Pit_Viper_VF1J

Hi, I'm really having some troubles with the video card in my computer and it is starting to get aggravating.

It runs fine most of the time but crashes out severely in games like Quake 2, and Unreal tournament. The program starts, then the video hangs, and the sound repeats over and over again. Then the machine just locks up afterwards.

I have installed the lastest drivers from Nvidia and I'm currently up to date with Windows. In case anyone is wondering here are my system specs.

Windows XP Professional
900 mhz Athlon
512 mb ram

the card is a
Nvidia GeForce 2 MX/MMX 400 (64 MB of ram)

I've tried re-installing DirectX 9 to see if that worked but it didn't, so I downgraded to DirectX 8.1. Any help would be appreciated

gorked

Did you try to overclock the card?
Is the fan on the video card working?
Did this just happen or has it been going on for awhile?

Btw, whats you sound card?

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Pit_Viper_VF1J

I have not overclocked the video card, I haven't checked to see if the fan is working, next time I have a chance I'll take it apart.

It started acting up about a month ago. I can can play doom for 2 hours, watch two DVDs in a row, and it would be fine. I run Freedom Forces and it crashes in under 10 seconds.

For a sound card I am using a Creative Labs MP3 Audigy

Now that you mention the fan, it might be over heating I'll check on it now.

Edit: Just checked, the video card fan is working fine.

mot19

cpu overheating? also get the latest drivers for your osund card and motherboard

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Pit_Viper_VF1J

I've just upgraded the sound and motherboard a few minutes ago. Doesn;t seem to fix much. How could I check to see if the cpu is over heating?

mot19

this isnt the best idea but feel the cpu heatsink if you dont have a motherboard health program that tells u the temps. If it feels VERY hot then be conserned.

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gorked

Quote: Originally posted by mot19 this isnt the best idea but feel the cpu heatsink if you dont have a motherboard health program that tells u the temps. If it feels VERY hot then be conserned.

DO NOT DO THAT

Doing that will put your cpu in the risk of static shock. Get a probe to measure the cpu temp because you probably do not know what the difference between 40-60 degrees celsius is off the top of your head. If you do, which is not likely, then go ahead. Just ground yourself before doing that.

I highly doubt your cpu is overheating. Normal cpu temps are 30-50 degrees celsius. 60-70 you might want to start worrying. A 900mhz Athlon should not cause that much heat even under full load.

Im starting to think it's your ram.
You might want to get some new sticks, but before you do this, consult with someone else.

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Pit_Viper_VF1J

Thanks for the advice gorked

Is there a way to see if my current ram is the problem. Should I start pulling sticks until I get freedom force to run stable? If thats the case it might be my two 128s one is about 4 years old the other is like 3. The 256 in my third slot I bought after the problem was occuring. Would re-seating my video card help too?

I'll check with some people in Bangor to see if anyone has an idea about this.

putwig

Download memtest to check your ram.

Just run it with all the sticks in place. If you get no errors over several hours, it is not your ram.

If you do get memtest errors, then you will need to test each stick independently.

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Pit_Viper_VF1J

I downloaded Memtest and let it run over last night. It had'nt come up with any errors, so I'm guessing the memory is ok.

mot19

i can sure tell the differnce in 4- to 60 degrees celcius, because thats damn hot. But anyway, reseed you memory and video card, cpu, and then pull your 256 stick of memory and start and see if freedom force starts. If no go then pull each one of the 128 one at a time while leaving the 256 in. Then finally just use the 256. That eliminates all possibilities of bad memory, expecially after the mem check went ok. Next i would be checking for updates for freedom force. Make sure everything has the latest patch. Thats about all i can say that might help. One more thing might download something called driver cleaner, it cleans ur system of all video card drivers, then restart install your latest drivers and then restart again.

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Pit_Viper_VF1J

Mot I spent last night reseating the video card and the ram in a bunch of different combonations and Freedom Force still won't run. I have the lastest patch and everything. You know where I could find that Driver Cleaner Program. At this point I'm willing to try anything.

Sorry I took so long replying just found out one of my textbooks was stolen from our computer lab. Had to go buy a new one. I swear one of the days

Joose

Dude,
It sounds like your video card is hosed. Try it in another machine that runs those games fine. If it's OK there, then I'd suspect mobo or CPU, considering you've proven RAM is OK.

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mot19

goto google and type driver cleaner its pretty easy to find. If that dosnt work try that card in another machine.

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Pit_Viper_VF1J

Cool, I'll go to google and try to find that drive cleaner. On the plus side instead of hanging it runs for about 20 seconds, hangs for 50 seconds then runs for 20 seconds. While playable its freak'n annoy.

I'll try the card in a different machine. But i hope clearing the drivers will fix the problem.

Wish me luck.

Dimazz

my machine has done that a couple times in gta, it will lock up and the sound will just play over and over again. i fixed it by updating to the new drivers, i have an ati card.

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