This document provides some frequently asked questions about SiSoft Sandra. Please read the Help File as well!
Q: Does Sandra run on Windows NT?
A: Not fully. Currently only 60-70% of the modules work on NT. There will not be a proper NT version of Sandra until Windows 2000 (5.0) which supports WDM. This will be a separate product (probably using a different name, e.g. codename Samantha). The current Sandra will stay this way.
Q: The Performance Tune-Up Wizard crashes!
A: The problem lies with another module. If only one module crashes, the wizard will not work since it runs all enabled modules. First find the module with the problem and fix it (see below). If you cannot fix it, delete the module (select it and press Del). The Wizard will skip the module.
Q: The Modules Information module crashes.
A: This module does not work if you have a 2D Matrox video card installed (e.g. Millennium, Millennium II, Mystique) and the original drivers. First, verify that the drivers are the problem by changing to the Standard VGA Display Driver (640x480 16 colours). Both Windows 98 and DirectX 5/6 and later come with drivers for these video cards which should work. Make sure you download the complete version, not just the core. Please note that it may not be possible to fix this problem with any Matrox drivers. However, you can try the latest Unified drivers from Matrox Website.
This module also does not work with drivers for the Neomagic 128X video adapters (usually found in laptop computers). Follow the same steps as outlined above, and check for new video drivers on the manufacturer's web site.
Q: Modules System Information, Mainboard Information, CPU & BIOS Information lock.
A: In module list (main window), right-click a module, choose Options and uncheck Include MSR Information.
If it works, repeat for the other modules. To access MSRs a program needs kernel (ring 0) priviledges. Sometimes Sandra is denied top level access.
Q: Modules System Information, Mainboard Information, CPU & BIOS Information crash.
Q: Module SAN16 crashes!
A: In module list (main window), right-click a module, choose Options and uncheck Include DMI Information. If it works, repeat for the other modules. Your BIOS does not support DMI properly in Windows. Find a newer BIOS version, and flash it. If no new version is available - contact your mainboard/system manufacturer. If you're running a version of Sandra earlier than 2.05, please upgrade to the latest version.
Q: Modules Mainboard Information and CPU & BIOS Information lock up!
A: In module list (main window), right-click a module, choose Options and uncheck Include Temperature Information. If it works, repeat for the other modules. The mainboard may not have a compatible system monitoring sensor chip (e.g. LM75/78/79/80 or Winbond equivalent).
If this does not work, uncheck Include SPD EEPROM Information from the moduleOptions. If this works, repeat for the other modules. The mainboard/chipset may not support the SMBus correctly or the memory modules do not implement EPD correctly or are damaged in some way.
Q: DirectX module crashes with DirectX 6!
A: Try one of the following:
Q: Sandra crashes at start-up with a Trumpet WinSock
A: It seems there is an incompatibility between Sandra and Trumpet. It may be due to the use of the IE web-engine. There is no fix at this time - however the standard Microsoft WinSock (which you can upgrade to version 2.2) is very good.
Q: My non-Microsoft mouse locks!
A: Download the latest drivers from your mouse manufacturer. For example the newest Kesington Mouse/Trackball drivers fix this problem. If you have a graphics tablet, make sure it's configured properly and the drivers are also recent.
Q: The Printer Information module reports "Out of Memory"!
A: Right-click the module, select Options and uncheck Printer Modes Information. Upgrade to Sandra version 4.20 or later and install a printer if none are installed. Some Epson drivers cause this problem.
Q: The Printer Information module locks!
A: If you have networked printers which are off-line or their print servers are unavailable for some reason, the information gathering may take some time depending on the time-outs. Sometimes this can take 2-10 minutes depending on the number of printers. Therefore, the module does not actually lock - let it finish.
Q: The Network Information module locks!
A: On large networks with many workgroups and hosts this module may take some considerable time to scan them all (2-10 minutes).
Q: The MCI Information module crashes.
A: Go to Control Panel - Multimedia - Advanced - Media Control Devices. Select LiveAudioMetafile and click Properties. Select Do not use this Media Control Device and click OK. Do the same for DBCRMVideo device. Alternatively, update to Sandra version 4.20 or later.