PSX5Central

Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: fastson on September 03, 2002, 01:42:14 PM

Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 03, 2002, 01:42:14 PM
I got my new PC a few days ago (3 days ago to be exact)..

I put it together and everything ran fine.. Untill I saw in the BIOS bootup it said 1200MHz :eek: when I orderd a Athlon XP 1900+..
Thanks to nO-One I now know what the problem is. The fsb jumper was set on 100MHz instead of 133MHz.

So I changed it and it stated the correct clockspeed in the bootup (1600MHz). Then I proceeded to boot XP, which refused to boot.
Every time I got a bluescreen, even when I tried to reinstall XP.

We later figured out that it was because of my shitty RAM which runs at 100MHz :(

So I had to switch back the jumper to 100MHz and use that setting untill I buy new 133MHz RAM.

So everything worked fine, I though.. Untill I started playing some games.

I played a few minutes of Unreal Tournament just to see the framerate improvement. After a few mins the whole system froze, I restarted the system and downloaded the latest drivers for UT and my graphicscard (TNT2 Ultra Gamer).
After that the game seemed to run fine.
So I installed Allied Assault, and it crashed a few mins (maybe 2 or so).

And when my brother tried to play Unreal Tournament it froze again. 3 times in a row!

Something is wrong here.. I checked the CPU temp and its only at 35 degrees (Celcius).

So my question is what might the problem be? XP runs fine but whenever I try and run a game the system freezes after a while.
Is the CPU unstable because its not running on its correct speed?

If so I want to buy the new RAM asap (I was thinking that I could run on my old memory for a while, but if the RAM is causing the system crash I want new memory asap)

Gimme your thoughts..

Thanks in advance.

PS: Sorry for any spelling errors. Im using a old keyboard that Im not used to.
Title: Unstable
Post by: Coredweller on September 03, 2002, 03:21:37 PM
I had similar problems when I was fixing a PC my friend owns.  It\'s based on an old Athlon from a couple years ago.  I know everyone loves AMD and says they\'re cheaper, faster, better than Intel... yadda yadda yadda... AND they\'re 100% compatible!

Well my experience has been that Intel is just a little more "100% compatible" than AMD is.  :)  At least when you\'re dealing with taxing cutting edge stuff like modern PC games.  And that folks, is why I still buy Intel.
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 03, 2002, 03:43:56 PM
Tss.. Intel=overpriced.. :)


Btw when I was running Sandra I saw this under the Mainboard info:

Memory Modules:
Memory Module 2: 256MB 16x(16Mx8) SDRAM PC133U-333-542 (CL3 upto 133MHz) (CL2 upto 100MHz)
Memory Module 3: Micron 16LSDT1664AG-10BD2 1503452B 128MB 16x(8Mx8) SDRAM PC100-322-622 (CL3 upto 125MHz) (CL2 upto 83MHz)

Hmmm. When I ordered the 256 stick I remember choosing PC100.. Ya think they delivered the wrong memory considering PC133 is supposed to work with PC100 memory aswell?

Im going to try and take out the other stick (128) and set the jumper to 133MHz and see if it works :)
Title: Unstable
Post by: EmperorRob on September 03, 2002, 05:02:39 PM
It\'s probably your memory.  Go here:
http://www.crucial.com
Title: Unstable
Post by: jiggs on September 04, 2002, 01:59:04 AM
You definatly dont want to run PC133 with that new MB. Is it a ddr board? Can you mount up to 1 gig of memory? Also more than memory did you set the speed in the bios to 2x or 4x for your AGP card. 2x would be best. That is a 64mb card is it not? When you installed XP where there any conflicts with any your hardware? If you could upgrade that card to a GF4 Ti4600 or 4400 XP would love you for this. Also try opening up your AGP memory in the bios to 64 or even 128 depending on the amount of memory you plan to run. Take a good look at that vid card might be time to get a new one. With all that power if you have a top of the line video card it will make that system purr.  One more thing disable all programs running in the background at start up. You can do this by going to run and typing in msconfig and unchecking programs you dont want at startup. This is good for playing games anyway. Systray and explorer must remain. Good luck
________
The Cliff Condominium (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 04, 2002, 02:54:50 AM
Quote
Originally posted by jiggs
You definatly dont want to run PC133 with that new MB.


Why not? :)

Quote
Is it a ddr board? Can you mount up to 1 gig of memory?


No its a regular SDRAM board. I could not afford a DDR board.
The maximum memory for the board is 1.5GB

Quote
Also more than memory did you set the speed in the bios to 2x or 4x for your AGP card. 2x would be best. That is a 32mb card is it not?


I left the setting at 4x.. Hmm never thought of that one, thanks.
Yes its a crappy TNT2 Ultra 32MB.

Quote
When you installed XP where there any conflicts with any your hardware?


I reinstalled XP when I got the new PC.. And no conflicts.

Quote
If you could upgrade that card to a GF4 Ti4600 or 4400 XP would love you for this.


Im going to upgrade to a GeForce 3 Ti200 actually.. I was supposed to get the card yesterday but the numbnuts at the store sold all the cards :evil:

Quote
Also try opening up your AGP memory in the bios to 64 or even 128 depending on the amount of memory you plan to run.


I set it to 64MB.. Right now I only have 256MB of RAM.. I took out the other stick yesterday to see if this one was a PC133.

Quote
Take a good look at that vid card might be time to get a new one. With all that power if you have a top of the line video card that will make that system purr.  One more thing disable all programs running in the background at start up. You can do this by going to run and typing in msconfig and unchecking programs you dont want at startup. Systray and explorer must remain. Good luck [/B]


Yes, as I said Im planning on getting a new GFX card :) (they said I would get it on Monday.)

Btw, when I ran the PC in 133MHz with the RAM I thought was PC133 it went fine.. No problems in XP.. It said 1600MHz in bootup ect.
But when I tried to run a game.. CRASH! :(

Thanks for your help, im going to do what you suggested. :)
Title: Unstable
Post by: Heat on September 04, 2002, 03:14:20 AM
Quote
Originally posted by fastson

Im going to upgrade to a GeForce 3 Ti200 actually.. I was supposed to get the card yesterday but the numbnuts at the store sold all the cards :evil:


I was going to buy a geforce 3 ti200 but I felt froggy when it came to ordering and got the ti500 only £20 more.
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 04, 2002, 04:12:27 AM
I changed the AGP bus speed to 2x and the games still crashed.
So I lowered it to 1x and now everything seems to work..

I read the specs for my TNT2 and its supposed to support 2x AGP.. Weird..

Well now Im going to set the jumper to 133MHz and see if my RAM really is PC133 :)

Laterz.
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 04, 2002, 04:33:19 AM
Crap!

I set the jumper to 133MHz and it worked fine in Windows, but not while playing games.

Btw, I noted it said RAM 133MHz while booting, even when the jumper was set to 100MHz.
So the memory is 133MHz, but the games cant run while the CPU Host Clock jumper is set to 133MHz? Wtf?

So its gotta be the graphicscard?
Title: Unstable
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on September 04, 2002, 04:44:24 AM
not bad, i\'d double the memory though.
Title: Unstable
Post by: Tyrant on September 04, 2002, 05:17:00 AM
fastson are u using pc-100 and pc-133 mem chips together, i never knew that would work!!.
i think it would be best if u get a 256mb pc-133 card (2 if u can find them cheap enough).
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 04, 2002, 05:20:33 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Tyrant
fastson are u using pc-100 and pc-133 mem chips together, i never knew that would work!!.
i think it would be best if u get a 256mb pc-133 card (2 if u can find them cheap enough).


No, I took out the PC100.. Im just using the PC133 now and Im buying a second one. Should be here in a few days.

But all this crashing is pissing me off.. Grr..
Title: Unstable
Post by: videoholic on September 04, 2002, 06:54:59 AM
I always thought you could use 100 and 133 together, but it won\'t go any faster than the slowest speed.  So you are wasting the extra thoroughput of the 133.
Title: Unstable
Post by: nO-One on September 04, 2002, 07:19:33 AM
Hey fast, I\'d blur that serial number on the screenie :)
Title: Unstable
Post by: jiggs on September 04, 2002, 12:23:10 PM
PC133 is ok for that board but you cant mix the two or there will be a conflict. If there is a blue screen its a memory dump(does it display a code?). If you are crashing to desktop its still a memory problem or another program is in conflict. Make sure to disable video shadow in the bios, it has to be disabled and enable the cache memory. Disable the virus scan in the bios. If the memory test is ok and the bios sees it the strip is not bad but it would not hurt to check it. Do you have to reboot after these crashes does it lock up? Got my tech buddies working on this but we need more info. ie. brand MB, CDROM, HD ect. Take your machine to PC pitstop.com and test it they will test your hardware memory vid card ect. and offer fixes. You might be able to see if the problem is with the hardware or with windows.
________
CONVECTION VAPE (http://vaporshop.com/)
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 04, 2002, 02:28:26 PM
Quote
Originally posted by jiggs
PC133 is ok for that board but you cant mix the two or there will be a conflict.


I noticed that :)
The thing is I should have gotten PC100 because thats what I ordered. The sticker on the Memory even says PC100.. But when I looked at it via Sandra it said PC133.. Even the computer detects it as a PC133. Anyways I removed the PC100 Memory stick and its alot more stable (when the CPU Host Clock is set to 100MHz), though the games still crash (but now it takes alot longer).. When the Clock is set to 133MHz I cant run shit.. Only XP but no games.

Quote
If there is a blue screen its a memory dump(does it display a code?). If you are crashing to desktop its still a memory problem or another program is in conflict.


XP has no problem booting anymore. When the games crashes they freeze.. The whole system freezes.
When I tried to run 3D Mark 2001 it first kicked me out to the desktop and when I started it again the system rebooted.

Quote
Make sure to disable video shadow in the bios, it has to be disabled and enable the cache memory.


Will do.

Quote
Disable the virus scan in the bios. If the memory test is ok and the bios sees it the strip is not bad but it would not hurt to check it.


The Memory test during boot? I think its OK.. It says 256MB

Quote
Do you have to reboot after these crashes does it lock up?


Yes, the whole system freezes.. I cant even turn Capslock on or off.. The only way is to press Reset.

Quote
Got my tech buddies working on this but we need more info. ie. brand MB, CDROM, HD ect.


Thanks for helping me out..
My motherboard is a EPoX EP-8KTA3L+ (http://www.epox.com/html/motherboard.asp?product=EP-8KTA3Lplus&lang=1)
The CD ROM is a Samsung CD-R/RW 12-8-32x, the HDD is a MAXTOR 60GB 7200RPM, the CPU is a AMD Athlon XP 1900+

Quote
Take your machine to PC pitstop.com and test it they will test your hardware memory vid card ect. and offer fixes. You might be able to see if the problem is with the hardware or with windows. [/B]


Thanks Ill do that..  :)
Title: Unstable
Post by: §ôµÏG®ïñD on September 05, 2002, 04:37:45 AM
u can use 100mhz and 133mhz mem in the same machine.. Your mb should downclock the 133 chip too 100mhz.. Check to see if your mb is set in APIC mode or PIC mode.. I find PIC is more stable..  If it\'s in APIC mode, u can\'t change to PIC mode then boot xp.. You will have to reinstall xp.  Also make sure your bios hasn\'t got fast writes enabled.. Disable AGP Read Synchronization and set your AGP Aperture size to the same size as your cards. These can freeze games in some systems. On a TNT card. It\'s more likely.
Title: Unstable
Post by: jiggs on September 07, 2002, 10:37:34 PM
How are you doing? Did you get things worked out? Let me know.
________
Sunset Boulevard Residence 2 Prathumnak (http://pattayaluxurycondos.com)
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 08, 2002, 04:21:52 PM
Quote
Originally posted by jiggs
How are you doing? Did you get things worked out? Let me know.


I got the new memory stick (PC133) and that didnt do much. The system still crashes while running at 133fsb.. :(

One guy said it could be the PSU but I doubt it. I have a 340Watt PSU and that should be more than enough for my PC, dont you think?

I got one more thing to try out though.. The new graphicscard that Ill prolly get tomorrow. I pray to god that this will fix the problem, if not.. PANIC! I have no other options left. (except maybe the PSU but I doubt it.. and if it really is the PSU Im ****€d! Those things are damn expensive!)

Things that makes me think its the graphicscard..



Ill let you know tomorrow what happens :)
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 10, 2002, 03:17:42 PM
Ok, change of plans.

Im not buying the GeForce 3 because of the incompetent mofos at the store I was going to buy it at.

Now Im ordering a GeForce 4 Ti4200 instead (I found one for a cheap price in a Danish store) . :)

Btw, I set the Vcore setting alittle higher (auto) and now the system runs way better. It still freezes sometimes (in games) and thats prolly caused by the GPU.
Title: Unstable
Post by: Coredweller on September 10, 2002, 03:46:40 PM
Psssssttttt.... It\'s the Athlon.
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 10, 2002, 04:52:36 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Coredweller
Psssssttttt.... It\'s the Athlon.


Oh shut up! :p

For your information my Athlon beats the $110 more expensive Intel 2GHz.. How\'s that? :)
Title: Unstable
Post by: Coredweller on September 10, 2002, 05:02:28 PM
Does it beat it when you have to spend $200 more to upgrade your video card, just to get it to work?  :p

Just playing devil\'s advocate
Title: Unstable
Post by: fastson on September 11, 2002, 05:13:23 AM
Quote
Originally posted by Coredweller
Does it beat it when you have to spend $200 more to upgrade your video card, just to get it to work?  :p

Just playing devil\'s advocate


Hey.. Thats not the CPUs fault. More the GPU.

And I was going to upgrade my GPU anyways, my TNT2 cant live forever :)

Oh and Im "only" paying $150 for that GeForce 4 Ti4200 :)