PC Freeze during encoding process

[dafaba]

This is my first posting on this forum, I have referred to website many times to research problems, but now I have a problem I can’t seem to fix.
My PC locks up/freezes every time DVD Shrink hits the encoding process. I have tried using dvd decryper to rip the disc to my hard drive and then move over to dvd shrink to complete the back up, but same result during the encoding process. I have also tried using dvd shrink to do the whole process, but every time my system locks. I have tried reinstalling dvd shrink to the same directory and to another directory, no joy.
I have never had this problem and have backed up tons of discs, but all of a sudden I started running into this problem. Old discs, New discs, damaged discs, all the same result.
Any thoughts? Any other apps besides dvd shrink that can do the same thing?
Without any thoughts I’ll be forced to find another program or rebuild my operating system.
Thanks for any idea’s.

[LT. Columbo]

http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=45726


check DMA too
http://forum.digital-digest.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44808

also, if you use xp, a system restore might do the trick.

[NightTran]

your disc is dirty or damage, try dvd fab first if it is not working then try a new one

[LT. Columbo]

"I have never had this problem and have backed up tons of discs, but all of a sudden I started running into this problem. Old discs, New discs, damaged discs, all the same result."

[jmet]

I highly advise going to the first link LT posted!

My suggestion is that your computer is over heating. Take the side of the case off, then run DVD Shrink and see if it still freezes.

[jm1647]

Is it locking up and you hafta reboot or just utilizing 100% CPU and your able to use it after encoding is complete. Are you using a screen saver?

[benbryant]

I had the same problem in the past. All hardwares seemed to work OK. However, I never realized that the fan still rotated but it didn't blow at full speed (some fans stop working immediately, some just slow down gradually before stopping working eventually). Using some regular program doesn't cause enough symtom about heat related problem. However, when you use DVD Shrink or some graphics editing apps, the problem would show instantly. Hope that this can lend you a hand

Regards

[blutach]

Clean your system out at least every 6 months. Dust is the enemy!

Regards

[dafaba]

First off, Thank you for your support.
After checking that I had not installed any new programs between the last good burn and the first freeze.
I then reloaded the most recent DirectX.
I’m running win2k.
My cpu is not overheating, 40c avg, same as the day I built this rig (high power).
No screen savers or any other background programs.
I then took a can of canned air to the guts, as I tend to do at least every six months.
I then tried to burn, same result, my system locked. Nothing responds, my only option is to power off the pc and trying again.
So I did, BUT this time I started Windows Task Manager so I could monitor my systems performance during the encoding process. The result was a Good Burn.
So I tried another disc, this time without Task manager running, and again my pc locked during the encoding process. I then again restarted and opened Task manager before starting the dvdshrink process again. The result was another good burn. I burned another disc after that with Task Manager running again with a good burn.
My findings are that if I have Task Manager running the process completes successfully.
This is still a problem but it is better than rebuilding my operating system.
Any thoughts are welcome. But I think we can file this under the X File.

[blutach]

That's wacky. Seems like if your PC knows your keeping a close eye on it, it behaves itself (like a little kid). Give it a smack!

Regards

[LT. Columbo]

"That's wacky. Seems like if your PC knows your keeping a close eye on it, it behaves itself (like a little kid). Give it a smack!"

:rotfl: ...made me chuckle;)

[dafaba]

HaHa,
Usually my computer behaves itself, but it does get grumpy at times. A buddy of mine thinks I have some sort of spyware running somewhere, however if that is the case I have not been able to find it either on my own or with my security software. Maybe my next security update will zap whatever it maybe, if anything.
I will continue to post updates as I come across them.

[dafaba]

So I thought I had a work around for my problem, run task manager during the process. No Joy! I tried to back up 4 dvd’s today and the first one worked. It was a dvd from 95 and it was not in the best condition, but the process worked. I then tried two more brand new 05 discs, same problem again, the process locked up my pc during the encoding process, even with task manager running. I tried rebooting, reinstalling, new directories, everything. No Joy. I even tried another different older disc and my pc still locked up.
I’m going to try again tomorrow and if that doesn’t work I try a few more things, but at this point I feel like I’m wasting my time. I don’t believe it is a hardware problem, or a problem with the dvd shrink program. I think the problem lays with either a conflict in my pc’s operating system, new encoding on new dvd’s, or a virus or spyware that mcafee can’t find. I’m thinking a rebuild of my operating system is the key, but that sucks! Talk about wasting time.
Any ideas would be great, but the rebuild seems like the answer at this point.

[Taelon]

dafaba, sounds like a hardware issue. You said CPU temp checks ok, but I'm willing to bet it's overheating when encoding. I'd pull off the heat sink and reapply a thin layer of Artic Silver compound. And thoroughly clean the fan & heatsink fins while it's apart. If still no joy, try running Memtest 86. And last but not least get something to monitor system voltages, one of the lines could be sagging when under high load.

[dafaba]

Thanks Taelon. I'm going to go to the pc warehouse store tomorrow and get new silver compound, a new can of air, and maybe a new fan. I tried again tonight to copy a disc and couldn’t get past 5% on the encoding. Your idea about the cpu overheating during encoding sounds plausible since the lockup seems to happen sooner and sooner every time I try. I did not use the best compound the first time out so that could very much be the problem.
I’ll report again on my progress tomorrow. Thanks again!

[tigerman8u]

memory going bad and or over heating would be my guess

[blutach]

Did you try jmet's/benbryant's suggestion about 10 posts up?

This happened to me once. I also had to blow in air from an electric fan we used to cool a room. Performed flawlessly until I had the chance to get new fans.

AMD systems (dunno if yours is one) tend to go with el cheapo fans. They get clogged and buggered. If you see this is the case, invest in a real good fan and clean it every 6 months.

Regards

[dafaba]

Well a weekend lost and no better than when it started. I am running an AMD system. I cleaned out the whole case, retired an extra rom drive I had in the case, pulled off the heat sink, replaced the thermal compound with new thermal silver compound, formatted the hard drive, reloaded the operating system, reviewed all suggestions from this posting, and it still locks up on the encoding process, and now dvdshrink just disappears durning the encoding process if it doesn’t lock up the system first. I am left with running a memtest, and a power test, but I don't have much hope of finding anything with those tests as everything else I do works fine, it is just a problem when trying to use dvdshrink. My processor is running at an average 40c, I plan on buying a new heatsink and fan in the next week. But for the most part I'm about done wasting my time, I think it's time to find another way to complete this process, and come back to the dvdshrink problem in a few weeks if ever again.
This has been rather frustrating and I wish I could have fixed the problem, but thanks for all the suggestions and feel free to keep them coming.

[dafaba]

any suggestions on alternatives to dvdshrink?

[Taelon]

Sorry to here you haven't had any success. Before ditching DVDShrink, try running Prime95 (http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=103)torture test, and/or SuperPI (http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=36) I still believe you have an underlying hardware issue. If your system can run Prime95 and SuperPI without failing then we can be sure the hardware is stable, and look into a software conflict.

[dafaba]

Thanks again Taelon. I ran SuperPI and Prime95 and both seemed to run without any problems. I also had my system set to sound an alarm if the CPU temp reaches 60c, I had started that about a week ago when I started working on this problem and the alarm has not gone off. Now the strange thing is that I backed up a disc last night that was from a DVD-R and it worked, then I tried a regular disc and it locked up while dvdshrink was analyzing the disc for the first time, then a third attempt got the encoding to about 60% before it locked up my pc.
The questions I’m asking myself now are, if my hardware seems fine why didn’t the Format & Reloading of the Operating system (win2k) correct the glitch? Could it be the burner? My burner is not top of the line; it is an Aopen DVDRW drive that cost about $45. However my pc will also lock up if it is trying to encode the data from a file on the hard drive that I ripped with dvd decrypter. Could the burner be blamed here??

Process of Elimination, It’s got to be something.

[Taelon]

dafaba, I doubt the problem is directly related to your burner, and since Prime95 ran without fail we can pretty much rule out a cpu/memory problem, but lets continue with the process of elimination.

1) Rip with DVDDecrypter
2) Perform a Deep Analysis pass with DVDShrink
3) Shrink & Backup to ISO or Hard Disk Folder
4) Burn the ISO or Files with DVDDecrypter or Nero

This will isolate the DVDShrink processes in Step 2 & 3 from the reading/burning interface & hardware. If you get a system lockup in Step 2 or 3, disable McAfee and repeat the step.

[dafaba]

Alright, I ripped with DVDDrcryper, and then went on to DVDShrink to do the Deep Analysis, it locked up at 59%. After rebooting I tried to just Shrink and Backup to ISO file and it locked, then to a hard disk folder, it locked up. I then disabled McAfee and again it locked up. What else could be eliminated?
Thanks for the help.

[Taelon]

dafaba, try turning off the Preview in DVDShrink.

[dafaba]

It's never been on.

[Taelon]

This is really puzzling, since you say the hardware checks ok, and temps are ok. It crashes during the encoding phase so it isn't ASPI or an Optical drive problem. I can only come up with 3 more possibilities.

One is the power supply is sagging due to processor load it seems unlikely since you ran Prime95 but still worth watching, this can be checked with something like "motherboard monitor".

Two is that the harddrive isn't responding quick enough to keep the data flowing too and from Shrink. A full defrag and Error check/scan for bad sectors should take care of that.

Three is a software conflict, like your buddy said;
A buddy of mine thinks I have some sort of spyware running somewhere, however if that is the case I have not been able to find it either on my own or with my security software. Maybe my next security update will zap whatever it maybe, if anything.I recommend getting Spybot Search & Destroy and Adaware (both are free) and let them scan your system for any spyware/malware that McAfee might have missed.

[deuteros]

hi dafaba
i have the same problem and couldnt solve it...
i went back to dvd shrink 3 beta 1. it doesnt use directx and never crashes like the 3.2.15 does.

im running on winxp sp1, with ati radeon 9800xt, sb audigy 2 pro platinum
maybe theres some conflict between the software drivers and directx

regards jay

[dafaba]

Taelon- Thanks for the additional suggestions, Good idea about the defrag and error check, I have not done that in sometime, and that is something I should have done in the first place.(Duh!) As for the hard drive not responding quickly enough, it is a Serial ATA hard drive so it already faster than your normal hard drives.
And as for the software conflict, I am having my buddy come over and this weekend and look some things over, but I will also try those two anti spyware programs.

deuteros- Thanks; At least I’m not the only one out there with this problem. Do you know where someone could get the dvd shrink 3 beta 1?

I will do more work and report on my progress in a few days.

[Dax52]

I had the same problem. There seemed to a conflict with Nero. If you delete Nero your Shrink problems will probably dissappear but then how do you burn. My solution was to download an older beta version of Shink 3.0 beta 5 which you can find at http://www.mrbass.org/dvdshrink/dvdshrinkold/.

I don't think you can save as an iso file but otherwise it seems to work fine. Give it a try.

[Chewy]

W2k, reloaded, what kind of levels of compression is shrink locking up at?
Have you loaded all the drivers and updates for W2k?

[dafaba]

Dax52-Thanks, that link is great! I got the Shrink 3.0 beta 5 and the encoding process completed successfully, but I could not get that data backed up to a dvdr that would play. I shrunk it and then tried to use Nero to back it up but could not get a good copy that worked. I also plan to try reloading Nero to see if that fixes the problem with the current shrink.

rbrtpl-Yes I reloaded W2k after reformatting the hard drive, then updated all the drivers, and got all the windows updates. And the encoding process locks up anywhere from 1% - 99% it is very random.

I also Defraged the hard drive a few times, it was really needed, but did not fix the problem.

Thanks people, I report more progress later. (I hope there is progress!)

[Chewy]

At 100% compression in reauthor mode shrink isn't doing any real work,
at anything less(which is more compression) it's having to work your computer
hard. The reason 3.2 is so fast and efficient is it's using everything available
to do a difficult job. If 3.2 will rip a movie at 100% but not at say 70%,
I would tend to believe something's wrong with hardware or the OS or both.

[dafaba]

rbrtpl- I think I misunderstood your question when I first answered it, I have had the encoding process lock up on discs that didn't need any compression and on discs that require up to 50% compression. It happens on almost all backups. Most of the time my backups are compressed about 50% give or take 10 or so %. But every once since I started working on this problem I'll get a disc to work, but then the next disc will lockup. The Shrink 3.0 beta 5, did shrink a disc without locking up, but now I need to figure out how to get a good burn from the files it created. I'm sure it's simple, just need to figure it out. However I wish I could get the current version of shrink to work like it did for five months straight before it rolled over and died.

[Chewy]

What version of DirectX are you using and does everything look ok
in device manager, displayadapters(driver date recent), agp(in sys devices)
driver current? What's the chipset for the motherboard?

[Taelon]

Hi again dafaba, I'd also like to know the answers to rbrtpl's questions, as well as the SATA drivers you are using. I'm glad you had success with 3.0b5, could you try version 3.1.2 which you can also find here (http://www.mrbass.org/dvdshrink/dvdshrinkold/)

I searched thru some of my notes, the only time I've had Shrink lock-up on me was in the midst of summer when the FSB was set @ 175, dropping it to 170 solved the problem. Is your system overclocked at all?

[blutach]

If it is a Nero conflict, try uninstalling it with the Clean Tool (http://www.nero.com/en/Nero_6_Clean_Tool.html). You can burn with DVD Decrypter: Backup --> Select backup target --> ISO image file and burn with DVD Decrypter

Any chance of posting your latest Nero log - it is located at C:\Program Files\Ahead\Nero\NeroHistory.log

Regards

[dafaba]

Hello all, here are some of the answers you requested, plus a log of the steps I have taken in the last two days.

DirectX 9.0c
Nforce3 250 ChipSet, Driver version 8.18.5, 10/10/05
Everything in device manager is up to date & checks out.
Temps in my area are mild, 40-70 and falling everyday.
I burned away during the summer when the temps were 90+ for
weeks and never had a problem.
I don't think my problems is with Nero as I do not get to
the burning process.

log...
10/20
1. Updated GfxC Drivers, restart
2. Updated Chipset Drivers, restart
3. Spybot S&D, scan found nothing
4. Ad-Aware se,found Alexa.? Zapped her. Rescan, found no threats.
5. Updated NVIDIA IDE / SATA driver for nForce3 series V 510, restart
6. Reloaded current dvdshrink, restart
7. Attemped backup, Full disc 56.3% compression, locked system @ 3%., Hard Boot
8. Loaded dvdshrink 3.1.2
9. Attemped backup, Full disc 56.3%, locked system @ 73%, hard boot

10/21
1. Unistalled shrink 3.1.2
2. reinstalled shrink 3.2.0.15, restart.
3. reinstalled Nero 6
(doing this to see if I can get new info in nerohistory log as all info in the current log is only from the very few good burns I've had since problems started.)
3. Attempted backup, pc locked at 1%, hard boot.
4. No Nero log as burning process was never reached.

After the last hard boot I went to post this message and my computer locked up, first time it's done that outside of dvdshrink, so I hard booted, and it happened again, hard boot again, open a IE and then my pc rebooted. I then let it sit there powered off for 10-15 minutes, now I'm back up and haven't crashed. This is very strange however. I'm kinda thinkin it might be the power supply. My PS is a 450W Coolmax that is about 10 months old, and I'm sure these hard boots are not helping anything.
My buddy is going to come over tomorrow and look some things over, he is a master with both hardware and software but knows nothing of dvdshrink or related programs. But something good may come out of it.
Thanks again to all of you pitching in ideas, I really appreciate it and I will report on my progress later in the weekend.

[Chewy]

Can you try 2 or 3 things,
underclock the cpu but not the ram in bios
underclock the ram but not the cpu
disconnect a few optional items(case fans) from the powersupply
remember only do One item at a time

[dafaba]

I am not overclocking, so I will try to disconnect a couple of the fans first.
Thanks.

[Chewy]

If the cpu or ram is starting to go, often it will run underclocked but
not at it's regular settings. For example, a 2Ghz cpu, underclocked to
1.5Ghz, might work, just a way to isolate the problem.
The best way is to start exchanging components one at a time, however
most people don't have spares just laying around.

[blutach]

Moved to General Computing (it's looking like that sorta problem)

Regards

[Chewy]

I am getting the general idea that shrink 3.2 might stress a computer,
especially after prolonged exposure to high compression.

[dafaba]

Well the problem has been fixed, in a way.
My pc checks out 100%, nothing wrong.
But dvdshrink still locks up on the encoding process.
I tried everything, and I won't go into details.
The problem was fixed but transferring the burner to my old dell, and it works on that system, it's so slow, but it works. I may try it again on my main pc someday, but for now this works and it frees up my main pc for other things.
Thanks for all the help, and I hope I can pitch in a few ideas on other peoples problems in the future.

[Chewy]

Sounds like it MIGHT be a power supply
issue.

[dafaba]

That very well could be the case, but since evertything else works I don't want to buy a new one until I start seeing more problems.

[Chewy]

You'll know soon enough, the burner will cause problems in the dell
or the power supply in the newer computer will keep getting worse.

Newegg sent me a new liteon dvd-rom with a direct short on the 12 volt rail,
it ate one older power supply and tripped another one before I figured it out.

[dafaba]

So it’s been about three weeks since I moved my backup operations to the slow dell, and all is well. My main PC however has started locking up at all sorts of random times, sometimes during heavy gaming, or simple Internet searches, and sometimes I come home to find it locked up in idle. After extensive tests I thought I found the problem, a bad stick of ram, (even though it passed all the tests) I pulled one of the two 512’s out and it worked mostly fine, so I then thought to take that stick of ram that I pulled and put it back in the case all by it’s self, and no problems, then I put the other 512 back in for the full gig and the problems were back.
This leads me to believe that the slots for the ram in the MB are going bad.
But with my recent luck it will be something totally different. I’m going to pick up one full gig of ram on one stick and plug that in all by it’s self, hopefully that will be temporary fix until I can find a new MB that I like and can afford.
Just wanted to give you all an update.

Thanks.

[jmet]

Thanks for reporting back your findings!

GOOD LUCK! :)

[Chewy]

@daf...,
bingo, now lets look at how that ram is configured in bios.
try both sticks in the non-dual channel slots, run everest

computer/overclock/report/quickreportoverclock/plaintext

example!
CPU Speed:
CPU Clock 2158.88 MHz
CPU Multiplier 13.0x
CPU FSB 166.07 MHz
Memory Bus 166.07 MHz
Motherboard Name Soyo KT880 DRAGON 2
Chipset Properties:
Motherboard Chipset VIA Apollo KT880
Memory Timings 2-2-2-6 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Command Rate (CR) 2T

SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM2 256 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM (2.0-2-2-5 @ 166 MHz)
DIMM4 256 MB PC2700 DDR SDRAM (2.0-2-2-5 @ 166 MHz)

this is what I would like to see and the actual ram names

[Chewy]

You can also run cpuid and compare the memory and spd tabs

[dafaba]

So I'm not so sure what to look for in the bios concerning how the ram is configured. I checked it out, I can change the voltage of the DDR, but could not find anything else related to the ram.
I did add the other stick of ram, but this time I put them in the second and third slots (3 max), and so far so good, 4-5 hours and my system is stable. Below you will find the everest report, the type of ram I running is Rosewill 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200).
Thanks again for the ideas.


CPU Speed:
CPU Clock 2009.51 MHz
CPU Multiplier 10.0x
CPU FSB 200.95 MHz (original: 200 MHz)
Memory Bus 167.46 MHz
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-K8NS (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Chipset Properties:
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce3 250, AMD Hammer
Memory Timings 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Command Rate (CR) 2T

SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM2 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM3 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz)

[Chewy]

Rosewill 512MB 184-Pin DDR SDRAM Unbuffered DDR 400 (PC 3200).
Thanks again for the ideas.


CPU FSB 200.95 MHz (original: 200 MHz)
Memory Bus 167.46 MHz
Motherboard Name Gigabyte GA-K8NS (5 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DDR DIMM, Audio, LAN)
Chipset Properties:
Motherboard Chipset nVIDIA nForce3 250, AMD Hammer
Memory Timings 2.5-3-3-7 (CL-RCD-RP-RAS)
Command Rate (CR) 2T

SPD Memory Modules:
DIMM2 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM3 512 MB PC3200 DDR SDRAM (2.5-4-4-8 @ 200 MHz)

So much for my theory of dual channel ram, everything's probably set to auto/
default in bios for the memory settings, that's not very good ram and the 2 sticks might not match each other well enough, since it's running underclocked at 166 it's probably fine now. Which slots are being used
shouldn't affect how bios sets the memory timings tho?????????
Look back at everest report or cpuid and get the bios date/version.
this might apply to you????
http://www.giga-byte.com/Motherboard/Support/FAQ/FAQ_473.htm

[j_da_mans]

Hi I have never posted in a forum before, but I am having the exact same problem, I too have a Gigabyte K8NS M/board. Did the RAM swap fix this issue? or are you still using your Dell for DVD Shrink. I was leaning towards the conclusion that an updated M/board driver was to blame, but i still can't seem to fix it.

[Chewy]

what's the date on the driver package?
there's a new (2005-11-03) whql one

I just finished running windows xpsp2 as a repair disk on my NF2 mobo
downloading my new driver now

[j_da_mans]

Thats the one I have.

Bit of a breakthrough last night - I found that the Gigabyte M/board has issues when you have 2 or 3 double sided RAM installed ( I have 3 x 512 ) you actually have to manually set the RAM clock to 166MHz as opposed to Auto in the BIOS, I have done this and immedietly backed up 3 of my DVD's without any hitches at all, so fingers crossed that has done it!

[Chewy]

That's exactly what I have found out about bios settings,
they are a lot like <strike>women</strike> wookies, nice touch blu
they don't make sense.

You are probably home free now!

:badpc: :clap:

apologies to supermod cynthia

[j_da_mans]

Yes, I can confim that this has solved my problem! I am so happy I can go back to using Shrink again!

I see that this can affect a few different Gigabyte M\boards so if anyone else is experiecing similar problems I suggest trying this before you throw away any RAM.

Cheers everyone for you helpful posts!

[dafaba]

Hello all,
Since my Bios will not let me change the Ram Clock and since it is the original Bios it is clear that I need to update it, I have tried to avoid this outcome but it is clear now that it needs to be done. My pc is still running fairly well since I moved the ram to the 2nd & 3rd slots. I can't really test shrink on that PC though as I am still using the Dell for my back-ups, and I have had very few problems with the process with the exception on the time it takes.
However this weekend I will be moving my Main PC to a new case and plan on updating the Bios, formatting the hard drive, rebuilding the operating system, and updating all the drivers. This should give me nice clean slate and hopefully eliminate all my problems.
I’ll report back on my progress.
Happy Thanksgiving

[Floppy]

I am very happy you resolved your issues...

I extend to you a couple of expertise I have picked up over the years on dealing with everything from ZX specturm 68k, Commodore amiga 64, 166Mhz IBM 5-1/4" Floppies machines (were I got my nick name from)... Ok So I started when I was 2 years old (more like 14) but since Im only 29 (33) I would like to think I learned absolutly nothing....

basically I have been building Low/medium and High performing machines for a little over 10 years.....

The point is there is a few manufacturers I learn to trust more and more for reliability/price/quality...

Gigabyte I would trust on theire CPU cooling solutions only.... In fact anyone that insists on VIA chipsets is cutting corners and quality and performance...

No one is free but surely I never had, never will have a via chipset anything....

Now that I finished blowing my own trumpet and established absolutly nothing I can say....

Wanna build a wicked system......?

I can point in right directions.....

[Chewy]

Floppy take a 2 1/2 hr movie, decrypt to hard drive, apply 70% compression with shrink, in reauthor, no AEC or DA, I have an asus mobo with via chipsets that smokes, amd64 939 3000 venus. Smokes a lot in memory everst benchs also, with cheaper memory.

[Floppy]

A pc's life is not defined by one end but by the overall performance...

With a AMD64 3000 Im sure the via chipset is standing side lines....

Point being Via chipset offers greatest rate of issues and incompatibilities overall...

I let your galactic traveling on that hyperdrive to talk for itself with later and diferent projects...

My offer will still stand regardless...

My humble backward system comprises of a extinct:
Abit Motherboard AN7 bios 19
Athlon XP 3200+ 400mHz
2GB Geil Dual Channel 400mHz
256MB Geforce FX (winfast TD340)
PVR2000
1xMaxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 80GB
1xMaxtor DiamondMax Plus 10 160GB
2xPlextor716A
cooled by Thermaltake tower 2 fans (maximum load temp 43 celsius 2hours minimum test load)
Encased in a Thermaltake Tsunamy dream Jet Black (side window)
Power by a Hiper HPU-4B580 Type R 580W
Screen 19" Hyundai B91A ImageQuest
5.1 DD surround sound system

Melts the asfalt....

Now building dual core system Fatal1ty AN8 SLi based

[Chewy]

I got the 145$ cpu up to 4100 speed fsb of 290 at 42C full load.
I had no issues with the via chipsets, having more problems with my
oc'd 2600mobile and durn nf2 chipset/drivers. From what I have read
the last few months nvidia has taken the lead in flakeyness.
Probably more driver team issues like last time ati took over the lead from
them in the video chipset war.

[Floppy]

True.... The market is hard competition between the two.

try a compilation set of drivers rather then the released ones...
Still WHQL'd but none the less a few issues have been resolved.

find them here.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/

[Chewy]

thanks for the link, this was my first NF mobo, I have been a via man
for a long time, I try to get the most bang for the buck, rather build 2
good computers as one great one for the same price. I don't like the
depreciation of high dollar items. Buy at the sweet spot only.
Recently intel has had their problems, the IAA etc, but they can implement
serial for atapi.

[Floppy]

I have been down the intel road b4 and via sis and finally nforce, my best results bearing in mind the odd bug here and there has always been with some via chipsets... Even all my mates have gonne for nforce mobos as alternative because of...

I have my other system a A7N8X 2.0 Deluxe (excelent mobo) but thats as far as I would go down with ASUS after the total fiasco with theire A7N8X-E deluxe fiasco and failed bios due to communications errors and bios f/w bugs...

The issues I experienced and were largely unresolved with via chipsets were with WI-FI Networking, USB and PCI issues and a definate inconpatibility with theire chipset....

Im not saying that it is solely the VIA chipsets at fault but somehow there a hardware manufacturers and via that doesnt seem to have a standard or willingness to work out issues between them...

I agree with you in I build 2 rather than a great but when I get most of my stuff as payment for services I build all to a higher quality and performance standard... My current system I posted up there cost £300 that was for the screen and 5 port USB 2.0 belkin PCI card....

soon we will see an emerging generation of faster and better performing (higher bandwith transfer) mobos and with that the introduction of faster performing HDD and DVD burning drives...

Anyway's any help I can give I will... I am more of a hardware/systems person but I dabble here and there...

Later :0

[Chewy]

A7N8X 2.0 Deluxe
is what I recycled from a cooked amd 3200 system, flashed to latest bios
to run the amd 2600 mobile at 2.2 and 400 fsb.

My asus via 939 definitely had issues with the southbridge serial and my raptor at 290fsb, but the promise is fine.

[Floppy]

Asus suck at Bios updates for their mobos I have had the 1008 beta 002 since I got the mobo 2 years ago....

they released the 1008 full version in August Last year... PCB rev 1.0 get all the joy....

There are the Uber updates for that but I really dont think it worth the risk of flashing some guys wacked f/w for the bios of the mobo wilst I say that the unlocked potential is well worth the trouble and I did....

look here for the downloads

Wacked Bios (http://members.lycos.co.uk/trats102002/A7N8X_Deluxe_2.0/)

For a all mobo list look here...

All wacked bios updates (http://www.hwupgrade.it/forum/archive/index.php/t-785101.html)

Note

Some links will need to have the download file name deleted in order to bring you to a download menu. i.e. http://members.lycos.co.uk/trats102002/A7N8X_Deluxe_2.0/1008mod3_2T.zip to

http://members.lycos.co.uk/trats102002/A7N8X_Deluxe_2.0/

Also look HERE (http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?p=3095488&postcount=62) for more info (that is you havent been down that road already...


I used to disagree with flashing frankenstein bios for all sorts but these days since I can afford the risks involved I benefit of the 1.000.000% chance of OC potential therein contained....

Well there you have it....

I am not responsible for the any adverse or in any way for any hardware being damaged by such flashes including mobo and all associated hardware...

Over to you Chewey!

[dafaba]

Hey all,
Sorry it's taken me so long to provide an update. But you know what they say, No news is good news. I did move my pc to a new and much more roomy case and flashed the newest bios. The new case did help bring down the temps, and the bios update gave me a whole new world of options. I found that my ram clock speed was defaulted to 166, and with that setting my pc would still lock up. So I dropped the speed one level to 155 and so far so good, it's been at least two weeks since that change and I haven't had any problems. I have yet to backup a dvd with this pc but I'm waiting for a new burner as my current one is a little buggy on it's own right. My backups do continue on the old slow dell, and besides some cheap bad media issues, and the buggy drive, all is well. I'll report back after the new drive is installed, but I think the bios update was the key, that and dropping the ram speed. I still wonder what brought this all on? I could still buy some better ram, but for now it works.
Thanks for all the suggestions.