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Comouters hate me: More PC problems
Bucketman
Call meSkraggRegistered User regular
Call meSkraggRegistered User regular
First off, thank you all so much for all the help with my previous motherboard problem, I finally got it squared away. But of course, now I have a new problem. Whenever I use my PC now, after awhile it just freezes and restarts. Checking around the net, it looks as if these are the possible causes:
1) Incompatable RAM - Well I only have 1 stick and it was the same stick thats been in there since before the problem started
2) Non updated video card/BIOS - Updated the vid drivers last night, and I can't figure out how yo flash my BIOs (mostly I can't figure out how to use the damn tool they give me, its a DOS program...)
3) Over Heating - to me this seems most likely as the problem gets worse when I try to install/play a game. Yet, with all the air flow I have, 2 case fans, the heatsink fan, a fan on the video card, and just for shits and giggles right now I have an actual portable fan I use in my room blowing cold air on it.
Perhaps I don't have enough Thermal Paste on the processor or somthing? I'm not sure, but its really starting to piss me off. Any help would be greatly appricated. Thanks in advance.
1) Incompatable RAM - Well I only have 1 stick and it was the same stick thats been in there since before the problem started
2) Non updated video card/BIOS - Updated the vid drivers last night, and I can't figure out how yo flash my BIOs (mostly I can't figure out how to use the damn tool they give me, its a DOS program...)
3) Over Heating - to me this seems most likely as the problem gets worse when I try to install/play a game. Yet, with all the air flow I have, 2 case fans, the heatsink fan, a fan on the video card, and just for shits and giggles right now I have an actual portable fan I use in my room blowing cold air on it.
Perhaps I don't have enough Thermal Paste on the processor or somthing? I'm not sure, but its really starting to piss me off. Any help would be greatly appricated. Thanks in advance.
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2) It depends on how old your mobo is, but most motherboards have a jumper that you can clear that will flash your BIOS. There is also the option of removing your CMOS battery (it's the the thing that looks like a watch battery), but they can be a pain in the ass to change out. You'll have to RTFM for your mobo, since no mobo is built the same,or places it's BIOS jumpers in the same place.
3) It's still a shot from the hip, but overheating can certainly be the cause of your woes. First, install this little program. It'll help keep track of temps inside your box. It has a built in range of temps, and can warn you if you're treading into dangerous territory.
Freezing and restarting could be completely OS related however - Windows can certainly be a culprit here. Those diagnostics can help you eliminate suspect hardware, before moving onto the OS. Also, video cards can overheat as well, and they can sometimes lock up and reboot a PC. Just a thought.
I had an issue with my MOBO a few weeks ago and RMAed it, they sent me a new one. So as far as I know, it didn't come pre updated.
Right, got it. Well sir, firmware updating is nice thing to do, but is hardly nesscary these days. I have yet to update mine in a long time, and it doesn't adversly affect my machines performance, and it damn sure doesn't lock it up.
That's about 30 degrees Celsius, which seems fine. I usually only start worrying when mine gets over 50.
However, did you just start the computer up? How long has it been running? Try running it with the side of the case off, and maybe a fan blowing at it, see how long it lasts.
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
With better heatspreading technology and better stock fans i'd say raise an eyebrow to anything over 50c.
89 Fahrenheit is nothing.
we also talk about other random shit and clown upon each other
about 6 monthd old
Checking around the net someone mentioned turning Hardware Acceleration off. I did that, still waiting to see what happens there. Also I've heard it could be an incompatibility issue with the graphics card, if thats the case then updating my BIOS should help. But i've never done that before and have heard its risky.
Not really as long as you follow the instructions.
Might want to try running memtest too.
The harder the rain, honey, the sweeter the sun.
Edit: also barring a floppy disk, if I can't find one, is there a way to run Memtest/update my BIOS with a CD? (I have a CD burner)