how do you know which component???

[frankio]

Hi,

I have been having issues with my PC and I need to pick some of your brains out there...

The Problem:
I'm having a problem related with my display/graphics somehow, seems when I raise my resolution above 800x600 my system becomes unstable when I have several apps or anything graphic intensive open. My system will lock up and then I will lose power to my monitor (monitor light turns amber) and then my only choice is to reboot.

Sometimes it begins by making a 1x1 inch colorful square of vertical lines that surrounds and follows my mouse pointer and then it all locks up.

If I have a jpeg open and zoom in, it locks up and crashes.

I also noticed that when my PC boots I get the normal beep and then when it gets to the login screen (XP) I get another system beep.

I replaced the graphics card 3 times (lifetime garantee ) and ran free hardware test utilities and nothing ever fails.

Updated chipset, bios (Award), graphics, etc., etc......

Cleared CMOS

Moved memory to different slot

Completely reinstalled OS

CPU Temp. average 38c/100f

Aside from swapping out parts (which I don't have extras) what is my best plan of attack on this???

Thanks!


System:
Asus P4PE-BP
Intel 2.55
Cosair 512MB 2700 LLPT
BFG Geforce 128MB ti 4200 -Nvidia
Antec Blue 350w PS
Viewsonic PF790 monitor
MS Bluetooth Desktop
floppy
internal burner
Cyberpower UPS
(1) PCI card- a modem in slot 3

Belkin 5 port USB hub external connected to:
scanner
HP Printer

 

[newbiepcuser]

1. You've reinstall the OS serveral times.
2. You've replace the video card also.
3. You flashed the current the board BIOS, etc.
4. I assume the memory has been replaced also.
5. Temps look pretty good, how about volatage readings.

Everything is pointing towards a faulty board.

 

[frankio]

The memory has not been replaced (nothing to replace it with), but I ran memtest on it and it passed.

The voltages read .01-.03 above the + ratings and at 12? volts. I apologize but I am going by memory on this since I am not at my PC. But my estimates are close.

thanks

 

[newbiepcuser]

Originally posted by: frankio
The memory has not been replaced (nothing to replace it with), but I ran memtest on it and it passed.

The voltages read .01-.03 above the + ratings and at 12? volts. I apologize but I am going by memory on this since I am not at my PC. But my estimates are close.

thanks

voltage sounds fine, I think its a faulty motherboard since you've replaced the video card 3 times.

Have you tried another type of video card for kicks?

 

[frankio]

No on the video card swap.... seems all three I tried all had identical symptoms though.

thanks

 

[LiLithTecH]

Are you running the FSB at 533?
That board does not support PC2700 ram when run at FSB at 400.

Also, what model/make MODEM?

 

[frankio]

Is that the 'CPU External Frequency' setting in my bios? If that is then it is set to 133MHZ.

The modem is made by Sound Blaster.

thanks

 

[frankio]

Sorry yes it is 533MHZ.... Just made sure...

 

[LiLithTecH]

Did you check the DEVICE MANAGER for any conflicts (IRQ).

Creative products love snagging as many IRQ(s) as they can.
Even though SB Modems are controller based rather than software,
I can't help but think there has to be a conflict somewhere with the
onboard sound or network controllers.

 

[frankio]

Actually no.... Everything looks normal in Device Mgr. The modem and onboard sound each have their own IRQ and I hardly have any shared IRQ's.
Any other ideas???

thanks

 

[compudog]

Try taking the modem out completely. If that doesn't work, go into BIOS and deactivate the onboard sound. If either of those does not resolve your problem, try borrowing some RAM and see if that works.

Make sure all cards are installed firmly and secured with screw/bracket. If all this fails, then it may be a bad motherboard.

Good luck and welcome to the Anandtech forums!

 

[frankio]

Ok.... I removed the modem, bypassed my UPS (which was the cause of the second beep at startup btw) removed and regreased my CPU, all but swap the memory but the PC still goes through the same symptoms until it finally locks up and quits as it did before. Can anyone suggest any other tests for my memory or MB or anything I haven't done yet?

thanks!

 

[sorehead]

Just thinking out loud here but do you have the latest drivers for that video card? Is the video card set up like you think it is? Have you always had this problem? If not, think back
when did it start? Change of hardware? Software?

 

[frankio]

Actually this vid card (err...my first one that I sent back) was in another pc before my current one and it worked without any problems in that one, it started to develop the problems in this box, but after it was in for several weeks to a few months.

I have tried 3 of Nvidias latest drivers and it made no differance...

thanks