3D apps crash pc - 2D mode is fine - Fixed!

[Maggotry]

Please see "Xena" in my sig for complete specs, but basically: Radeon 8500, A7M266, WinXP w/SP1, SB Live!

The pc is stable until you go into 3D mode. For example, UT2 is fine while you're in the menu mode, but as soon as the map launches, crash. That's just an example, the problem is not limited to UT2. I've tried various vid card drivers (Cat 2.5, 3.0, & 3.1), updated the agp driver, tried different memory, did a fresh install of XP, tried a GF2 Ultra, tried DX8 & 9. Nothing helps.

I tested the card using DxDiag. As soon as you launch the Direct3D test, the pc will blue screen or lock up. DirectDraw passes fine.

The pc just started doing this. No hardware or software was installed. It seems to just have started on its own.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[LiLithTecH]

Sounds like a Power problem, or rather lack there of.

What size PSU (and make) are you using?

 

[Maggotry]

It's a 300W Antec (model# pp-303x). It's almost 4 years old. The BIOS and ASUSProbe show all the voltages are fine.

Something else...I ran Memtest86. It shows the memory is bad only in test #5. However, my other 2 computers fail test #5 too and they are running flawlessly. Memtest's web site says it's common for memory to fail test #5 on Athlon systems, but it is still a fail and should be corrected. I just have a hard time believing that based on my other 2 pc's.

Could the mobo cause something like this? Maybe the northbridge going bad? That may account for the memory errors and agp failure. Doesn't the northbridge control memory and agp?

 

[Dragon365]

My first guess would be power, and my second guess would be the memory or northbridge, like you said.

 

[Maggotry]

More info:

Xena crashed again trying to run 3DMark2001. When it rebooted, there was a Windows error saying that the Radeon driver was the most likely cause of the crash. I installed the Radeon in one of my other pc's and started a 3DMark2001 loop and let it run for over an hour. No crash so I believe the vid card is fine. I've reinstalled XP on Xena twice so I don't believe it's a config problem. I'm leaning more towards the psu or mobo now.

I'd really like some thoughts. Please?

 

[Maggotry]

I fixed the problem. I'll go ahead and update this in case someone else has this problem.

I replaced the PSU with a new Antec 430W TruePower. It ran much better, but still crashed. Next I replaced the mobo with a new MSI KT3 Ultra2. I did the "repair a windows installation" option from the XP CD after replacing the mobo. I had to reinstall the drivers for the Live! card, but that was it.

It's been running stable since replacing the mobo. It also passes all tests in Memtest86. It looks like the problem had something to do with the northbridge after all. The old mobo is out of warranty too.