Can't start up after software install?

[SageOfTheWabash]

One of the reasons that I want to learn how to roll my own is this;

I recently reformatted my main desktop as I have several times in the past few years, for various reasons. After installing the software and drivers from my "Intel Desktop Boards" disk, I noticed that the on board audio was functioning. I don't recall ever seeing it before. I think that I always unchecked that box when installing these drivers in the past. I have "Creative Labs Audigy 2 Platinum". All was going well. I had restarted a couple of times. Then I installed the Audigy software. When I restarted, the fans came on and some other noises that I think could be hard drives, but nothing on screen. I tried to use the F8 key to access the boot screen in order to enter safe mode. No good. I tried to use the delete key to enter bios. No good. I tried to boot to disc and reformat again, being willing simply to start over. No good.

Basically I am stuck with a blank screen and no ideas. I know just enough about computers to look really stupid among those who actually do know a lot about computers. So let me ask a potentially embarrassing question.

Is it possible that having the on board audio turned on and running caused a fatal conflict of some kind when I installed the Audigy software?

I hope someone can help. This was a pretty good system when purchased in late 02. I love it dearly. This rig does it all for me.

Purchased from ibuypower.com late in '02
Here are some specs on the system in question:
MOBO-INTEL D845PEBT2 DDR333
PS-ENERMAX EG465P-VE 430
CPU-INTEL 3.O6GHZ P4 HT
MEM-CORSAIR 512MB PC2700 HEAD X2
WD 180GB 7200 8MB JB
WD 120 7200 8MB WD120JB
VC- RADEON 9700PRO A-I-W 128MB
OPT DR-SONY 16X DVD
OPT DR-PIONEER DVDRW 8X4X2X1
SC-CREATIVE AUDIGY 2 PLATINUM
OS-XP PRO

 

[Nodsu]

Nothing you do with software can affect the POST process. If your computer freezes before the OS, then you have hardware problems.

 

[SageOfTheWabash]

Thanx Nodsu, I suppose that means a trip to my local computer repair shop. These guys charge around $100 for a residential house call. What can I expect to pay for a diagnostic in their shop? That is to say what would be considered an excessive charge just to tell me what is wrong with my rig?

 

[mailpup]

Remove the Audigy sound card, then try to reboot. If there was a conflict, that should temporarily resolve it. If it reboots, you can go into the BIOS, disable the onboard sound, shut down, reinstall the Audigy card and be good to go.