Crazy problem: who thinks they can help me?!?!?!?!

[s1d3fx]

Ok so I got this new computer a couple months ago, and ever since I got it, it always locks up during graphically intense applications for about 10 seconds, then it will suddenly start working fine again. It does this pretty randomly - about every 1-30 minutes. It is a hard lockup, The sound will stop, or will loop, and u cant ctr-alt-del or anything. I've updated my graphics drivers to the most recent WHQL certified version, I've updated my mobo drivers, and flashed my mobo bios. After I flashed the BIOS, it seemed to work fine for a couple hours, so I thought it was fixed. Then the next day it started locking up again, so I'm assuming it was just a fluke.

System info:

Windows XP Professional
Athlon 64 3200+ Socket 754
Asus K8N-E Deluxe
WD Raptor SATA 74GB 10000rpm 4.5ms Seak
1GB OCZ DDR400 Dual Channel EL
BFG Tech Geforce FX 6800 GT OC
Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

Ok now my hypothesis was that it had something to do with the video card since it only happens during graphically intense apps. (ut2k4, world of warcraft, and half life 2 to be specific) I have also played some less demanding games such as warcraft 3 and it runs fine. Also no problems while surfing, downloading, watching movies, music etc. Only during newer games. I really have no clue what the problem could be, I'm guessing maybe video card, but I would have no clue what the problem is. I guess it could also be the sound card? Memory? or maybe motherboard/harddrive compatibility? Throw me a bone here guys, I need something to work with! ANY help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[elecrzy]

did you build this system yourself? either way, check to see if the video card is powered by your power supply...meaning one or two power connectors are hooked up to your video card.

 

[s1d3fx]

No, I bought the system already built. Yes, I have a Geforce FX 6800 GT, which requires power from the PSU. It is connected using a single connector.

And my PSU is an OCZ Powerstream 520w... there shouldnt be a problem there, unless the voltages are improperly conifgured or something? But would that not result in a total system crash?

 

[s1d3fx]

UPDATE:

-ok so i tried putting my old video card in this comp, and it STILL freezes up... so i guess that cant be the problem.

-Tried swapping PCI slots on sound card and reinstalling drivers
-Changed sound setting from headphones to 5.1
-Changed RAM slots
-Switched the SATA cable to 4th master instead of 3rd master

None of it helped

anyone? ANY suggestions at all?!?!?!?

 

[Grimmett]

Hey,
Im having the same issues with my Gainward FX5900XT card. One thing that I notice is that your card is overclocked. Is this a factory overclock or do you have to use an overclocking tool to do it? I know my card is supported by Gainward for (450/780Mhz) Enhanced Speed mode, but it locks up in games just like yours when I have it set as so. At 390/700Mhz everything runs fine. Try the stock core/mem settings for your video card and see if anything changes. At least you might be able to find the problem that way.

 

[s1d3fx]

BFG Tech Overclocks their cards from the factory.

 

[blodhi74]

sounds like heat issue ... either the CPU or the vid card is overheating .... how is the airflow in the system ??

 

[s1d3fx]

Yah i thought that at first too. The airflow is very good, and temperatures are very good too.

system temp: 30°
cpu temp 39°
GPU temp 59° (threshold was set at 120° by default, so im assuming 59° is normal for a GPU)

I have two intake fans on the front, outtake on the back and top.

 

[Digital Nomad]

Interesting problem!! I would first check to see if there are any recent BIOS updates if so apply! If no relief then I would seriously consider using another PSU! When PSU's start going out they will invoke many wierd and seemingly unsolvable problems! If that doesn't help then you may have a heat damaged cpu! Good Luck!
Regards,

 

[w00t]

get an ATI
they save kitties.............

 

[s1d3fx]

hehe ok, I've tried another video card as well, so its not the fact that it's an nvidia

I have updated the bios to the most recent version (1006)

My system has always run at very good temps, so i dont think it could be heat damage

Hmmm, havnt looked at the PSU yet, but i just bought the comp a few months ago, and it is a top-of-the-line PSU. I suppose it could be defective or something, but then would it not do it all the time and not just during certain apps?

 

[daveybrat]

pull out that soundblaster Audigy card and try a cheapo sound card or enable the onboard sound if that board has it.

Sometimes Soundblaster cards can cause those lockups.

 

[s1d3fx]

ok i removed the audigy 2 card, but was not able to get the onboard sound to work... i must have missed something, because the comptuer didnt not recognize that i had any sound device running (volume controls were greyed out, etc.) I thought the option to enable onboard audio was in the BIOS. I looked thoroughly through every single tab, and there is definitely no option to enable onboard sound.... hmm.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Originally posted by: s1d3fx
ok i removed the audigy 2 card, but was not able to get the onboard sound to work... i must have missed something, because the comptuer didnt not recognize that i had any sound device running (volume controls were greyed out, etc.) I thought the option to enable onboard audio was in the BIOS. I looked thoroughly through every single tab, and there is definitely no option to enable onboard sound.... hmm.

Under Advanced you will see Audio CODEC Interface.
Options are Auto, Enabled, Disabled.

Even though your audio isn't working now, have you noticed any lockups?

EDIT >> You can get the manual (4.3MB pdf) here.

 

[Eighty]

I had a similiar problem recently that turned out to be my IDE controller. Have you cheched the XP event viewer to see if the are any problems showing.

-80

 

[s1d3fx]

Hmmmm.... thanks anonymouseuser, i will take a look at that!

Eighty, How do i view the XP event viewer? (ctr-alt-del and look at processes or what?) And I do have the most recent IDE controller drivers installed for my mobo (they are packaged with the nforce3 drivers off the nvidia website - version 4.46 i believe) I also tried download this Silicon Image driver thing, although im not sure what exactly it is... lol, it didnt help anyway . Yes, it has been suggested on another forum that it could be something to do with my harddrive/IDE controller, but Ive upgraded to the most recent controller drivers, and have tried fiddling with several settings regarding the hd/controller in the BIOS as well, and have even tried changing the SATA cable from 3rd master to 4th master. None of it seemed to help. Anything I could be missing?

 

[airfoil]

I'd take a look at the page file settings as well - maybe you've got a file thats too small or maybe none at all?

 

[Eighty]

you can view the event viewer, by going to Control Panel ->Administrative Tools -> Event Viewer -> System. Then look for any errors, my IDE controller was causing Page file errors which caused a similiar situation to the one you are experiencing.

-80

 

[s1d3fx]

Ok I checked the log, the only error it has logged within the past 3 days is one on Nov. 22, however it does this every few minutes, so that doesnt seem to be an accurate indicator. One interesting thing though. I tried formatting the comp, and it worked great for a couple days straight... then i installed half life 2, and it went back to its usual self of freezing every couple minutes. I have absolutely no clue what could be causing this. I have been getting this problem for months though, even before half life 2 was released. The fact that this happened though makes me think it must be an issue with the hd. What else could possibly be affected by installing a legit app? I'm out of ideas here guys! :\

 

[mechBgon]

Maybe you have a security compromise there. Start by going to Housecall for a free online antivirus scan, and see if it finds anything. Next, run Symantec's Security Scan and report back whether your system comes up "visible" to the Internet or not.

Also run Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware Personal and see what they find. Some minor stuff like tracking cookies is one thing, but if they find more than that...

 

[stevty2889]

What drivers are you using with the video card? I was getting some lag/stuttering in games with my 6800GT, until I set my AGP apature size to 128mb, and updated to the beta drivers. I believe it was the 67.11 drivers I was using when I was having problems.

 

[VirtualLarry]

I would try borrowing a PATA drive, and do a temp OS install and see if the same problems happen. Disconnect the SATA Raptor completely from the system when you do this. I'm wondering if you are having SATA cable noise problems, and it is causing a stall. A defective HD can also cause those issues, you could download the diag boot floppy from WD and test it too.

Although, that doesn't really jive with the "it only happens during graphically-intense apps", unless your system might be having to page heavily at the same time and you just don't notice that.

 

[s1d3fx]

I have tried setting aperature size to 128mb and 256mb, I am currently running the most recent WHQL certified drivers (whql drivers should not be bugged at all) but I have also tried some old 61.xx drivers. Plus I have tried an entirely different video card as well...

 

[s1d3fx]

If worse comes to worse I will try swapping the harddrive, or even motherboard... since nothing else seems to fix it

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: mechBgon
Maybe you have a security compromise there. Start by going to Housecall for a free online antivirus scan, and see if it finds anything. Next, run Symantec's Security Scan and report back whether your system comes up "visible" to the Internet or not.

Also run Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware Personal and see what they find. Some minor stuff like tracking cookies is one thing, but if they find more than that...

???