Video Issue

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 01:25 PM

Hi there, bought a gaming PC little over a year ago, and I'm starting to have issues with it. 2 big issues at once even, my computer screen died (which I replaced), then this weird issue.

Whenever I watch videos in any internet browser in fullscreen, this happens:

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5865/fullscreen.jpg

When it happens is random, It can happen after 2 mins, 40 mins, 2 hours etc.. But it usually always happen before the clip I'm watching is done.

I find this especially weird since this is a very strong computer and I can run extremely high demanding games like Age of Conan on full settings in DX10 and I get 80-120 FPS and no video glitches or crashes or anything, but my computer go ape when I do something as simple as watching videos in fullscreen...

I can exit fullscreen and watch the rest of the video ok, but if I re-enter fullscreen after this happens the computer locks up, and when I change to another window I get really weird colours, and some times it bums out completely and I get the "No signal" sign on the screen.

Anyone know what this might be?

Soon-to-be-dead graphics card? Ruined GPU outlet? PSU issues? Screwed motherboard? Memory leak? Overheating? Theres so many things I think could cause it but I can't afford to change out everything... So if anyone have an more accurate guess please tell me.

Things I've tried: Reinstalling flash players etc.. Tried different internet browser. Tried watching things in fullscreen in media players, so far this problem have not occured. Changing graphics drivers. Changing motherboard drivers. Updating Vista. Reinstalling video drivers.

I have not done anything to the computer, like clocking the CPU or GPU, not changed things in BIOS or anything.

Side note: Could this be the cause of a PC virus? Because I got one some months ago and I had to wipe the entire HD and reinstall everything. If so, what did it ruin?

Spec:

ASUS P5N-D, nForce-750i SLI
Corsair Powersupply 750W
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz
Gainward GeForce 9800GTX 512MB
Corsair TWIN2X PC6400 DDR2 4GB

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 03:30 PM

Odd. Let's narrow it down a bit. Download GPU-Z: http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/ and monitor your GPU temps on the desktop and during games so we can know if it's overheating. If you have any other graphics cards lying around, or if you can borrow one from another computer, try it with that and see if that fixes the problem. Alternately, borrow a power supply, or try putting your graphics card into someone else's computer.

It almost certainly isn't a virus, don't worry about that. ;)

Let's see what results those things give you.

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:04 PM

Hi, thanks for replying.

I tried measuring the temperature and it doesn't seem like its overheating, when the problem occured the hardwares temperature was only 1-5 degrees warmer than when at desktop running no programs. So I guess thats excluded.

I Guess I can get a hold of my brother and borrow his GPU, I don't think the one from my old PC fits in my MB.

And with the PSU, I thought maybe I could test it live before I physicly test it? I downloaded SpeedFan wich tells PSU currents and this is the readings I get from it:

Vcore1: 1,15V
Vcore2: 3,25V
+3.3V: 0,00V
+5V: 5,05V
+12V: 11,97V

Can anyone tell if the PSU is functioning normal by looking at these number? I don't know if its even possible, I'm just hoping it is because my tower is a pretty tight fit, so getting the PSU out might be quite a hassle. I also don't know if my old PSU would fit with this PC.

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 04:09 PM

What are the absolute temperatures? We shouldn't see it going over 70C.

Your +3.3V rail should NOT be running at 0V. Also, two VCores? You should only have one VCore, which for an E8400 should be between 1.1 and 1.4V. That makes me lean towards it being the PSU, but SpeedFan is infamous for giving wacky voltage information. To confirm that number go into your BIOS and find the hardware monitoring section, record the voltages there, it's more accurate.

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:10 PM

Figured I might tell my temperature measurements aswell seeing I don't quite know whats normal.

GPU: 57C
Temp1: 45
Temp2: 43
Temp3: 22
Core 0: 44
Core 1: 53

This is in idle mode, and as said when the problem occured the temperatures where only around 1-5C higher than those readings. But is that too high nontheless?

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:11 PM

Well, I don't know what VCores is, my CPU is Duo Core, if thats it?

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 04:12 PM

Those temperatures for your graphics card are fine, but your CPU cores should not be running at that much of a temperature difference. In my case they're usually within 1-3C of each other. Do alt+ctrl+del, select task manager, and go into the hardware monitoring tab, is one of the CPU cores showing more activity than the other?

This is really weird...

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 04:14 PM

VCore is the voltage for the power running to your CPU. You usually have just one VCore reading, even for dual and quad core CPUs. The VCore on an E8400 should be between 1.1V and 1.4V, just a single reading. Instead you've got one reading showing 1.15V (normal) and an extra reading showing 3.25V (***?). Find those voltages in your BIOS and record them here.

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:23 PM

Tried going into the hardware monitoring lab but I don't know how to see the result seperately, it just show as if there 1 CPU.

I'm going to boot the PC now and check the BIOS.

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 04:25 PM

The tab should be marked "performance", sorry.

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:33 PM

Ok I'm back now, typed down what the BIOS said:

Vcore: 1,18V (only showed 1 core in BIOS)
+3.3V: 3,24V
+5V: 5,05V
+12V: 12,03V

CPU Temp: 53C
MB Temp: 42C
(Didn't say anything about GPU)

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:42 PM

http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1365/pc1c.jpg

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 04:48 PM

Ok, so the voltage nonsense was just SpeedFan being screwy, those readings are all within acceptable limits.

Your CPU temperature is still a little high for idle, though. Ideally your CPU idle temperature should be between 25 and 45C, the lower the better, and your load temperatures should not exceed 70C. My CPU, which is overclocked but has a high-end cooler, idles at 30C and hits 56C during Prime95 (stress test program).

Are you using the stock CPU cooler? Did you properly apply the thermal grease?

EDIT: The stuff in that picture looks good too. By the way, Denmark, Sweden, or Norway? Or somewhere else? Can't tell since I can only barely read basic Danish, but those are my guesses.

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 04:58 PM

Its Norwegian yeah :P

"Are you using the stock CPU cooler? Did you properly apply the thermal grease?"

I ordered my PC through a Norwegian site where you pick between parts that pros say fit together, then pros put the parts together and send you the PC, so I would assume the installment of the CPU was done properly.

But do you think the temperature is what causes these problems? Keep in mind it only happen in internet browsers and never during endless hours of playing high demanding games, wich is the part that seem weirdest to me.. 0.o

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 05:18 PM

I know, it's really weird.

Looking at that picture some more, what were you doing before taking the pic? Gaming, web browsing, what? The CPU load is really spikey. If you were switching between several things that would make sense, but if you were just sitting at the desktop or web browsing then that's bizarre.

I would try reapplying the thermal paste anyway, those places often have a lot of orders and have to do things quick. You can get a tube of Arctic Silver 5 for about US$8, try reapplying the paste.

To do that:
1.) shut down computer, turn off power supply, and unplug everything from it.
2.) find CPU fan, will probably look like this: http://www.inmax.ca/images/accessori...el_775_fan.jpg or something like that, maybe square. If instead there's a large copper contraption with a fan, it's the same thing.
3.) Remove the heatsink by unplugging the wire leading from it to the motherboard, unscrewing it (some aftermarket ones may snap in, same idea) and carefully lift it out.
4.) Undo the CPU locking lever (should be a thin bar of metal next to CPU itself) and and lift up the metal cap
5.) Carefully lift the CPU out by its corners and place on a hard, dry surface. When handling the CPU only do so by its edges and corners, don't touch the copper contacts on the bottom
6.) Take some 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a lint free rag (coffee filters will do), wet the rag/filter with the alky and carefully wipe away all the old thermal grease from the top, flat surface of the CPU. It may take several applications of filter+alky. Do the same for the contact surface of the heatsink.
7.) Let the CPU sit for a minute or two to let any remaining isopropyl alcohol evaporate, then set the CPU in the socket again, with the corner with a golden triangle on it pointed toward the hinge of the locking lever
8.) Close the metal cap and snap the locking lever in place.
9.) Take the tube of Arctic Silver 5 and apply it to the CPU's surface like so:
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/10937/1182913919.jpg
10.) Take the heatsink and gently but firmly press it flush against the CPU's face, then screw/snap it into place, and reattach the fan control wire to the motherboard.
11.) Done.

OR

Take it to a computer repair shop and have them do it. ;) Your call.

If THAT doesn't fix it, I'd be worried about your CPU being damaged. To install a new CPU, basically do exactly what I described above only installing the new CPU instead of putting back in the old one.

Spiffi87 · 08-03-2009, 05:31 PM

Wasnt doing anything when I took the picture I think, just had the browser and speedfan open.

Hmmm, I think maybe my brother has some Arctic Silver, so I can try to do it tomorrow morning when the PC have been off for some hours.

Thanks for your replies, I'll report back when I get further info.

Phædrus2401 · 08-03-2009, 05:36 PM

Sure thing. One other idea you might want to try, try using another operating system. It's unlikely, but there's a chance this may be a software issue. Download Ubuntu 9.04 here: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and burn it to a CD, then reboot the computer with the CD in the tray. Select your language and stuff and choose "try Ubuntu without any changes to your computer". Screw around with it for a while then try to watch a video. If it still crashes it's definitely something with your hardware. If it doesn't crash then it may be a Windows problem, or at most something wrong with your hard drive.

**grimx133** · 08-03-2009, 08:16 PM

I think that you're on the right track there Phaedrus.

Those temps from the bios are quite high, the E8400 is a cool running cpu, 53C at idle is much higher than it should be. It would be a nice stress temp with 100% cpu load, but not in the bios. The paste is a good place to start, make sure the mounting of the heatsink is rock solid, the should be no movement at all.

Speedfan is notoriously inaccurate (IMHO) and I rarely use it. Sometimes it seems ok, but not often enough. Normally, I find realtemp or coretemp to be much better.
Real Temp - http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/
Core Temp - http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/

I use realtemp and then adjust the settings so that the idle temp closely matches the bios result. Of course, I can't do that with the E8500, it has stuck sensors so I can't get low temps, but the high work, and that's the ones that count.

Spiffi87 · 08-04-2009, 09:13 AM

Well, I replaced the thermal paste today and it seem to have no effect, still 53C idle.

Tried to install Ubuntu yesterday but it just seemed to stop midway into the installment, so I guess I'll try that again today.

I really hope it's not an hardware issue that I can't fix myself, the place where I bought it is so swamped with repairs atm. it took over a month for me to get my screen back, don't want to wait another month for a CPU or whatever... And I can't afford to take it outside of the warranty atm. >,<

Sigh o' sigh, I payed almost 2500 dollars for this PC and there seem to constantly be something wrong with it... Just like my car..

08-03-2009, 01:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Video Issue Hi there, bought a gaming PC little over a year ago, and I'm starting to have issues with it. 2 big issues at once even, my computer screen died (which I replaced), then this weird issue. Whenever I watch videos in any internet browser in fullscreen, this happens: http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/5865/fullscreen.jpg When it happens is random, It can happen after 2 mins, 40 mins, 2 hours etc.. But it usually always happen before the clip I'm watching is done. I find this especially weird since this is a very strong computer and I can run extremely high demanding games like Age of Conan on full settings in DX10 and I get 80-120 FPS and no video glitches or crashes or anything, but my computer go ape when I do something as simple as watching videos in fullscreen... I can exit fullscreen and watch the rest of the video ok, but if I re-enter fullscreen after this happens the computer locks up, and when I change to another window I get really weird colours, and some times it bums out completely and I get the "No signal" sign on the screen. Anyone know what this might be? Soon-to-be-dead graphics card? Ruined GPU outlet? PSU issues? Screwed motherboard? Memory leak? Overheating? Theres so many things I think could cause it but I can't afford to change out everything... So if anyone have an more accurate guess please tell me. Things I've tried: Reinstalling flash players etc.. Tried different internet browser. Tried watching things in fullscreen in media players, so far this problem have not occured. Changing graphics drivers. Changing motherboard drivers. Updating Vista. Reinstalling video drivers. I have not done anything to the computer, like clocking the CPU or GPU, not changed things in BIOS or anything. Side note: Could this be the cause of a PC virus? Because I got one some months ago and I had to wipe the entire HD and reinstall everything. If so, what did it ruin? Spec: ASUS P5N-D, nForce-750i SLI Corsair Powersupply 750W Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz Gainward GeForce 9800GTX 512MB Corsair TWIN2X PC6400 DDR2 4GB

08-03-2009, 03:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue Odd. Let's narrow it down a bit. Download GPU-Z: http://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/ and monitor your GPU temps on the desktop and during games so we can know if it's overheating. If you have any other graphics cards lying around, or if you can borrow one from another computer, try it with that and see if that fixes the problem. Alternately, borrow a power supply, or try putting your graphics card into someone else's computer. It almost certainly isn't a virus, don't worry about that. ;) Let's see what results those things give you. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 04:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Hi, thanks for replying. I tried measuring the temperature and it doesn't seem like its overheating, when the problem occured the hardwares temperature was only 1-5 degrees warmer than when at desktop running no programs. So I guess thats excluded. I Guess I can get a hold of my brother and borrow his GPU, I don't think the one from my old PC fits in my MB. And with the PSU, I thought maybe I could test it live before I physicly test it? I downloaded SpeedFan wich tells PSU currents and this is the readings I get from it: Vcore1: 1,15V Vcore2: 3,25V +3.3V: 0,00V +5V: 5,05V +12V: 11,97V Can anyone tell if the PSU is functioning normal by looking at these number? I don't know if its even possible, I'm just hoping it is because my tower is a pretty tight fit, so getting the PSU out might be quite a hassle. I also don't know if my old PSU would fit with this PC.

08-03-2009, 04:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue What are the absolute temperatures? We shouldn't see it going over 70C. Your +3.3V rail should NOT be running at 0V. Also, two VCores? You should only have one VCore, which for an E8400 should be between 1.1 and 1.4V. That makes me lean towards it being the PSU, but SpeedFan is infamous for giving wacky voltage information. To confirm that number go into your BIOS and find the hardware monitoring section, record the voltages there, it's more accurate. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 04:10 PM	#5 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Figured I might tell my temperature measurements aswell seeing I don't quite know whats normal. GPU: 57C Temp1: 45 Temp2: 43 Temp3: 22 Core 0: 44 Core 1: 53 This is in idle mode, and as said when the problem occured the temperatures where only around 1-5C higher than those readings. But is that too high nontheless?

08-03-2009, 04:11 PM	#6 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Well, I don't know what VCores is, my CPU is Duo Core, if thats it?

08-03-2009, 04:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue Those temperatures for your graphics card are fine, but your CPU cores should not be running at that much of a temperature difference. In my case they're usually within 1-3C of each other. Do alt+ctrl+del, select task manager, and go into the hardware monitoring tab, is one of the CPU cores showing more activity than the other? This is really weird... __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 04:14 PM	#8 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue VCore is the voltage for the power running to your CPU. You usually have just one VCore reading, even for dual and quad core CPUs. The VCore on an E8400 should be between 1.1V and 1.4V, just a single reading. Instead you've got one reading showing 1.15V (normal) and an extra reading showing 3.25V (***?). Find those voltages in your BIOS and record them here. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 04:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Tried going into the hardware monitoring lab but I don't know how to see the result seperately, it just show as if there 1 CPU. I'm going to boot the PC now and check the BIOS.

08-03-2009, 04:25 PM	#10 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue The tab should be marked "performance", sorry. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 04:33 PM	#11 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Ok I'm back now, typed down what the BIOS said: Vcore: 1,18V (only showed 1 core in BIOS) +3.3V: 3,24V +5V: 5,05V +12V: 12,03V CPU Temp: 53C MB Temp: 42C (Didn't say anything about GPU)

08-03-2009, 04:42 PM	#12 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1365/pc1c.jpg

08-03-2009, 04:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue Ok, so the voltage nonsense was just SpeedFan being screwy, those readings are all within acceptable limits. Your CPU temperature is still a little high for idle, though. Ideally your CPU idle temperature should be between 25 and 45C, the lower the better, and your load temperatures should not exceed 70C. My CPU, which is overclocked but has a high-end cooler, idles at 30C and hits 56C during Prime95 (stress test program). Are you using the stock CPU cooler? Did you properly apply the thermal grease? EDIT: The stuff in that picture looks good too. By the way, Denmark, Sweden, or Norway? Or somewhere else? Can't tell since I can only barely read basic Danish, but those are my guesses. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for. Last edited by Phædrus2401; 08-03-2009 at 04:51 PM.

08-03-2009, 04:58 PM	#14 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Its Norwegian yeah :P "Are you using the stock CPU cooler? Did you properly apply the thermal grease?" I ordered my PC through a Norwegian site where you pick between parts that pros say fit together, then pros put the parts together and send you the PC, so I would assume the installment of the CPU was done properly. But do you think the temperature is what causes these problems? Keep in mind it only happen in internet browsers and never during endless hours of playing high demanding games, wich is the part that seem weirdest to me.. 0.o

08-03-2009, 05:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue I know, it's really weird. Looking at that picture some more, what were you doing before taking the pic? Gaming, web browsing, what? The CPU load is really spikey. If you were switching between several things that would make sense, but if you were just sitting at the desktop or web browsing then that's bizarre. I would try reapplying the thermal paste anyway, those places often have a lot of orders and have to do things quick. You can get a tube of Arctic Silver 5 for about US$8, try reapplying the paste. To do that: 1.) shut down computer, turn off power supply, and unplug everything from it. 2.) find CPU fan, will probably look like this: http://www.inmax.ca/images/accessori...el_775_fan.jpg or something like that, maybe square. If instead there's a large copper contraption with a fan, it's the same thing. 3.) Remove the heatsink by unplugging the wire leading from it to the motherboard, unscrewing it (some aftermarket ones may snap in, same idea) and carefully lift it out. 4.) Undo the CPU locking lever (should be a thin bar of metal next to CPU itself) and and lift up the metal cap 5.) Carefully lift the CPU out by its corners and place on a hard, dry surface. When handling the CPU only do so by its edges and corners, don't touch the copper contacts on the bottom 6.) Take some 90%+ isopropyl alcohol and a lint free rag (coffee filters will do), wet the rag/filter with the alky and carefully wipe away all the old thermal grease from the top, flat surface of the CPU. It may take several applications of filter+alky. Do the same for the contact surface of the heatsink. 7.) Let the CPU sit for a minute or two to let any remaining isopropyl alcohol evaporate, then set the CPU in the socket again, with the corner with a golden triangle on it pointed toward the hinge of the locking lever 8.) Close the metal cap and snap the locking lever in place. 9.) Take the tube of Arctic Silver 5 and apply it to the CPU's surface like so: http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/10937/1182913919.jpg 10.) Take the heatsink and gently but firmly press it flush against the CPU's face, then screw/snap it into place, and reattach the fan control wire to the motherboard. 11.) Done. OR Take it to a computer repair shop and have them do it. ;) Your call. If THAT doesn't fix it, I'd be worried about your CPU being damaged. To install a new CPU, basically do exactly what I described above only installing the new CPU instead of putting back in the old one. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 05:31 PM	#16 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Wasnt doing anything when I took the picture I think, just had the browser and speedfan open. Hmmm, I think maybe my brother has some Arctic Silver, so I can try to do it tomorrow morning when the PC have been off for some hours. Thanks for your replies, I'll report back when I get further info.

08-03-2009, 05:36 PM	#17 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,837 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: Video Issue Sure thing. One other idea you might want to try, try using another operating system. It's unlikely, but there's a chance this may be a software issue. Download Ubuntu 9.04 here: http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download and burn it to a CD, then reboot the computer with the CD in the tray. Select your language and stuff and choose "try Ubuntu without any changes to your computer". Screw around with it for a while then try to watch a video. If it still crashes it's definitely something with your hardware. If it doesn't crash then it may be a Windows problem, or at most something wrong with your hard drive. __________________ Good PSU brands: Corsair, SeaSonic, CWT, PC Power and Cooling, Thermaltake Toughpower, CoolerMaster Real Power Pro On 80+ Certification - PSU Information and Selection - Power Supply Myths You don't get what you don't pay for.

08-03-2009, 08:16 PM	#18 (permalink)
grimx133 Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 3,153 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2, windows 7 beta My System	Re: Video Issue I think that you're on the right track there Phaedrus. Those temps from the bios are quite high, the E8400 is a cool running cpu, 53C at idle is much higher than it should be. It would be a nice stress temp with 100% cpu load, but not in the bios. The paste is a good place to start, make sure the mounting of the heatsink is rock solid, the should be no movement at all. Speedfan is notoriously inaccurate (IMHO) and I rarely use it. Sometimes it seems ok, but not often enough. Normally, I find realtemp or coretemp to be much better. Real Temp - http://www.techpowerup.com/realtemp/ Core Temp - http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/ I use realtemp and then adjust the settings so that the idle temp closely matches the bios result. Of course, I can't do that with the E8500, it has stuck sensors so I can't get low temps, but the high work, and that's the ones that count. __________________

08-04-2009, 09:13 AM	#19 (permalink)
Spiffi87 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 10 OS: Vista	Re: Video Issue Well, I replaced the thermal paste today and it seem to have no effect, still 53C idle. Tried to install Ubuntu yesterday but it just seemed to stop midway into the installment, so I guess I'll try that again today. I really hope it's not an hardware issue that I can't fix myself, the place where I bought it is so swamped with repairs atm. it took over a month for me to get my screen back, don't want to wait another month for a CPU or whatever... And I can't afford to take it outside of the warranty atm. >,< Sigh o' sigh, I payed almost 2500 dollars for this PC and there seem to constantly be something wrong with it... Just like my car..