Problems with Games causeing VPU restarts

[GZSmog]

Motherboard: MICRO-STAR INC.
Motherboard Model: MS-6758
8x AGP
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz 800mhz fsb hyper threading
Memory: 896MB RAM
Windows XP
RADEON 9700 PRO newest drivers 128mb 8x agp
SB Audigy Audio


If i play any game it doesn't matter what eventually i will get a VPU recovery. some times it is unable to recover last tme i played couterstrike i incountered 6 of these vpu errors in on 30 min map The system has been freashly reformated. I was hoping that there was somesort of confliction. But it still seems to be doing it.

Any Ideas on what could be causeing this it started after i upgraded my comp but wasn't as frequent now it happens all the time. The power supply is 350 watt is thilarge enought for the 9700 running at 8x agp? it seems like the power supply gets real hot thanks for your time hope you can help

 

[jlr69t]

try memtest86.com It a test for your memory. a lot of times people have a bad chip thats causing the problems. Also just a thought, are you running the latest version of directX? Hope this helps

 

[GZSmog]

Thanks I will try memtest but i do have directx 9.0b i will get back to you also i discovered the fan on my PS is failing.

 

[mechBgon]

The quality of the power supply can be very important too. If you replace it, buy a high-quality brand like Enermax, Sparkle Power, or Antec, not a cheapie.

By the way, with 896MB of RAM I don't see any possible way you could be running your memory in dual-channel mode, and that means a pronounced performance loss for a Pentium4C system. What modules do you have (brands, models and speeds)?

 

[GZSmog]

I not running in dual channel mod i have a 512 chip a 256 chip and a 128 chip all pc2100... i need to upgrade but i have no money if i have to spend money i think i will get a PS first

what Wattage would you recomend for a p4 2.8 system with 2 fans 2 cd drives an ati 9700 and 2 hard drives 20 gig and 80 gig 7200 rpm and a audigy with the front bay

lots of stuff to run

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: GZSmog
I not running in dual channel mod i have a 512 chip a 256 chip and a 128 chip all pc2100... i need to upgrade but i have no money if i have to spend money i think i will get a PS first

what Wattage would you recomend for a p4 2.8 system with 2 fans 2 cd drives an ati 9700 and 2 hard drives 20 gig and 80 gig 7200 rpm and a audigy with the front bay

lots of stuff to run

If it were me... well, I like to overbuild stuff a little. I would personally pick about a 400W unit like an Antec SL400, or an equivalent Sparkle Power, Fortron or Enermax unit. A 300W unit from any of those companies could probably float the boat but even if I were trying to economize, I would feel better about at least a 350W. Power supplies can hold their value a long time, and what seemed like overkill two or three years ago is not overkill any more. There are worse ways to blow an extra ~$30, that's what I say

 

[johnjkr1]

What happens if you uncheck or disable ATI's vpu recover feature? (i've never had the problem, so i've never tried it)

 

[GZSmog]

if i uncheck vpu recover i get a totla crash and restart

 

[GZSmog]

also just a normal house fan behind the case to circulate air lengthens the time between errors

 

[PCTweaker5]

Then its probably just heat. Get the Vantec Spectrum fan card and that should solve your problems. $18.99 in most places and it'll be a good investment and increase overlclocking limits.

 

[GZSmog]

The reason i think it's the power supply over heating is that even with the large fan going if it crashes and i touch or feel the back of the case the whole this is cool except for the PS it seems hotter then normal also nothing is overclocked in my box so the 2 case fans should be plenty

 

[GZSmog]

ok i have a Thermaltake Silent Purepower 480W with Black housing - Purepower Butterfly ATX 2-Fan Power Supply, Model "W0021" -RETAIL

in the mail now after i installed msi core center and saw that the system temp was 25 C and the processor was 50c at the time of the crashes i decided it had to be my power supply i will let you know after i get it and install it

 

[illusion88]

What do you have in terms of cooling? What HSF do you have on your CPU?

The Vantec fan card sounds like a good idea as well. Read Reviews here

 

[Cheetah8799]

If i play any game it doesn't matter what eventually i will get a VPU recovery. some times it is unable to recover last tme i played couterstrike i incountered 6 of these vpu errors in on 30 min map The system has been freashly reformated. I was hoping that there was somesort of confliction. But it still seems to be doing it.

Any Ideas on what could be causeing this it started after i upgraded my comp but wasn't as frequent now it happens all the time. The power supply is 350 watt is thilarge enought for the 9700 running at 8x agp? it seems like the power supply gets real hot thanks for your time hope you can help

I had the SAME problem. Turned out my video card was overheating.

Try running your system with the side of the case off. Maybe setup a spare fan to blow some air into the case and onto the video card while the side is off.

I ended up buying some ramsinks and this. I am also installing 2 92mm intake fans, one over the video card, and another over the cpu, to help with the heat.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: Cheetah8799

If i play any game it doesn't matter what eventually i will get a VPU recovery. some times it is unable to recover last tme i played couterstrike i incountered 6 of these vpu errors in on 30 min map The system has been freashly reformated. I was hoping that there was somesort of confliction. But it still seems to be doing it.

Any Ideas on what could be causeing this it started after i upgraded my comp but wasn't as frequent now it happens all the time. The power supply is 350 watt is thilarge enought for the 9700 running at 8x agp? it seems like the power supply gets real hot thanks for your time hope you can help

I had the SAME problem. Turned out my video card was overheating.

Try running your system with the side of the case off. Maybe setup a spare fan to blow some air into the case and onto the video card while the side is off.

I ended up buying some ramsinks and this. I am also installing 2 92mm intake fans, one over the video card, and another over the cpu, to help with the heat.

That's an excellent cooler. Just pay attentions to revisions.

Rev. 1: Support all cards except G4 Ti, Radeon 9600 Pro and AIW cards.
Rev. 2: Support AIW in addition to stated above.
Rev. 3: Not released yet. Support 9600 Pro.

-Por