Niihrr

Hello Forumers.

My comp:

Operating System: Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2
CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz (2 CPUs)
Memory: 2048MB RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512mb
Sound Card: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio

PSU: LiteOn(?) 400w

Input: 200-240V ~/ 5 A 50/60 Hz

Output:
+5V --/ 20A Max +12Va --/ 17A Max
+3,3V --/ 15A Max +12Vb --/ 10A Max
+5Vsb --/ 2A Max -12V --/ 0.8A Max


So then, My problem started a few weeks ago, I was happily playing WoW like I do all to often. I had bought myself a new 8800 a couple of months earlier, and it worked well, but then my computer suddenly freezed for several seconds (10-15)

When the freeze released its grip on my Computer, I was left with major graphical abnormalities, Texture had exchanged places and everything was the wrong color etc. I don't have a screenshot of it in Wow, although it happened regularly thereafter.

After that, it happens in every somewhat demanding game I have, Warcraft 3 ( Pic) Oblivion ( Pic) and Warhammer Online (no pic)

Now, I know you are probably going to say it's the PSU, therefore this forum, and I'm convinced this is the problem, but I want your expert advice before I do something myself. Is it inadequat? It worked for a while, but I guess Psu's degrade over time.

Tl,dr version: My games freezes for 10 seconds, then they become unplayable.
Any help at all is appriciated! Thanks.

Updated with pic from warhammer ( pic)

I don't get it, My system runs absolutely fine, like 70+ fps on max settings, then bam this, every 10 minutes.

Underclocker

Welcome to TSF! Your power supply definitely is too weak. PCI-E requires a +12V rail with at least 26A output. Your two rails actually produce only around 24A, so try to borrow one that meets the requirement to test. If it works then you know where the problem lies.

Also, 500W is skating on thin ice for a power hungry beast like the 8800GT and I would recommend 650W plus.

Power Supply Information and Selection

Niihrr

I can get a good price on a Corsair 650
About 89$ at my local seller, Would this one be sufficient, or can you make a recommendation

thanks a lot for your help, I'm sorry to say I don't have access to any borrowed PSUs, but I need a new one whatever happens.

Does anyone know if there is any kind of standard when it comes to the size of PSU? Cause i'm not sure what to look for in terms of if it will fit in my case.
Which is one of these: Case
I don't know anything else about it, it came with my fathers computer many years ago.
Also, are graphical problems such as mine often an indication of poor power supply? Thank you!

dai

yes the corsair is a good choice should run you with no problems
they are standard size ,so no problem there
when problem is video,psu is the first thing to look at

Niihrr

Thank you Dai

This just in, new PSU did not resolve my problem of Game freezes -> graphical problems.


Shoot.. Ah well I needed to upgrade that anyway. I have found that i't won't happen ever, if I only play in windowed mode. Don't know if that will be helpful to diagnos, but it's the only new information i got.
Please give me some advice here.

dai

what does the bios list your cpu temp as

Niihrr

38 degrees celsius, goes up to about 50 at full load.

dai

what about the gpu tempreture
try reinstalling the drivers
in the device manager uninstall the video card
reboot tapping f8 and choose vga mode
when windows finishes rebooting
disable a/virus
install your drivers
reboot the computer

Niihrr

Gpu is 50-55 degrees full load, will try reinstalling drivers now. Everything is fine up to the freezes, very good fps and performance overall.

Driver reinstall did not help. thank you anyway. Anything else i should try?


windowed didnt make it better, disregard that

dai

can you try the card in another computer to check if the ram has gone on the card

Niihrr

Afraid I wont be able to do that for several days, anything else in the meantime? Or maybe any other way to check?

TheShadowFl

There are two problems experienced by Video Cards.

One is the temperature of the GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) and the other is the ram.
If the cooling fan on the GPU slows down or fails, you're in trouble.
If the ram gets dirty and shorts out, you get scrambled video or strange pixels appearing on the screen.

So, you need to do two things......
Make sure the GPU is being properly cooled and then make sure there is NO dirt buildup on the ram chips.

As I just said in another thread, I got a pixelated screen from my own video card about six years ago. I immediately recognized that as a video ram problem. I powered down the system and removed the video card.
I then took it to the kitchen sink and washed the ram chips with dishwashing detergent and warm water, using an old tooth brush to scrub the dirt from between the legs on the ram chips.
After a good rinsing in warm water, I again rinsed the board in Denatured Alcohol and set it out on the porch in the afternoon sun to dry. Later that evening I put the card back into my PC and powered it up. There were NO more video problems. That was about six years ago and that same video card is still working OK today.

So, as a PC tech, if I were working on fixing your PC, the first thing I'd do is remove the video card and examine the fan and then clean the ram. Replacing that low-power PSU couldn't hurt either.

You can never have too much power, but you can sure as heck have too little. I just upgraded my own system from a 480 watt supply to a new "Antec Earthwatts 650".

Good Luck,
The Shadow

Niihrr

Although my instincts say Water + computer = bad, I will check if it's dirty, considering the 8800 comes with a plastic thingy attached to the card, its likely.
How do I recognise the Gpu Ram?

Good day again TSF
I was just wondering, could voltages have anything to do with this? I don't know ANYTHING about the right voltages for my system, so im asking :))

dai

you should not have any problems with voltages and amp after fitting the new psu
low ouutput from the original supply could have damaged the card
that's why i suggested checking it in another computer

Niihrr

Yes, I will try to arrange for that, thanks.
I asked if there were any other ways to test Vram, any idea?

dai

not to my knowledge

andieandy

Niihrr, as i posted in my thread, this link is wat i recorded during gameplay, i think it shud be familiar to yours

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=M8YRDDUR

I contacted the company that did my computer for me, they say it could be a faulty graphics card, but from what im hearing, doubt it. but they gona send another graphics card to me, so that will be sweet lol oh ye, the file is .avi

Niihrr

An update, I finally managed to gather some crash log info.


Event Type: Error
Event Source: System Error
Event Category: (102)
Event ID: 1003
Date: 2008-09-14
Time: 16:29:00
User: N/A
Computer: SDGDS-6B7B0B653
Description:
Error code 000000ea, parameter1 88fb6618, parameter2 8a521230, parameter3 894371d8, parameter4 00000001.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 53 79 73 74 65 6d 20 45 System E
0008: 72 72 6f 72 20 20 45 72 rror Er
0010: 72 6f 72 20 63 6f 64 65 ror code
0018: 20 30 30 30 30 30 30 65 000000e
0020: 61 20 20 50 61 72 61 6d a Param
0028: 65 74 65 72 73 20 38 38 eters 88
0030: 66 62 36 36 31 38 2c 20 fb6618,
0038: 38 61 35 32 31 32 33 30 8a521230
0040: 2c 20 38 39 34 33 37 31 , 894371
0048: 64 38 2c 20 30 30 30 30 d8, 0000
0050: 30 30 30 31 0001


I know that in the end, my card is probably faulty, But maybe you know of a workaround until i can exchange it.

dai

that points to the driver or the card
you have already reinstalled the drivers so it looks like the card
pull the card out and blow it out and clean it as suggested earlier