Author Topic: A7A266 crashes alot... (Read 479 times)

SKurj · « **on:** June 23, 2002, 02:37:57 PM »

A7A266 w2k
athlon 1.333
sblive
256 ram
8500le

the damn thing locksup solid when watchin a movie, or playin games, basically whenever doing alot at the same time.

any ideas?

SKurj

GunnerCAF · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2002, 03:27:06 PM »

Is it over heating? Maybe try to open the case an put a fan on it, see if that helps. If it does, you may need to add more case fans.

If you open the case, look at your heat sinks and blow out any dust that may be in the fins.

Gunner

SKurj · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2002, 03:30:05 PM »

Thanx Gunner, tried that already...

It does run warm though, 55-58 under load

SKurj

Staga · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2002, 03:47:32 PM »

Do you have other sound/videocards you could throw in your machine ?
You could also try DirectX control panel applet from Here

btw what kind of powersupply does your computer have?

bloom25 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2002, 04:44:03 PM »

Did it just start doing this, or has this been an ongoing problem?

SKurj · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2002, 05:40:03 PM »

ongoing problem

yes tried several vid cards, will try removing sblive next

its a friends pc

SKurj

Kaz · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2002, 08:42:00 PM »

it could be a RAM problem since u mentioned it locking up when doing multiple things at once. 256MB isn't alot these days even though that's what i have in mine

and you'd be surprised at how memory intensive some programs are.
i know i've had a few lockups due to running out of RAM, there are points when more than one task running demands more than the usual amount needed this coupled with the background stuff windows does from time to time is enough to 'overload' the system.
one other thing that is fairly common is programs that borrow RAM and even upon termination continues to 'hold' that RAM making it unaccessible to other programs.
anyways just my 2 cents i could be wrong but here's a lil program u can use that doesn't use alot of RAM itself it's called freeRAM XP pro 1.1 and it's compatible with everything from win 95 up. it keeps track of memory usage and also frees up RAM with the simple click of a button. just go to http://www.zdnet.com/downloads and search for it. hope this helps.

AKWarp · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2002, 09:17:53 PM »

Well, my first suggestion, other than the possible heat problem would be to do some research on that ALI chipset. They haven't faired too well in recent times with the Athlon DDR boards. Check to see if there are any BIOS upgrades, or other driver updates for the ALI chipset.

Secondly, I would look hard at your 8500. If this is one of the older ones, they had a lot of bugs in the drivers. Recent driver updates are supposed to make the 8500's really fly.

55-58C under load is a tad warm. I would seriously consider a new HSF. You can get top-notch performing HSF units for about $25. I looked long and hard at the new SWIFTECH 462's and the ALPHA PAL, but at prices in the $70 range for sink and fan, it just didn't seem to be worth it for the few degrees difference they made over high performance HSF's costing less than half that.
With my new XP 2100 setup, I opted for the Arkua 7228. It's a licensed copy of the Thermosonic ThermoEngine heatsink (with some modifications to it) and the heatsink with a 60mm Delta fan costs just $24.99. My temps under load are around 40-42C.
I picked it up at the Heatsink Factory (http://www.heatsinkfactory.com).
Pay the $9 and get some Arctic Silver 3 heatsink compound as well, it is worth the price.

SKurj · « **Reply #8 on:** June 23, 2002, 11:39:58 PM »

Tried different HSF's too, doesn't seem to change the lockups
with a volcano II (i think) temps were 54 or so under load

I am thinkin mebbe ram as well, we got a bios update today and will try the memtest tomorro if its still doin it

SKurj

MANDOBLE · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2002, 08:41:53 AM »

Are u using "normal" settings or fast or turbo settings from bios? Try the most conservative ones first.

maddog · « **Reply #10 on:** June 24, 2002, 10:01:33 AM »

Don't think heat is the problem...... I'm running close to 60 under load and everyone assured me this was OK... in fact I have had no problems.....

Turbot · « **Reply #11 on:** June 24, 2002, 10:07:52 AM »

I'm placing my bet on the power supply

minus · « **Reply #12 on:** June 24, 2002, 12:13:11 PM »

i never managet run any 266 based mobo stable it got always memory handling erors , can be PCI or mem managment isue and surely linked with the Bridges what it have 266 mobos sux

go for some KT 333

got MSI KT 333 ultra aru deluxe and i em soooo hapy now

Sox62 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 24, 2002, 12:32:26 PM »

Skurj,it sounds like a video driver issue to me.

Have you tried other drivers?

SKurj · « **Reply #14 on:** June 24, 2002, 01:22:19 PM »

Yes Sox, several, including different vid cards
will look into the turbo vs normal later today

SKurj