I built this computer about 2 1/2 years ago
CPU: AMD Opteron 170 2.0GHz 2 x 1MB L2 Cache Socket 939
Mother Bored: MSI K8N Diamond Plus
Video card:7900 GTX
Memory: OCZ Platinum 2GB (2 x 1GB) Timing 2-3-2-5
Power: OCZ PowerStream 520
OS: Windows XP Pro
About 1 year ago i was playing Guild wars and it crashed my computer. i didint think anything of it, but every since that crash my video card has been getting more and more unstable. now i cant even get on GW at all. the second i try to load it up it crashes my computer. i have reformat my computer 2 times since that first crash, so i know its not a software problem, and sometimes my computer will crash while watching a movie. some times i see dead pixels over the screen but i know its not my monitor cause the second i minimize that page it goes away. I have run many computer stability test and im 90% sure it is my video card.
Well now im thinking i need to get a new vid card but im real broke. the only game i play now is GW so i need a cheap card that will run GW on medium-high settings with a decent frame rate.
My price range is around 50 bucks.
im looking at this card http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129093
anyone else have any suggestions?
I need a new video card.
dark_slayer
Blackhearted
Only $50? For that price you'll get nothing but a BIG downgrade from what you currently have.
dark_slayer
yeah but right now i cant play any games and can hardly even watch videos. 
Snograt
Problem is, you wouldn't even get a 7900 GTX for $50...
You could get an 8600GT for not too much more than your budget ($80+)
Maybe we should be looking at why your system suffers from instability. The Oppy 170 is ok, the MSI board was a great, final attempt at a 939 board, and the memory is superb - as far as DDR2 400 can go.
Give us error reports, blue-screen codes, EVEREST stats, CPU-Z logs - anything to see where the problem is.
If your graphics card HAS gone tits-up, then you're going to need to splash more than $50 - scrimp for that 8600 or mug someone for an 8800
You could get an 8600GT for not too much more than your budget ($80+)
Maybe we should be looking at why your system suffers from instability. The Oppy 170 is ok, the MSI board was a great, final attempt at a 939 board, and the memory is superb - as far as DDR2 400 can go.
Give us error reports, blue-screen codes, EVEREST stats, CPU-Z logs - anything to see where the problem is.
If your graphics card HAS gone tits-up, then you're going to need to splash more than $50 - scrimp for that 8600 or mug someone for an 8800
dark_slayer
Well when i try to play guild wars the screen freezes, for sometimes up to 1 min, then the computer just restarts, so no error log, blue screen or anything.
I dont know how to see error logs when this happens. i have run stability test and it allways fails on the graphics and crashes my computer.
My computer temps are fine.
I dont know how to see error logs when this happens. i have run stability test and it allways fails on the graphics and crashes my computer.
My computer temps are fine.
Snograt
Yuck. Doesn't sound promising. Look in your Guild Wars folder and see if there's an ArenaNet.txt.
I guess you're running proper WHQL ForceWare drivers - currently 169.21 on XP - here http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_169.21_whql.html
I guess you're running proper WHQL ForceWare drivers - currently 169.21 on XP - here http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_169.21_whql.html
dark_slayer
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Snograt
Yuck. Doesn't sound promising. Look in your Guild Wars folder and see if there's an ArenaNet.txt.
I guess you're running proper WHQL ForceWare drivers - currently 169.21 on XP - here http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_169.21_whql.html |
JAK3US
I don't know about the actual quality of the card itself, but here is an 8600gt for $50 after mail in rebate:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125070
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125070
Snograt
Quote:
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Originally Posted by dark_slayer
Yeah theres a ArenaNet.txt file there but i dont know how to read that crap lol do you want to take a look at it?
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[Edit] The limit is 19.5KB for .txt files, and 95KB for .zip. However, I just realised that if you have Word or anything that can output in .doc format, that can be as large as 488KB. Odd.
dark_slayer
here it is......
Edit--heres a pic of the dead pixel stuff i was telling you about lol
Edit--heres a pic of the dead pixel stuff i was telling you about lol
Snograt
That lists every crash going back to January. They are nearly all
One of those errors that has a billion different causes :/
Graphics card drivers - update as before.
Chipset drivers - go to MSI's site and search for your mobo.
Most likely causes from where I'm standing.
When you DO get it running again (touch wood) - I'd delete your gw.dat and run an -image. Lot of missing textures in there
[edit] just saw your jpg - yuck. Graphics drivers is STILL my best guess - just hoping it is that and not new-card-time.
Code:
Exception: c0000005 Memory at address 00000000 could not be read
Graphics card drivers - update as before.
Chipset drivers - go to MSI's site and search for your mobo.
Most likely causes from where I'm standing.
When you DO get it running again (touch wood) - I'd delete your gw.dat and run an -image. Lot of missing textures in there
[edit] just saw your jpg - yuck. Graphics drivers is STILL my best guess - just hoping it is that and not new-card-time.
dark_slayer
well all my drivers are up to date. and I still cant play. i just really want to play guild wars with my friends. i am very broke at the moment and im disabled so i cant go out and make the money. so 50 bucks to me is alot of money. if it were up to me i would buy a new system.
Even if it was only 15 fps and no eye candy at all, i would be happy just to be playing with my friends.
BTW thanks for all the help...
Even if it was only 15 fps and no eye candy at all, i would be happy just to be playing with my friends.
BTW thanks for all the help...
Tarun
Have you tried opening it up and using compressed air to clean it out?
dark_slayer
Yep my computer is always clean and has very nice airflow.
eggrolls
If your temperatures are fine, then I'd check whether the graphics card is still under warranty and have the manufacturer replace it.
Snograt
Quote:
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Originally Posted by dark_slayer
I built this computer about 2 1/2 years ago
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Damn, it sucks when you can't help someone. I hope if you do buy that 8600 that it DOES cure the problem.
all13d
I'm sorry if this has already been mentioned, but you might want to check your RAM with memtest86+ before you go off buying stuff that you might not need.
moriz
that pixel problem looks suspiciously like my fx5500 PCI, when i try to install the 169.21 omega drivers. black zebra stripes (pattern similiar to yours) will start running down my screen and the computer freezes.
i'm betting it's some sort of driver issue, since i was able to cure the problem by running a different driver. for example, my card can handle the official 169.21 drivers with no problems.
i'm betting it's some sort of driver issue, since i was able to cure the problem by running a different driver. for example, my card can handle the official 169.21 drivers with no problems.
SnipiousMax
I'd run a memtest too. Ram is ALOT cheaper to replace than a video card.
cebalrai
That looks like a memory error. Try pulling out one stick or the other. I bet you 50 gold that you'll isolate a bad stick!
And yeah run memtest and you'll see what's up too...
And yeah run memtest and you'll see what's up too...
Admael
Most RAM have lifetime warranty. OCZ is no exception.
If you do find out there's a problem with your RAM, just RMA. No receipt? No problem. Just call them up and request an RMA, then when approved, ship the RAM back to them.
If you do find out there's a problem with your RAM, just RMA. No receipt? No problem. Just call them up and request an RMA, then when approved, ship the RAM back to them.
Mark Nevermiss
I had an ATI 9600XT card which was working fine until I started getting similar symptoms to yours; I'd be playing just fine and then BAM! system auto reset. I found the reason: very dirty VGA fan ---> not spinning anymore. The room is air conditioned so it works but then when the chipset heats up, PC resets.
I bought a cheap nvidia card because I was unable to find any AGP cards in the local market. I will try to find a replacement for the old fan tho.
Could yours be a similar problem?
I bought a cheap nvidia card because I was unable to find any AGP cards in the local market. I will try to find a replacement for the old fan tho.
Could yours be a similar problem?
Cyb3r
what i'm seeying refers to arctifacts which refers to overheating i suggest you clean out the fan of the video card i know this can be a pain (it is when you got to clean Dual 7800gt's and those follow the design of nvidia which has been almost the same since the 6XXX series
Lord Sojar
Hmm... well, in all my experiences, that looks like a cache corruption on the chip itself. My opinion, card is dead. It could be cache write checks from drivers, but most likely, you will need a new card.
I will give you something to try, but I nor nVidia are not responsible for any damages this may cause to your PC, OS, or anything related or connected to it, near it, or associated with it. Use it at your own risk.
What this could be is a cache overlay issue. That means the GPU's BIOS is corrupted. You MUST read what I am about to type CAREFULLY, and remember, try this at your own risk!
Find a blank floppy disk
Get your floppy drive plugged in if it wasn't already.
Download NiBiTor
Download NVflash v5.50
Now, for the fun part!
Create a bootable floppy disk, and copy the NVflash files to it. You also need to set your PC to boot from floppy disk, not HDD or CDROM.
Restart the PC. Once you are inside NVflash, type exactly is below this line bolded for you:
a:nvflash -b backup.rom
Now, get back to into Windows. Using NiBiTor, open the backup.rom file off your floppy disk. Bring the voltage down a small amount, and adjust the clock speeds down just a bit, and loosen the memory timings a bit, meaning make them just a tiny bit higher (lower = tight, higher= loose). Now save the file as biosrev.rom
Restart the PC, and boot from the floppy again. Once you are there, type what you see below this line, I have again bolded it for you to type:
a:nvflash -p -u -f biosrev.rom
Restart the PC and enter windows. If you notice the card is acting even worse or doesn't want to turn on, use that floppy again, go back in, and type this:
a:nvflash -p -u -f backup.rom
Your card will be back to default settings.
My goal here is to reduce the core temperature that a temp probe may not be seeing. It is also to release electron pressure off the cache gate by reducing the frequencies and the total voltage.
Best of luck if you try this!
I will give you something to try, but I nor nVidia are not responsible for any damages this may cause to your PC, OS, or anything related or connected to it, near it, or associated with it. Use it at your own risk.
What this could be is a cache overlay issue. That means the GPU's BIOS is corrupted. You MUST read what I am about to type CAREFULLY, and remember, try this at your own risk!
Find a blank floppy disk
Get your floppy drive plugged in if it wasn't already.
Download NiBiTor
Download NVflash v5.50
Now, for the fun part!
Create a bootable floppy disk, and copy the NVflash files to it. You also need to set your PC to boot from floppy disk, not HDD or CDROM.
Restart the PC. Once you are inside NVflash, type exactly is below this line bolded for you:
a:nvflash -b backup.rom
Now, get back to into Windows. Using NiBiTor, open the backup.rom file off your floppy disk. Bring the voltage down a small amount, and adjust the clock speeds down just a bit, and loosen the memory timings a bit, meaning make them just a tiny bit higher (lower = tight, higher= loose). Now save the file as biosrev.rom
Restart the PC, and boot from the floppy again. Once you are there, type what you see below this line, I have again bolded it for you to type:
a:nvflash -p -u -f biosrev.rom
Restart the PC and enter windows. If you notice the card is acting even worse or doesn't want to turn on, use that floppy again, go back in, and type this:
a:nvflash -p -u -f backup.rom
Your card will be back to default settings.
My goal here is to reduce the core temperature that a temp probe may not be seeing. It is also to release electron pressure off the cache gate by reducing the frequencies and the total voltage.
Best of luck if you try this!
snaek
sounds like overheatin imo
Lord Sojar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by snaek
sounds like overheatin imo
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Each vertical line is an overlay of the cache. If the cached information becomes corrupted before it is sent to final process and output, it results in linear artifacting. Typically, it shows itself as a nasty color artifact or a nice black and white pattern that covers the screen. Both are not good, but color is better than black and white. Try my BIOS fix if you are brave.
Quaker
Most common cause for those sorts of errors is the video card not seated properly in it's slot. Take it out and put it back in.
Next to that is bad video RAM and/or GPU on the video card.
Next to that would be dust clogging the fan on the video card and/or the fan isn't running.
After that, it's a crap shoot.
For a video card, at that price range I'd recommend an ATI 3450 based card.
Next to that is bad video RAM and/or GPU on the video card.
Next to that would be dust clogging the fan on the video card and/or the fan isn't running.
After that, it's a crap shoot.
For a video card, at that price range I'd recommend an ATI 3450 based card.
Lord Sojar
It isn't overheating guys... that is not his current problem. Either his vRAM is shot, the cache on the GPU chip itself has been damaged by heat/overvolt, or the VGA BIOS is corrupted. It is NOT overheating.
Cyb3r
yes rahja is right sorry for my wrong interpretation getting late here. The only way is indeed like rahja suggest reflash the bios, cause it indeeds sounds like a cache corruption / overflow caused by the corruption
dark_slayer
Well i think its not a overheating problem cause i always keep it cold in here, i always keep my computer dust free and has nice airflow.
I don't think its my system ram, but i don't have a floppy drive so i cant use memtest to find out. but i have tryed taking 1 stick out, it didint fix it so i swapped it out with the other one and still didint fix it.
Anyways the new video card is on the way, i had to pay using a money order so its going to be a couple of weeks before i get it but i will report back when it arrives, i hope the video card is the problem.
Fingers crossed
I don't think its my system ram, but i don't have a floppy drive so i cant use memtest to find out. but i have tryed taking 1 stick out, it didint fix it so i swapped it out with the other one and still didint fix it.
Anyways the new video card is on the way, i had to pay using a money order so its going to be a couple of weeks before i get it but i will report back when it arrives, i hope the video card is the problem.
Fingers crossed
Brianna
Quote:
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Originally Posted by dark_slayer
Well i think its not a overheating problem cause i always keep it cold in here, i always keep my computer dust free and has nice airflow.
I don't think its my system ram, but i don't have a floppy drive so i cant use memtest to find out. but i have tryed taking 1 stick out, it didint fix it so i swapped it out with the other one and still didint fix it. Anyways the new video card is on the way, i had to pay using a money order so its going to be a couple of weeks before i get it but i will report back when it arrives, i hope the video card is the problem. Fingers crossed |
It's most likely the video card though, as suggested.
Lord Sojar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brianna
If not, then enjoy your new video card.
It's most likely the video card though, as suggested. |
Brianna
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief
Or the motherboard, god forbid...
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We shall see!
dark_slayer
Got the new video card today and yep it fixed all my problems, i can play with max settings at about 50-60 FPS flawlessly. and when I run 2 accounts at the same time i get about 15-30 FPS on both.
I ended up getting this card for $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161096
HIS Hightech H155F512N-R Radeon X1550 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card
I wasn't expecting much from such a low end card but wow this things almost just as good as my old broke down 7900 gtx when it was new, i would recommend this card to anyone who needs a decent/cheap card to play GW on. i haven't tested any other games on it cause all i play is GW.
Thanks for all the help.
I ended up getting this card for $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161096
HIS Hightech H155F512N-R Radeon X1550 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card
I wasn't expecting much from such a low end card but wow this things almost just as good as my old broke down 7900 gtx when it was new, i would recommend this card to anyone who needs a decent/cheap card to play GW on. i haven't tested any other games on it cause all i play is GW.
Thanks for all the help.
Brianna
Cheers, now donate your 7900 to Blendtec and tell the guy to blend it.
''This old 7900 was good in its time, but I decided to get an upgrade, so the question is, will it blend?"
"Phew, Nvidia Smoke, don't breathe this!"
If you don't know what ''Will It Blend'' is, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI pretty funny stuff. It would actually be funny if you could really donate stuff to them, and someone donated a dead 9800GTX or something, but the new Nvidia cards are coming out really soon here so it'd be better to get a dud one of those.
''This old 7900 was good in its time, but I decided to get an upgrade, so the question is, will it blend?"
"Phew, Nvidia Smoke, don't breathe this!"
If you don't know what ''Will It Blend'' is, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI pretty funny stuff. It would actually be funny if you could really donate stuff to them, and someone donated a dead 9800GTX or something, but the new Nvidia cards are coming out really soon here so it'd be better to get a dud one of those.
Blackhearted
Quote:
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Originally Posted by dark_slayer
Got the new video card today and yep it fixed all my problems, i can play with max settings at about 50-60 FPS flawlessly. and when I run 2 accounts at the same time i get about 15-30 FPS on both.
I ended up getting this card for $39.99 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161096 HIS Hightech H155F512N-R Radeon X1550 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 Video Card I wasn't expecting much from such a low end card but wow this things almost just as good as my old broke down 7900 gtx when it was new, i would recommend this card to anyone who needs a decent/cheap card to play GW on. i haven't tested any other games on it cause all i play is GW. Thanks for all the help. |
Lord Sojar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brianna
Cheers, now donate your 7900 to Blendtec and tell the guy to blend it.
''This old 7900 was good in its time, but I decided to get an upgrade, so the question is, will it blend?" "Phew, Nvidia Smoke, don't breathe this!" If you don't know what ''Will It Blend'' is, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg1ckCkm8YI pretty funny stuff. It would actually be funny if you could really donate stuff to them, and someone donated a dead 9800GTX or something, but the new Nvidia cards are coming out really soon here so it'd be better to get a dud one of those. |
Cyb3r
i wanna know rahja (god i'm evil today again :P)
Brianna
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Rahja the Thief
I'll send him a failed board. lol. Unfortunately, it won't have this GIGANTIC heatsink the 280 uses, because we don't typically take care of that end. I must say though, this 280 is one crazy card. I am currently doing some at home "testing" of my devkit. Fun stuff, especially the PhysX capabilities being almost fully realized. You don't want to even know what FPS this gets at 1920x1200 in guild wars, everything maxed obviously.... you might vomit (and I can't tell yet, because the final drivers are not finished and it hasn't officially released)
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Also, I got my 8800GTS up to 666+ FPS (I actually did cap it at 666 FPS, but took a long time to get it to land on that number, was changing up and down a lot).
So I can imagine what the 280 can do.. O.O.
Lord Sojar
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Brianna
Yay, do it! It'd be fun.
Also, I got my 8800GTS up to 666+ FPS (I actually did cap it at 666 FPS, but took a long time to get it to land on that number, was changing up and down a lot). So I can imagine what the 280 can do.. O.O. |