constant problems

[willowgarden]

i keep getting terminal freezes in games and have to switch pc off to get rid of it
also regular crashes when switching maps.

have reinstalled twice now, and only tramnsferred the system files that seemed to relate to skins etc.

am getting really fed up :evil:

[Mr_Drewpy]

Willow,
Sounds like some hardware may be failing, graphics card, memory?

Is there a point when this freezing happens? Just after desktop is displayed?

Mr_Drewpy :?

[Azura]

Check the temperature of your processor :

http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

[Elfie]

Ahh you must have the GeForce 6800GT from Leadtek. Exactly what happend to me :( What system you got? Try opening the apature on the AGP Card on the Bios. I think it's half the ram on the card (Flash confirm please) ;)

[willowgarden]

Ahh you must have the GeForce 6800GT from Leadtek.
Try opening the apature on the AGP Card on the Bios. I think it's half the ram on the card (Flash confirm please) ;)

??? :cry: :cry: :cry: 8O 8O :x

erm, I have windows XP - is this the system you mean? :?

[Mr_Drewpy]

Willow,
This is in the BIOS, when the machine first boots, where the memory is checked. If you press the DELETE key, to enter the BIOS, there is an appeture size setting for the graphics card AGP slot.

This can be 32 by default, as someone else said it should be half the video memory at least.
I have the 6600GT and have mine set at 128.

Hope this helps,
Mr_Drewpy :)

[Flash]

Sorry Elfie mate, can't confirm - I know jack about agp stuff. :(

[Azura]

At a PC shop were I used to work, I was told to set aperture size to the same amount as the onboard memory on the graphics card. This sounds about correct because PCs with an integrated graphics chip were set to 64 by default. I'll have to google around to confirm this, though, and get an explanation on what this does.

[Juan90]

Hi Willow, do you know anyone who can look at the PC for you as it is a bit difficult to diagnose here. It does sound like a hardware problem - possibly memory or the graphics card, but I would'nt worry about the aperture size that people are talking about here unless it is a new video card.

Just a thought, you say you have re-installed twice, what drivers did you use for you're video card?

[BullDog]

turn off AGP 8x - this can be done from BIOS - the 8x was more of a advertising gimmick than actual worth and some systems/motherboards become unstable with they hit 8x.
dropping back to 4x will not decrease you over performance by much if anything.

[willowgarden]

Hmmm, where's my video card resident and what might it be called?
Can't find anything csalled a video card or anything similar...

Not aware that we've had anything put in other than what the computer came with though...

[Scrappy]

I wouldn't recommend going into your PCs BIOS and changing the AGP aperture size (or any BIOS settings for that matter) unless you are 100% sure you know what you are doing. Even I have to check the manual that came with my motherboard every time I want to change something, these things are usually best left alone. (I managed to destroy my last motherboard after a failed overclock attempt! :oops: )

I know I always say this but it could be an overheating problem. The hot weather we've been having recently is great for BBQs but not so great for PCs. There have been times I had to switch off my computer and leave the room 'cos it got so hot!

Just a few quetions that might provide vital clues...
What make is your PC?
What hardware is inside? (How much memory? Hard disk size? etc...)
Is there any pattern in the crashes? (Always in the same game? After a certain amount of time?)
Have you changed anything since it was last working OK?

edited for spelling mistakes!

[Juan90]

As Scappy said we need more information to help you Willow, can you tell us what your system is?

What is the computer specification, this may be included in the paperwork or manuals supplied with you system. :)

[vitriol]

download and install 3dmark 2001se

http://www.futuremark.com/download/?3dmark2001.shtml

run it > click system info

you can find all the information about your hardware in there, post some screenshots

then we may be able to help / advise you better

[willowgarden]

Could all of my problems be caused by a monitor going crap?

I am thinking I need to get a new one because mine won't switch on properly anymore, but takes 10-15 goes each time. This means it has to be left on alomst permanently, which of course means it might be getting too hot, as scrappy says...

[Azura]

This shouldn't be causing a problem. Your monitor sounds in bad shape though and I wouldn't run the risk of having it communicating some electrical problems to your video card/onboard graphics.

[Scrappy]

Azura's right, a dodgy monitor is inconvenient but it wouldn't be able to cause system freezes. In fact, I leave mine on all the time, it goes into power-saving standby mode when I switch off my PC.

Sounds like a good excuse to get one of those flat-panel TFT moitors! :wink:

[Vendor]

It has been suggested that you may have some overheating going on. There is a very simple way to test this. Remove the SIDE of your case and try and place it so fresh air can flow freely into to case (a well-placed room fan helps!). Now boot up and play. If it makes a significant difference or solves the lock-up, then you have an overheating problem.