Nagging intermittent probs ... ideas?

cowdog

Senior member
Jan 24, 2003
283
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I have 2 intermittent problems, and I'm looking for some ideas/approaches to get these under control:

1. I get intermittent network cable not connected messages, and based on testing with other systems, I can't fault my router, cables, or dsl service. It doesn't seem to cause any noticable problems, but I'd like to get this figured out. I have the latest mobo bios and network adaptor driver.

2. The more significant problem is with video. I lose video to the monitor regularly. I did the standard things like turn off fast writes and up the agp voltage (Radeon 9700 Pro). That helped somewhat, but the problem persists. I have had these problems with both CAT 4.3 and 4.4. I didn't however, have these problems with earlier versions. I can go back to earlier drivers, but I haven't seen others have these problems, so I'm not convinced the issue simply drivers.

I would typically go at these problems systematically, but I am squeezed for time for the next few weeks. The network adaptor problem is probably mobo/driver related. I am a little bugged by the 9700 Pro, as I've had this card now in three systems, and this is the first time I've any issue at all. These troubles are just enough to bug me, but not enough that they make me take more drastic action. Any ideas?

A64 3200 + (same problems if overclocked or not)
SLK 948U with 92 mm Panaflo M
AOpen AK89 Max with bios 1.06h (I am less and less happy with this mobo, FWTW)
integrated RealTek gigabit
2 x 512 Corsair LL (BH-5) (I've also used 2 x 256 Mushkin BH-5 and 2 x 256 Corsair XMS 6-3-3-2)
2 - 80Gb WD SE hard drives (IDE)
cpu and case temps are very reasonable 32/29 C right now and 38/32 C at load, highest cpu temp I've seen was 42C.
PowerColor 9700 Pro w/ Iceberq cooler (could be overheating (doubt it), but how can I measure that?)
I have 2 side fans that blow just above and just below the video card.
Antec 430

Thanks for any ideas.
 

Zepper

Elite Member
May 1, 2001
18,998
0
0
The off-brand video cards often have cheap thin plating on the AGP connector and/or VGA connector allowing corrosion. Clean both with good contact cleaner (Radio Shack contact cleaner pen is good - is actually Caig Labs Pro Gold - if you can't find for less under Caig Labs name locally - check caiglabs.com for local dealer - and see what happens. Use magnifying glass to check between contact pads for carbon traces - don't want to find any after cleaning.
. Also suck any dust off it with vacuum - particularly chipset HSF if any. Vacuum out AGP socket.
.bh.