Overclocking can do straaange things..

[bernse]

Here is the scoop. I've had for the past (I think?) 2 years a 1.2Ghz T-Bird running at 1.3Ghz. I run WinXP and my system has been absolutely, positively *ROCK SOLID*. Never had a single lockup, no BSOD, nadda. I can't exaggerate with how solid my system has been. Until 2 weeks ago.....

I saw the new PC Gamer issue with the UT 2K3 demo on the CD. Since I no longer have the fat pipe to the net, I haven't been downloading anything lately. Well, I buy the issue and go to install the demo later that day. The self-unzip exectuable gives me an error, that its not able to unzip. WTF? I think. I keep trying to no avail... try compat modes, nadda. Since everyother demo unzips fine, I think it must have been a bad burn on the CD or just an error in the program. I notice the newest issue of CGW in the store yesterday, and it also has some good demos (NOLF2, Links, UT 2K3, etc). I install and play NOLF2 and Links demos, no prob. I go to install UT 2K3, same problem. Error in unziping the exe. WTF? I can't understand. I can't UNZIP the program? It MUST be the program, right? I am at a loss for other explanations. I just can't figure it out.

Then, at lunchtime today, I had a hunch. What would happen if I throttle back the clockspeed to 1.2 Ghz. I do. Then I run the installer. Unzips just fine and installs.

What the heck. Bizzare. ?? Oh well. Learning experience.

 

[kingbob]

That's really queer

 

[hungrypete]

hehe just one of those wierd things. apparently your system isn't 100% stable at 1.3. It's kinda like when you can post, but not boot windows, only on a smaller scale

 

[erikiksaz]

Hmm, why did you overclock it the extra 100mhz though? Does an extra 100mhz matter that much?

 

[kingbob]

So he can say he oc'ed....

 

[BFG10K]

Overclocking can also do strange things if you install Windows while your system is overclocked. Even if your systems is 100% stable and even if you clock it down to stock speeds after the install, bizarre problems can still crop up.

Also running timedemos of games on overclocked hardware where the voltage isn't high enough can yield...interesting playbacks.

 

[bernse]

Why did I overclock? Just set it at 1.3 one day a couple years back and left it. Never had a need to kick it back, so why bother?

Regardless, I guess it ain't 100% stable... just 99.98%



I just thought it was odd that I could play intensive games/sims for hours on end, but couldn't unzip. Oh well.