solving a custom build computer problem

i have ram memtest and it doesn't bring back errors. i let the test
run through 29 times
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 02:28:01 GMT, "John@Smith.com"
<xxxxspud DeleteThis @newscene.com> wrote:

 >On 14 Feb 2005 20:15:40 -0500,
 >Troubledyouth_19@hotmail-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (Troubledyouth)
 >wrote:
 >
  >>I build a computer for christimas and I still haven't got it working
  >>to the way it should be. The computer runs slow at just about
  >>everything. It will freeze up during games and the hard drive lights
  >>will come on and stay on. I have all of the latest drivers for
  >>everything. I also found out a little while ago, that in my device
  >>manager, that most of my hardware is listed twice in a row when i
  >>only have one of each. ex:it has my cpu listed twice one right after
  >>the other. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I
  >>also do not know the correct ram timmings to put on my ram. I have
  >>corsair value select ram and the model number is:VS1GBKIT400C3. Some
  >>one please help me!
 >
 >Boy that seems really messed up. If windows is detecting things twice
 >etc then something is messed up.
 >
 >What motherboard do you have? Are you overclocking? Are you using a
 >cheapo power supply?
 >
 >I would check temperatures. I would then take everything out first ---
 >extra cards etc and reformat and then test the mem with memtest86 and
 >the drive. Theres a free downloadable image of in CD format called
 >Ultimate Boot do a search for it. It includes several utils including
 >memtest86 and several hard disk utilities. Set your PC to boot from
 >your CD after burning the CD.

Or you could use the Ultimate boot CD before reformatting though if
you have bad memory it could have screwed your windows up.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

On 14 Feb 2005 23:15:36 -0500,
Troubledyouth_19.TakeThisOut@hotmail-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (Troubledyouth)
wrote:

 >i have ram memtest and it doesn't bring back errors. i let the test
 >run through 29 times

I would strip it down then video card only and try a fresh new install
of Win. Its good to have an old hard disk even if its only a few gigs
to use for this with only Windows installed. It would be great if you
could swap out your power supply if you suspect that. If its a decent
Antec or something then thats less likely to be the cause of the
problem.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

What kind of motherboard do you have? I would ensure that the latest bios
update is installed then, if you have changed any settings in bios reset
them to the factory/nominal settings and see what happens.

Troubledyouth wrote:

 > I build a computer for christimas and I still haven't got it working
 > to the way it should be. The computer runs slow at just about
 > everything. It will freeze up during games and the hard drive lights
 > will come on and stay on. I have all of the latest drivers for
 > everything. I also found out a little while ago, that in my device
 > manager, that most of my hardware is listed twice in a row when i
 > only have one of each. ex:it has my cpu listed twice one right after
 > the other. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I
 > also do not know the correct ram timmings to put on my ram. I have
 > corsair value select ram and the model number is:VS1GBKIT400C3. Some
 > one please help me!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

when u say do it with nothing but my video card. you mean take the ram
out and everything?? i have an old hard drive(its either 4 or 8
gb)that should be big enough to put windows xp on it right? and just
put them two things in it and make fresh install of windows.

i have the asus p5p800 mother board(it should be in my sig)
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

Memory tests are not sufficient until also executed with
memory heated - such as with a hairdryer on high. Also
effective, but much less so, is to test memory at 40 degrees
F. Yes, if you really want to test comprehensively, then put
the computer in a refrigerator. However intermittent memory
that tests just fine at 70 degrees with often expose their
defects at over 100 degrees F. The hairdryer on high is a
perfect diagnostic testing device because it cannot overheat
anything inside that computer.

Of course, this is only one of so many things you must
verify. Since you built the machine, there is no manufacturer
with a complete set of comprehensive diagnostics
(comprehensive diagnostics execute without loading Windows).
You must obtain diagnostics from each hardware vendor. Every
responsible hardware manufacturer will provide comprehensive
diagnostics for free on their web site.

In the meantime, when hardware causes problems, Windows will
reload a second driver for that hardware - because it no
longer knows about the first driver. You must delete all
copies of hardware drivers in Device Manager for each device,
and then reboot the machine. The machine should then find the
device, see no driver, and load one according without being
confused by some other (and defective) driver for the same
device.

Yes you do have a lot of work to do. Some drivers will not
properly load until the other devices are properly deleted,
and reloaded on reboot. Must trial and error and numerous
reboots to eliminate so many defective drivers in Device
Manager.

Troubledyouth wrote:
 > i have ram memtest and it doesn't bring back errors. i let the test
 > run through 29 times<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

but when i delete the devices in my device manager and reboot it
recgonizes them and install them 2 times again
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

Troubledyouth:
 > The computer runs slow at just about everything. It will freeze up
 > during games and the hard drive lights will come on and stay on.
 > ...most of my hardware is listed twice ...Some one please help me!

You haven't given anywhere near enough information for anyone to do more
than make wild ass guesses. Write down the specs, exactly what happens,
any error messages, etc., etc., etc... be specific. And for god sake don't
take a hair dryer to your computer or take advice from any numbnut that
tells you to do so. All computer components will produce errors when
heated beyond their safe operating temperature.
--
Mac Cool<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

On 15 Feb 2005 19:15:42 -0500,
Troubledyouth_19.RemoveThis@hotmail-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (Troubledyouth)
wrote:

 >when u say do it with nothing but my video card. you mean take the ram
 >out and everything?? i have an old hard drive(its either 4 or 8
 >gb)that should be big enough to put windows xp on it right? and just
 >put them two things in it and make fresh install of windows.
 >
 >i have the asus p5p800 mother board(it should be in my sig)

No I mean CPU, video and ram. Thats the basic stuff you need .
And use an old HD with a clean install.

Also that bios advice is good cause your MB doesnt seem to be
recognizing things properly so a bios upgrade may make a difference if
its a new board.

And are you checking the temps with Motherboardmonitor?
Also WIN XP has an events folder that will list generally what
problems have happened its under control panel admin tools or whatever
its called.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

On 16 Feb 2005 05:04:10 GMT, Mac Cool <Mac RemoveThis @2cool.com> wrote:


 >
 >You haven't given anywhere near enough information for anyone to do more
 >than make wild ass guesses. Write down the specs, exactly what happens,
 >any error messages, etc., etc., etc... be specific. And for god sake don't
 >take a hair dryer to your computer or take advice from any numbnut that
 >tells you to do so. All computer components will produce errors when
 >heated beyond their safe operating temperature.

I would guess most cures on these news group questions are " wild ass
guesses" by helpfull people with good problem solving abilities and
knowledge.
The use of the hair drier is a excellent tool- used properly along
with other tools that are available. Most people don't have meters,
scopes or diagrams to follow let alone the ability to use them.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

On 16 Feb 2005 05:04:10 GMT, Mac Cool <Mac DeleteThis @2cool.com> wrote:

<snip>

 >And for god sake don't
 >take a hair dryer to your computer or take advice from any numbnut that
 >tells you to do so. All computer components will produce errors when
 >heated beyond their safe operating temperature.

LOL, I still have a A7N8X that won't POST most of the time
unless it's heated with a hair dryer. Went through all
typical troubleshooting steps to no avail, probably either a
flaky electrolytic cap or an undetected hairline crack or
bad solder joint. It'll sit till it gets old enough that I
decide to cannibalize it for parts.

Note that I don't advocate trying to heat boards to produce
errors, it just happened to be evident that heat helped a
particular board post because the prior owner had it working
in summer but not when ambient temp dropped.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

On 14 Feb 2005 20:15:40 -0500,
Troubledyouth_19 RemoveThis @hotmail-dot-com.no-spam.invalid (Troubledyouth)
wrote:

 >I build a computer for christimas and I still haven't got it working
 >to the way it should be. The computer runs slow at just about
 >everything. It will freeze up during games and the hard drive lights
 >will come on and stay on. I have all of the latest drivers for
 >everything. I also found out a little while ago, that in my device
 >manager, that most of my hardware is listed twice in a row when i
 >only have one of each. ex:it has my cpu listed twice one right after
 >the other. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I
 >also do not know the correct ram timmings to put on my ram. I have
 >corsair value select ram and the model number is:VS1GBKIT400C3. Some
 >one please help me!

What operating system?


Have a nice one...

Trent©

Budweiser: Helping ugly people have sex since 1876!<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: solving a custom build computer problem 

IDIDIT:

 > I would guess most cures on these news group questions are " wild
 > ass guesses" by helpfull people with good problem solving abilities
 > and knowledge.

Most cures are not wild ass guesses, but wild ass guesses are plentiful.

 > The use of the hair drier is a excellent tool- used properly along
 > with other tools that are available. Most people don't have meters,
 > scopes or diagrams to follow let alone the ability to use them.

Tom likes to make blanket suggestions that are potentially harmfull to
system components, especially to people who have very limited hardware
experience. Tom has demonstrated time and again that he does not
understand that heat is a by-product and requires proper management. A
hairdryer can overheat system components that are in operation
producing artificial errors. Whether or not it can cause permanant
damage is debatable, whether or not it is necessary and advisable is
not.
--
Mac Cool<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
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