Newly built computer needs help

[mmasbou]

hi all,

i just built my first pc not long ago and ran into problems when i play full screen games (doom 3 and prince of persia). My computer hiccups, and then the screen goes black. The hdd keeps spinning and everything seems to be running, but nothing shows up on screen. I have to do a hard shutdown, and most recently when this occurred, and i tried to restart my computer just afterwards, there was a loud, prolonged beep. After waiting a while, the computer loads again fine.

My first impulse was that it was a problem with the fans and overheating and such, but i have like 12 fans in my computer, so i'm kinda doubtful.

My pc:
intel prescott 3.2g
Fatal1ty aa8xe mobo
Leadtek 256 mb nvidia 6800 graphics card
1gb corsair valueselect ddr2 ram
1 wd 74 gb 10,000 rpm hdd
1 samsung 120 gb 7,5000 rpm hdd
antec 430w psu
and some other stuff

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[mchammer]

Run some temp monitoring software and have it log the temps and then see what they were after this happens. Could be that the heatsink fan is not properly seated.

 

[mmasbou]

I have a temp sensor set up so that my computer is supposed to beep if the cpu gets too hot (and then shutdown if it gets hotter). So far, whenever the computer crashes, i haven't heard a beep beforehand. Also, the computer never fully shuts down, the screen just goes black and everything seems to continue to run.

 

[Rachet]

Do you have a low end graphics card that you could throw in your system?

I would remove the video drivers and use a low end video card and see if the system still has a problem.

 

[corruptedmage25]

im pretty sure that the combo of a prescott and a 6800 is hell waiting to happen. i guess u need more cooling

 

[mmasbou]

So I have a new problem, now when i try to turn on my computer, everything starts to run and then there's a loud beep. Nothing shows up on my monitor. Tried clearing the CMOS and that didn't help. Don't know if my graphics card is dead (?) or if it's something else.

 

[stevty2889]

Make sure the power connector is firmly attached to your video card, my 6800GT will make a loud high pitched sound, if you start it without the molex connected.

 

[kristof007]

Definetly try the temperature moniter things like mother board monitor. Having a black screen though .. might be video related.

 

[daveybrat]

It's your motherboard. I've never liked Abit boards myself. If it was your video card, you'd hear 1 beep followed by 3 quick beeps. Prolonged beeping is either motherboard or ram, and i'd suspect the motherboard before the ram.

Hopefully you can still rma it. Good luck!

 

[mmasbou]

where can i get some good temp monitoring software?

 

[LtPage1]

OP's friend here-

we dont have access to any other pci-e vid cards, but it sounds to me like its either that or the mother board. the psu is an antec 400w(or more? i cant remember), so i dont think thats a problem. also, the vid card doesnt have an extra power connector. should he just try RMAing stuff until it works, or does this sound more like a software/bios problem?