PC Troubles Driving Me To Insanity!!!

No_Style · Dec 3, 2002, 04:42 AM

I'm gonna start by giving my specs:

Pentium 4 1.7 Ghz
Sapphiretech ATI Radeon 8500 LE 250/200 clocked (Flashed method) @ 288/236
Kingmax 256 MB DDR RAM PC 2700 CAS 2
Western Digital 60 GB HD ATA 100 @ 7200 RPM
LG CD ROM 52X
LG DVD ROM 16X
LG 16x10x40 CDRW
LG Monitor 915FTplus Flatron 19"
NEC Multysync M500 15"
ASUS P4B266-C Motherboard
SoundBlaster Live! Dolby Digital 5.1
Panasonic 1.44 MB Floppy Drive
350 W Power Supply
Altec Lansing AVS 300 3.1
Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro
Microsoft Intellimouse Optical

Microsoft Windows XP SP1
DirectX 8.1

Yeah, those are my specs. Ok aren't they? BUT the problem is that it's not ok at all. My system crashes, giving the now hated "alarm" noise from the case speaker.

The horror of it!! I don't know what to do..I've only had the system for less than 4 weeks and it's being so hateful towards me. Here's the break down of the possible reasons as to why it crashes and when it doesn't crash and what I've tried thus far.

- It doesn't crash when you use 3D Mark or any other benchmark program. They pass with no problem

- It crashes sometimes after intensive hard drive working (IE: Using O&O Software's Defrag program) However, after cold boots, it can go through defragmenting (usually) without hassle.

- Crashed using Kazaa Lite 2.0.2

- CPU Voltage is 1.9 (Max) and 1.77 (Min)

- CPU Temp on full load is (52 Degrees Celcius)

- Board Temp 35 Degrees Celcius

- CPU Fan now 3325 RPM.. It was at 3261 RPM just yesterday. I realize it changes to compensate for heat, but the temperature of the board has always remained at 35 Degrees Celcius

- Crashed during GTA3, SOFII (The two games I play most and they crash for both)

- I've Re-installed Windows XP, Uninstalled Rage3D Tweak, Uninstalled Intel's Application Accelerator.

That's pretty much all I've tried. The place where I bought it from wouldn't replace my HD (My first guess was it was HD crappiness) because they said that the my system passed all the benchmark programs. And like I mentioned, they do pass them with no problem. It's the PRACTICAL usage that crashes the PC not the benchmarks.

This is rather long, but I thought it would help to explain my problem in full. I need help, I'm going crazy here! Any help, would be appreciated.

Thanks,

No Style

P.S - The crashes seem to be more of a "FULL SYSTEM LOCK UP" nature...that's a better way to describe it.

digitalwanderer · Dec 3, 2002, 05:03 AM

What kind of fans/holes-in-case do you have? Do you have decent airflow thru it?

JavaFox · Dec 3, 2002, 05:16 AM

Hm. Can you clarify what you mean by "CPU voltage is 1.9 (MAX) and 1.77 (MIN)?" Are these the values you can set, or did you see them when you were monitoring your voltages? If so, that kind of fluctuation is definitely a problem! If so, consider blaming the power supply or motherboard.

DriveEuro · Dec 3, 2002, 05:16 AM

Sounds like a bad PSU.

sinjin · Dec 3, 2002, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by digitalwanderer
What kind of fans/holes-in-case do you have? Do you have decent airflow thru it?

it does sound alittle warm in there doesnt it?

Quote:

Originally posted by DriveEuro
Sounds like a bad PSU.

a flaky psu could be to blame as well...a cheap 350w might be the cause of your headaches.

GeoffM · Dec 3, 2002, 07:00 PM

Hmm Questions I would ask;

What BIOS revision, has it been Updated? Chipset Drivers? Latest?

Have you Changed Defualt Vaules in the BIOS (mostly things Kinds of error's can be attributed to RAM Settings)

If you Have have you repeated the malfunction with Default values?

It looks like the Temp is within Spec but I would question the Voltage fluxuation (unless your reading info from the Hardware monitoring utility) In which case a New PS is in order.

One of the Twelve · Dec 4, 2002, 07:04 AM

You can disable the case speaker by pulling the cords off, or "gently" breaking the speaker - who needs it anyway? However your problem sounds like BIOS CPU Core voltage settings -problem, try to change(increase) the values a bit. 350W is enough for your system.

I can tell you later the details of my cpu core settings, when I get home (@work now) - I've got P4 1,8GHz. But I broke one ASUS P4B motherboard some months ago, now using cheap Biostar...

Louie6666 · Dec 7, 2002, 05:23 PM

hey do you have a friends PSU you can borrow, seems like the easiest thing to swap out, to check espcially if those are voltage irregularities! 35oC is also hot in my mind (but I overclock) so anything above 28oC is hot for me, for case temps...& I run an TBird egg frier, your P4 shouldn't generating that much heat un clocked...I would check PSU, then Mobo, & finally cpu if you can borrow someone else's kit this will save you a lot of troubleshooting hassle..good luck

Forgot to add check your heatsink is mounted correctly, as that would also explain behaviour, 57oC under load ouchies (for P4) not clocked!

Louie6666 · Dec 7, 2002, 05:33 PM

POst deleted as it was dupe of one above!!!which was weird never had that happen b4 :P

Furious · Dec 12, 2002, 05:39 PM

My guess would be either a low quality power supply or too much heat.

Here's a good article on power supplies that explains the nuances of them very well. Wattage isn't everything.

http://firingsquad.gamers.com/guides/power/default.asp

Also try running your system with the case cover off and a desk fan blowing into it. That should eliminate the possibility of it being a heat problem.

digitalwanderer · Dec 12, 2002, 06:50 PM

You said GTA3 & SoF2 were your problem games? In GTA3 make sure you turn off "dynamic accoustic modelling" and set it to "Miles Fast 2D Audio" for the sound, any other sound settings tend to lock-up.

SoF2 was VERY over-clocking sensitive for me on both me GF3 & 8500. I had to clock both back a bit or else experience random lock-ups. (Same with UT2k3 & NOLF2, I'm blaiming the games working the pixel shaders a lot harder than they've ever been worked before.

)

DriveEuro · Dec 12, 2002, 08:06 PM

Buy a new PSU

Dec 3, 2002, 04:42 AM	#1
No_Style Styleless Wonder Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 6,034 Rep Power: 0	PC Troubles Driving Me To Insanity!!! I'm gonna start by giving my specs: Pentium 4 1.7 Ghz Sapphiretech ATI Radeon 8500 LE 250/200 clocked (Flashed method) @ 288/236 Kingmax 256 MB DDR RAM PC 2700 CAS 2 Western Digital 60 GB HD ATA 100 @ 7200 RPM LG CD ROM 52X LG DVD ROM 16X LG 16x10x40 CDRW LG Monitor 915FTplus Flatron 19" NEC Multysync M500 15" ASUS P4B266-C Motherboard SoundBlaster Live! Dolby Digital 5.1 Panasonic 1.44 MB Floppy Drive 350 W Power Supply Altec Lansing AVS 300 3.1 Microsoft Sidewinder 3D Pro Microsoft Intellimouse Optical Microsoft Windows XP SP1 DirectX 8.1 Yeah, those are my specs. Ok aren't they? BUT the problem is that it's not ok at all. My system crashes, giving the now hated "alarm" noise from the case speaker. The horror of it!! I don't know what to do..I've only had the system for less than 4 weeks and it's being so hateful towards me. Here's the break down of the possible reasons as to why it crashes and when it doesn't crash and what I've tried thus far. - It doesn't crash when you use 3D Mark or any other benchmark program. They pass with no problem - It crashes sometimes after intensive hard drive working (IE: Using O&O Software's Defrag program) However, after cold boots, it can go through defragmenting (usually) without hassle. - Crashed using Kazaa Lite 2.0.2 - CPU Voltage is 1.9 (Max) and 1.77 (Min) - CPU Temp on full load is (52 Degrees Celcius) - Board Temp 35 Degrees Celcius - CPU Fan now 3325 RPM.. It was at 3261 RPM just yesterday. I realize it changes to compensate for heat, but the temperature of the board has always remained at 35 Degrees Celcius - Crashed during GTA3, SOFII (The two games I play most and they crash for both) - I've Re-installed Windows XP, Uninstalled Rage3D Tweak, Uninstalled Intel's Application Accelerator. That's pretty much all I've tried. The place where I bought it from wouldn't replace my HD (My first guess was it was HD crappiness) because they said that the my system passed all the benchmark programs. And like I mentioned, they do pass them with no problem. It's the PRACTICAL usage that crashes the PC not the benchmarks. This is rather long, but I thought it would help to explain my problem in full. I need help, I'm going crazy here! Any help, would be appreciated. Thanks, No Style P.S - The crashes seem to be more of a "FULL SYSTEM LOCK UP" nature...that's a better way to describe it. __________________ "The Best Style Is No Style" Specifications Here

Dec 3, 2002, 05:03 AM	#2
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,619 Rep Power: 0	What kind of airflow? What kind of fans/holes-in-case do you have? Do you have decent airflow thru it? __________________ WTF is up with the sigs?

Dec 3, 2002, 05:16 AM	#4
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Sounds like a bad PSU. __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024

Dec 4, 2002, 07:04 AM	#7
One of the Twelve DriverHeaven Lover Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Kold North Posts: 131 Rep Power: 0	You can disable the case speaker by pulling the cords off, or "gently" breaking the speaker - who needs it anyway? However your problem sounds like BIOS CPU Core voltage settings -problem, try to change(increase) the values a bit. 350W is enough for your system. I can tell you later the details of my cpu core settings, when I get home (@work now) - I've got P4 1,8GHz. But I broke one ASUS P4B motherboard some months ago, now using cheap Biostar... __________________

Dec 7, 2002, 05:23 PM	#8
Louie6666 Just One Sick-Lizard Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 501 Rep Power: 0	hey do you have a friends PSU you can borrow, seems like the easiest thing to swap out, to check espcially if those are voltage irregularities! 35oC is also hot in my mind (but I overclock) so anything above 28oC is hot for me, for case temps...& I run an TBird egg frier, your P4 shouldn't generating that much heat un clocked...I would check PSU, then Mobo, & finally cpu if you can borrow someone else's kit this will save you a lot of troubleshooting hassle..good luck Forgot to add check your heatsink is mounted correctly, as that would also explain behaviour, 57oC under load ouchies (for P4) not clocked! __________________

Dec 3, 2002, 05:16 AM	#3
JavaFox E Pluribus Unum Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,203 Rep Power: 0	Hm. Can you clarify what you mean by "CPU voltage is 1.9 (MAX) and 1.77 (MIN)?" Are these the values you can set, or did you see them when you were monitoring your voltages? If so, that kind of fluctuation is definitely a problem! If so, consider blaming the power supply or motherboard.

Dec 3, 2002, 07:00 PM	#6
GeoffM DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Bellingham, WA. Posts: 8 Rep Power: 0	Hmm Questions I would ask; What BIOS revision, has it been Updated? Chipset Drivers? Latest? Have you Changed Defualt Vaules in the BIOS (mostly things Kinds of error's can be attributed to RAM Settings) If you Have have you repeated the malfunction with Default values? It looks like the Temp is within Spec but I would question the Voltage fluxuation (unless your reading info from the Hardware monitoring utility) In which case a New PS is in order.

Dec 7, 2002, 05:33 PM	#9
Louie6666 Just One Sick-Lizard Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bristol, UK Posts: 501 Rep Power: 0	POst deleted as it was dupe of one above!!!which was weird never had that happen b4 :P __________________ Last edited by Louie6666; Dec 12, 2002 at 06:31 PM.

Dec 12, 2002, 05:39 PM	#10
Furious I'm blind not deaf!! Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 260 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	My guess would be either a low quality power supply or too much heat. Here's a good article on power supplies that explains the nuances of them very well. Wattage isn't everything. http://firingsquad.gamers.com/guides/power/default.asp Also try running your system with the case cover off and a desk fan blowing into it. That should eliminate the possibility of it being a heat problem. __________________

Dec 12, 2002, 06:50 PM	#11
digitalwanderer Colour Commentator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Highland, IN USA Posts: 5,619 Rep Power: 0	Ooooh, some more question stuff. You said GTA3 & SoF2 were your problem games? In GTA3 make sure you turn off "dynamic accoustic modelling" and set it to "Miles Fast 2D Audio" for the sound, any other sound settings tend to lock-up. SoF2 was VERY over-clocking sensitive for me on both me GF3 & 8500. I had to clock both back a bit or else experience random lock-ups. (Same with UT2k3 & NOLF2, I'm blaiming the games working the pixel shaders a lot harder than they've ever been worked before. ) __________________ WTF is up with the sigs?

Dec 12, 2002, 08:06 PM	#12
DriveEuro HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gurnee Illinois Posts: 4,677 Rep Power: 0	Buy a new PSU __________________ [color=orange]ASUS P4P800 Deluxe [color=black]-[/color] 2.4C --> 3300mhz [color=black]-[/color] Mushkin PC3200 at 220 5-2-2-2 (cpu limited) [color=black]-[/color] BBAti 9800Pro at 430/375 [/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]01[/color] [color=black]3[/color][color=gray]D[/color]M[color=black]a[/color][color=gray]r[/color]k[color=yellow]03[/color] 16001200 12801024