Rainstorm

Here is my question. I have an:

Athlon XP 1800+
K7VTA3 Motherboard
768 MB (3 x 256) DDR Ram (generic)
60 + 40 GB harddrives
ATI All-In-Wonder Radeon 8500+ videocard
SB Audigy Platinum + Echo Mia soundcards
Pioneer DVD
LG Burner

This setup has given me problems since day one. EVERY shutdown (I have had about 1 per or more per day for the last 4 years. This computer has shut down literally HUNDREDS (maybe more than a thousand!) times and no amount of repairs ever addressed this issue.

Every shutdown named the same problem – the All-In-Wonder Video card. Obviously there is a driver or else a physical hardware conflict with this video card. Since I bought it at over $400 4 years ago, I decided to just live with it. The biggest problem is never knowing whether or not a DVD will play (with or without subtitles – depends on the computer’s mood!) or just plain shut down and REFUSE to play any more DVDs for the time being.

I was used to that problem, but NOW, I have a new one where as soon as the machine gets to the desktop, then it goes to a blue screen saying any of a number of errors, usually some sort of PAGE_IN_NONPAGED AREA error or another one that looks similar. So, I’ve been advised that it could be that the RAM is shot, or else even the physical harddisk, so I am taking it in AGAIN to the shop. Here is my question to you guys:

I would like to get this damned All-In-Wonder card out so that my life can be much better, but I don’t have much $$$ to replace it with another video card of similar quality. Since I don’t use my computer for gaming at all, and only for music production (amateur) and movies, internet, etc.,

1 – If I took out the video card altogether, would there be any default “onboard video” like there is for “onboard sound”?

2 – If there is any “onboard video”, will it be good enough quality to enjoy a DVD, or would you suggest to stick to a video card?

3 – If there is no “onboard video” or if you suggest a video card, what is my CHEAPEST option for a relatively decent video card (decent in the sense that it can play DVDs, burn DVDs to avi – which I do a lot of – and in the future, perhaps, burn DVDs to DVDs)?

4 – What are my options for second hand parts? Are they a good idea? Where sells them? Do you recommend or not and why?

Can anyone help?

Thanks,

Rainstorm

MD_Willington

First off...Whats the true capacity of your power supply? What I mean by that is not whats written on the side like "400W" I mean what are the amperage (A) specs for each voltage on the side of the power supply for:
3.3V = ?A
+5V =?A
+12V =?A
+5VSB =?A

Secondly, have you run memtest 86 on your "Generic" ram, generic ram is usually reflashed junk ram that has really terrible timings and a host of other problems.

There's no point putting a new whizzbang AGP card into an unhealthy system...

MD

Rainstorm

Thanks for the reply. I have an Antec True 380, probably one of the few good pieces of my system. The website gave me these specs:


3.3V = 28.0A (Max), 0A (Min), +/-3% (load reg), 50mV (Ripple V(p-p)
+5V = 35A (Max), 0A (Min), +/-3% (load reg), 50mV (Ripple V(p-p)
+12V = 24.0A (Max), 0.8A (Min), +/-3% (load reg), 120mV (Ripple V(p-p)
+5VSB = 2.0A (Max), 0A (Min), +/-5% (load reg), 50mV (Ripple V(p-p)

I hope all of that means more to you than it does to me!

Next, my CPU will not run memtest on anything, as it just goes to the blue error screen, so no hope for that one!

I suspect my RAM is junk. I am not sure if it is my RAM that gave out, but if it is, I will replace it with the CHEAPEST non-generic 512 RAM I can find. Any ideas?

My main problem is that I am so low on $$$ right now, that there is NO option for a whizzbang AGP card! I am looking for the CHEAPEST possible method of playing avi, mpegs, DVDs, BURNING DVDs to avis or other DVDs, and THAT IS IT! I don’t play ANY games to speak of, so I really think I shouldn’t need any “whizzbang” card. Can you tell me any reason you think I’d be better off with a “whizzbang” card? Is it necessary? Also, what are my CHEAPEST options for decent video?

Thanks,

Rainstorm

MD_Willington

Did you try to run memtest in windows? You need to put memtest on a floppy or cd and run it, it runs outside windows.

Your power supply is good, plenty of current where it counts.

I have 3 ECS/PCHips boards, they all work well with crucial ram, this stuff:
http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartsp...SPN=CT3264Z335

Each stick is ~$40 USD.

ECS boards do not work well with generic ram.

MD

Rainstorm

Thanks!