PC Help! This is a doozy.

[blakjeezis]

Okay so to start, this is my system:
Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe Mobo
Athlon XP 3200
ATI Radeon 9800XT Video Card
Antec True 430w PSU
1 80GB Maxtor SATA HD (to start)
1 80GB Maxtor IDE HD (just added)
LiteOn 52x CD-RW
Sony 'Whatever'x DVD-ROM
WIN XP Pro over Win 2K Pro

I built this computer back in January and I've been having this problem ever since. The machine runs fine, beautifully in fact, except when I'm playing games. Any games, specifically SimCity4, Deus Ex: IV, FarCry Demo, UT 2004 Demo, the fucking thing blows up on me. I get freezes (frozen picture with sound), crash to desktop, crash to blue screen (no BSoD, just blank), reboots, apparently randomly but never more than 10 minutes into playing.

Things I have done to remedy this. None of which have worked:
Tried every Nvidia nForce2 and ATI Catalyst driver for the past 4 or 5 releases.
Temperature checked EVERYTHING!!
Re-Installed OS and games with and without anti-virus.
Downloaded game patches.
Put extra cooling in the case, now up to 9 fans, and run it with the side off.
Google Searched: Adjusted voltages, clock speeds, VPU recovery on/off, Fast-Write on/off, AGP Speed (8x/4x)
Took it to the Geek Squad. They said there were some problems withthe SATA HD that they fixed and a couple of corrupted Win files, but they ran Deus Ex for 2 hours without a problem. I came home, formatted my HD, re-installed Windows: same thing.
I bought the IDE drive, installed Windows: Same thing.
For Christ's sake, I had the mobo out of the case sitting on a cardboard box, to make sure there were no shorts. I'm at the end of my rope here. I'm making one last ditch effort to reach out to someone, anyone for help. Has anyone had this problem, heard of this problem, have any ideas to solve it? I got no place else to go! I got no place else to gooo! *sob* I got nothin' else.

And please, save the geek shit for another time. I don't need you to tell me what I should have bought instead, or how much better this motherboard or that video card is. This is what I have, this is what I need help with. Thank You.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[ChickenHawk]

Play console games.


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HORDE KING FOREVER!!! ORACLE NEVER!!!
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[walking joint]

i'd get a new computer. no way i'd figure this one out.

[HBox]

You didn't mention how much RAM you have. That could be a major problem.

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

This message was edited by HBox on 6-2-04 @ 9:32 PM

[blakjeezis]

Oh yeah.
1GB Crucial.
Which I've tested with MemTest 86, and the MS Memory Tester: Passed.
I've also had, at various times and in various combinations, MBM, SiSandra, the Asus probe, Norton WinDoctor, you fucking name it, running on it with not a one turning up anything significant.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

This message was edited by blakjeezis on 6-2-04 @ 9:39 PM

[HBox]

Are you overclocking anything?

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

[blakjeezis]

I've overclocked, underclocked, run it at speed.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[blakjeezis]

Sorry, Kingston RAM, not Crucial. I was thinking of another machine. Anyway, it passed the tests.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[HBox]

I'm thinking it would have something to do with the video card, then. If possible, you should try getting another video card, maybe a friend's or soemthing, anything, installing it and seeing if the same thing happens. The problems only seem to be happening when you are using 3D. It could be anything from a driver thing to just the videocard being fucked up. Which would really suck, considering the price of that thing. (Although if you bought it in January, it might still be in warranty.)

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

[blakjeezis]

SHIT! I keep forgetting all the things I've done. I'm sorry, Box, for wasting your time. I sent the original Vid Card back to ATI and got a new one, like 2-3-4 weeks ago.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[HBox]

perhaps it's the power supply? That video card eats up the juice, and although that is a pretty big power supply, maybe it running short on voltage for some reason. You have two hard drives, two CD drives, your system's eating a lot of juice. If your power supply's running even a little short, it can cause major problems. Maybe you might even need a bigger one.

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

This message was edited by HBox on 6-2-04 @ 9:49 PM

[alexc]

i would recommend using memtest86 to to test your ram.. if there are any errors.. replace the ram. also make sure you have enough cooling.. you can get memtest86 <a href="http://www.memtest86.com/"> here.</a>

[blakjeezis]

Yeah, maybe I'll pull the plug on the 2nd HD and the DVD drive. See if that helps. The power supply is really the one thing that I haven't fucked with too much. I figured on using somewhere in the 390-400w neighborhood. Maybe I cut it too close.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[HBox]

Oh yeah, BTW.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/jayjay/tvdome/snoops/kuvat/tobolowsky_groundhog.jpg

"It's a DOOOOOOOOOOOOZY!!!!!!!!"

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

[jocefus]

its possible that your video card may not be able to handle the games... i was having the same problem when i would play diablo II... turned out to be my video card..

http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=jocefus



Big ups to amy, aggie, satcam,adf and fluff for the sigs..

hey my man, what it look like

[HBox]

its possible that your video card may not be able to handle the games... i was having the same problem when i would play diablo II... turned out to be my video card..

That's definitely not the case with the card he has. I don't think there's a game on the market that can max out that monster yet.

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

[JiZ]

AMD huh? Is that using a VIA chipset?

Its is my deep seeded hatred and utter contempt for human life that gets me through each day

[JPMNICK]

It def. sounds like a power supply problem. You should be ok in the cooling department with 9 fans! BTW, thats one awesome computer!

Also, do you have all of the latest drivers? And if so, make sure none of them are beta. Make sure windows is up to do. Do you run Norton Antivirus? I could easily be that as well.
Edit: Just saw the part in your post about the virus software so disregard that. I am thinking PS, you may need 480 or 500 to keep that thing running. To test, just run with one hard drive and no CD if the game does not require it. Physcially unplug them from the PS. Also, if you have a multimeter, test if it is shorting out anywhere.

http://home.comcast.net/~nickcontardo/jpm_sig.jpg
Thanks to Monsterone for my first sig.

This message was edited by JPMNICK on 6-2-04 @ 10:20 PM

[JiZ]

Unless your power supply is faulty, it's definately NOT a PS problem. I have twice as much stuff as you, including all those neon lights and crap with a 400W PS. Find out if you are using a VIA chipset, then update the VIA drivers:)

Its is my deep seeded hatred and utter contempt for human life that gets me through each day

[Reephdweller]

I think there's three things that can be the most probable cause. Either the videocard is defective. Or perhaps the card is just not good with that motherboard (which I find hard to believe, ATI cards are generally very friendly with motherboards especially ASUS...at least in my experience). The other thing that it may very well be is the power supply. If you don't have enough voltage running through the system, or it's not equiped enough to handle the capacity of your system then the computer would behave the way you're describing.

When I built my system one of the most important things I took into consideration was the power supply. I shelled out a lot of money and got me a top notch supply from PC Power and Cooling (http://www.pcpowercooling.com/home.htm) they've been raved about for years by Maximum PC and manysystem building/overclocking websites. I've never had a single problem with my system so I can attest that they're very good.

I see you mention that you're system is using an Antec 430w power supply though. I would imagine with what you have it should be enough to handle what you have. Unless you have a ton of devices connecting to your computer externally as well. Though I would think 430w would be sufficient.

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[JiZ]

Unless you have a ton of devices connecting to your computer externally as well. Though I would think 430w would be sufficient.


External devices have their own power supply. Hey, IM me at yayo4ya if you need some extra help. I sent ya a PM. Good luck d00d.

Its is my deep seeded hatred and utter contempt for human life that gets me through each day

[blakjeezis]

Hbox, seriously, I owe you one. BIG TIME. You name it, you got it. Got Paypal? I'll drop cash into it. I fucking mean it. Come to the softball game and I'll buy you dinner, drinks . . . a car. You have no idea the frustration and angst that I've been going through with this fucking machine. And it would appear, thanks to you, it's been solved. I've been through at least, let me see I would say 10 people, all with extensive PC knowledge, claiming they could fix this, some who even claimed they had. But you're the fucking man, dude. Thank you so much.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[JiZ]

Glad to see you got it working. Now use that ATI card for what it was made for, go play Far Cry:)

Its is my deep seeded hatred and utter contempt for human life that gets me through each day

[Reephdweller]

External devices have their own power supply.



I've always thought that, though I read an article somewhere that suggested that externals such as burners, scanners and hard drives can also tax the power supply.

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<font size="1" color="red">
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<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
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[JPMNICK]

was it the Power Supply or bad video card?

http://home.comcast.net/~nickcontardo/jpm_sig.jpg
Thanks to Monsterone for my first sig.

[JPMNICK]

USB devices sometimes use the 5V on the port, which would also tax the MoBo and PS. Also, a 6 pin FireWire device would do the same. If it is a 4 pin, then it would def. need its own Power.

http://home.comcast.net/~nickcontardo/jpm_sig.jpg
Thanks to Monsterone for my first sig.

[JiZ]

Sorry Reef. Maybe you are right. I have a ton of externals with a 400w PS. Tons of lights, bells, eq's. Basically all the stuff that makes it impossible to sleep at night :( I haven't had any problems. But with all these huge videocards actually using the pc's PS to run, we'll soon need alot more power. Seriously, though, test that card and system out by playing Far Cry. New engine= best graphics in a game to date.



Oh and as far as that Maxtor Sata drive, goodluck. I have 4 of them. So far my two 160gig Satas both failed. Though Maxtor did replace each 160 gig with two 250 giggers:) I strongly suggest HD coolers for the Sata drives. NOT just case fans. The Satas get HOT!
Its is my deep seeded hatred and utter contempt for human life that gets me through each day

This message was edited by JiZ on 6-2-04 @ 10:38 PM

[Reephdweller]

Now that I think of it. I do remember someone once telling me that USB devices that rely on the system to keep them powered as opposed to having a wall adapter to plug into can tax the power supply as well.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Reefy's website... (http://www.osirusonline.com/)</center>
<font size="1" color="red">
<center>Check out The Ron and Fez Show Logs...UPDATED!!!!! (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)</center>
<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee> </font>

[blakjeezis]

Neither the PSU, nor the Vid Card is the problem, although it is a power problem. I've noodled it through and figured it out. I have at least 15-16 things, including an AC Unit, plugged into 4 outlets using 3 multi plugs. Obviously the PSU isn't pulling enough juice out the wall. For the moment, the PC is in 1 of the multi plugs, but I guess that's gonna have to change. That's why The Geek Squad had it working at their shop. They probably had it plugged into its own outlet with nothing else, let alone a TV, DVD player, PS2, Stereo, Phone, GameCube, VCR, PC surround speakers, cell phone charger, monitor, couple of lamps etc . . .

Goddamn, what a dumbass!

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

This message was edited by blakjeezis on 6-2-04 @ 10:40 PM

[HBox]

Glad to see that sweet system can run the shit it was built for.

I myself am waiting for PCI Express motherboards to come out before I get my new system. On my shitty system, I'm amazed that I was able to get Deus Ex: IW to run. (And was subsequently disapointed by it.) And forget Simcity 4. The only cities I can run that have any medium level development are the small sized cities. And forget about doing anything on the large maps. And, oh yeah, it takes literally minutes to load any city. Awful. I've been sitting on the game for a year while I save enough for a new system, and now that I'm here, I'm making myself wait even longer.

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[walking joint]

you guys could probably work for the Geek Squad.

[monsterone]

power or cooling, that's my guess.

<center><img border=1 src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=monsterone01"><br></center>

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[blakjeezis]

Miracle Max: Get out of here, before I call The Geek Squad.

http://www.icept-fr.com/images/geek.jpg
HBox: I'm on the Geek Squad!

Miracle Max: You are the Geek Squad.

<IMG SRC =http://www.blakjeezis.homestead.com/files/bloodjeez.gif>
If I were any better, I'd have to be twins!!
<marquee><font color=red>INRI</font> White people are so scared of blakjeezis<font color=red> INRI</font></marquee>
I'm Rick James, bitch!

[HBox]

Oh please. My teeth aren't that bad.

http://www.myimgs.com/random/hbox/sig

[BoondockSaint]

bump

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Thanks to monsterone for the sig!