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Question

Legit computer repair?

Aug 4, 2017 7:06PM PDT

I have an HP a6120n desktop that I got a few years ago with Windows Vista 32 bit and 2 Gb ram. It’s still a decent machine. I since upgraded to Windows 7 Pro, and then MS was nice enough to upgrade to Windows 10 without even asking me (I actually said NO many times).

I put in two more gigs ram and another 500 gig hd.

I lost Ethernet access on it the other day. After checking the modem, I took it to a local repair shop who showed good reviews on yelp.

He said the video card is dead, and put in a GeForce 210..and marked it up 200%. I wasn’t sure what the video had to do with it, but he said it’s an integrated chipset. The Ethernet started working again, but I had no sound. I took it back, and he couldn’t figure it out. So he said he’d reinstall Windows 7 Pro 64 bit.

The way he ran it all down to me seemed kinda weird, but I thought I’d go with it since I had few options.

Does any of this sound right to you?

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Integrated Controller Chip
Aug 4, 2017 7:58PM PDT

see diagrams starting on page 18

https://www.intel.com/Assets/PDF/datasheet/307502.pdf

This is a controller chip which also contains the video ability. So, if the video part was dead, the chip on the motherboard MAY have other problems.

As for the sound, unless you have installed the sound driver files from the manufacturer, it's not too surprising your sound isn't working yet.

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Answer
Also
Aug 4, 2017 8:09PM PDT

Note this is a 32 bit computer, so surprised you have a 64 bit operating system running on it. See the PAE on this controller chip on the motherboard.

http://ark.intel.com/products/27720/Intel-82945G-Memory-Controller

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366796(v=vs.85).aspx

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Physical_Address_Extension
"To run the processor in PAE mode, operating system support is required. To use PAE to access more than 4 GB of RAM, further support is required in the operating system, in the chipset, and on the motherboard. Some chipsets do not support physical memory addresses above 4 GB (FFFFFFFF in hexadecimal), and some motherboards simply do not have enough RAM sockets to allow the installation of more than 4 GB of RAM. Nevertheless, even if no more than 4 GB of RAM is available and accessible, a PAE-capable CPU may be run in PAE mode, for example to allow use of the No execute feature."

This is your sound chip
Realtek ALC888S
Make sure you have the correct drivers for that chip loaded.

If all fails, then install a 32 bit version of windows on it. Keep in mind that computer is now 9 years old.

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HP tech said video not related to audio
Aug 7, 2017 10:15AM PDT

The sound was working fine before he installed the video card. A tech at HP said that it probably is a conflict with the hdmi port on the new video card, and that ethernet and video " are not interrelated at all".
Now the guy that clean-installed Window 7 Pro 64 bit says that "Windows 10 reporting that resources required for ethernet to function in use by the built-in video card."
He now took out the video card that he installed and charged me the same price, even though he said there would be no additional charge.
This is the first time that I've been able to reply to this. Very strange. Hope it shows up

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odd
Aug 7, 2017 6:19PM PDT
"and that ethernet and video " are not interrelated at all"."

yes, that's correct, not the same driver files, not on the same bus.

"the guy that clean-installed Window 7 Pro 64 bit says that "Windows 10 reporting that resources required for ethernet to function in use by the built-in video card."


The only thing I can think of that would inter-involve them both would be not property sharing an IRQ, and that would be a function of the BIOS program or more likely the operating system.
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Answer
More
Aug 4, 2017 8:35PM PDT
https://support.hp.com/sg-en/document/c01048279#AbT1
Base processor
Core 2 Duo E4400 (C) DC 2.0 GHz

800 MHz front side bus
Socket 775

Chipset
Intel 945G
Motherboard

Manufacturer: Asus
Motherboard Name: P5LP-LE
HP/Compaq motherboard name: Leonite2-GL8E

https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/selfservice/hp-pavilion-a6100-desktop-pc-series/3436774/model/3437573


Information
HP will soon retire this product.
Once a product is retired, support, including software drivers,
will no longer be available. Learn More

Here is the 2007 sound driver for Vista 32 system. There is none for a 64 bit system. None for windows 7, but
may be able to use the Vista sound driver if installed in compatible mode.
http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software8/COL19550/pv-51643-1/sp35003.exe

An upgraded 2008 sound driver for Vista 32 system to correct HDMI problems.
https://support.hp.com/ca-en/drivers/selfservice/swdetails/hp-pavilion-a6100-desktop-pc-series/3436774/model/3437573/swItemId/pv-58189-1
http://ftp.hp.com/pub/softlib/software9/COL22124/pv-58189-1/sp37324.exe

===========================================================
If you can't get windows 7 32 bit to work OK, then consider Linux Mint 17.3 as a replacement OS. It's free. http://linuxmint.com, or low price DVD at http://osdisc.com