Hi all,
I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of winxp and
it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a HD
wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and reboots. You
can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and Flight
Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and watch
any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts when
you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to games
either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the internet. It
seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control or
something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly" kind
of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all why
this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia mobo
and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a year
and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting there
is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video, but if
so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Jim
jimlud@sbcglobal.net

"Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com:

> Hi all,
> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
> winxp and it's still doing the same thing it was doing which
> caused me to do a HD wipe. Every time he plays a game, the
> computer shuts down and reboots. You can load a game (the ones
> I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and Flight Simulator), go
> through all the initial setup, choose your options, and watch any
> cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
> when you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes
> blank and it reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This
> is not limited to games either. I have had the machine do the
> same thing while on the internet. It seems like it was doing that
> when I would download an Active X control or something like that.
> Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly" kind of downloads
> that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all why this
> computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an
> nVidia mobo and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He
> built it about a year and a half ago and it has never worked
> right. I am kind of suspecting there is a conflict between the
> video card and the onboard built in video, but if so, I don't know
> how to resolve this. Any help is greatly appreciated. Jim
> jimlud@sbcglobal.net

Have you gone to the nVidia site and downloaded the latest drivers for
your video card? The latest driver package is dated Sep 27, 2007 and
the major change incorporated was to make it compatible with several
games.

<http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_163.71.html>

If you suspect an conflict with the internal video, then boot into the
BIOS and check the settings. You might be able to disable the internal
video from there.

HTH,
John

Jim,

Shut the machine down, open the box, using a static strap remove & re-seat the memory.
Normally memory causes it to always reboot.

--
Newbie Coder
(It's just a name)




"Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com...
> Hi all,
> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of winxp and
> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a HD
> wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and reboots. You
> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and Flight
> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and watch
> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts when
> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
> reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to games
> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the internet. It
> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control or
> something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly" kind
> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all why
> this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia mobo
> and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a year
> and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting there
> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video, but if
> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly appreciated.
> Jim
> jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>
>

John,
I do have the most recent nvidia driver. As to the bios settings...I've
gotten in a couple of times and made some changes. When I saved and exited,
the machine rebooted and gave me a black screen and nothing more. I
actually ended up having to pull the battery and reseat it to get the bios
to reset to the defaults. I haven't figured that one out either!
Jim

"John Wunderlich" <jwunderlich@lycos.com> wrote in message
news:Xns99DB82A45F04Dwunderpsdrscray@138.126.254.2 10...
> "Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in
> news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com:
>
>> Hi all,
>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>> winxp and it's still doing the same thing it was doing which
>> caused me to do a HD wipe. Every time he plays a game, the
>> computer shuts down and reboots. You can load a game (the ones
>> I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and Flight Simulator), go
>> through all the initial setup, choose your options, and watch any
>> cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
>> when you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes
>> blank and it reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This
>> is not limited to games either. I have had the machine do the
>> same thing while on the internet. It seems like it was doing that
>> when I would download an Active X control or something like that.
>> Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly" kind of downloads
>> that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all why this
>> computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an
>> nVidia mobo and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He
>> built it about a year and a half ago and it has never worked
>> right. I am kind of suspecting there is a conflict between the
>> video card and the onboard built in video, but if so, I don't know
>> how to resolve this. Any help is greatly appreciated. Jim
>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>
> Have you gone to the nVidia site and downloaded the latest drivers for
> your video card? The latest driver package is dated Sep 27, 2007 and
> the major change incorporated was to make it compatible with several
> games.
>
> <http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_163.71.html>
>
> If you suspect an conflict with the internal video, then boot into the
> BIOS and check the settings. You might be able to disable the internal
> video from there.
>
> HTH,
> John

Newbie,
I'll give this a try. If it doesn't work, do you think I should get new ram
chips? Also, there are only 2 ram slots. Does it matter which slot the 512
mb chip sits in?
Jim

"Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message
news:eEsaXEMHIHA.3848@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Jim,
>
> Shut the machine down, open the box, using a static strap remove & re-seat
> the memory.
> Normally memory causes it to always reboot.
>
> --
> Newbie Coder
> (It's just a name)
>
>
>
>
> "Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com...
>> Hi all,
>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of winxp
>> and
>> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a HD
>> wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and reboots.
>> You
>> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
>> Flight
>> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and
>> watch
>> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
>> when
>> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
>> reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to
>> games
>> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the internet.
>> It
>> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control or
>> something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly"
>> kind
>> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all why
>> this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia mobo
>> and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a year
>> and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting
>> there
>> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video, but
>> if
>> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly appreciated.
>> Jim
>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>>
>>
>

Jim

What is the Stop Error message?

Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
Automatically Restart.

Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you have
solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants of the
Stop Error message.

An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.

If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Jim Ludwig wrote:
> Newbie,
> I'll give this a try. If it doesn't work, do you think I should get
> new ram chips? Also, there are only 2 ram slots. Does it matter
> which slot the 512 mb chip sits in?
> Jim
>
> "Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message
> news:eEsaXEMHIHA.3848@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> Jim,
>>
>> Shut the machine down, open the box, using a static strap remove &
>> re-seat the memory.
>> Normally memory causes it to always reboot.
>>
>> --
>> Newbie Coder
>> (It's just a name)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> "Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>> news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>> Hi all,
>>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>>> winxp and
>>> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do
>>> a HD wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
>>> reboots. You
>>> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
>>> Flight
>>> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options,
>>> and watch
>>> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay"
>>> starts when
>>> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and
>>> it reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not
>>> limited to games
>>> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
>>> internet. It
>>> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X
>>> control or something like that. Not really all downloads, just the
>>> "on the fly" kind
>>> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at
>>> all why this computer is so unstable? My brother built the
>>> computer with all various components. It is an AMD Sempron with
>>> 512 mb ram, an nVidia mobo and the video card is an nVidia geforce
>>> 3 6200. He built it about a year and a half ago and it has never
>>> worked right. I am kind of suspecting there
>>> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in
>>> video, but if
>>> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
>>> appreciated. Jim
>>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net

Gerry,

If the user's machine keeps rebooting because of RAM then you won't have a BSOD error
message.

--
Newbie Coder
(It's just a name)


"Gerry" <gerry@nospam.com> wrote in message news:e4ebc%23MHIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Jim
>
> What is the Stop Error message?
>
> Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
> allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
> the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
> Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
> Automatically Restart.
>
> Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you have
> solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants of the
> Stop Error message.
>
> An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
> option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.
>
> If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
> substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.
>
> --
>
>
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Gerry
> ~~~~
> FCA
> Stourport, England
> Enquire, plan and execute
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
>
> Jim Ludwig wrote:
> > Newbie,
> > I'll give this a try. If it doesn't work, do you think I should get
> > new ram chips? Also, there are only 2 ram slots. Does it matter
> > which slot the 512 mb chip sits in?
> > Jim
> >
> > "Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message
> > news:eEsaXEMHIHA.3848@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >> Jim,
> >>
> >> Shut the machine down, open the box, using a static strap remove &
> >> re-seat the memory.
> >> Normally memory causes it to always reboot.
> >>
> >> --
> >> Newbie Coder
> >> (It's just a name)
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> "Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
> >> news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com...
> >>> Hi all,
> >>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
> >>> winxp and
> >>> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do
> >>> a HD wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
> >>> reboots. You
> >>> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
> >>> Flight
> >>> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options,
> >>> and watch
> >>> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay"
> >>> starts when
> >>> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and
> >>> it reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not
> >>> limited to games
> >>> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
> >>> internet. It
> >>> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X
> >>> control or something like that. Not really all downloads, just the
> >>> "on the fly" kind
> >>> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at
> >>> all why this computer is so unstable? My brother built the
> >>> computer with all various components. It is an AMD Sempron with
> >>> 512 mb ram, an nVidia mobo and the video card is an nVidia geforce
> >>> 3 6200. He built it about a year and a half ago and it has never
> >>> worked right. I am kind of suspecting there
> >>> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in
> >>> video, but if
> >>> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
> >>> appreciated. Jim
> >>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>
>

I do not think what you say is correct.!


--
Regards.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Newbie Coder wrote:
> Gerry,
>
> If the user's machine keeps rebooting because of RAM then you won't
> have a BSOD error message.
>
>
> "Gerry" <gerry@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:e4ebc%23MHIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Jim
>>
>> What is the Stop Error message?
>>
>> Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
>> allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
>> the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
>> Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
>> Automatically Restart.
>>
>> Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you
>> have solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants
>> of the Stop Error message.
>>
>> An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and
>> select option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.
>>
>> If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
>> substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.
>>
>> --
>>
>>
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Gerry
>> ~~~~
>> FCA
>> Stourport, England
>> Enquire, plan and execute
>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>
>>
>> Jim Ludwig wrote:
>>> Newbie,
>>> I'll give this a try. If it doesn't work, do you think I should get
>>> new ram chips? Also, there are only 2 ram slots. Does it matter
>>> which slot the 512 mb chip sits in?
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> "Newbie Coder" <newbiecoder@spammeplease.com> wrote in message
>>> news:eEsaXEMHIHA.3848@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> Jim,
>>>>
>>>> Shut the machine down, open the box, using a static strap remove &
>>>> re-seat the memory.
>>>> Normally memory causes it to always reboot.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>> Newbie Coder
>>>> (It's just a name)
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Jim Ludwig" <jimlud@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:9QmWi.3786$Vx3.2021@nlpi069.nbdc.sbc.com...
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>>>>> winxp and
>>>>> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do
>>>>> a HD wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down
>>>>> and reboots. You
>>>>> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy,
>>>>> and Flight
>>>>> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options,
>>>>> and watch
>>>>> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay"
>>>>> starts when
>>>>> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and
>>>>> it reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not
>>>>> limited to games
>>>>> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
>>>>> internet. It
>>>>> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X
>>>>> control or something like that. Not really all downloads, just
>>>>> the "on the fly" kind
>>>>> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at
>>>>> all why this computer is so unstable? My brother built the
>>>>> computer with all various components. It is an AMD Sempron with
>>>>> 512 mb ram, an nVidia mobo and the video card is an nVidia geforce
>>>>> 3 6200. He built it about a year and a half ago and it has never
>>>>> worked right. I am kind of suspecting there
>>>>> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in
>>>>> video, but if
>>>>> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
>>>>> appreciated. Jim
>>>>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net

On Nov 1, 4:08 pm, "Jim Ludwig" <jim...@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> I'll give this a try. If it doesn't work, do you think I should get new ram
> chips? Also, there are only 2 ram slots. Does it matter which slot the 512
> mb chip sits in?

None of those replies will solve anything. For example, if
resetting memory causes any improvement, then the defect still
remains.

Your problem is why better computer manufacturers provide
comprehensive hardware diagnostics; to find problems before fixing
anything. Anything useful reported by the BSOD (in your case) would
be stored in system (event) logs. The OS detects problems, records
that problem, and works around the problem; so that you might fix it
later at your convenience. What does system logs report?

Reloading device drivers that were working just fine is another
technique by those who grasp at the only things they understand. Why
would good software suddenly go bad - and only during one program?

What causes a system to fail when more peripherals are consuming
more power? DC voltages. Even a defective power supply many months
ago would have booted a computer, but only sometimes create failures;
more often as the failure gets worse. If the computer boots, still
the power supply system could have always been defective. A defect
only made obvious a certain times such as during a game.

That's the background. Start solving by first identifying the
suspects. What do system (event) logs and maybe Device Manager
report?

Get a 3.5 digit multimeter. Exercise as many peripherals as
possible (multitask to sound card, complex video, floppy, internet, CD-
Rom, ... simultaneously). Then measure critical voltages on any one
of red, orange, purple, and yellow wires. Those numbers must exceed
3.23, 4.87, and 11.7 VDC. Those numbers are also posted here so that
the better informed can reply with something useful (no wild
speculation).

If the computer is not from a responsible source (did not provide
diagnostics), then download comprehensive hardware diagnostics from
each individual component manufacturers or third parties. Get and
execute diagnostics (that execute without complications from Windows)
for peripherals such as video controller, sound card, and memory.
Then heat that hardware as hot as a hairdryer can make them - and test
again.

Nothing says to fix anything yet. That would be shotgunning. First
the failure is identified so that the repair cures a problem - does
not cure symptoms. Ie. reseating memory would only be curing
symptoms. Those who actually know hardware would appreciate why.

If memory has failed, well, depending on the failed location, then
sometimes the system will crash OR sometimes an application only
fails. However the manufacturers memory test (or Memtst86) would find
a memory defect either at room temperature or when heated with a
hairdryer. If memory passes under both temperatures, then eliminate
memory from the list of suspects, move on, and "never look back".
Only useful actions result only in a 'definitively good' or
'definitively bad' answer - no speculation.

Anything can appear defective if those DC voltages are not first
taken. Numbers are useful only when all peripherals draw a maximum
load. No way around what the meter reports. Even motherboard voltage
monitor is insufficient. Get that meter. Get definitive answers from
numbers. Get further information by posting those numbers. Any
answer that is not definitive means nothing was accomplished. Above
is how to get only definitive answers - no speculation.

Jim Ludwig:
> Hi all,
> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
winxp and
> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a
HD
> wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
reboots. You
> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
Flight
> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and
watch
> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
when
> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it

> reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to
games
> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
internet. It
> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control
or
> something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly"
kind
> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all
why
> this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all

> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia
mobo
> and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a
year
> and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting
there
> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video,
but if
> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
appreciated.
> Jim
> jimlud@sbcglobal.net

I would check the ram. A bad stick can definately cause what you are
experiencing. Go into the machines bios setup and disable the onboard
video also. Good luck.

Is there any way to test the ram before I go out and buy a new chip?
Thanks,
Jim

"Jimmy Job" <nospam@invalid> wrote in message
news:OTkYUZaZUejGEn5inospam@invalid...
> Jim Ludwig:
>> Hi all,
>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
> winxp and
>> it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a
> HD
>> wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
> reboots. You
>> can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
> Flight
>> Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and
> watch
>> any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
> when
>> you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
>
>> reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to
> games
>> either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
> internet. It
>> seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control
> or
>> something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly"
> kind
>> of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all
> why
>> this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>
>> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia
> mobo
>> and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a
> year
>> and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting
> there
>> is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video,
> but if
>> so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
> appreciated.
>> Jim
>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>
> I would check the ram. A bad stick can definately cause what you are
> experiencing. Go into the machines bios setup and disable the onboard
> video also. Good luck.

Jim

If you have more than one chip remove one and observe for affect. Then
swap for another and observe for affect.

A more sophisticated approach is described in the link:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...ardware_Tshoot

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jim Ludwig wrote:
> Is there any way to test the ram before I go out and buy a new chip?
> Thanks,
> Jim
>
> "Jimmy Job" <nospam@invalid> wrote in message
> news:OTkYUZaZUejGEn5inospam@invalid...
>> Jim Ludwig:
>>> Hi all,
>>> I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>>> winxp and it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused
>>> me to do a HD wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts
>>> down and reboots. You can load a game (the ones I've tried are
>>> Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and Flight Simulator), go through all the
>>> initial setup, choose your options, and watch any cut scenes or
>>> videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts when you take
>>> control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
>>
>>> reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited
>>> to games either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on
>>> the internet. It seems like it was doing that when I would
>>> download an Active X control or something like that. Not really
>>> all downloads, just the "on the fly" kind of downloads that you
>>> install while you're browsing. Any idea at all why this computer
>>> is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>>
>>> various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an
>>> nVidia mobo and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He
>>> built it about a year and a half ago and it has never worked right.
>>> I am kind of suspecting there is a conflict between the video card
>>> and the onboard built in video, but if so, I don't know how to
>>> resolve this. Any help is greatly appreciated. Jim
>>> jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>>
>> I would check the ram. A bad stick can definately cause what you are
>> experiencing. Go into the machines bios setup and disable the onboard
>> video also. Good luck.

It does sound like a hardware problem but you should still try to
capture a BSOD if you can. Do as Gerry told you to do earlier on and
see if you can get a bugcheck error message on it. It takes mere
seconds to disable AutoReboot and it could yield important information.
When troubleshooting difficult problems make sure that you don't skip
over basic steps.

John

Jim Ludwig wrote:

> Is there any way to test the ram before I go out and buy a new chip?
> Thanks,
> Jim
>
> "Jimmy Job" <nospam@invalid> wrote in message
> news:OTkYUZaZUejGEn5inospam@invalid...
>
>>Jim Ludwig:
>>
>>>Hi all,
>>>I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>>
>>winxp and
>>
>>>it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a
>>
>>HD
>>
>>>wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
>>
>>reboots. You
>>
>>>can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
>>
>>Flight
>>
>>>Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and
>>
>>watch
>>
>>>any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
>>
>>when
>>
>>>you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
>>
>>>reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to
>>
>>games
>>
>>>either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
>>
>>internet. It
>>
>>>seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control
>>
>>or
>>
>>>something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly"
>>
>>kind
>>
>>>of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all
>>
>>why
>>
>>>this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>>
>>>various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia
>>
>>mobo
>>
>>>and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a
>>
>>year
>>
>>>and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting
>>
>>there
>>
>>>is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video,
>>
>>but if
>>
>>>so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
>>
>>appreciated.
>>
>>>Jim
>>>jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>>
>>I would check the ram. A bad stick can definately cause what you are
>>experiencing. Go into the machines bios setup and disable the onboard
>>video also. Good luck.
>
>
>

John,
What is BSOD and how will that help me? Also, how do I disable AutoReboot
and again, how does that help me? I'm guessing that some sort of log or
error message will show?
Thanks,
Jim

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:%234aNHJOIIHA.3636@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> It does sound like a hardware problem but you should still try to capture
> a BSOD if you can. Do as Gerry told you to do earlier on and see if you
> can get a bugcheck error message on it. It takes mere seconds to disable
> AutoReboot and it could yield important information. When troubleshooting
> difficult problems make sure that you don't skip over basic steps.
>
> John
>
> Jim Ludwig wrote:
>
>> Is there any way to test the ram before I go out and buy a new chip?
>> Thanks,
>> Jim
>>
>> "Jimmy Job" <nospam@invalid> wrote in message
>> news:OTkYUZaZUejGEn5inospam@invalid...
>>
>>>Jim Ludwig:
>>>
>>>>Hi all,
>>>>I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>>>
>>>winxp and
>>>
>>>>it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a
>>>
>>>HD
>>>
>>>>wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
>>>
>>>reboots. You
>>>
>>>>can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
>>>
>>>Flight
>>>
>>>>Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and
>>>
>>>watch
>>>
>>>>any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
>>>
>>>when
>>>
>>>>you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
>>>
>>>>reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to
>>>
>>>games
>>>
>>>>either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
>>>
>>>internet. It
>>>
>>>>seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control
>>>
>>>or
>>>
>>>>something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly"
>>>
>>>kind
>>>
>>>>of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all
>>>
>>>why
>>>
>>>>this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>>>
>>>>various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia
>>>
>>>mobo
>>>
>>>>and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a
>>>
>>>year
>>>
>>>>and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting
>>>
>>>there
>>>
>>>>is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video,
>>>
>>>but if
>>>
>>>>so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
>>>
>>>appreciated.
>>>
>>>>Jim
>>>>jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>>>
>>>I would check the ram. A bad stick can definately cause what you are
>>>experiencing. Go into the machines bios setup and disable the onboard
>>>video also. Good luck.
>>
>>

A BSOD is a "Blue Screen of Death", aka Bugcheck error message. If the
crash generates a BSOD the information in the message may point to the
problem. Gerry already explained how to enable it in one of his earlier
post, copied and pasted here:

[quote]

Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
Automatically Restart.

Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you have
solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants of the
Stop Error message.

[end quote]

If the reboot is caused by bad RAM or a flaky power supply you may not
get a BSOD at all, but you should still see if the system generates one.
Also look in the Event Viewer to see if anything is logged at the time
of the crash.

John

Jim Ludwig wrote:

> John,
> What is BSOD and how will that help me? Also, how do I disable AutoReboot
> and again, how does that help me? I'm guessing that some sort of log or
> error message will show?
> Thanks,
> Jim
>
> "John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
> news:%234aNHJOIIHA.3636@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>
>>It does sound like a hardware problem but you should still try to capture
>>a BSOD if you can. Do as Gerry told you to do earlier on and see if you
>>can get a bugcheck error message on it. It takes mere seconds to disable
>>AutoReboot and it could yield important information. When troubleshooting
>>difficult problems make sure that you don't skip over basic steps.
>>
>>John
>>
>>Jim Ludwig wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Is there any way to test the ram before I go out and buy a new chip?
>>>Thanks,
>>>Jim
>>>
>>>"Jimmy Job" <nospam@invalid> wrote in message
>>>news:OTkYUZaZUejGEn5inospam@invalid...
>>>
>>>
>>>>Jim Ludwig:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Hi all,
>>>>>I'm having trouble with dad's computer. I did a clean install of
>>>>
>>>>winxp and
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>it's still doing the same thing it was doing which caused me to do a
>>>>
>>>>HD
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>wipe. Every time he plays a game, the computer shuts down and
>>>>
>>>>reboots. You
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>can load a game (the ones I've tried are Tron 2.0, Jedi Academy, and
>>>>
>>>>Flight
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Simulator), go through all the initial setup, choose your options, and
>>>>
>>>>watch
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>any cut scenes or videos. However, when the actual "gameplay" starts
>>>>
>>>>when
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>you take control of your character/ship, the screen goes blank and it
>>>>
>>>>>reboots, just as if you hit the reset button. This is not limited to
>>>>
>>>>games
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>either. I have had the machine do the same thing while on the
>>>>
>>>>internet. It
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>seems like it was doing that when I would download an Active X control
>>>>
>>>>or
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>something like that. Not really all downloads, just the "on the fly"
>>>>
>>>>kind
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>of downloads that you install while you're browsing. Any idea at all
>>>>
>>>>why
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>this computer is so unstable? My brother built the computer with all
>>>>
>>>>>various components. It is an AMD Sempron with 512 mb ram, an nVidia
>>>>
>>>>mobo
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>and the video card is an nVidia geforce 3 6200. He built it about a
>>>>
>>>>year
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>and a half ago and it has never worked right. I am kind of suspecting
>>>>
>>>>there
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>is a conflict between the video card and the onboard built in video,
>>>>
>>>>but if
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>so, I don't know how to resolve this. Any help is greatly
>>>>
>>>>appreciated.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>Jim
>>>>>jimlud@sbcglobal.net
>>>>
>>>>I would check the ram. A bad stick can definately cause what you are
>>>>experiencing. Go into the machines bios setup and disable the onboard
>>>>video also. Good luck.
>>>
>>>
>