Problems gaming with my new computer...ASUS A8V Delux

G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

I have a new computer (3 days old), and I am having big time problems trying
to run a game, NASCAR 2003 (the only game I've tried, and the only one I'm
really interested in at the moment).

I would appreciate any suggestions you may have as to why this problem is
occurring, and what I might try to do to fix, and or trouble shoot the
problem.

Here is the problem and some things I've tried. Sorry for this being so
long. There is probably more here than you want or need to know, but I am
desperate for a solution, and want to let you know what I got, and what I've
tried so far.

After about 10 minutes of driving, the computer locks up. Most of the time
the screen just goes black, then the computer reboots. Less frequently, the
screen will first freeze-up and then computer will have to be rebooted
manually. Occasionally, when the latter happens, there is 5 to 10 seconds
of normal sound after the lockup and before it reboots.

The number of cars on the track does not seem to matter. Also, it does not
seem to matter if the computer is on or off line, or if there are any
programs running in the background (such as Norton AV or Zone Alarm). I've
tried shutting down all background programs with "End It All" as well as
manually, and have also tried disconnecting the computer from the modem, but
the results is always the same.... lockup and reboot. I tried a system
restore to the factory fresh condition, with only N2003 installed (without
the patch), but I still get the lockup.

I can run N2003 for hours, with 40 cars on the track, with no problems as
long as my car remains on pit road. However, as soon as I get on the track,
or if I toggle (key-v) into the cockpit of another car, which is on the
track, the lockup occurs with in 5 or 10 minutes.

I don't run a screensaver, and I have all the power options in device
manager set to never, and I have hibernate turned off.

I have monitored the CPU and MB temps, and the Voltage reading, and all is
well within the normal range. Actually the temps are low (30-ish
centigrade).

The 3Dmark 2100 score is 18,595 (don't know if that is good or bad-I was
just told to check it). I ran 3Dmark sever times with never a lockup.

One other thing, whenever the computer reboots, the clock is always off by 3
or 4 hours. It reverts to an earlier time (go figure that one).

My game setting are Direct D3D, 1280x960x16. Graphics and sounds (8-max
sound) set to default.

Here are some of the computer specs (factory built, all hardware and
software except for N2003 factory installed)

OS................Windows XP, Home Version, Service Pack 2
MB...............Asus A8V Deluxe (rev.2)
Power Supply...Vantec 520 W
CPU...............Athlon 64, XP3200+ (939 pin)
Memory...........1 GB (2x512mb PC3200-DDR400)
Video Card........ATI Radeon 9800 Pro (128MB)
Video Driver......6462
Hard Drive.......Seagate SATA 160gb
Sound.............Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA
Wheel.............MOMO Force Feedback

This motherboard has onboard audio. I am wondering if this might be the
problem. I had a sound related lockup problem with N2003 on my last
computer, an AMD Athlon 1200, on an ABIT KT7 MB. The problem there was the
Sound Blaster card, which was resolved when I swapped it out for a Turtle
Beach card. I am not sure if the onboard sound on this MB can be
disabled-or how to do it.

Well there you have it. Hope there is someone one out there who has a
similar setup as I do, and knows of a solution.

Many thanks
 
G

Guest

Guest
Archived from groups: alt.comp.periphs.mainboard.asus (More info?)

"LA45" <LarryAnderson(nospam)@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:360bu4F4tn5d2U1@individual.net...
>I have a new computer (3 days old), and I am having big time problems
>trying to run a game, NASCAR 2003 (the only game I've tried, and the only
>one I'm really interested in at the moment).
> After about 10 minutes of driving, the computer locks up. Most of the
> time the screen just goes black, then the computer reboots. Less
> frequently, the screen will first freeze-up and then computer will have to
> be rebooted manually. Occasionally, when the latter happens, there is 5
> to 10 seconds of normal sound after the lockup and before it reboots.

Try running Memtest86 from a bootable floppy. Flakey RAM can
cause all sorts of strange problems. It can be downloaded from
http://www.memtest86.com/.


---
Kevin Chalker, Owner KC COMPUTERS
E-mail: kc@kc-computers.com Web: www.kc-computers.com
Internet dealer since 1991!!! See WWW.RESELLERRATINGS.COM!!!