Tarnowsky

Hello everyone! I'm here today to explain my problem. Now a while back (Not quite sure when, maybe 4-5months) I bought a gaming computer from a site that's sort of like ebay, but just for my area. Anyways these computers specs seemed decent and with a price of only $200 no one would pass it up. Anyways here are the specs!


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System Information
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Time of this report: 9/10/2008, 06:53:51
Machine name: TARNOWSKY
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard
System Model: HP d530 CMT(DK668A)
BIOS: 786B2 v1.11
Processor: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 345MB used, 3594MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes
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DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

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DirectX Debug Levels
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Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

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Display Devices
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Card name: Celestica Gold Edition RADEON 9600XT
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI Radeon Graphics Processor AGP (0x4152)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4152&SUBSYS_001C18D4&REV_00
Display Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (85Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6844 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/31/2008 23:32:35, 311296 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/1/2008 01:38:20, 3266560 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0212-11CF-D861-1620A1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4152
SubSys ID: 0x001C18D4
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D ModeWMV8_B ModeWMV8_A ModeWMV9_B ModeWMV9_A
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

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Sound Devices
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Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24D5&SUBSYS_12BC103C&REV_02
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3570 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 3/19/2003 07:54:36, 542976 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Analog Devices
HW Accel Level: Full
Cap Flags: 0xB5B
Min/Max Sample Rate: 8000, 48000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

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Sound Capture Devices
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Description: SoundMAX Digital Audio
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: smwdm.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.3570 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 3/19/2003 07:54:36, 542976 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x41
Format Flags: 0xCCC

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DirectMusic
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DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: n/a
Ports: Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
SoundMAX Digital Audio, Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SoundMAX Wavetable Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

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DirectInput Devices
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Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

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USB Devices
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+ USB Root Hub
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x24D2
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Upper Filters: libusb0
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 13:45:38, 59520 bytes
| Driver: usbd.sys, 8/23/2001 07:00:00, 4736 bytes
|
+-+ USB Human Interface Device
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC03D
| | Location: USB-PS/2 Optical Mouse
| | Matching Device ID: usb\class_03&subclass_01
| | Upper Filters: libusb0
| | Service: HidUsb
| | Driver: hidusb.sys, 4/13/2008 13:45:27, 10368 bytes
| | Driver: hidclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:45:26, 36864 bytes
| | Driver: hidparse.sys, 4/13/2008 13:45:22, 24960 bytes
| | Driver: hid.dll, 4/13/2008 19:11:54, 20992 bytes
| |
| +-+ HID-compliant mouse
| | | Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC03D
| | | Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| | | Service: mouhid
| | | Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 23040 bytes
| | | Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/23/2001 07:00:00, 12160 bytes

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Gameport Devices
----------------

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PS/2 Devices
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+ Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 4/13/2008 14:18:00, 52480 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 19:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 24576 bytes
|
+ Terminal Server Mouse Driver
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD
| Driver: termdd.sys, 4/13/2008 19:13:20, 40840 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 13:39:47, 23040 bytes

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DirectPlay Service Providers
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DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

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DirectPlay Adapters
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DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

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DirectPlay Voice Codecs
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Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

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DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
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Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
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Drive: C:
Free Space: 212.5 GB
Total Space: 238.5 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST3250620A

Drive: D:
Model: HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GSA-4163B
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 13:40:46, 62976 bytes



Now way before back when I had just bought the computer I played games on it (Perfectly, with no PROBLEMS what so ever)

Games such as Battlefield 2, Battlefront II, Half Life 2, Garry's Mod, and even Oblivion. I use to play Garry's mod all the time until I decided to update my graphics card (Which on my part was stupid as of now) I thought updates were suppose to "upgrade" the specific hardware right? Well anyways, as usual I played Garry's mod (At the time I played that mostly) then I started getting weird ati2mtag errors which would crash my game to the desktop in which I'd have to restart it back up.



Well they started happening more frequent and then I decided to do research on that specific error. That error meant that my system was unstable to being over clocked. I decided to kind of cool down on games for a while. Now today, it's even worse. When I start up a game it freezes 5-10minutes after on every single game (3d graphical ones) The freezes usually lead to either a full computer restart (manually) or a crash to the desktop. Now I looked in my computer and noticed the graphics card fan was not moving. I don't know if it moved before when I played games but before I heard a fan-related noise when I booted up the computer and the way to fix that was to restart. My guess is that when you rebooted is balanced the fan out.... anyways I don't hear that sound anymore and I believe the sound officially went away after I updated a few months after I bought the computer.

Anyways... so the fans not moving. I looked online for any possible repairs, a lot of which says to take off the sticker off and apply lube to the bearings, which I've done. I've even taken out the heatsink/fan and cleaned them both out. (I took the fan completely apart and washed everything!) Still no luck.... But anyways I'm guessing all these crashes have to deal with over heating. Umm I do have heatsinks on both my CPU and GPU. (I re-applied thermal compound/paste after I have taken them off) But what difference I saw is that when I knew my fan wasn't working I took it off along with the heatsink (Which I didn't know was a heatsink at the time) and when I played games they froze instantly. My temperature was at 70 c when the heatsink/fan was off. When I attached it again it was at 50 c (That's average temp when not playing any games)

I've also looked over all my computer components for any cracks or leaks. I looked over the graphics card many times and saw it to be flawless. Now I'm still on the same PC, which the same graphics card and the SAME non-working fan. Also with the most updated version of ATI 9600 drivers (CCC is installed.. yes agp speed is at 4x and fast write is off)

Now - Does anyone know what the exact problem can be?? and know how to fix it?

Note : Sometimes after playing games or looking at some graphic stuff, the icons on my desktop and any lettering become pixellated and un-readable.

Tarnowsky

Update : I got a program called ATItool for underclocking. And my CORE was at like either 450.00/500.00 and I think my memory was at 350.00/300.00 is that bad? Or atleast to high for my computer to handle? Now anyways, I took the CORE down to 180.00 and memory to 200.00. And turned all my fans up to %100 (I don't know if that worked since I didn't hear any difference in fan-related noises, it's quiet as always) Now I started up Star Wars Battlefront II and while I played in the game the tempurature was staying around 67-69 which I thought was awesome. And guess what, I was able to play the game for over 30 minutes (I stopped cause I got bored so quickly lol) I can probably go on for hours now....


Also.... if I have a heatsink on my graphics card same with a non-working fan. Is that bad? Should I go out and replace the broken fan? Would it make any major difference to the tempurature, perhaps lower it?
(I would think so)

emosun

What gpu was previously in the pc? You said you upgraded to the 9600? Also , all of your problems relate to the card simply overheating. It looks like your fan stopped working on the card and has just been overheating ever since. And to remove your heatsink from the card and run it w/o it is like running a car with no coolent in it. Not a brilliant decision. You could purchase a new heatsink wth fan to fix your current card but I would take the opertunity to buy a newer card.

Tarnowsky

If I said anywhere that I changed graphics card, I didn't. I never replaced or added anything into this computer yet but it seems I fixed it by far just by underclocking it. The graphics card isn't damaged, it's just the fan is broken. But anyways, since I underclocked it I am able to play all of my games (Same FPS like before) with the temperature staying around 65 C (And below) :D I think I saw a 69 C on Battlefront II which isn't bad. So do you think I should just go buy a new fan for my graphics card/heatsink? Even though it still works, it's best to get the GPU and what not at the lowest temperature.

Jtsou

You get it from Craigslist?

emosun

I thought that ment you changed your graphics card.

If you want to buy a new heatsink then you can but I would just take the oppertunity to buy a new card. Also 69c isn't a great temperature considering that 75c is the maximum before they start to fry.

Jtsou

For a graphics card? They shouldn't start getting hurt at that temp, i would think about 85+ and they would start feeling it.

Mcninjaguy

My graphics card is around 62C at full load

emosun

Well 75c is the max before you start having problems. And 62 is good

Tarnowsky

Yeah you see when I took off the heatsink/fan thinking it would reduce the heat (didn't know it was a heatsink at the time lol) I saw that my temperature was like 70 C and when I played games. They would instantly freeze on me. Now once I learnt what the heck this was. The next day I bought some Type Z9 Heat Sink Compound (Silicone Base) and just took off the previous grease and applied this one. When I started my computer up it was like 54 C but it still froze in games, although I was able to play for about 10 minutes.


My next option was to check into "under clocking" I got a program called ATITool and I underclocked my computer big time. It only went down to about 51 C on the desktop which wasn't a lot. But when I played games, damn maximum temperature was like 65 C and I still got the same FPS as before. Maybe..... in the beginning remember when I told you those errors? Telling me my computer was unstable to getting overclocked. Well maybe when I updated my driver and got the new one along with CCC it just overclocked my computer and that's why I got those errors. And even if I removed it, reformatted w/e it just stayed with the over clocking (I don't know if that's possible) And I guess I underclocked to the right settings...
I still plan on either buying a new graphics card altogether or maybe just a simple fan. But I don't want to do anything major right now, I partially fixed it.

Anyways thanks for the replies. I guess I just needed a post to vent out my whole problem. But anyways... I'll still be on the forums helping out people. And stuff I'm not sure that acts up in my computer, I'll come straight to these forums (After I researched all over the internet for any easy solutions)