Building Frustration ...again

[261great]

Hiya,

Ok so I finally got the computer up and running and started encountering corrupt file issues. Since I have one basic goal with this computer (gaming) I figured well ok I'll test the HD's with the western digital utility. All tests report no erros or problems...

I then zero out the HD's and reinstall windows xp

Go through updating all drivers and reinstalling hardware support software etc.

I get it all running smooth. Posting fine, Bios configured, nary a single issue to be found anywhere.
Then I started getting Internet explorer erros - this application has encountered blah blah we are sorry for the blah blah it must now close...

Fine. Be that way. So I zero out everything over again and start from scratch.

This time I get it running smooth again. drivers, software, etc all up and running. BUT I did not upgrade to SP2 and I ran minimal windows updates .net 1 was added

All is fine..

Last thing I did tonight was to install Norton Internet Security 2004 - the installation requires you to restart your computer. OK

Restart, hang, freeze, manual shut down.

Restart - now the computer won't post..

restart after CMOS reset.... computer won't post
removed battery reset CMOS again.. no joy..

Am now ready to throw this pile of freaking money out the damn window, run down out into the street and kick it around for an hour just for fun.

AMD 64 fx53
(2) western digital raptors 74Gb 10k rpm
Pioneer DVD
MSi K8N Neo2
Ati x800 XT
Antec 550 true control
(2) Corsair CMX512-3200XLPro 400Mhz 2-2-2-5

yes i have tested with other memory and move memory around. reseated all components. the system was running fine one minute and literally stopped in less than 45 seconds after afore mentioned crapola.

 

[LTC8K6]

Could it be a heat issue? Maybe check your CPU heatsink?
Check for something loose? Maybe wiring?
Run memtest86?

These random errors can be hard to pin down, but hang in there and you'll find it.

 

[boshuter]

make sure you are not overclocking anything, use SPD to set ram speeds, run the cpu at stock speed, etc. Also, if you are running the raptors in raid 0, try running them as seperate hdd's, you won't gain anything with raid, and will have less chance of problems without it.

also, make sure you have the latest drives for your chipset and anything else. install the os, then the chipset drivers, i then install my video card drivers, then the rest of the hardware.... reboot between all driver installs. unless you are sure your system is 100% stable, don't try to install anything, hardware or software, with it overclocked.

 

[mechBgon]

The memory you've picked is made for 2.75 volts. What is it actually getting? Default on most boards is only 2.5 volts. If you haven't done anything about that, try raising the memory voltage to 2.8 volts and give it another whirl. Even with mild-mannered "vanilla" PC3200, 2.6 volts is usually the spec.

 

[261great]

You know....

There seems to be some kind of magic that happens. I could not explain it, I have no idea how I fixed it... but I left the battery out all night and unplugged.

I came back the next morning battery in, power on... and everything works fine...

Gremlins .. must be it.


Background info - I am a beta tester for Blizzard's new World of Warcraft. I built this box for that purpose. There is nothing else installed on it but WoW and the suport apps that make the thing tick.

This week I started getting corrupt file errors when patching the game. tech support says it's a hard drive problem.. I tested them both, all checks out fine. I would like to connect with any of you who might have an interest in helping me isolate or least find a way to make sure the system is in peak shape so I can bascially tell blizz that the problems are not on my end of the line.

 

[261great]

Originally posted by: boshuter
make sure you are not overclocking anything, use SPD to set ram speeds, run the cpu at stock speed, etc. Also, if you are running the raptors in raid 0, try running them as seperate hdd's, you won't gain anything with raid, and will have less chance of problems without it.

Ok. So when I started this project I had issues with the CMOS and BIOS (see building frustrations). In the process of getting things to run I had to change a few settings that are basically overclocking. For instance I had to set the Agressive Timing to "Private" (1%+), without that the computer simly won't post. If I knew how to reset to default everything I would try it. But simply selecting in CMOS load optimized defaults doesn't so anything... I really mean that it actually does nothing at all. It makes no changes and the box won't post set to op def.

If I run the raptors as seperate drives, do I have to format, partitiona nd install an operating system on each of them? or can you tell me how to set one as an extension of storage for the other?


Right now I am testing what tech support from Blizzard says. I have disconnected one drive and am completely setting up the other as seperate. In fact I unplugged the previous one alltogether. If it is a HD issue that causes the corrupt file problem, I bet this will help me figure it out.

As for the voltage to my board. right now it is set at 2.5 volts. I am a bit nervous about tweaking that with all the red flashing warning text around it hehe. with guidance I will do it but until i figure out a few other things it will sit as is i guess.