Computer Lockups

[tential]

I'm seeming to lock up during 3d games. I have checked temperatures, defragged, and everything and am not sure what the hell is going on. Is there any type of tests I can do to isolate the problem? I thought it was my PSU but I unplugged my CD drives and it's still not working.

I currently have an AMD 3200+, 7600 GT, 1 gig of DDR Ram, A939 mobo.

Any help diagnostically would be great. Thanks!

 

[robisbell]

exact make, model, version of Motherboard?
exact model of CPU?
exact make and model of GPU?
exact make and model of PSU?
exact make and model of all RAM?
exact make and model of HDD(s)?
exact make and model of optical drives?
any other hardware installed?

 

[Billzie7718]

Lower all the video settings in your 3D game and see if you still have the same problem. Check to see if you can play different video platforms ie. Hardware Acceleration, OpenGL, Glide, Direct3D, ETC.

 

[tential]

AMD Athlon 64 3200 Winchester
ECS A939 nforce4 mobo
BFG 7600 GT OC
PSU came with my case and is a 420 Watt Orion
Ram is PQI Turbo Ram 1 GB Dual Channel clocked at 200 mhz.
HDDs are
500 GB Samsung HD501LJ
160 GB WDCWD160JS from wester digital
80 GB HD that has ST380012A from seagate
I'm not sure the make and model of the Optical Drives but they are currently unplugged anyway because I thought everything else wasn't getting enough power and I don't use my optical drives.
No Other hardware is installed.

Also all the settings are on low on both Lineage 2 and Warrock(the only 2 games I have) yet I am still locking up. My brother with a weaker system (Athlon XP, ATI 9600 Pro I think) can play both games fine.

 

[tential]

Oh here are my temperatures
GPU 67 C
HD0 59C
HD1 55C
HD2 52C

I also have Temp1, Temp 2, Temp 3, and Remote on Speed Fan but I'm not sure what they are.

I think remote is my CPU and according to that it's 58 C which is what NVMonitor says it is. This is all with nothing up really I just booted my PC.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Just because you unplugged your optical drives it does NOT mean it isnt your psu. Have you tried another psu? What are your voltages

 

[Dillybob]

The PSU's that come with cases are just pieces of junk. Also, 430w is pretty low. Get a good 500w....that'll last you a few years, and will run all your current hardware no problem...also, it should help your vidoecard. 67 C is actually really warm. Is that while idle, or on load? If on idle, then a better PSU and/or more cooling should help.

 

[tential]

Ok so I installed more cooling and that helped a TON. I then ran O&O Defrag to check for errors and it found an error on my windows partition. However I can't fix it. I tried formatting and it still won't work. Could my actual HD be broken or something?
Here were my Temps before and after installing 2 new fans.
http://img186.imageshack.us/im...54/temperaturessz8.jpg

 

[Dillybob]

There could be some kind of file corruption. What is the actual error message/code?

 

[FuryofFive]

make sure all the cooling fans are plugged in.

 

[Dillybob]

Agreed. Things may be a little cooler, but things still look a little warm in your case. What is your case make/model?

 

[tential]

NZXT Guardian. The only temperature I see that seems too hot is my CPU now but all my other temps seem to be low (unless I'm missing something). My CPU temperature no matter I do doesn't drop much lower and all my case fans are plugged in. This is the most cooling I have had and I noticed a drop in every part I just think my CPU is hot but it doesn't screw up (or at least I don't think it's my problem). I would replace it but it would cost me 300 dollars to replace all of that and my dad is already buying me a new laptop and I don't think he'd be too happy about it although if it's necessary he said he would.

 

[Old Hippie]

Your CPU is wayyy to hot for idle. It should be @ 32-37C at idle. No higher than 40C, but the cooler the better. Sounds like a fan or mounting problem on the CPU HS, or your CPU is being stressed by some program. Check the fan, fan speed, clean the blades and fins and remount the HS.

Look at the voltage readings, especially the 12V.......:shocked:

Although I don't think your machine would even run on 5.89V, the others (3.3 and 5.0) are pretty wazzed-out also.

Hopefully it's just bad readings and you can check those numbers in the BIOS.

Good Luck!

 

[tential]

I'm not sure what you mean or what the numbers should actually be . Also I did remount and clean the heatsink but the voltages? I never even thought of that. Can you explain to me what I should be looking for?

 

[Old Hippie]

I'm not sure what you mean or what the numbers should actually be

The +3.3V, +5V, and +12V PS readings should be within 5% of those numbers.

You're +12V is +5.89V? That's probably a wrong reading because I don't think your computer would even post with that low of a reading.

The other readings aren't much better and probably get worse as you use the machine.

The point is, that most PSs that come with cases are junk, and yours doesn't look to be an exception.

Do yourself a favor and buy something decent.

I'd be looking at some other HS solution for that chip. That's just too toasty for me.

Please check all these numbers in your BIOS just to make sure they jive with SpeedFan.

 

[Dillybob]

Get a thermaltake. They tend to be pretty reliable. I use the 850 modular one, but with your hardware, look at a good 500-600w one.

 

[Old Hippie]

If you're in the US, this Antec would be right up your alley!

 

[tential]

What kind of features should I be looking for in a PSU and what differentiates PSUs. I would like to have modular cabling since that sounds like it would help airflow but then what else should I be looking for that lets me know a PSU is good? Also with PSUs that have a fan on the top how do I install those? Wouldn't the fan be covered by the top of my case or is that PSU only for cases where the PSU is installed at the bottom of the case.

 

[Old Hippie]

What kind of features should I be looking for in a PSU and what differentiates PSUs.

You could write an encyclopedia answering those questions.

Tell us where you are located, and your price range. I'll guarantee somebody will come up with a recommendation.

 

[tential]

Newegg.com is where I'm located lol. Everything is being bought off there. My price range is up to 100$ unless there is a really good one. I want to upgrade to a Quad Core Processor and SLI so I want a supply that can handle that.

 

[Old Hippie]

You can't go wrong with Corsair.

I've linked to the Provantage site, but it looks like Newegg's got some on sale also.

If you're gonna step up to a Quad and SLI, I'd go with something in the 600 watt range, although a Corsair 500 watter would probably do the job.

You're probably not going to get a quality, modular, 600 watter, in the 100.00 price range.

Good Luck!

 

[tential]

ZALMAN ZM750-HP Continuous 750W ATX12V V2.2 / EPS12V V2.91 Modular LED Heatpipe-Cooled SLI Power Supply - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817379006

This is what I ended up getting. I have heard of the heatpipes in PSUs by Zalman helping on the cooling on it and I figured that the extra wattage would help in case I do SLI or have a quadcore. Hopefully I don't have these problems anymore because otherwise I need some real brand new parts since I know my CPU must be running too hot because I have reseated that heatsink, cleaned it, put arctic silver 5 on it and it still has extremely high temperatures.

 

[Old Hippie]

That otta do. Hopefully that will take care of the voltages.

Good Luck!

 

[tential]

Ok I have installed the Zalman Power supply but now that I have done this I can't connect all 24 pins. I put the 20 pin ocnnector in and it powers on fine but once I add in the 4 pin supplement or whatever a white flash comes from my PSU(I assume this isn't good) and then the next attempt to turn my PC on gets me the mobo light. I still cant power on my PC though with it in. Is it safe to leave only the 20 pin in or do I need to get all 24 filled.

 

[Old Hippie]

Is it safe to leave only the 20 pin in or do I need to get all 24 filled.

Most of the time, YES!

It's usually OK to run a PS with twenty of the twenty four connected.

This flash stuff has me concerned.

How 'bout NEVER connect anything to the PS 'till it's turned off?