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BIOS Update and Vista

Yeah....maybe that PCI slot is fried....or maybe it's the controller. The weird part is, the Black screen on boot issue ONLY HAPPENS when the driver is installed. It displays everything else fine. This particular board won't let you get to the OS if the card isn't installed in the primary slot...
- Dillybob
- Post #4
- Nov 28, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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BIOS Update and Vista

My new PC (which I built) always black-screens at boot when the video drivers are installed. It will just get past the loading bar, then sit at the black screen (the monitor doesn't go into power save, so it is getting a signal). Googled it. Some guy said it was fixed with a BIOS update. So...
- Dillybob
- Thread
- Nov 28, 2008
- Replies: 3
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

Yeah. It wasn't really, as far as i could tell. There's a little yellow triangle on one corner of socket 775 CPUs. Plus, there's a little semi-circle that has to line up with a certain point, so it's actually quite hard to make it fit wrong. UPDATE TO THE SITUATION: We were able to get...
- Dillybob
- Post #12
- Nov 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

Yeah....maybe a couple of SATA ports died in one way or another. Have it in at a different shop now. Here's what happened: -I was able to get video normally again, and was able to create a stripe of my two velociraptors. -All hard drives were seen by the mobo, and then by the vista install...
- Dillybob
- Post #10
- Nov 21, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Bad RAM? Constant BSOD.

Yeah. Now that I've seen that, I'd have to agree that your RAM may still be good, but your videocard is bad/overheating. Get another fan for your case or something, or one of those spot-cool fans (Antec) to cool your videocard. If that doesn't help, then get a new videocard.....though at...
- Dillybob
- Post #14
- Nov 15, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

Fair enough. I'll keep that in mind for future builds. Hopefully nothing was fried in the process, though. If I can finally get this thing running, it's going to be the fastest system I have ever had (though now that it's taken me this long to get it online, it would almost have been worth it to...
- Dillybob
- Post #8
- Nov 15, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

Hmm.....I bought it because several reviews had stated that it improved ping and overall performance of online games by about %10 (these were printed in magazines, PC Gamer and Maximum PC, not online). I'd heard that it wasn't quite necessary for newer builds, but I find that when you delve into...
- Dillybob
- Post #6
- Nov 14, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

Hey, guys. Here's an update: Took it down to a local shop. A guy hooked up the CPU, RAM, And video card to a new 790i Mobo (an Ultra, but also made by EVGA), and he got it to boot on the bench. So I get it home, install it in the case, and same problem. Take it to a different shop down the...
- Dillybob
- Post #4
- Nov 14, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Bad RAM? Constant BSOD.

I had a similar problem, which went away after replacing the RAM. Hit into the BIOS and make absolutely sure that the voltages are what they're supposed to be set at. If they are, and you have the same problem, I'd swear it's the RAM (bad RAM might not show up right away...mine showed problems...
- Dillybob
- Post #7
- Nov 12, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

I hooked up an 8800GTX, and the fan actually started spinning up, but still no video... made sure the monitors worked (and they do). All the fans and lights work, and I've made sure that the power wasn't an issue... Got a new board today, and I get the code "80" on the mobo's LED (I got FF...
- Dillybob
- Post #3
- Nov 10, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Gfx Card's fan won't start.....

:confused: This is really perplexing. I just built a new system, and I couldn't get it to display video to the new monitor....so I switched the old monitor in (which I KNEW worked), and still no video. Hooked up the new monitor to the old computer, and, lo and behold, it too works well. I...
- Dillybob
- Thread
- Nov 9, 2008
- Replies: 11
- Forum: Computer Building
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Nehalem (i7-core)

Based on what I've seen, Hyperthreading actualling makes Nehalem run worse with Multithreading, and usually runs slower in games than Penryn in general....the Q9550 actually outperforms the 960 (the 3.2GHZ Extreme Edition). So I'm planning a new rig, but I'm wondering if I should just wait...
- Dillybob
- Post #22
- Nov 1, 2008
- Forum: CPUs and Overclocking
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Is this a good CPU/MB combo for someone moving away from sckt 754?

......I know you want it cheap, but that stuff is OLD. I suggest these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16819103067 (CPU) http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16813186141 (Mobo) The mobo has decent built-in video, and can go from Athlon X2 all the way up to a phenom...
- Dillybob
- Post #3
- Oct 31, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Fallout 3 having lag issues, need help

I can't say what the problem would be......oh wait.......you have what appears to be a Pentium Dual-core. D'OH! Seriously. This is a high-end game. Running at high on smaller resolutions isn't much of a problem, but your system probably won't handle any resolution past 1440x900 very...
- Dillybob
- Post #2
- Oct 30, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Wanting to Build a Computer

Get the MSI GTX 280, which is factory overclocked, costs about $415, and has a $40 mail in rebate beyond that....totaling about $375. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127360
- Dillybob
- Post #17
- Oct 29, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Wanting to Build a Computer

WE NEED YOUR BUDGET RANGE. Simply put, don't get a workstation card. That's all. PLEASE GIVE US YOUR BUDGET RANGE.
- Dillybob
- Post #14
- Oct 29, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Monitor problem

Depending on budget and amount of space you have, LCDs can deliver much higher resolutions, better color-gamit, and better response times than old CRT's. If you can, go for a decent 24". 1920x1200 res. should make everything on it look nice and smooth, and a 5ms response time (or less) is...
- Dillybob
- Post #11
- Oct 28, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Wanting to Build a Computer

Dude, don't even think about the workstation card. For the price, desktop cards work a lot better for gaming and desktop use. If you're doing CAD work, then the workstation card would work fine. What's your budget?
- Dillybob
- Post #10
- Oct 28, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Vista 64 BSOD

Well, windows thinks that it's Bully....however, the fact that "usb" keeps appearing kind of sticks out to me. Referenced memory was also....referenced, so it could be a RAM issue....? I can't say for sure, though. Try loading Bully again, see if that causes it to crash (again). If it...
- Dillybob
- Post #2
- Oct 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Building A New Gaming Computer

We need to know your preferences, if you have any. ATI or Nvidia? AMD or Intel? Specific Brands of the actual products you prefer (eg: Asus, Gigabyte, Diamond, etc.)? I would wait for a little bit. Nehalem Processors will come out on November 17 (they've already been shipped.... this is...
- Dillybob
- Post #4
- Oct 22, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Here's a good mystery

It may be fine now, but the damage may become apparent later on. Your guess about it being dust gathering static sounds like the most logical cause, but I myself have not experienced anything like this first hand. It's safe to say that you could probably keep running it safely (at least...
- Dillybob
- Post #2
- Oct 18, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Need urgent help! Motherboard smoking!!

Dude. That's an old motherboard...still usable, but old. What socket is it? What CPU? Yeah, I know I'm not really helping anything. But by the sound of things, you need a new motherboard. If it's not under warrenty, get a new motherboard. Is the NForce4-D intel or AMD? AMD boards are...
- Dillybob
- Post #13
- Oct 17, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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CPU upgrade!

15 minutes is exceptionally slow for ANYTHING.....probably the fact of airflow. The 3+ GHZ CPUs for the 478 boards were the reason that intel created the BTX case standard. They get exceptionally hot, because they basically took the same chip and overclocked it.....then overclocked it some...
- Dillybob
- Post #6
- Oct 17, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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What's wrong with my computer?

How old is the card? Did you build the system, or was it pre-built? What IS the card? If you could divulge the information, we may be able to help you more efficiently.
- Dillybob
- Post #4
- Oct 15, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Free Download of "The Suffering" for PC users - no strings attached

Yeah, the file download on filefront is "Sponsored by the US Air Force", so that's probably why you get the popup after closing. The government must be getting really desperate. LOL.
- Dillybob
- Post #22
- Oct 6, 2008
- Forum: Hot Deals and Giveaways
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Video card dies in the middle of a game

Ummm...yeah. If the driver isn't updated to the current version, I'd do that in both of your cases. If that doesn't fix it, then maybe you have the settings up too high for the card to be able to run. I can't really think of what else could be the problem, other than the card actually is going...
- Dillybob
- Post #6
- Oct 6, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Really considering quitting computer repair

Oh man.....I have only run into two situations similar to this: My friend had his friend build a computer for him (instead of having me do it), and he built a Quad-FX system *shudders.* The fans would spin, the lights would come on, and that was it. No post or beep. Turned out to be the...
- Dillybob
- Post #3
- Oct 2, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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IPod Classic Is Dying?

The iPod "Classic" is the current gen....it's the more improved version of the 5th gen with video. My grandpa's (yes he has one, though it's a 5th gen) was doing the same thing.....and still does occasionally. They've been about for around 2 years, so if you bought it less than a year ago, then...
- Dillybob
- Post #7
- Oct 2, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Blu-ray and VGA

?
- Dillybob
- Post #14
- Oct 1, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Blu-ray and VGA

Yeah. Look for a monitor with at least 1920x1200....your games will look awesome, and it can step back to Full 1080P HD. Why would a monitor out there be that much more expensive? Is it the shipping or something?
- Dillybob
- Post #12
- Oct 1, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Games are crashing need help ASAP

The Power supply is by no means a short-term buy. It will last an extremely long time (compared to other parts of a computer). The one I have is 850w, and can be found on Newegg for about $230. For $20 less, you can get the one without modular cabling. I would reccomend more power if you plan to...
- Dillybob
- Post #23
- Sep 4, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Games are crashing need help ASAP

By all means, update the BIOS. But, as myocardia said, your PSU is quite weak. With your system, I would shoot for a MINIMUM of 700w. If you can afford it, I would recommend the thermaltake toughpower 850w or higher, as they seem to work great. I'm running the 850 in my build, and it runs...
- Dillybob
- Post #21
- Sep 2, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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computer freezes while playing game

It wouldn't be the PSU, otherwise he would have other issues. Turn up the fan on the 4870 to around 80%.....if it's too loud for you, then you may want a different card, as the 4870 NEEDS extra cooling, 'cause it gets VERY hot at default fan-speeds.....crank up the fan and you should be fine...
- Dillybob
- Post #3
- Sep 1, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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rate this build

Go E8300. Slightly slower clock, but not that huge of a difference. Also, where did you find a 4850 for $150? They're supposed to be $200-$250. I would get the 4870, but the budget IS a little tight, so that's forgiveable...and Oblivion is the most use she'll get out of it, so that's fine. If...
- Dillybob
- Post #7
- Jul 26, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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New PC wont post or beep

Like I said....the video card could be the issue, or the RAM. Try whatever you have lying around, or swap some stuff from another system.
- Dillybob
- Post #6
- Jul 26, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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New PC wont post or beep

One question: Do you get the lights to turn on and fan to spin up? Do you get the post beep? My friend gets all that, but the computer won't display video no matter what we try to do. His dad WAS going to have me do it, but decided to go with another guy to do it for him. It's been about a...
- Dillybob
- Post #4
- Jul 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Constant blue screens

Had the same issues about a month ago, guys. Turns out it was the ram. You should run memtest for about 24 hours if possible. That would make sure that it REALLY isn't the RAM.....otherwise, it's a driver issue. Find Drivercleaner (or is it called drivecleaner?) and remove the old drivers (save...
- Dillybob
- Post #10
- Jul 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Q6600 core 2 quad

8400GS, maybe 7600GS. That's what I'd say if your budget is <$100.
- Dillybob
- Post #8
- Jul 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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rate this build

I say P45 b/c it's got some more current-gen features than the others, and you won't be using built-in video. Also, how serious is she about gaming? What does she play? We could make better recommendations based on that info.
- Dillybob
- Post #5
- Jul 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building
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Computer dying

939=Not made for overclocking. Oh, the BOARD might be, but the processors on that standard SUCK. AM2 is cheap, and it works well. Also, you probably could have gotten a few extra MHZ without messing with voltage.
- Dillybob
- Post #3
- Jul 25, 2008
- Forum: Computer Building

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