Entering Power Save Mode while Gaming..argg!

[Lord Sirian]

Ok, turn off your computer, then start it up, as soon as it starts up, hold or rapidly tap delete. - This should get you into the BIOS.

From there, go to "H/W Monitor" and check your voltages there.

[Cdx]

Okay i couldn't find H/W Monitor in BIOS so i just wrote down the whole BIOS Menu, lol.

Well here it is.

System:
System Info
Processor Info
Memory Info
PCI Info
Date/Time
Boot Sequence

Drives:
Diskette Drive
SATA - 0
SATA - 1
SATA - 2
SATA - 3
SATA - 4
SATA - 5
PATA - 0
PATA - 1
Smart Reporting

Onboard Devices:
Integrated NIC
Integrated Audio
USB Controller
1394 Controller
Serial Port #1
VART Powerdown
PS / 2 Mouse Port
Chasis LED Color

Performance:
Multiple CPU Core
Virtualization
Overclocking
EPP/SLI Memory
HDD Acoustic Mode

Security:
Unlock Setup
Admin Password
System Password
Password Changes
Execute Disable

Power Management:
AC Recovery Auto Power On
Auto Power Time
Low Power Mode
Suspend Mode

Maintenance:
Service Tag
Load Defaults
Event Log

POST Behavior:
Numlock Keys
POST Hotkeys
Keyboard Errors

[Mcninjaguy]

It would probably be under System info.

[Cdx]

It wasn't it System Info, this is what System Info had.

System Info:
System
Bios Version
Service Tag
Express Service Code
Asset Tag

[Cdx]

Any ideas?

[Mcninjaguy]

Try under overclocking.

[Cdx]

Originally Posted by Mcninjaguy

Try under overclocking.

Do you have a guide or tutorial that i can follow to do that? I'm not sure how to do it.

[Mcninjaguy]

Your temps should be in the overclocking section of your bios.

Its near impossible to find screenshots of the bios you have.

[Tiber Septim]

Just have a browse though each of the options in the BIOS. You're specifically looking for the voltage readings (+3.3v, +5v, +12v etc.).
Don't worry about hurting anything in there, just make sure you don't save when you exit.

[Sven2157]

Alrighty, first things...

Originally Posted by Niram

true, your comp will recognize only 3gb so 1gb is a total waste

I'm not sure what would be the problem here, your psu seems decent and specs are fine, lets wait for the pros

This is not true, the system will divide the "extra" RAM between Audio and Video; though the heavier side would be for Video. None-the-less, the system recognizes it and uses it.

Now, back to our original program...

According to the manual for the Dell XPS 710:

Overclocking CPU Clock Speed

Provides limited capability to adjust the CPU clock speed so that the CPU operates at a different frequency than that designated in the manufacturer's design specifications.

NOTE: To enable overclocking, you first need to enable the option in BIOS and then download an application like NVIDIA® nTune™ version 5.0 or higher.

NOTE: Pressing <Alt><F> returns your system to the factory defaults including RAID settings.

NOTICE: Dell does not recommend operating the processor or other system component beyond factory default settings. Overclocking may cause system instability and reduce the operating life of your system components. Dell does not provide technical support for any hardware or software issues arising from any third party application, such as NVIDIA nTune 5.0, used to enable overclocking. Dell provides technical support only for CPU performance settings available within the system BIOS.

Have you indeed, installed nTune? Or nVidia Tools with ESA Support? Was it pre-loaded onto your system before you received it?

Uninstall it if you have/it was. These "dynamic" BIOS tuners are horrible. I had the same problem with Assassin's Creed, I uninstalled nTune and problem solved! However, this is ONLY a problem with certain games; my COD4 and Civilization IV did it as well. My FSX and Vegas 2, did not! Go to your Control Panel, click "Programs and Features", and check to see if either nTune or nVidia Tools with ESA Support are there; if they are, UNINSTALL them!

On the issue with voltage...

Dell has not provided the End-User with a means of checking this. They bought nVidia Motherboards with the 590 Chipset and slapped the cheap version of a good BIOS in it. Their solution.... Use nTune, as mentioned above.

"DUDE!... You bought a Dell!" - just like the commercial says.

Let us know...

[Cdx]

Hah yeah, at the time i bought this computer i did not know how to build my own, i am now taking computer tech classes at my college and now know how to build one, and finding out i bought a horrible system and got ripped hard. My next system will be built by myself.

Anyways, I went into programs and features, i do not have Nvidia Tools or Ntune installed. Only "Nvidia Drivers" and "Nvidia Physx v8.10.13"(for my AGEIA physx card).

Yes the problem for me as well only happens for certain games. So far only Assassins Creed and Age of Conan out of all 20 PC games i have.

Thank you for clarifying the RAM, that makes me feel much better.

Is it possibly the Graphics Card clashing with my Physx Card? Thats just a random idea i just thought of, not sure if its possible.

Also, when i called DELL to replace my old nvidia (7800 or 8600 i forgot) gts i had, they told me i can only replace it with certain graphics cards or id have problems.

I called them about 2 years ago and they tried to charge me 500 bucks for a new nvidia 7800 gts when i went to Fry's Electronics and saw it for 98.00.

Anyways, maybe they were right? I thought they were just trying to scam me.

I dont know im all confused. =)

Oh and also Overclocking is set to OFF in my BIOS.


ALSO: how do i upload my own custom avatar like you guys have? I could only upload my custom profile pic but not a custom avatar =(

[Mcninjaguy]

To upload a custom Avatar you need one one of the following things fulfilled

- post over 500 times (TSF enthusiast)
- Donate to TSF
- Be a staff member like me.

Dell always scams you, don't you ever think0 that they are trying to be nice to you.

You can take out your physx card as any card above or at a 8000 series card by Nvvidia has Physx built into it.

When I bought my old 7600GT 4 years ago it was around $250.

[Cdx]

wow!!! 4 years ago and 250? Thats good!! I cant believe dell tried to charge me 500...jeez.

Ah, well I'm about to start applying for computer tech jobs for example best buy geek squad, and I love these forums and i plan to help out others as much as i can with my knowledge that I have obtained so far.

So do you think that maybe the 2 physx cards are clashing then? Since one is in my GTX and one is seperate, maybe thats why its causing black screen?

Kind of like if you had two antiviruses installed, how they would clash into each other.

[Sven2157]

Originally Posted by Cdx

So do you think that maybe the 2 physx cards are clashing then? Since one is in my GTX and one is seperate, maybe thats why its causing black screen?

Kind of like if you had two antiviruses installed, how they would clash into each other.

Yes! I think that they are definately clashing. Assassin's Creed was built around the Aegia PhysX Code. Since nVidia has integrated that into their cards, the single stand alone card is no longer needed. This could very well be the source of the issue.

Try it and see if it clears things up...

[Cdx]

Well, im about 90% sure you can mark this Thread [PROBLEM SOLVED]

I took the AGEIA PhysX card out, rebooted and loaded up assassins creed, i played it for about 10 mins with no crash(before everytime within 3 mins it would go black screen).

So im pretty sure this solved the issue.

I just want to thank you techs for all your support, and ill make sure i remember this issue for people in the future to help them out.

I will also be helping you guys solve other computer tech problems.

I want that custom avatar!! =)

Thanks again for all the help guys.
I've been working on this issue for months and thinking of so many different possibilities on why it would do this.


ALSO**********, for the RAM, in my system properties it says i have 4gigs, which i do.
HOWEVER in DXDIAG it shows only 2.8gigs
Does DXDIAG only show the video part of ram? and not audio? Or?

[Sven2157]

Originally Posted by Cdx

Well, im about 90% sure you can mark this Thread [PROBLEM SOLVED]

I took the AGEIA PhysX card out, rebooted and loaded up assassins creed, i played it for about 10 mins with no crash(before everytime within 3 mins it would go black screen).

So im pretty sure this solved the issue.

Excellent! If you could use the "Tools" dropdown, up top, and mark this [SOLVED], that would be great.

Originally Posted by Cdx

I just want to thank you techs for all your support, and ill make sure i remember this issue for people in the future to help them out.

I will also be helping you guys solve other computer tech problems.

You are welcome, and I think that you'll make a fine Tech Support Specialist!

Originally Posted by Cdx

ALSO**********, for the RAM, in my system properties it says i have 4gigs, which i do.
HOWEVER in DXDIAG it shows only 2.8gigs
Does DXDIAG only show the video part of ram? and not audio? Or?

That's a whole other thread! But it goes back to what I was saying about the system using it all. It sees it, it recognizes it, and what the system itself doesn't use, it throws to the viedo and audio; mainly the Video. Untill recently, 4GB of RAM was unecessary; or a kewl way to show your friends you had money to burn. But know with programs and OS's getting so demanding and large, it is almost a standard. Microsoft designed their 32 bit OS under the pretense that general users would not require this, and advanced users would use a 64 bit OS. That has obviously changed.

[Cdx]

Thread is marked as solved.
Thanks again, and ill do more research on the RAM, thanks for your help!

[Cdx]

UPDATE!

Removing my extra PhysX Card DID NOT fix the problem unfortunately =(

I loaded up Assassins Creed for the second time today and it crashed(went to black screen) right away.

Any Ideas?
I'm Clueless now.

[Indoril Nerevar]

Hi,

I'd still like to find out those voltages, as that aspect is nagging at me. Were you still unable to find those numbers in the BIOS (3.3V, 5V, 12V)? If so, take a look here and follow the instructions to test your power supply. The voltages must all be within the range of +/- 5%. That means:

3.3V = 3.135V to 3.465V
5V = 4.75V to 5.25V
12V = 11.4V to 12.6V

Anything outside those ranges means you have a faulty power supply. Obviously, it'd be better if we could see voltage readings while the system is under load, but you're having trouble getting those programs to show anything (which happens from time to time).


You said you installed the GTX260 yourself. Did the system come with its own video card? If so, try swapping your 260 out with the original card, and see if you still get the crash. If it didn't have a card to begin with, perhaps you could borrow a card from a friend to test with?

[Cdx]

Bios wont show anything related to power voltages.

I dont have a multimeter with me, i need to get one.

Yes i installed the card myself, it barely fit in the PCI slot.

The system came with a Nvidia 7800 GTS i think. But it died on me so i bought this GTX 260.

I dont have any spare video cards, i can ask my friend for one but i barely see him so it might be awhile before i can test his card.