Conclusion on my upgrade!

[Jsongz]

Well I've had my new computer now for about a week and I am very happy with the results.
Upgraded from and to:
ViaKm Mobo---------A7N8X-UAY
Processor 1.83-----2600++ Athlon Xp
Radeon 7000-------PnY Verto 5900NU 2.2ns
230 Micro Psu------400 Allied Psu
Emachine Case-----Ahanix Platinum Xp Case
256 Pc2100 ---------512 Pc 2100

Overall I'm very happy with the upgrade. I never knew games could be so pretty . A few things I have had problems with have been Bf1942 Loading problems, some unexpected restarts, and some driver problems. But nothing that big of a deal, but if you have an idea what it could be just let me know . I just wanted to brag some because I haven't had a good computer ever !! Thanks for letting me talk See ya

 

[mechBgon]

EDIT: hold on a sec, refreshing my advice...

 

[mechBgon]

My original post was this:

Nice upgrade What RAM do you have? Your issue might be fixed with a little tweaking of the RAM settings and the RAM voltage in particular. I'd suggest setting the Memory Frequency to Manual (see page 55 of the manual, it's under Advanced > Advanced Chipset Settings in the BIOS) and then set the memory to "100%," which keeps it sync'ed to your CPU no matter what. Lower on that same screen is the DDR Reference Voltage, which you might want to set to 2.7 volts. Good luck and enjoy your rig

But I notice now that you are running PC2100 memory, while your CPU is designed for PC2700 memory*. Better pick up some PC2700 or PC3200 to replace the PC2100, then follow the tips given above


* there was a 2600+ designed for 266MHz bus speed and PC2100 memory, but it is very rare, and so you probably don't have one of those unless you searched very hard for it on purpose

 

[Jsongz]

Ya It's just generic PC2100 that came out of my old emachine. I planned on upgrading the ram sometime in spring also with my sound card . Thanks for the advice!

Btw what would that do if I set my volts to 2.7? I'm kind of iffy messing with the volts

 

[mechBgon]

Raising the voltage on the memory often helps with stability problems. In your case, however, your memory is either being overclocked past its rating, or is running out-of-sync with the CPU, and those are two bigger reasons that it might not be stable.

A lot of RAM these days has a minimum rating of 2.6 volts, so adding 0.1 volt is not a radical change... about a 4% boost.

 

[Jsongz]

Sigh a problem just occurred and I haven't even done anything to it yet. I was playing cs and I decided to change the resolution down one. I went to the settings and put it on 1024x760 or w/e and a blue screen of death came up and said my computer need to shut down bc the winsys. something was not right or missing. It said if problem keeps occurring to remove any freshly installed hardware. This has happened a few times today. Not always but when ever I change to that resolution it does that (only in game) if i change it. Any thoughts?

Ps. Sorry I forgot what the file was called

 

[mechBgon]

Yeah, your RAM is running beyond its redline. Try manually setting the CPU's bus speed to 133MHz and set the RAM to Manual, then lock it at 100% of CPU bus speed. This is a stop-gap measure until you get some proper RAM, then you can kick the CPU back up to 166MHz and the RAM will follow suit, and your face will look like this --->

 

[Farmer]

That seems to be more a driver issue, or something wrong with RAM latency settings, than anything else. Make sure to get the latest nVidia drivers. Even better, dump Win98 to get rid of BSOD altogether. Run 2000 or XP, or Win98Lite.

Congrats on the upgrade. Like mechbgon stated already, some brand name RAM rated for highler speed and lower latencies will definitely help out on the performance/stability front.

Another note: Did you reformat/reinstall OS after the upgrade? If you didn't, it would be wise to do so (since you're basically changing computers with a motherboard and CPU change).

 

[Tryppr]

Well I am running windows xp, and my moms work technician did the installing of the hardware. I told him to reformat for me but he didn't. I didn't really think about it that much because I was so excited to get it.

Also when ever I boot up my computer it says its running at 133.

Also I think it would be a problem to reformat since I bascially am using some parts from my emachine. The processor etc and the ram. Only thing I could use to reformat is recovery discs which I don't think would work correctly. So I'm guessing I would have to buy Windows Xp? And if so would I need to configure the bios and get the latest drivers for it and upgrade it? Since I did not do that my technician did. So I'm kind of clueless there.

 

[Farmer]

133? FSB or CPU clock? What are the specs for your system?

And yes, if you want to reformat and reinstall XP, you need an XP install disc. I'm sure this technician could provide you with one if he works for your mom's company.

 

[mechBgon]

Are Jsongz and Tryppr the same person? One account per person, my man...

Your mom's company's tech might not have done that reformat due to licensing issues. Don't need the BSA coming after you for that kind of stuff... Since the CPU is running at 133MHz, just go ahead and force the RAM to run at 100% of the CPU's bus speed like I described, and set the memory voltage to 2.7 volts, and see how that goes. If problems persist, it might be Windows and not the hardware. Check your Event Viewer's System log to see what it has to say about the shutdowns, if anything.

 

[Tryppr]

Sorry about the account thing I was on my mom's computer and then I got on mine. Guess I forgot about the names lol. Ya when it starts up it says its memory frequency is running 133 MHZ Single Channel Mode. Ya I'll be sure to do those voltage things and what you said when I get back from the superbowl party.

Also can you please answer about my questions about if I did reformat would I need to reconfigure my bios?

And Farmer my specs are in my first post. Thanks for the help so far guys

 

[Farmer]

Tryppr:

I don't think you'll need to reconfigure BIOS, as the BIOS settings are not stored on the HDD.

 

[Tryppr]

Link to latest drivers please? When ever I go to the nVidia site I click to download 53.03 but its only 5.7 kbs and it says something about wqhl or something along the lines of that.

 

[Farmer]

Forceware XP 53.03 is WHQL certified, but while 53.04 (the one they have for Win98 users) isn't. WHQL certification simply means the driver is certified by Microsoft to be compatible with Windows. I think Microsoft has stopped WHQL certification for Win98 drivers, so, when you are installing the drivers (make sure to uninstall the old ones first), when the window pops up telling you the new drivers are not WHQL certified, click 'Install Anyway' or something along the lines of that.

What type of internet connection do you have? 5 kbps downstream is typical of a dial-up 56.6k connection.