Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: AquaShrimp on July 02, 2008, 08:25:36 PM

Title: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: AquaShrimp on July 02, 2008, 08:25:36 PM
My new computer has started messing up (eeek!).  When I am watching a video, I will start getting screen artifacts.  Then my mouse cursor will turn into some strange looking artifact.  Then the computer will lock up.  My power supply is of a very unreliable brand/model. What do you all think this might be?

Heres my comp:

* Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz, 1333FSB (Dual Core) 6000K
 * Cooler Master HyperTX Intel EXTRA QUIET Vertical HeatPipe Copper fan
 * ASUS P5N-D SLI nForce 750i, 1333FSB, SLI PCI Ex, Sound,1GB LAN, iEEE
 * 4GB (2x2GB) PC6400 DDR2 800 Dual Channel
 * GeForce 8800GT 512Mb PCI EXpress 16X dual head, tv out
 * 750.0GB Maxtor/ Seagate 7200rpm SATA2 UDMA 300 32m Cache
 * OptoRite 52x24x52 CDRW Drive
 * Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1
 * Realtek 10/100/1000 Ethernet Network card
 * USB 2.0 Adapter Card 4 port PCI
 * APEVIA X-Plorer Silver, Side Window, front USB,iEEE,Temp control
 * Case Fan 120 mm Extra Quiet DC fan
 * Okia Extra Quiet 650W ATX Power Supply, SLI Ready
 * Microsoft Windows XP Home CD
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Getback on July 02, 2008, 09:56:20 PM
Check your sound drivers and video drivers for updates. Now this was built by someone right. Take it back and have them check it.

Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: BaldEagl on July 03, 2008, 12:28:53 AM
There is a video artifact problem that affects some of the the NVidia 700 series boards.  It affects the 750i, 780i and 790i but does not affect everyone.  I have an EVGA 780i and had the same problem.

There have been three BIOS updates for the EVGA 780i.  The first of these (BIOS P05) resolved the problem for me.  Since then they have released P05p and P06.  Since my problem was resolved, I haven't updated beyond P05 (with NVidia, if it works don't fix it).

I suggest you visit your motherboard manufacturers web-site to see if they have released a BIOS update for your board.

Prior to the updates there was a (IIRC) 48 page thread on this on the EVGA 780i forum and another 10 pages on the NVidia forum.

I can say with confidence that this is your problem.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: AquaShrimp on July 03, 2008, 05:22:32 AM
There is a video artifact problem that affects some of the the NVidia 700 series boards.  It affects the 750i, 780i and 790i but does not affect everyone.  I have an EVGA 780i and had the same problem.

There have been three BIOS updates for the EVGA 780i.  The first of these (BIOS P05) resolved the problem for me.  Since then they have released P05p and P06.  Since my problem was resolved, I haven't updated beyond P05 (with NVidia, if it works don't fix it).

I suggest you visit your motherboard manufacturers web-site to see if they have released a BIOS update for your board.

Prior to the updates there was a (IIRC) 48 page thread on this on the EVGA 780i forum and another 10 pages on the NVidia forum.

I can say with confidence that this is your problem.

Hey thanks BaldEagl.  I downloaded a new and installed bios, and my computer hasn't messed up since.  I'm going to put it through its paces, but it looks like I owe you a case of beer!
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: BaldEagl on July 03, 2008, 08:26:42 AM
Hey thanks BaldEagl.  I downloaded a new and installed bios, and my computer hasn't messed up since.  I'm going to put it through its paces, but it looks like I owe you a case of beer!

No problem.  Glad to help.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Getback on July 03, 2008, 11:15:05 PM
Good going Baldegle!
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: AquaShrimp on July 03, 2008, 11:45:16 PM
Yep, problem is definitely fixed.  Awesome.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: AquaShrimp on July 04, 2008, 06:46:12 PM
Uh oh, spoke too soon.  Problem has reappeared, but at a much reduced frequency.  I don't recommend anyone buying this type of motherboard!
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Ghastly on July 04, 2008, 06:55:42 PM
Aqua, check to make sure that the fan on your vidcard GPU is turning properly (not binding up).  Most frequently, what you've described is a result of an overheating GPU (although there are a plethora of other reasons, that's the most common)

<S>
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Masherbrum on July 04, 2008, 09:05:02 PM
Uh oh, spoke too soon.  Problem has reappeared, but at a much reduced frequency.  I don't recommend anyone buying this type of motherboard!

Seems like it is more video card related Shrimp. 

I have heard from too many people that using RivaTuner instead of nTune is the way to go.   Not saying your overclocking, but you will be able to adjust your fan.   Also, you might have defective RAM on your card.   
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: BaldEagl on July 05, 2008, 03:23:45 AM
It's definitly the NVidia 700 series video corruption bug from what you described.  Users on the EVGA forum, including me, tried everything imaginable and kept posting test results.  This was over a period of a couple of months.  I'm afraid that there's going to be nothing you can do until a BIOS is released that resolves the problem for you.

Have you tried the BIOS releases just prior to the one you're running now?
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Masherbrum on July 05, 2008, 10:19:35 AM
It's definitly the NVidia 700 series video corruption bug from what you described.  Users on the EVGA forum, including me, tried everything imaginable and kept posting test results.  This was over a period of a couple of months.  I'm afraid that there's going to be nothing you can do until a BIOS is released that resolves the problem for you.

Have you tried the BIOS releases just prior to the one you're running now?

That truly sucks.   
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: AquaShrimp on July 05, 2008, 11:49:00 AM
It's definitly the NVidia 700 series video corruption bug from what you described.  Users on the EVGA forum, including me, tried everything imaginable and kept posting test results.  This was over a period of a couple of months.  I'm afraid that there's going to be nothing you can do until a BIOS is released that resolves the problem for you.

Have you tried the BIOS releases just prior to the one you're running now?

No.  But I did upgrade my realtek sound codecs.  That, along with the 0601 bios for my ASUS motherboard had gotten the artifact problem down to a manageable level.  Also, I'm using RivaTuner too.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: drdeathx on July 10, 2008, 07:30:00 PM
USE KLITE CODECS
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: BaldEagl on July 11, 2008, 09:59:34 AM
USE KLITE CODECS

Codecs aren't the problem.  Trust me.  On the EVGA site every set of Codecs were tried.

Here's a link to the thread I keep mentioning http://www.evga.com/forums/tm.asp?m=253891

It's now 53 pages and 1588 posts.  If you want to try testing and experimenting yourself I suggest you read this first to eliminate all the possibilities that have already been tried.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Getback on July 11, 2008, 05:39:28 PM
No.  But I did upgrade my realtek sound codecs.  That, along with the 0601 bios for my ASUS motherboard had gotten the artifact problem down to a manageable level.  Also, I'm using RivaTuner too.

Did you set your sound in directx to 3/4? My humblest advice is to get a sound card.

I think Baldegle is right it is not the codec. Chances are it is something very very simple. Check the easy first.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Hamltnblue on July 12, 2008, 10:08:10 AM
What is the room temperature where your computer is?
Summer time always brings out the artifacts.  A hot video card will do that all the time.
To check, remove the side of the case and place a table fan nearby facing in.  If the problem clears it's heat.  Many machines simply don't have enough air flow in the case and when added to a warm room and pushing graphics, things heat up and start failing.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Sincraft on July 12, 2008, 03:53:24 PM
step 1 buy another mobo.
step 2 never buy that manufacturer again.
step 3 tell them in their forums they lost a customer for life.
step 4 enjoy you new carefree mobo.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Fulmar on July 12, 2008, 04:09:20 PM
step 1 buy another mobo.
step 2 never buy that manufacturer again.
step 3 tell them in their forums they lost a customer for life.
step 4 enjoy you new carefree mobo.
I think we'd be jumping the gun here.  It's a new computer and I'd seek warranty first before sticking money into it.  Plus he's a novice and not 100% familiar with building yet.  Plus I wouldn't be there to point the finger just on the motherboard.  It's hard to determine the cause sometimes.

(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/18/70384439_ba1fd5b9de.jpg)
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: Hamltnblue on July 12, 2008, 11:16:33 PM
I doubt the issue is the MOBO.
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: BaldEagl on July 13, 2008, 10:50:46 AM
I doubt the issue is the MOBO.

Have you read the thread I posted yet?
Title: Re: Does this sound like a power supply problem?
Post by: humble on July 15, 2008, 07:14:07 PM
1st this is not a MB problem per se...it might be related to the specific chipset but not to the brand of MB.

My bigger question is simple, this is a "store bought" machine...what type of warranty did you get. I'd simply RMA it and have them address the issues. Who ever built this is totally clueless. Not only is the PS a ticking bomb but there are known compatability issues with the hardware. If the company will not RMA the unit then I'd dispute the charge with my credit card company...