Computer does not want to load AH2 or any game for that matter.

[Kazaa]

I just received my OC bundle from a website here in the UK. See attached for details:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-030-OE&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=

Windows loads perfectly fine (stil on XP32bit, have yet to install W7), very fast and the CPU temps idols at around 30c-34c. I can load AH2's splash screen but when I try to enter an arena or offline mode I get either a black screen, or the system locks up. Both happen when data is being loaded, all my USB peripherals turn off, sound loops and I’m forced to restart the computer. All my drivers are up to date and I’ve tried changing about my hardware acceleration but still no luck!

Edit: Not sure why my Dxdiag lists my CPU at stock settings. I've run CPUZ and it lists my CPU at 4.0Ghz, also the O.C settings are displayed on POST.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/28/2009, 16:24:48
       Machine name: LUKE
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/23/09 18:29:19 Ver: 08.00.15
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         920  @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs)
             Memory: 3064MB RAM
          Page File: 678MB used, 4275MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

[gyrene81]

You're overclocking an i7 cpu with Windows XP 32bit??? 

That's some serious brass ones there.... 

[Kazaa]

I have my copy of windows 7 ready to go, are you saying my problem is being caused by the OS?

[gyrene81]

No, just wondering how you got Windows XP loaded on that system with full mobo/sata/io driver support. Did you check your hardware manager area to see if anything isn't loaded/recognized properly?

I know you're not a rookie at this but...sometimes simple is best.

[Kazaa]

I've run the system with stock settings and everything worked fine.

[BaldEagl]

You're overclocking an i7 cpu with Windows XP 32bit???  

That's some serious brass ones there....  

That's ridiculous.  There's no reason you can't OC a Core I7 with a 32 bit OS.

I just received my OC bundle from a website here in the UK. See attached for details:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-030-OE&groupid=43&catid=339&subcat=

Windows loads perfectly fine, very fast and the CPU temps idols at around 30c-34c. Any game that I’ve tried to run gives me a black screen when data is being loaded(AH did work once), all my USB peripherals turn off, sound loops and I’m forced to restart the computer. All my drivers are up to date and I’ve tried changing about my hardware acceleration but still no luck!

Would I be right in saying that the overclock isn’t stable. Any help and input would be great.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/28/2009, 16:24:48
       Machine name: LUKE
   Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090804-1435)
           Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
       System Model: System Product Name
               BIOS: BIOS Date: 07/23/09 18:29:19 Ver: 08.00.15
          Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU         920  @ 2.67GHz (8 CPUs)            
Memory: 3064MB RAM
          Page File: 678MB used, 4275MB available
        Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
     DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
  DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
      Display Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
        Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
          Music Tab: No problems found.
          Input Tab: No problems found.
        Network Tab: No problems found.

It doesn't appear to be overclocked.

Your symptoms seem like classic heat related CPU shut down.  Open the case and make sure the CPU fan is plugged in and operating properly.  To check the CPU download and run Prime95 (small FFT test) for 10-15 minutes while closely monitoring temps.

You might also have faulty RAM.  To check the RAM download and run memtest.  You can also try pulling and installing your RAM one stick at a time in slot 1.

[Kazaa]

Bald Eagle, I noticed that also.

I've run CPUZ, it lists my CPU at 4.0Ghz, also the O.C settings are displayed on POST.

Going to try running those programs you suggested.

[Ghosth]

Installed Direct X???

run dxdiag?

[gyrene81]

That's ridiculous.  There's no reason you can't OC a Core I7 with a 32 bit OS.

Ok...if you say so.


That hardware was designed to be optimal for 64bit OS...unlike it's dual core predecessors, getting full hardware support in Windows XP takes some tweaking of the install image prior to installation...otherwise, there could be issues.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

I've run the system with stock settings and everything worked fine.

Well that's your answer there. Your overclock is not stable, lower the OC, run stress test for 24 hours using Prime95 and 3DMark06 loops and only if it does not crash, then consider your OC ok.

The overclock probably doesn't show on DX because speedstep downclocks the CPU when idle to save energy. Coincidentally that may be the only reason why your computer doesn't crash straight on desktop - the cooling survives with idle clocks but fail miserably when throttle is pushed to 100%.

Always first rule of thumb: If your computer has a problem, remove the overclock. Do not even post anything before you do that. If it works after that then your problem is the overclock and nothing else. Getting it to load into windows doesnt mean its stable for games.

Oh and XP32 is a total waste on your 6 gig ram system + i7.

[Kazaa]

Computer is stable with stock settings. I'll have to get onto the phone to the company I got my stuff from after I install Windows 7 and if there's no change.

I'm not impressed, 1st time the bundle came with no OC settings saved. Now I have the OC settings I can't run the system stable lol.

[BaldEagl]

Computer is stable with stock settings. I'll have to get onto the phone to the company I got my stuff from after I install Windows 7 and if there's no change.

I'm not impressed, 1st time the bundle came with no OC settings saved. Now I have the OC settings I can't run the system stable lol.

Have you downloaded and run Prime95?

You might just have to bump the CPU core voltage a notch or two to get stable but you'll need to run Prime95 after each bump to make sure temps are staying in-line as the added voltage will raise the temps.

You might also have your RAM linked and synched and when you apply the OC settings to the CPU it takes the RAM out of it's operating paramaters.  I don't know what kind of/speed RAM you have but you might want to unlink it in the BIOS before OCing the CPU.

[Kazaa]

Have you downloaded and run Prime95?

You might just have to bump the CPU core voltage a notch or two to get stable but you'll need to run Prime95 after each bump to make sure temps are staying in-line as the added voltage will raise the temps.

You might also have your RAM linked and synched and when you apply the OC settings to the CPU it takes the RAM out of it's operating paramaters.  I don't know what kind of/speed RAM you have but you might want to unlink it in the BIOS before OCing the CPU.

Yes I used prime95, didn't fault once. The CPU is running at 1.3v max when the overclocked settings are applied.

[BaldEagl]

Yes I used prime95, didn't fault once. The CPU is running at 1.3v max when the overclocked settings are applied.

Sounds like voltage might be too low.  My Core2Duo is at 1.363V with a 20% OC.

Go into the BIOS.  Make sure that the RAM is unlinked.  

Raise the CPU settings to where you had them set for the OC.  Go to the voltage settings and set CPU voltage to manual then raise the CPU core voltage 2 steps.  Boot and try Prime95.  If it crashes with the OC settings go back into the BIOS and raise the voltage by two more steps.  Run Prime95 again watching temps closely.  If it crashes again repeat the process until it will run Prime95 for at least 15 minutes.

Once it's stable go back into the BIOS and reduce the voltage by one step.  Run Prime95 again.  Do this until it crashes then raise the voltage one step and you should be good to go.  As a final test run Prime95 for several hours monitoring temps occasionally.  24 hours is the standard but you don't really need to go that long as long as it's remaining stable.

If temps become a problem along the way (over say 60C at full load) then your fan/heatsink isn't up to the OC.  In this case lower the OC settings so you can lower the CPU voltages and produce less heat.  Again, take small steps as you do this until the system is stable at a comfortable temp.  Preferably start from stock settings and work your way up rather than down from your OC settings.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Computer is stable with stock settings. I'll have to get onto the phone to the company I got my stuff from after I install Windows 7 and if there's no change.

I'm not impressed, 1st time the bundle came with no OC settings saved. Now I have the OC settings I can't run the system stable lol.

All chips are not created equal and it's possible that you got a bad sample. Or it's possible that when you mounted the heatsink/fan a small error happened in applying the thermal paste (duh, what paste?) That's all it takes.

Lower the clocks your 920 is more than enough to run any current game. I'd run Prime95 torture test and monitor the temperatures for an hour or so. If temperatures stay low but the box crashes then you can try upping the voltage in SMALL steps, keeping an eye on the temperatures and testing with Prime on every change.