Computer is really pissing me off...plz help

[Blurry]

I built a new computer for a friend recently, and for some reason, games crash either at the beginning of the game or after 10 minutes of playing. Another problem is that Windows XP boots real slow and everytime I get into Windows, it tells me that the system has recovered from a serious problem.
His system specs are:
Amd Xp 2400+
PCchips M811U Via based Motherboard
PNY 512MB DDR 333Mhz
80gb Western Digital HDD w/ 8mb cache
16X DVD, 48X Cd burner
Radeon 9800 Pro
350watt generic powersupply
He also tells me if the computer remains idle for one to two hours, it crashes. What's going on? I never have had this problem before!

 

[Texun]

Can you post some more info on the vitals, such as voltages and temps? It could be either one or something else. Also, what kind of crash, BSOD or instant reboot? Any error messages before or during the crash? Any flags in the event viewer that might point to a problem?

 

[Duvie]

Yes more info as I can make a case for about every single item for this symptom....

I see cheap crap in VIA...no offense to you I don't like them or pcchips products...just lower end stuff IMO (don't argue)

I see cheaper then normal ram...

I see generic power supply....

For me not a good combo anyway you look at it....If I go cheap for an amd solution board I go nforce2 by shuttle...

IMO cheap or bargain critical system components and then higher end quality vid card...Was one sacrified to fuel the affordability of the other???


Gut tells me possible power issue if I had to guess, but can't necessarily blame it on the power supply until I see some voltage reports at idle and load.

Ram is being ran under spec since that is a 266fsb chip???

 

[Blurry]

This computer was intended as a web-surfing/homework computer. However, my friend was fortunate enough to receive a Radeon 9800 Pro for his birthday. I had a feeling that maybe the powersupply didn't have nuff juice for the radeon, so I told him to buy an Antec 450W powersupply.
The main problem is whenever he plays a game for say 5 minutes, the game freezes, and then a windows dialog pops up and says that windows has to close the program, unexpected error ocurred, etc, etc. I really didn't want to build his computer with a PC Chips, but since he had a budget of 250 dollars, I didn't have any other option.

Oh..btw temps idle at about 35C and load temps reaches 47 C. Case temp basically stays at 20C. The ram is being run at underspec (DDR 266, 2,2,2,6 Timings)

 

[AWhackWhiteBoy]

if windows gives you errors why don't you get into the logs and find out whats causing it?

right click my computer>manage>event viewer>system

 

[Duvie]

Originally posted by: Blurry
This computer was intended as a web-surfing/homework computer. However, my friend was fortunate enough to receive a Radeon 9800 Pro for his birthday. I had a feeling that maybe the powersupply didn't have nuff juice for the radeon, so I told him to buy an Antec 450W powersupply.
The main problem is whenever he plays a game for say 5 minutes, the game freezes, and then a windows dialog pops up and says that windows has to close the program, unexpected error ocurred, etc, etc. I really didn't want to build his computer with a PC Chips, but since he had a budget of 250 dollars, I didn't have any other option.

Oh..btw temps idle at about 35C and load temps reaches 47 C. Case temp basically stays at 20C. The ram is being run at underspec (DDR 266, 2,2,2,6 Timings)

Well it seemed with 250 budget you were working miracles!!!!

I didn't think it sounded like heat...possibility it could be vid card related or ram issues....NO extra power supply lying around to try before the cost of getting a new one??? I like antec as well but I had a 2500+ barton I oc'd to 3200+ speeds with a 350watt antec and it working like a charm fr my buddy with his radeon 9600XT card.....What I am saying is maybe a 350watt quality would be sufficient or even a 400watt....

 

[pdn]

Originally posted by: Blurry
I built a new computer for a friend recently, and for some reason, games crash either at the beginning of the game or after 10 minutes of playing. Another problem is that Windows XP boots real slow and everytime I get into Windows, it tells me that the system has recovered from a serious problem.
His system specs are:
Amd Xp 2400+
PCchips M811U Via based Motherboard
PNY 512MB DDR 333Mhz
80gb Western Digital HDD w/ 8mb cache
16X DVD, 48X Cd burner
Radeon 9800 Pro
350watt generic powersupply
He also tells me if the computer remains idle for one to two hours, it crashes. What's going on? I never have had this problem before!

Just brain storming here! That board is a 4X AGP, will the Radeon 9800 Pro step down to that? Is the memory OEM (cheapest memory). You may want to try putting some more expensive memory in there. You get what you pay for! I have the same board and it didn't like the cheap OEM memory then I swapped it for more compatible RAM.

Originally posted by: Duvie
Yes more info as I can make a case for about every single item for this symptom....

I see cheap crap in VIA...no offense to you I don't like them or pcchips products...just lower end stuff IMO (don't argue).....................

*EDIT*I've owned two PCCHIPS boards, knock on wood, I've never had a problem with either one. The reason why I got rid of the other is because it was time for an upgrade from 1300 Thunderbird to an 2200XP. This system is being used mainly for gaming and we're very happy with it! I'm not saying that there the greatest but I've just had good usage out of them that's all.