and then move the card to another slot and reinstall everything.

Maybe one of these solutions will work for you.

Good Luck!

[Jeomite]

OK... I took your advice and it didn't work. I also tried switching the ATI TV Wonder PCI card onto a different PCI slot. Still no dice. =(
At that time I did some quick testing... here's what I found out... with the TV card in, ATI TV and VirtualDub (Capture Mode) locked up on me. If I removed the TV Card from my computer, and (oddly enough) tried ATI TV, it would just simply remain on the Hourglass Cursor and NOT lockup. I could simply CTRL + ALT + DEL and End the Program. Then I tried VirtualDub (Capture Mode), it didn't lock up neither, but rather gave a no capture device message. I have no clue what this could mean. I know this card is NOT defective because I used it on my old system.

I'm considering buying the ATI TV Wonder USB. I believe it has the same features. Any suggestions to save me ~$100 from buying a new TV Card would be greatly appreciated.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jeomite on 2001-08-02 16:55:32 ]</font>

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-08-02 16:54:46, Jeomite wrote:
OK... I took your advice and it didn't work. I also tried switching the ATI TV Wonder PCI card onto a different PCI slot. Still no dice. =(
At that time I did some quick testing... here's what I found out... with the TV card in, ATI TV and VirtualDub (Capture Mode) locked up on me. If I removed the TV Card from my computer, and (oddly enough) tried ATI TV, it would just simply remain on the Hourglass Cursor and NOT lockup. I could simply CTRL + ALT + DEL and End the Program. Then I tried VirtualDub (Capture Mode), it didn't lock up neither, but rather gave a no capture device message. I have no clue what this could mean. I know this card is NOT defective because I used it on my old system.

I'm considering buying the ATI TV Wonder USB. I believe it has the same features. Any suggestions to save me ~$100 from buying a new TV Card would be greatly appreciated.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jeomite on 2001-08-02 16:55:32 ]</font>
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

What I would try is to check the IRQs for all your devices and see if any are conflicting. To do this, Right-click on 'My Computer' and select 'Properties'. Then click on the 'Device Manager' tab. Select 'Computer' (its the first thing). Click 'Properties'. Then in the box that comes up, IRQ should be selected, if not, select it. This will show a list of device's IRQs. See if your TV card is conflicting with any other device. That would be a cause of lockup. Then call your computer manufacturer and ask how to change IRQ settings (its different for every computer).

-Ben

[Jeomite]

OK, I did as you said Ben... here's what I got..

the ATI TV Wonder is on IRQ 10...
and there's one other item that is also IRQ 10 which is:

ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering

I have no idea what's that for. Any ideas?

[patrickm]

are you using the same video card as your other computer? install directX 8.0 and the directx 8.0 DV/VidCap update. turn off ALL your power management options and screen savers.

[patrickm]

also give MMC 7.1 and the DVD 4.1update a try. they should work with the older drivers too, but you may have to get the WDM's off ATI's website after all.

[Jeomite]

Yeah, I tried it with the old (ones that came with my card) and the new ones that came with MMC 7.1, still don't work. Same problem - lockup when I try to load ATI TV.

And I do have both Dirext 8.0 and the Video Capture Update installed.

I even tried letting the computer off to cool down for a hour and still same thing.

This is pretty frustrating. I'm thinking about buying a new TV Card... any suggestions.. I need one that captures atleast 640x480...

[next]

Does the GeForce2 support an overlay under directdraw? I am not familiar with the card. The reason I ask is because of this link:

http://support.ati.com/infobase/3219.html

Could it possibly be your video card or the driver version you are using is causing the problem? Your troubleshooting may have to include some research on your GeForce2.

[FenDers]

This will sound really silly but, make sure your bios will and can support a tv out or dual output video (card) had a ton of problems with mine ati aiw 32...

now it's the stores problem as I took it back

[next]

I notice that many of the GeForce2 MX200 cards have a video out option. Does yours have this option or is it one without the video out feature?

[Jeomite]

My GeForce2 MX 200 does NOT have the Video Out option. But I did just attempt to use my old Voodoo3 AGP Card on my new computer.

Previously, I had my Voodoo3 + ATI TV Wonder on my old computer and everything worked fine, even the TV Wonder. And for some short period, before my new computer came in, I used the GeForce2 on my old computer with my TV Wonder, and they worked fine too.

And I just tried my Voodoo3 on my new computer with the TV Wonder, same lockup.

Can't be a defective TV Card either, cause it worked previously fine on my old computer.

[next]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-08-02 19:58:12, FenDers wrote:
This will sound really silly but, make sure your bios will and can support a tv out or dual output video (card) had a ton of problems with mine ati aiw 32...

</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

I think FenDers may be on to something. Especially if your cards worked in your previous setup. Or maybe its a simple bios tweak.

The TV Wonder uses different chips depending on the card you have. When you look in Device Manager under Sound Video and Game Controllers which ATI Video chip is listed?

[Jeomite]

I'm pretty sure it uses the Bt878 or something like that.
But anyways I given up on it. I'm going to just buy a new one... =|

But I would like everyone's suggestion... I'm looking for a TV Card (only, not a Video + TV Card combination)... with atleast 640x480 Capture Resolution and *preferably* has Stereo Audio...

And I'm aiming for a ~$100 budget. Any ideas/suggestions appreciated...

[next]

Great - one last question, what screen resolution are you using in windows? If you have it set fairly high set it to something like 800x600 and give it a try.

[Jeomite]

My resolution is @ 800x600.

I'm considering either getting a TV Wonder *USB* or WinTV FM PCI Card. Anyone have any suggestions advice about these two cards?

[Xalcker]

I've an old Aims Lab Video Highway Xtreme, and it works fine...i had a few problems some days ago but he prob was in the drivers...., if you can get one (cuz the company it's out of bussines), i really recomend...

TV + FM

i've captured up 720x480 in MJPG (Picvide) and DIVX with no frame drop...

[next]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-08-02 20:50:22, Jeomite wrote:
My resolution is @ 800x600.

I'm considering either getting a TV Wonder *USB* or WinTV FM PCI Card. Anyone have any suggestions advice about these two cards?
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

You will not get the resolutions you are looking for with the TV Wonder USB.

[Jeomite]

next,
I meant I wanted to capture @ 640x480 with the ATI TV Wonder USB. It does support that.

Xalcker,
I was wondering if this is the same card you own
LINK - http://www.computersurplusoutlet.com/viewproduct.asp?ProductID=VID-VHTR28 -

[next]

Sorry I had mpeg on my mind.

[Roginator]

Here's how I solved MY problem with the freezing computer...

In the display advanced settings is a slider for graphic hardware acceleration. If it is set all the way to the right (max), move it one notch to the left.

Can't hurt to try!

[Jeomite]

Roginator,
I just tried that, and it didn't work.

I'm thinking about getting either a WinTV Theater or a Pinnacle PCTV Pro... any suggestions?

[next]

Similiar problem here:

http://www.vcdhelp.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?topic=53055&forum=2&3

The problen with the TV Wonder may be more than just a simple capture card replacement.

[vanillabox]

What OS are you using? I tried to use the old 6.2 software on my Win2000 machine and it would not work at all. As soon as I went to the 7.1 software everything just hummed right along with no problems. I do know that if you are working with Win98 you should also install your WebTV for windows software that is on the install disk. This will give the computer a better handle on things. PS all of this info I got from a tech at ATI over the phone and it solved every problem I had.

[priedea]

have a look in your registry under my computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\Bt8XX \Force Primary and check that the default value is set to 1 Bt8XX could be 878 or 848 had a similar probem with my Tv card and and after setting it from 0 to 1 had no more lock-ups

[Jeomite]

vanillabox,
I'm running WIN98SE. I tried installing WebTV, and still the same lockup.

pridea,
I don't see any registry values in that dir.
\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\Bt8XX don't even exist.. i see the \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\CLASSES\ though...

Thanks anyways guys... I give up.. Goin' to buy a new card, probably the Pinnacle PCTV Pro.

[kuanlian]

Jeomite, just for the record sake, what brand and model of m/b are you using? I'm facing the same problem as you do, but mine was a Hauppauge WinTV GO FM wif Abit Siluro GF2 MX 32Mb. I'm using an Iwill KD266 m/b wif Duron 750.

[BadAsh]

This could be a BIOS issue.

Reboot your computer and enter the BIOS Setup (hit DEL, F2 or whatever your BIOS requires to enter setup).

Once you have entered the BIOS, look for a section called "ADVANCED BIOS FEATURES" or "ADVANCED" as BIOS's differ per motherboard manufacturer. Once in this section, look for a setting called "VIDEO BIOS SHADOW". This setting should be changed from "ENABLED" to "DISABLED". Save and exit the BIOS, boot back into Windows, try your TV Card (or capture) software again. This may solve the problem.

NOTE: This came from Hauppauge Support but may be relevent in this case.

[kuanlian]

BadAsh, apprec. your tip, but I've tried that too. Doesn't seem to work.

[Jeomite]

I just got in the Pinnacle Studio PCTV Pro, and yep, same problem. It must be something with my hardware, so I think I'll going to get a new motherboard. I just ordered the MSI K7 Master (with AMD 761 Chipset), which got good reviews. My current motherboard, Asus A7A266, has the ALi MaGiK Chipset, which isn't that great in the first place. Let's hope this solves the problem. =|

Here's my specs for the curious ones...

Asus A7A266
1.33 Ghz AMD Athlon TBird
256MB Micron DDR Ram
GeForce2 MX200 32MB




<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Jeomite on 2001-08-08 15:15:49 ]</font>