Very serious hardware problem

[Vel]

I'm running on P4 1,6Ghz winXP with Nvidia GeForce 2 MX 400
After I load an application, it runs fine for a few minutes and then either windows closes the application saying that there is an error, or the computer restarts. I really need help. I've downloaded the newest drivers from nvidia website, tried all the settings, reinstalled windows, and still, no effect. I really really REALLY need help.

[Hobbes]

I have a P3 866Mhz and the same GeForce chipset as you. I had this problem a while back as well, although nowadays it only happens when I'm trying to watch TV on my TV-card and opening WinDVD at the same time...

...I noticed that with SP1 installed, it happens a lot more. Do you have that installed? If so, get rid of it!

I'm also suspecting it is a voltage problem in my case, might be the same for you? Is your power unit still working at the right voltages?

Hope this is *some* help...

[wOoDz]

look in control panel, admin tools, in there you'll find "event viewer" this logs when and why it shuts down, and is linked to Microsofts knowledge base ,when we first used XP, our kept shutting down, the reasons where, Yahoo messenger, zonealarm firewall, then we also had a RAM chip that worked fine under 98, and our cable modem , the chip we took out... the modem we changed USB's and it works fine now

woodz

[scotch]

Yeah I've had similar kind of problems but due to overheating or underpowering.. have you upgraded recently?  Could be something else though.

[Vel]

How do you adjust the voltage?

[Vel]

Strange... The restarting and closing of programs dont produce logs.

[juncmodule]

If your computer is restarting sometimes I'm afraid it may be a little more than the OS.

I had a crashing problem with my GeForceMX (on WINXP) as well. It just froze all of the time and then dumped to 256 color mode. I solved the problem by clocking my processor down. Through BIOS you can set the speed of the processor to 1.1GHZ or 1.5GHZ. At 1.1GHZ the crash goes away. This basically proves that my problem wasn't software, but hardware.

The GeForceMX just plain sucks. It has given me nothing but problems. Your problem is a little more unsettling though. Restarting on it's own...just isn't good. WindowXP is REALLY good at recovering from bad errors. I do some really screwed up things sometimes with my OS and I must say XP is the best damn OS out there for people like me. It's just a matter of learning how to use it.

Anyway, I assume it is still just a hardware conflict with that GeForceMX that Windows can't detect. Keep on trying different setups. Do you run a lot of 3D stuff? Disable the video card or turn the performance settings off for a while and see how that works. That worked "sometimes" for me before I did the CPU thing.

good luck,
-junc

[Vel]

Currently uninstalling the goddamn windows updates(about 20 left)

[Vel]

Hobbes, it doesnt work. I removed every single one of the updates and still grim fandango restarts the computer on the third minute.

[scotch]

So just to clarify you haven't upgraded lately, this just started happening?
Is it on all apps or just ones in 3d?

I had the same problem, but I just moved the GF2 MX away to the bottom PCI slot away from the heat of the processor (it was a PCI version) that fixed it.  When I opened it up it was all really hot inside so I'm sure that was the reason.

[Mr Jake]

I think mines away from the proccesor and Ive never had a problem... but my hard drive has overheated so much it started shaking and smatched into the side of the computer (or something the bloke said).
But Ive never had a problem with my GF2 MX

[Hobbes]

Sorry to hear the updates aren't the cause of the problem for you. I've been working a long time with my GF2 and so far I'm quite pleased. The occasional restart (it's that now for me) I can live with... most of the time.

About the voltages, if you go into your BIOS, under the power management you should be able to pull up a few meters concerning the voltages and all that. Check those. It could be that your 12V connector isn't functioning properly anymore, so some of your systems occasionaly gets without power (once it's overtaxed). This could happen when your GF2, P4, CD-Rom drive, etc. are used when playing Grim Fandango.

The only way to fix it if this is the case, is to get yourself a new power unit.

[Archangel (aka SoupDragon)]

There are two possible reasons for this:

1. A RAM chip may be loose. Take all your memory out, reseat it, and try again.
2. You psu may be reaching the end of its life, or be too low powered. Buy a new, 400w psu, and see if that solves it.

[Vel]

I bought(Okay, not me, my father) this computer six months ago. I think it has something to do with the OS, because when i was running W98 everything was just fine.

[Archangel (aka SoupDragon)]

Six months is plenty of time for a component such as a psu to fail. And it's certainly enough time for a chip to work its way loose from the motherboard.

[BOYD1981]

if your PC worked with Win98 and doesn't work with WinXP i think it's obvious what the solution is...

[Vel]

Darn BOYD! I like tham OS. It's just more interactive. Do you thinks that moving from professional to home edition will solve the problem?

[scotch]

Probably not, no.  You could try Windows 2000 professional if you can get that, it's what I have and I prefer it to XP.

If you're really stuck you could try installing 98 again and see if it still happens, just to make sure it's a hardware problem, and it certainly sounds like one.