[Caesar]

I'm not exactly sure where this thread belongs, since I'm not exactly sure what's wrong. I have had serious computer problems for about a month now. I have tried to fix it, but so far, I have falied.

The problem:
Anytime I try to load graphic-intense system-intense programs, it either freezes or gives me an error.

I noticed it about a week after I installed my new video card (GeForce 4 TI 4200). My computer started to slow down in everything it did. I would lag in games that I shouldn't, programs like windows media player 9 would freeze (but the music would still play normally). 3D mark froze. It usually fixed itself after a few seconds. It slowly got worse. I couldn't run 3d mark anymore. It got to the point where I couldn't even run Age of Empires (yea, the original one). It would freeze. I reformatted several times with fresh copies of XP. I even tried a friends copy. I went on vaccation for a week and my brother worked on my computer some. He nor I know what he did, but for some reason, it's partially working now. I can get into games like SOF 2, at least for a few minutes.

After I play games for a minute or two, the screen either freezes or I get a VC++ runtime error (attached).

I know it's not a video card problem, I've tried two different cards.
I don't think its an HD problem, I ran full WD test.
Not sound problem, I've tried 2 cards.
Not memory problems, I've tried 2 chips in different slots.
I've checked all of the connections.

System Specs:
Windows XP SP1
Motherboard: link
Athlon XP 1800+
512MB pc2100 ddr
sound blaster live!
Chaintech GeForce 4 ti 4200

All updated drivers (i've even tried old video drivers, but they didn't fix it). I've tried directx 8, 9.0a, and 9.0b.

Any help would be very much appreciated.

 

[x5dr]

are you overclocking....set to default

check for spyware with www.lavasoftusa.com

check for virus at http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/

scandisk and defrag

disable programs running in the background

delete video driver with this (both nvidia and ati) and install latest driver from www.guru3d.com

 

[Caesar]

I'm not overclocking

I've reformmated several times with two different copies of XP, so it's not spyware or virii.

I've reformatted recently, so no reason to defrag.

I ran Western Digital disk scan, it's better than windows. It didn't find any errors.

I've tried right after a fresh install of XP, so nothing was running in the background.

I'll try new drivers, but I just installed some after the reformat.


Any other ideas?

 

[SymonPhoenix]

Temperature?

What's your system and CPU temperature looking like? Often times that sort of thing ties into a fan dying in your system. I just went through that with my own computer.

Oh, and had Soldier of Fortune II been working for you before? I've yet to get it running on my computer. =P

 

[Caesar]

Yea, i've had SOF2 before. I've had a similar problem before, with a single white pixle in the top left corner. It was a heat problem then. Then I got a new fan. Temps are fine now, like they were when it was still working. All of my fans are still working at normal speed. I still don't know whats wrong, maybe power supply? I did just get a new video card. I don't want to buy a power supply just to find that it doesn't fix anything.

Any ideas?

 

[Caesar]

Hmmm...

Occasionally I get OpenGL errors from SOF2. My video card isn't the problem, since I've tried 2 others. It says windows recovered from a crash, and SOF2 gives me the opeGL error. Could that be a problem with the power supply? Like the vid card stops working for a sec due to loss of power?

 

[x5dr]

are the tweaks maxxed out on the card?...try no antialiasing, etc. just to see if it works.

go to Run and type dxdiag to see if it is working correctly.

I've used Rivatuner for setting mine up...here are some tips...(check the bios settings too)

http://www.sharkyextreme.com/guides/hwGuides/article.php/1463741

what do you use to check your temps?

 

[Caesar]

I have it set to let software decide anti-aliasing, etc. I have tried them off, also with acceleration down. Still didn't work. I ran dxdiag, it says everything is fine. The tests wont work, though. It said I should see a box and some other stuff, but I see nothing. DirectDraw and Direct3D tests failed. What's strange is that I know it's not a vid card problem.

I use BIOS to check temps. They are where they were at when it was working.

Any ideas?

 

[x5dr]

I ran dxdiag, it says everything is fine. The tests wont work, though. It said I should see a box and some other stuff, but I see nothing. DirectDraw and Direct3D tests failed.

I'm confused. How can it be fine if the tests failed? I would try to reinstall it...or update to 9.b...make a restore point.

what driver are you using?

 

[Caesar]

First off...
I have reformatted several times, so it's not driver problems. I have tried both new and old drivers, and new and old versions of direct x, including 9.0b.

In the DirectX files tab and Display tab, it says: "No problems found", however, the tests don't work. I am currently using Direct X 9.0b and the latest NVidia drivers.

Any ideas?

 

[x5dr]

If installed Drivers over drivers that might cause problems.

you might try deleting all video drivers first....I use this and then install the latest nvidia driver.

 

[Caesar]

Yea, I use that too. What is strange is that it just started messing up one day, i hadn't installed new drivers for at least a month. I don't think it's a problem with the drivers.

I think it's either a motherboard or power supply issue, and I'm leaning towards power supply. What do you think?

 

[x5dr]

I've reformmated several times with two different copies of XP, so it's not spyware or virii.

did you check the sites I posted?...just to make sure? I get at least 5 spyware bugs an hour.

Could be your powersupply but there is no way to check except to replace it. I can't think of anything else other than the things I've posted.

 

[Caesar]

I use S&D, it's definitions are updated more than Adaware. I also use Norton Internet Security, which include Norton Antivirus and Norton personal firewall. I always keep all definitions up to date. I think that I'm going to get a new power supply. If it doesn't work, I can always send it back.

 

[x5dr]

did you try uninstalling/reinstalling SOF?

do you have AOL

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316512

 

[Caesar]

Like I said, I've reformatted many times before, and each time I installed SOF2. I don't use AOL, so that's not the problem. I'm getting a new power supply this weekend; we'll see if that helps.

Thanks for your input,
Nathan

 

[eob8983]

Do you have a via chipset on your motherboard? If so try installing the VIA 4 in 1 driver...(altough I think it have a new name now...) on www.viaarena.com

 

[Caesar]

I do, but updating the drivers didn't seem to help.

 

[Caesar]

I replaced the power supply with a new 350 watt allied power supply. It still isn't working. I'm thinking it might be the motherboard, any ideas?