Far Cry crashes to desktop???

[de8212]

Finally got around to installing my first game on my brand new system. After only a few minutes, Far Cry just crashes to the desktop. No errors, warnings, etc.
I think I was running 66.93 Nvidia drivers at the time. So I unistalled, reinstalled the latest 71.90 whql per guru3d's instructions.
I even created a new hardware profile, disabled all unnecessary services, turned off all of XP's "eye candy".
Temps got up to 62 - 65 degress according to mbm5.

System specs are Win XP w/sp2. P4 3.2e, 1GB Kingston HyperX 3200 RAM, 250GB Maxton HD. XFX 6800GT video card.
Nothing is overclocked.

Had been planning on buying a WD Raptor 10000 rpm SATA for my system mainly for games, etc. I certainly won't be doing it if I can't even get games to run.

Any ideas?

 

[powerMarkymark]

I here tell that there is a patch for Far Cry, have you tried installing it?

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: powerMarkymark
I here tell that there is a patch for Far Cry, have you tried installing it?

it is buggy w/o patch 1.3 . . . . .

 

[de8212]

Sorry, I left out that detail.
I installed the patch before i ever even launched the game.

 

[apoppin]

try another game to see if your build left something out (mb drivers?)

run benchmarks and memtest . . . . . the "usual" to assure your system is stable. . . . as long as FC is patched to v1.3 (NOT 1.2), FC is stable

 

[de8212]

I'll try to install another game.
The only other "newer" game I have is COD.

I tried to run memtest before and couldn't figure it out.
Is there any clear instructions on how to do this?

ALso, I did forget that I do have my RAM at CL2 instead of the default 2.5. It should run at that bu tI guess you never know.
And I think I have the voltage upped to +.1V. It actually had to be +.2 to even install XP but I bumped it down the other day. Should I go back up to +.2 or down to default?

Thanks for the help.

 

[de8212]

Well, I put my RAM back to default settings (2.5) and I pu tht e voltage back up to +.2V like it was for me to install XP.
Still crashed to desktop.
Should I put the RAM down to default? Does it sound like a RAM issue?
I will try and get around to installing COD soon but is there anything else I can try int the mean time?

 

[apoppin]

can't say yet if it is RAM or not . . . you need to do a process of 'elimination' . . . . and yes, run everything at default.

make sure ALL your drivers are up-to-date including MB and audio. Use the latest official Dets and try the ones before . . . look in Video's stickied thread to find out which drivers are considered "most stable".

Run benchmarks . . . especially 3DMark03 and '05 to see if your system scores are "in line" with similar rigs.

And install another (fully patched) game . . . . just because.

 

[de8212]

Since my last post I have set my ram to default in the BIOS. Far Cry still crashes.
All of my drivers are up to date.
I'll check the thread and see waht people say are most stable but I have tried 3 different drivers with the same result so I don't kow if that will help.
I'll try and run the benchmark program and report back.

Still would like some detailed info on memtest.

 

[de8212]

Just ran 3dmark 05. Never run it before so I'm not sure waht all it should do.
Does it not have sound while playing the scenes???
It went through about 4 or 5 scenes and then my pc rebooted by itself???

So obviously something is wrong but waht could it be?

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: de8212
Just ran 3dmark 05. Never run it before so I'm not sure waht all it should do.
Does it not have sound while playing the scenes???
It went through about 4 or 5 scenes and then my pc rebooted by itself???

So obviously something is wrong but waht could it be?

Don't alot of new machines/bioses auto-reboot if the cpu or rams exceeds a certain temp?

If it auto-reboots again, go straight into your bios and report back with temps (and which temp scale you're using, degrees C or F)

 

[de8212]

Not sure. I do know my cpu temp is a littel on the warm side but not dangerous. 65 Celcius is the highest I've ever seen it. Noramlly during far cry it may get to 62 - 64.
Not sure how to tell the temp of my RAM.
Hell, if it's the RAM, I don't mind buying new RAM at all. Someone gave me this RAM so I wouldn't be out a penny. i just don't want to invest in it if I will get the same result.

On a related note. COuld I just put my older DDR pc2100 RAM In this machine to test out? I have 2 identical 256 sticks and one 512MB stick. They are all crucial pc2100. I now the game would load slower, etc. but maybe it wouldn't crash.
If I can , can I just run the one 512 stick or do I have to use 2 sticks?
BTW my mobo is Here.....

Originally posted by: Gooberlx2

Don't alot of new machines/bioses auto-reboot if the cpu or rams exceeds a certain temp?

If it auto-reboots again, go straight into your bios and report back with temps (and which temp scale you're using, degrees C or F)

 

[apoppin]

Why do you doubt your RAM? What did memtest report?

install your HW monitor (from your MB CD) to read temps

you can run PC 2100 but you have to adjust the divider in your BIOS to match your CPU, probably 4:3. . . . a big performance hit.

Perhaps your OS is not stable . . . try a reinstall if all else fails and pay particular attention to your drivers (inc MB and audio) as well as the latest versions of DX9c.

if you had to up your voltage to install XP, there is definitely a problem with HW or system stability . . . . .

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: apoppin
Why do you doubt your RAM? What did memtest report?.

As I said earlier in my post, I haven't run memtest. I d/loaded it one time but the instructions were as clear as mud.

you can run PC 2100 but you have to adjust the divider in your BIOS to match your CPU, probably 4:3. . . . a big performance hit.

Perhaps your OS is not stable . . . try a reinstall if all else fails and pay particular attention to your drivers (inc MB and audio) as well as the latest versions of DX9c.

if you had to up your voltage to install XP, there is definitely a problem with HW or system stability . . . . .

Well, I went ahead and pulled out my older pc2100 to give it a try. I didn't adjust any dividers nor anything else.
Far Cry ran fine (no crashes, at least) considering I went from 1GB pc3200 to 512MB pc2100. One small issue was that when I exited the game, it took about 15 seconds before I got to the desktop. But I can live with that.

As far as me having to up the voltage to install XP becasue something was unstable. You're apparently correct. The RAM is not stable.
I got this RAM from someone who said he always had to run it at a higher voltage. He said he wouldn't be surprised if it was just as flaky on my system.

So now I have to see if this RAM has a lifetime warranty? Anyone ever dealt wiht Kingston RMA's?

 

[apoppin]

that was quick! . . . . Kingston is reputable . . . . go to their website.

 

[de8212]

Originally posted by: apoppin
that was quick! . . . . Kingston is reputable . . . . go to their website.

What wa squick?? Not dealing wiht htis problem. I am embarrassed to say how much of my Sat and Sun that was wasted on troubleshooting this.

I did look at kingstons website. One part under warranty it said something about contacting the retailer you purchased the RAAM from. Then another part said that you could contact them directly for an RMA #. That's what I am going to do tomorrow.
I can't help but wonder what went wrong with this RAM and if I get a replacement, what the chances are of it giving me problems.


I guess since I am able to play this game I might be ordering my WD Raptor tonight.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: de8212

Originally posted by: apoppin
that was quick! . . . . Kingston is reputable . . . . go to their website.

What wa squick?? Not dealing wiht htis problem. I am embarrassed to say how much of my Sat and Sun that was wasted on troubleshooting this.

I did look at kingstons website. One part under warranty it said something about contacting the retailer you purchased the RAAM from. Then another part said that you could contact them directly for an RMA #. That's what I am going to do tomorrow.
I can't help but wonder what went wrong with this RAM and if I get a replacement, what the chances are of it giving me problems.


I guess since I am able to play this game I might be ordering my WD Raptor tonight.

WHATEVER you do . . . . look at the current "is the WD Raptor worth it?" thread in GH.

!

yes, to narrow it down to RAM ws pretty quick . . . . . for us.

good luck!