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Conflict, Heat, or what ?
(Click here to view the original thread with full colors/images)
Posted by: ~Binabik~
Recently, my comp decided it was time to get me worried a bit.
In ALL games I want to play, I either get thrown back to desktop or the comp freezes (the hard boot kind). Until now the only way I could play D2 was windowded (had to switch to 800*600 in order not to play on a post stamp); in D3D or directdraw, the game will freeze with a looping sound. But recently I started to get BOD's (the kind with no mention of VXD; you just get a number).
So I decided its format time this Week End.
But to stay on the safe side, i'll ask your opinion on the situation.
What I did so far
* Checked RAM with Goldmemory
* Checked for conflics : all devices have their own IRQ (except the sound card that shares with USB)
* Updated video drivers up to 6.50 (went back to 5.22)
* Updated sound drivers
My sys specs :
PII 333
96 RAM
2 HD (20 + 10 M)
TNT2 16 RAM
SB live player 1024
NIC
Windows 98
Direct X 8.0a
Posted by: JANNA
Time for a new power supply it sounds like. especially with a older CPU the power supply is probably fluctuating a lot and that can easily cause all those errors. at least that would be the first thing i checked along with checking the CPU fan to make sure it is clean and still turning.
If u have access to a volt meter u can check the outputs on the conectors to the mother board and various devices otherwise they run about 45-60$ for a decent 300watt PS
Posted by: TotalRecall
I suggest a scandisk and defrag before you go all out and format. If this doesn't clear the problems, back up some important drivers and anything you wish to save then proceed to reformat.
I would not look into hardware until after i've made a fresh install of Windows. It could be hardware, but the majority of the time it's Windows bugs. Usually the main os core becomes pretty buggy after some time.
If you continue to have these problems, try the above things Janna mentioned.
Posted by: ~Binabik~
Well, no luck.
The format helped a little bit since i don't get BSOD's anymore. But the comp still freezes in games with sound looping. I checked the HD (full scan), swapped the sound and NIC cards (now vid has irq 9, sound irq 10 and NIC has 11 shared with USB).
I'm running the comp with the cover off and two fans blowing, so I guess that rules heat out.
The only thing I didn't check is the power supply. It rates 200W and maybe i've got to many devices running (but then wouldn't i also having problems while running other apps ?).
Posted by: TotalRecall
200watts is rather low, so it's a large possibility. My guess is that some of the applications don't stress some of the computer's components as well.
It's possible there is a driver conflict, but i'm not sure what to tell you if it occurs in all versions of the drivers.
If you plan on upgrading later, I would definately look into a new power supply since it is already needed.
Posted by: MK
Good going TR!  Try getting a 4000watt power supply! heh..if there is such a thing...can anyone else help Bin?!
Posted by: Kdr Kane
Sorry to say that, but I just did. I updated Nvidia's drivers from 6.5 to 12.40. Look at OTS's main page for Total Recall's link to 3dSpotlight.
Now my machine does not bluescreen everytime I Alt-Tab out of a game. And it even runs faster. I don't know why Nvidia doesn't decide to put the updated versions on their own website. Those new drivers are provided to manufacturers.
Thanks Total Recall.
Posted by: TotalRecall
You are welcome, I do what I can.
Posted by: MK
Wait a second, Bin doesn't equal Kdr Kane, riiiiiight? Just making sure 
Posted by: Kdr Kane
No.
I am not Binabik. I can see how my last post might be confusing. I was telling Bin to update his video drivers. I think it is the problem. I just hear that so much, that I tend to roll my eyes everytime someone says to update their drivers.
Posted by: ~Binabik~
Nope Kane, that I tried already. Went from 5.22 to 7.50 (tried each version between). I didn't go for 10.xx or 12.xx versions since I'm stuck for the time beeing with my TNT2.
Posted by: ~Binabik~
Well I did download the new official 12.41. i'll give 'em a try. i'll keep you posted
Posted by: Kdr Kane
I hope it helps. BTW, I have a TNT 2 16 MB card also. The 12.40 drivers made quite a difference.
Posted by: ~Binabik~
Well, the 12.41 drivers improved things in general, but i'm still having those lockups. They occur only in games like D2 or "Star wars Episode 1 : Racer". I'm able to play IWD, Heart of Winter and BG2 without a problem.
As I tried D2, I noticed that prior to the lockup I now see some kind of white flash . Tried 3 times with the same result. I can play ~30 mn, two "flashes" (1mn in interval) and then lockup. On the screen the top of the image shows some kind of white vertical grid : probably the begining of the white flash I mentioned (but
the pc locks up before the redrawing is complete).
Now i'm wondering can refresh rate setting induce that kind of problem? The setting I use right now is "card by default" (translated from french)
Posted by: Kdr Kane
Bin,
I don't think your refresh rate has anything to do with it.
It sounds as if you are having problems in some games still. But, other games that were failing are doing fine. It also sounds like your system running without games is stable. My next suggestion is the you rebuild your system again and go to a lower version of DirectX (to 6.0 or 7.0) if all of your games will allow this. Don't use DX 8 unless it's necessary.
Good luck.
Posted by: ~Binabik~
Thanks for the try Kane
But I ran the games with respectively DX6.1(i comes with w98), 7.0 and lastly 8.0a. Each time I tried the faulty games.
As for the problems with the other games, I think it was my incessant meddling with the computer settings that corrupted the registry.
As for now, I will simply stop trying since I can play D2 in windowed mode (have to get back to 800*600 though) and I'm mostly playing IWD or BGII anyway. Its the fact that some days I can play for hours without any problems that got me into thinking it was the hardware. Maybe its time for a complete upgrade.
 Now there is a thought !!! I'm tired of this 'puter right now. Hehe lets do it
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