Constant restarting 2

[Aussie2]

Hi all

Having trouble with a AMD 1800+ computer rebooting while gaming online or just opening offline programs.Brought this comuter as a second system so that my sons can play online together. Instaled win XPSP1 and while updating to SP2 online system kept rebooting have had a number of error reports which I have rectified but it seems that I have a video card driver issue have reinstaled drivers a few times using disk that came with video card and also downloaded current drivers and instaled them afew times. also my resolution settings wont stay fixed and revert back to 800x600 each time computer reboots have tried both winxp and ATI software to set resolution and yes I have
applyed settings. After updating monitor drivers computer boots to 800x600 then after about 10 seconds changes to
1024x768

This is what I've tried updated bios,updated realtek sound drivers,reinstaled chipset drivers,ran memtest(passed)and instaled monitor drivers.

 

[proudusa]

What type of video card? Does it require power from the PSU? Maybe system requires more powerful PSU.

 

[BadFrog]

Sounds to me like your ATI video card doesn't like SP2. I've always had nothing but problems with ATI cards which is why I prefer to stay with Nvidia GeForce. A google on your vid card model and XPSP2 might prove fruitful.

"Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy"
Albert Einstein

 

[paparazi]

Aussie2
The usual causes:

1) Bad memory, I'm afraid I don't hold much faith in tests like memtest, try one known good stick, swap around etc

2) weak power supply,usually cheap generic (came with case) basically the voltage fluctuates beyond acceptable tolerances causing reboots.

3) Loose connection, honestly, just a poor power connector or loose wire will have your PC rebooting all over the place.

4) Bad caps, bulging or leaking capacitors can cause all sorts of weired starting and rebooting problems, go to:

http://www.badcaps.com

5) Overheating, that could be CPU, Graphics or power supply, check all fans are spinning freely and nothing is blocked (typically the CPU heatsink can be blocked with dust) check temps in bios (I would expect no higher than 50C for an XP1.8+)

6)Driver conflict, restarts normally after a bad driver installation.

Martin

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[electronicsfreak]

paparazi, mean no offense by this, just wondering why you dont care for memtest to much?

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[paparazi]

electronicsfreak, just my personal opinion.
I have seen too many instances where bad memory has past a memtest, So effectively lulling the technician into a false belief that the fault MUST lie with something else, so wasting valuable time only to find much later that changing the ram cured the problem.

The same can be said for many hard drive fitness tests, though effective, they must be used in conjunction with a common sense approach and not be solely relied upon as being 100% accurate in every case.

Good tools in the context of how they should be used in the diagnostic process.


Martin

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[Aussie2]

Tried another stick of ram 2hrs gaming no reboot still have resolution prob but can live with that the rebooting was driving me crazy.

psu 430 watt

vid card ati 9550 (I prefer nividia cards also)

cpu temp 53c have refitted with actic silver and instaled larger fan but its my understanding that these cpu,s run hot

Was a bit concerned about trying different ram only had pc3200 and this machine uses pc2700 but it runs well with ddr400

 

[electronicsfreak]

oh ok, well like I said I meant nothing by it was just wondering lol.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon

 

[paparazi]

electronicsfreak
Strange coincidence because we saw a customers brand spanker TODAY:
DFI Lanparty UT NF4
X2 4200
Mushkin XP4400DDR 2X 512mb
Hyper 580watt
Thermatake Gandalf
250gig SATA II Hitachi
XFX 7800GT

Guess what! yes, the run around as described, passed memtest but found out later it would only run a 3D Benchmark with one module installed.
Blue screens and locks everywhere until this stick is removed.
All brand new quality components bought from Overclockers UK.
As I say, passed memtest.
Martin





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[paparazi]

Aussie2
Regarding your comment:
"Had pc3200 and this machine uses pc2700"
The 3200 will just run at the slower 2700 speed, no problems for most motherboard.
Infact An Atlon XP1.8+ has a 266 front side bus so actually only needs to have PC2100 (DDR266) to run syncronously.
53C is a bit warm for this CPU but then I guess it's your summertime and ambient temps are pretty high.

Besides things won't start getting flakey UNTIL the mid 60's C
So try for less than 60C absolute max.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[electronicsfreak]

Paparazi : Yeah well thats good to know concerning that tester. I still use it but I will know not to rely on it completely now lol.

As for amds yeah when you hit 60 they do start throwing some minor fits. I use amd athlon xp 2600 at the moment. Good processors however whiny when they hit 60 lol.

There is a point in wisdom and knowledge that when you reach it, you exceed what is considered possible - Jason Schoon