Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: -ammo- on May 30, 2014, 10:58:06 AM
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I am having very frequent lockups - several times a day sometimes. I have troubleshot the issue to the extent of my limited knowledge and can't find the culprit.
1. CPU and GPU temps are good
2. Cleaned up old files and the registry using third party software
3. Ensured I have the latest drivers for everything
I have given up and decided to install a fresh copy of Windows 7 Pro (64bit).
My question is: what is the correct things to do prior to installation. I have current backup of important files, GPU driver, MB driver disk, and I will backup my AH settings folder.
What is the correct sequence to install drivers and software? Should I let windows update itself prior to installing anything?
TIA advance - its been a while since I did this and I want to get it right. I am pretty frustrated with this machine (pretty new and damn fast when its not locked up)
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1) Install Windows first.
2) Install the motherboard drivers.
3) If Windows does not have a driver for your network card/device, then install it now.
4) Grab the latest drivers for your sound and video card from the respective manufacturers.
5) Install the sound card drivers.
6) Install the video card drivers.
7) Disable ANY power management.
8) Do the Windows updates.
9) Install your applications.
The power management in Windows 7 is not to be relied on.
That is a pretty generic step-by-step installation path.
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Skuzzy, make this a sticky, if you please. :salute
@ ammo: If your problems don't go away with the fresh install, let us know. I know a bunch of potential culprits and some testing methods to sort them out.
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I am having very frequent lockups - several times a day sometimes. I have troubleshot the issue to the extent of my limited knowledge and can't find the culprit.
1. CPU and GPU temps are good
2. Cleaned up old files and the registry using third party software
3. Ensured I have the latest drivers for everything
I have given up and decided to install a fresh copy of Windows 7 Pro (64bit).
My question is: what is the correct things to do prior to installation. I have current backup of important files, GPU driver, MB driver disk, and I will backup my AH settings folder.
What is the correct sequence to install drivers and software? Should I let windows update itself prior to installing anything?
TIA advance - its been a while since I did this and I want to get it right. I am pretty frustrated with this machine (pretty new and damn fast when its not locked up)
Suspect your power supply. On another thread someone had just bought a brand new Seasonic power supply and wondered why his computer was crashing. Despite its reputation, the Seasonic unit was bad - the crashes were instantly gone when switching supplies. Almost all the cases I've witnessed Windows crashing the main cause has been a hardware failure.
You didn't mention running memtest, trying to take away any extra hardware to see if it stabilizes etc. these are your first steps before reinstalling Windows. For example I once had a Creative sound card that would make my computer crash every time. When the symptoms started I suspected my display card since I just recently bought it. I switched graphics cards but for nothing, crashes continued. Finally it turned out that the Creative card was the cause of crashes - didn't even need to have drivers installed, it was enough to plug the thing in.
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TY Skuzzy, Bizman, and Ripley.
Bizman - will do; TY again.
Ripley, I also suspect my PS. It is a 750 watt model (can't remember brand) but I cut cost there when I was preparing a build sheet.
MTF, and thanks again
Signed,
Frustrated but optimistic :aok
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Pair a cheap power supply with a cheap motherboard and it can frustrate anyone to no end. There is a reason they are cheap.
Cheap motherboards lack the power filtering and regulation of the higher cost motherboards.
Cheap power supplies lack the power filtering and regulation of the higher end power supplies.
See a trend?
Noisy power causes more failures and stability problems than any other issue with new equipment.
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This is my MB and processor:
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Desktop Processor BX80619i73820
This is my PS (cheapo)
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply, New Version with Build-in LED Fan On/Off Switch
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Would you guys recommend this PS:
CORSAIR HX Series HX850 850W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=PPSSZRUVXLWWKZ-_-17-139-011-_-Product (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139011&ignorebbr=1&cm_re=PPSSZRUVXLWWKZ-_-17-139-011-_-Product)
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The 850 is overkill unless you have more than one high end video card in your computer. Something like 650 W should be more than enough for a modern one video card system. Besides, the Corsair HX850 is manufactured by Channel Well whereas the HX650 is made by Seasonic. Too much unnecessary wattage will cause problems very much similar to a cheap PSU.
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The 850 is overkill unless you have more than one high end video card in your computer. Something like 650 W should be more than enough for a modern one video card system. Besides, the Corsair HX850 is manufactured by Channel Well whereas the HX650 is made by Seasonic. Too much unnecessary wattage will cause problems very much similar to a cheap PSU.
Seconded, go for the Seasonic unit. Too large PSU is also not good. Note also that all XFX black series PSU:s are Seasonic built and they're quite competitive in pricing.
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This is my MB and processor:
ASRock Z77 Extreme4 LGA 1155 Intel Z77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard
Intel Core i7-3820 Sandy Bridge-E 3.6GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 2011 130W Desktop Processor BX80619i73820
This is my PS (cheapo)
RAIDMAX HYBRID 2 RX-730SS 730W ATX12V V2.2/ EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready Modular Power Supply, New Version with Build-in LED Fan On/Off Switch
Hey Ammo,
You sure you're using this CPU on that MB?
A socket 2011 CPU on a socket 1155 mobo?
Just making observation here......................... ...........................
:O
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Good call! I bought that CPU and MB by mistake and RMA'd the CPU for the one below. I cut and paste the data from my Newegg account and used the RMA line..
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
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Could be bad memory is memory not placed in the correct slots in the correct size.
Some MBs need memory installed a special way. Or you might just have a bad memory chip. I'd say memory and/or power are the two most likely culprits. Do you have a crash info file?
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Could be bad memory is memory not placed in the correct slots in the correct size.
Some MBs need memory installed a special way. Or you might just have a bad memory chip. I'd say memory and/or power are the two most likely culprits. Do you have a crash info file?
Where/how would I find that?
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Where/how would I find that?
First you can run Memtest86 for a couple hours. If it gives a single error your problem was just found.
Your motherboard manufacturer will have qualified hardware lists for ram modules and ram seating instructions that you should follow. Usually the latter is found in the manual (you know the booklet you failed to read lol) and the qualified hardware list is usually found at the motherboards support website, the same place where you downloaded the drivers.
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<snip>Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
I'm seriously hoping that this isn't the graphics you're running AH with. If you are, well, another culprit candidate found. Intel graphics simply don't work with AH, or vice versa.
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Good call! I bought that CPU and MB by mistake and RMA'd the CPU for the one below. I cut and paste the data from my Newegg account and used the RMA line..
Intel Core i7-2600K Sandy Bridge 3.4GHz (3.8GHz Turbo Boost) LGA 1155 95W Desktop Processor Intel HD Graphics 3000 BX80623I72600K
Ok that's better now....................... :D
Kinda figured that it was a typo of sorts but I had to ask.
:salute
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I'm seriously hoping that this isn't the graphics you're running AH with. If you are, well, another culprit candidate found. Intel graphics simply don't work with AH, or vice versa.
No sir, I am using a MSI GTX770 :aok Having said that, I was running a Radeon HD 6950 before and have wondered if I didn't uninstall it correctly and that may be a problem. The problems started long after I switched cards though.
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No sir, I am using a MSI GTX770 :aok Having said that, I was running a Radeon HD 6950 before and have wondered if I didn't uninstall it correctly and that may be a problem. The problems started long after I switched cards though.
You should always reinstall windows or at least use a driver cleaner if you switch graphics card makers. Driver residue can cause surprises.
It is however pretty likely that your problems would have started immediately upon switch if drivers were at cause. Most likely your PSU is slowly bending under the new load and your voltages started to fluctuate enough to crash your computer. Or it's even possible that your new 770 is faulty in the worst case. Try another PSU anyway. Borrow a known working one or invest to a quality unit - it won't be money wasted as you can reuse it later, just make sure your new PSU supports the new low Haswell voltages.
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Purchased this just now: SeaSonic M12II 750 SS-750AM2 750W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Modular Active PFC Full-modular Power Supply New 4th Gen CPU Certified Haswell Ready.
I'll let you guys know how it works out (with a fresh Windows install).
I appreciate the help and advice :cheers:
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I'm very tempted to purchase this while I am at it: SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE1T0BW 2.5" 1TB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD). On sale through midnight for $439
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I'm very tempted to purchase this while I am at it: SAMSUNG 840 EVO MZ-7TE1T0BW 2.5" 1TB SATA III TLC Internal Solid State Drive (SSD). On sale through midnight for $439
I'd say it's your money and you can do whatever you like with it. What I want you to know about it is that it won't make AH run any faster, not a single frame. It certainly will make your computer a little quieter, and a lot faster concerning startup and starting programs. As they say, time is money, so if you feel like you'd getting into the game one or two minutes faster after a cold boot is worth $439, go for it.
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I'd say it's your money and you can do whatever you like with it. What I want you to know about it is that it won't make AH run any faster, not a single frame. It certainly will make your computer a little quieter, and a lot faster concerning startup and starting programs. As they say, time is money, so if you feel like you'd getting into the game one or two minutes faster after a cold boot is worth $439, go for it.
Getting the SSD is the most efficient single thing he can get to make his computer feel snappier and more responsive in day to day use. It's just amazing in practice. Computers with regular hdds feel so antiquated and sluggish after using one with SSD for a while.
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As I said, "a lot faster concerning startup and starting programs". By which I meant "snappier and more responsive in day to day use". No arguing here.
But I believe it's fair to also point out that it won't make the game run any better. As a side note, an SSD wouldn't necessarily take me faster to the game, since I like the title0 tune. Sing, sing, sing by Glenn Miller's Orchestra, a five minutes masterpiece. It will take those five minutes with every type of a hard disk.
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As I said, "a lot faster concerning startup and starting programs". By which I meant "snappier and more responsive in day to day use". No arguing here.
But I believe it's fair to also point out that it won't make the game run any better. As a side note, an SSD wouldn't necessarily take me faster to the game, since I like the title0 tune. Sing, sing, sing by Glenn Miller's Orchestra, a five minutes masterpiece. It will take those five minutes with every type of a hard disk.
It may make even the game run better as it reduces the stutters caused by texture loading. Granted thats a rare occurrence but regardles of the fact it will make a difference.
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It may make even the game run better as it reduces the stutters caused by texture loading. Granted thats a rare occurrence but regardles of the fact it will make a difference.
Actually, the game preloads whatever it is going to need before it needs it, so an SSD is really not going to improve texture loading.
I would not run Aces High on an SSD anyway, given the game does a lot of writes of small files.
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Actually, the game preloads whatever it is going to need before it needs it, so an SSD is really not going to improve texture loading.
I would not run Aces High on an SSD anyway, given the game does a lot of writes of small files.
This is the kind of info I need. I am running an Intel 120 GB SSD now and have AH installed on it
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The perception of texture loads causing stutters is really more about the video card struggling to free up resources so it can accept a texture.
Too many people are running the game at settings which can swamp the video RAM and cause resource issues.
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I ordered this PSU; Seasonic M12II-750 Bronze ATX 750W Modular Power Supply and it arrived dead in the box. I RMA'd the PSU pourchased a different PSU. I bought this one: CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply. While I was at it, I upgraded to a full tower case.
While waiting for the PSU to arrive, I grew tired of the constant lock ups and attempted to reload windows. My PC did not make through the installation. Damn lock ups! I waited for the new PSU and case to arrive to attempt another reload of Windows. Also, I had another SSD on hand.
BL, I am not sure whether it was my PSU, a software issue, or even my SSD that caused the problem.
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I ordered this PSU; Seasonic M12II-750 Bronze ATX 750W Modular Power Supply and it arrived dead in the box. I RMA'd the PSU pourchased a different PSU. I bought this one: CORSAIR HX Series HX750 750W ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 2.91 SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS GOLD Certified Modular Active PFC Power Supply. While I was at it, I upgraded to a full tower case.
While waiting for the PSU to arrive, I grew tired of the constant lock ups and attempted to reload windows. My PC did not make through the installation. Damn lock ups! I waited for the new PSU and case to arrive to attempt another reload of Windows. Also, I had another SSD on hand.
BL, I am not sure whether it was my PSU, a software issue, or even my SSD that caused the problem.
I have the HX750 and it has been rock solid in my PC. I even upgraded my Video Card, so I cannot wait to return the friendly skies. Just not yet. :airplane:
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The perception of texture loads causing stutters is really more about the video card struggling to free up resources so it can accept a texture.
Too many people are running the game at settings which can swamp the video RAM and cause resource issues.
Some time ago a user in another thread reported that his game was stutter free untill he got scared and moved AH off the SSD, after which it started stuttering near new enemies. So at least some users have seen benefit from the SSD as far as stuttering goes. It doesn't necessarily have to be a graphic texture but sound or whatever i/o access that gets better with speed.
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Some time ago a user in another thread reported that his game was stutter free untill he got scared and moved AH off the SSD, after which it started stuttering near new enemies. So at least some users have seen benefit from the SSD as far as stuttering goes. It doesn't necessarily have to be a graphic texture but sound or whatever i/o access that gets better with speed.
I doubt it actually improved anything due to the move from the hard drive to the SSD. More of a placebo effect, in all likelihood. If it did, then something was seriously wrong with the computer and all the move did was mask the real problem.
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if you overclock, that is the singlemost common problem for bluescreen and bad behaviour.
Do a memtest before you buy anything.
I had to RMA 2 banks of Gskill memories on my old rig.
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Skuzzy
I have a question regarding the use of an ssd for the game.. I have a 128 gig SSD dedicated just for the game, do you think I will runinto any problems with it. I know you have said things about the rewriting but I am wondering, just having a dedicated SSD would that prove to be a negative??
LawnDart
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Skuzzy
I have a question regarding the use of an ssd for the game.. I have a 128 gig SSD dedicated just for the game, do you think I will runinto any problems with it. I know you have said things about the rewriting but I am wondering, just having a dedicated SSD would that prove to be a negative??
LawnDart
You may never run into any problems, but there is always potential for issues. Personally, I see no benefit for it. Some people claim it helps with "stutters", but if you are seeing stutters, then there are other issues with the system that an SSD might help to mask.
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The problems I listed in this thread were likely due to a faulty (cheap) PSU. Having said that I ran AH on a 128 GB SSD for about 12 months before the problems started to occur. I bought a new PSU, new SSD, and reloaded Windows to solve my issues. So issues I was experiencing *could* have been the PSU (likely), a corrupt file(s) or some other software related conflict, or maybe AH running on the same SSD as Windows :old: