Curse

Kitar · May 12, 2005, 10:18 PM // 22:18

Hi, just wanted to drop some information i've learned in the last decade or so, and mention a few very helpful programs.

Testing Memory:

A common program is called memtest86. This will detect any memory errors, and can aid in diagnosing any bad sticks. Memory errors can be responsible or anything from a crash, to strange behaviour.

http://www.memtest86.com/

Testing Processors:

Prime 95: This program will torture test your machine by having it crunch numbers, lots of them. If a machine can pass this test for hours, chances are the power supply, processor and motherboard won't be the cause of the problem.

http://www.mersenne.org/prime.htm

Scanning for video artifacts:

Ati Tool: For both ATi and Nvidia cards, this will tell you if your card is producing artifacts, whether you can see them or not. (many times a card can produce artifacts, yet they're so minor you won't notice them) Although it is a very nice overclocking tool, i don't mention it here for that reason.

http://www.techpowerup.com/atitool/

Diagnosing overheating:

Generally speaking, if your computer is overheating, it most often will crash after a certain length of time. Often this time can be approximate. Such as about every 30 miniutes, or about every 2 hours. These can be some of the most time consuming to diagnose, since they can take so long to show up.

A good test to see if your computer is overheating, is removing the side of the case and seeing if that lengthens the time, or eliminates the crashes. (of course, only do this if you're comfortable, spill a beer in it and it isnt my fault

)

Why do that? Well, you can still play games while the side if off

Instead of starting at prime 95 run for 6 hours.

So what do you do if it does appear to be overheating? Well the first thing is scan for dead or failing fans, large clumps of dust, or other out of place things. If a video card is overheating, chances are you'll see artifacts, or other video weirdness. (cards that are failing can also do this)

Processors that overheat tend to lock up the machine, or cause reboots. Memory generally does not overheat. However chips on the motherboard can, so keep an eye out for north or southbridge chips that have failing fans. (generally north)

Leaking or failing capacitors can also cause erratic behaviour. I don't have a handy picute, but caps start to mushroom generally when they begin to fail. They look like cylinders and are all over a motherboard, if the top isnt flat, it may be getting ready to go.

Memory problems:
These can be a huge pain the butt. Often bad memory makes itself known at random times, or the worst possible time. Sometimes memory can appear to function fine with 5 games, yet on one game it craps out at a certain point. Oh the joy of bad memory

Luckily though, memtest will pick up bad memory, you'll just need to let it run for hours. If you suspect memory, you'll need to follow the directions at their site and give it a go.

Software problems:
Yet another cause of problems can be software. This can entail virii, spyware/malware, and driver problems.

Virus': Grisoft offers a rail anti virus from their site. It's functional and non intrusive. It's a nice program if you think you may have a virus.

http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1

Spyware: An old staple is spybot. It's still well done and very effective. Although you may need to be in safe mode for it to remove the really nasty stuff.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Be sure your computer is clean, and your drivers are up to date. However, especially in the case of video cards. The newest driver may not be the best in your case. You may have to experiment.

Sometimes a windows reinstall will be needed, if you aren't comfortable doing it, you may want to take it to a shop, or get your geeky friend to do it.

So theres some information i hope helps a few people. Feel free to add to this thread as this post is not meant to be an encyclopedia on troubleshooting.

just a few tips and hints. I may add to this thread if time permits.

Svenn · May 13, 2005, 01:44 AM // 01:44

Found this on download.com today and like it: http://www.passmark.com/products/bit.htm

The name seemed kind of familiar, so somebody may have posted about it, too.

It's 30-day shareware, so you can use it for a month to see if you like it. I think the interface is really intuitive.

If you want to see if you can overheat your system, this is a good way to test it. You choose up to 15 aspects of your system and determine the load you want to test on each aspect from 1-100. For example, I set CPU-Math, CPU-MMX, RAM and 3D-Graphics tests all to 100 and then let it run for 15 minutes (as many cycles as it could get done). No errors. I also tested RAM by itself for 15 minutes, too.
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I will try that ATI tool. Can someone please tell me how to get a temperature reading on the GPU from an NVIDIA card? I couldn't find one in the NVIDIA interface or in Everest.

Kitar · May 13, 2005, 02:09 PM // 14:09

Looks like a good program

EnDinG · May 13, 2005, 05:55 PM // 17:55

Personally, I perfer AdAware and Hijackthis as my support programs. Both are what I use to troubleshoot viri and computer software problems people are having if they suspect they have a virus, pop-ups or extra tool bars.

Principa Discordia · May 13, 2005, 05:56 PM // 17:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnDinG

Personally, I perfer AdAware and Hijackthis as my support programs. Both are what I use to troubleshoot viri and computer software problems people are having if they suspect they have a virus, pop-ups or extra tool bars.

Not to mention Spybot - Search & Destroy.

I use that, and Hijackthis, religiously.

Edit: Oops, just noticed he mentioned it. That'll teach me to scan instead of read.

EnDinG · May 13, 2005, 05:57 PM // 17:57

Quote:

Spyware: An old staple is spybot. It's still well done and very effective. Although you may need to be in safe mode for it to remove the really nasty stuff.

Dum de dum... *Whisles innocently...* Read? Who has time... LoL.

Mojofilter · May 13, 2005, 05:59 PM // 17:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svenn

I will try that ATI tool. Can someone please tell me how to get a temperature reading on the GPU from an NVIDIA card? I couldn't find one in the NVIDIA interface or in Everest.

Right click on desktop, go to Properties->Settings->Advanced, open the tab with the name of your card on it(Geforce 6800GT in my case), and you should see an option for temp about halfway down. This is assuming you are using the latest Forceware drivers.

Principa Discordia · May 13, 2005, 06:00 PM // 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojofilter

Right click on desktop, go to Properties->Settings->Advanced, open the tab with the name of your card on it(Geforce 6800GT in my case), and you should see an option for temp about halfway down. This is assuming you are using the latest Forceware drivers.

A lot of Nvidia resellers choose to disable the temperature sensors regardless of forceware versions. The only way I know of to enable them again are to flash your BIOS.

Serafita Kayin · May 13, 2005, 06:09 PM // 18:09

I use Microsoft AntiSpyware, Ad-Aware Personal, and the nForce4 hardware firewall to keep myself secure. That way, there's never any scans to run before I play...

I suggest keeping multiple programs, and scanning with all of them to keep things from passing under one's radar. One may not be enough, but a team is unbeatable (just like in game.)

EnDinG · May 13, 2005, 06:32 PM // 18:32

Added the thread to our little index. If anyone else has useful free software programs (freeware) that can be trusted feel free to post it up including a link.

Thanks Kitar for starting the thread and doing a little research. I'm sure others are the same.

Kitar · May 13, 2005, 07:29 PM // 19:29

Sure no problem.

I ddn't add hijack this since it isnt new user friendly, and if you arent "savvy" you'll be staring at a list of things you have no idea about.

On that note however, LSPFIX is also a good program for removing spyware that has infested your winsock stack.

draceena · May 14, 2005, 02:50 AM // 02:50

Check out he following links:

Make IE and Outlook Express safe for the web:
http://members.accessbee.com/mitch/IE_OEsettings.html

Some XP Tweaks:
http://members.accessbee.com/mitch/XPsettings.html

A Listing of some great Free programs to secure and clean your computer:
http://members.accessbee.com/mitch/N...ieUpdated.html

Svenn · May 18, 2005, 11:02 PM // 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mojofilter

Right click on desktop, go to Properties->Settings->Advanced, open the tab with the name of your card on it(Geforce 6800GT in my case), and you should see an option for temp about halfway down. This is assuming you are using the latest Forceware drivers.

Sorry, didn't see this response until now (searching for something else and saw the post). I had the latest drivers, but the temp tab/panel didn't show up with the GF4 Ti 4600. When I installed my new 6800 GT, I didn't bother with the installation disk and now the temperature reading shows up big as day. I guess the old card didn't support that functionality.

The new card is a big improvement.