No hardware acceleration K7s5a

[Belgarrath]

-AMD Duron 1Ghz
-Nvidia TNT2 model 64 AGP w/32MB
-250w PSU
-128MB DDR 2100 system ram
-Directx 8.1
-Latest drivers on video card
-Windows 98SE
-

I have already tried:

-Flashing to the latest bios
-Installing latest video drivers
-Updating the AGP port
-Other OS's (XP wont install-keeps hanging up)
-Installing DDRam instead of SDRam
-Clearing CMOS
-Sliding accelerator bar to different positions (this has caused it to hang on reboot every time, except once, and that was the one time my test game (Sims) actually ran.
-DirectX tests always pass.

Please refer to threads below for further details on my troubleshooting journey

http://www.tek-tips.com/gviewthread.cfm/lev2/66/lev3/68/pid/602/qid/328382

http://www.amdforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=147048

 

[paparazi]

I know I have commented on this problem before but it did just occur to me that in all the threads NO ONE has mentioned heat as your possible problem.
Playing 3D games does tend to be one of the things that stresses system components and creates heat.
SO: Have you a heatsink/fan adequate for your processor?
Have you install the heatsink the correct way around (recess in base over socket A writing)
Have you used a good quality heatsink paste?
Note* the thermal pad that comes on most heatsinks is a use only once item and should be cleaned off and paste applied for the second and subsequent fitments)
A Duron 1gig should idle between 30-35C and MAX OUT in the low 40's C.
If the heatsink was new then did you remove the protective tape over the thermal pad before fitment? (sorry don't mean to insult your intelligence but it is easily done)
Temp can be checked in bios or with hardware monitoring software. Martin Please let members know if there advice has helped any.

 

[mainegeek]

When you run the dxdiag does it show AGP Texture Acceleration "enabled"

 

[Belgarrath]

mainegeek, yes it does. And the test passes ( i see the little black cube spinning)

paparazi, the chip is idling at 34C

As a note, the ECS support guy e-mailed and said (copy and paste,I love it) "You also need to verify the power supply is at least 300w, bigger wattage is recommended with at least 28A driving current on the 3.3 voltage source because this is critical in initializing the video, CPU and memory successfully."

If this is true, then I only have half the juice I need on the 3.3 because my PSU says on the label 3.3 =14A Is this the source of all my problems?

 

[tep0583]

I have heard that Athalons are very tempermantial about power veriations. I would assume the same would hold true for Durons. I beleve most sites I have visited and most hardware vendors recommend a power supply of at least 300W that is AMD certified (or Athalon rated). Seeing that you can find such power supplies for around $50 or so if you shop around, I would recommend replaceing your currend PS with one. I'm not sure that would fix your problem, but it couldn't hurt, either.

I do not suspect your video or Direct X as you have tried different vid cards and have(I think) the latest version of DX. The next thing I would try is swapping out your RAM, espicially if you know someone who will let you try theirs for a couple of hours, which should be enough to let you know if it is the problem.

I would expect the kind of problems you are describeing from either bad(or inconsistant) power and bad RAM. Espicially considering everything else you have tried...

 

[tep0583]

Also wanted to add that I also have a K7S5A and the board is rock-solid. I have had no problems whatsoever....

 

[mainegeek]

Thats the Direct 3D Test. The one I mentioned above has no test button for it. Only enable/Disable.What version of DirectX are you using?

 

[Belgarrath]

DirectX 8.1 I have three test buttons in dxdiag

 

[mainegeek]

It's probably just the cpu. Duron is AMD's Celeron.

 

[Belgarrath]

Well, we went out and got a new PSU:

Antec 350W Power Supply Model SL350

Features: Maximum Power: 350W; Transient Response: +5V,+12V outputs return to within 5% in less than 1ms for 20% load change; P. G. Signal: 100-500ms; Over Voltage Protection, recycle AC to reset: +5V trip point < +7.0V, +3.3V trip point < +4.5V, +12V trip point < +15.6V; Overload Protection: Latching Protection, +5V @ < 58A, +3.3V @ < 75A, +12V @ < 25A; Leakage Current: <3.5mA @ 240VAC.

Specifications: ATX 2.03 compliant including P4; Smart Fan, EMI filtered; 2 Ball bearing fans, 92mm on top, 80mm on front; ATX power connector and 12V connector; AQ3 - Antec Quality three year parts and labor warranty; MTBF 50,000 hrs; Approvals: FCC Class B, UL, CUL, CE; ATX size: 5.9&quot; (L) x 5.5&quot; (W) x 3.4&quot; (H). Blah,blah

It didn't help. So I guess it must be a malfuntion in the chip or motherboard. I' ve replaced everything else. Any other suggestions?

 

[lgebhart]

BIOS setting: (My husband has the exact same board running DDR ram)

If you changed to DDR ram did you go in and change the RAM to 133? There are two settings and I don't remember which menu they are under but you can change the FSB from 100mhz to 133mhz,if Duron or Atlon 1GHZ it should be 100 for a 200MHZ Front Side Bus, and you can change the ram to 100 or 133.

I don't know if this will help, but I thought it worth mentioning.

ggebhart@clover.net
I hope I never get too old or arrogant to learn something new!

 

[Belgarrath]

No, i didn't change anything. In fact, the DDR was acting just like SDram. plus, whadaya call that &quot;box&quot; before the OS splash screen, the one that has all the info. in it that usually goes by too fast to read? Anyway, it showed 0(zero) DDR Ram in the slots. Is that how I activate it? what else?

 

[lgebhart]

The screen that shows before the splash screen can be paused by pressing your pause key on the keyboard.

No the 0 does not mean your ram is not reading.
0 is the bank (or slot) your ram is in.

You need to read your motherboard manual and see what and where the settings are for your DDR ram in the BIOS.

Some more things to check:

Also there is a setting for PNP OS that should be set to YES, although if I remember correctly this BIOS has it set that way already.

Are you running any of your games out of DOS?

Have you checked Device Manager to see if there are any conflicts in your hardware?

You might download SisSoftware Sandra, it gives you some tips on how to make your computer run smoother. You can find it here (The standard version is FREE but doesn't have all the tests available, but it will give you the tips on how to make your system run better):

http://www.sisoftware.demon.co.uk/sandra/

Belarc will tell you everything you have running on your computer:

http://www.belarc.com/Download.html

Good Luck
ggebhart@clover.net
I hope I never get too old or arrogant to learn something new!

 

[Belgarrath]

GOOD NEWS!! The problem is solved. It was the stupid CPU. Brand new chip. Go figure. I put my CPU (Athlon T-bird 800Mhz) in the system and everything ran just fine. The 1 Gig Duron that came with the motherboard(also new) just wouldn't run the games (it should). So back to the vendor it goes. Thanks all who helped!