Help!!!! what do i check first?

skippy2421 · 25 Apr 2009 at 23:37

First of all my problem is that my computer keeps rebooting for some reason. The screen goes funny and blurry then black then It blue screens displaying some message about an incorrectable hardware error and some other stuff but disappears too quickly for me to read. I've recently installed new drivers for Graphics card plus it has recently moved case so something may of got damaged tho this is unlikely as it was fine for a good 36 hours after the case switch.

The most recent thing i have done is hook up my second cd drive and after this the problems have started.

i have noticed a few flickers on games could the gfx card be on the way out?

first of all where do i start when searching for the problem? currently got it sitting in safe mode running a virus scan.

someone please help as i can't afford for something to break now.

RJC · 25 Apr 2009 at 23:44

Few things you can try is download mem test to check your ram, check your hd manufacturer for any diagnostic software.

Are you overclocked, are all power connectors installed firmly and is there any possibility to test components in another machine.

skippy2421 · 25 Apr 2009 at 23:58

hi RJC cheers for the quick reply,

to answer your first question i'm not overclocked, i may be able to borrow my housemates machine and try some parts in there. i'll try memtest and im sure all power connectors are installed firmly. Any other ideas what it could be? as its strange that it was working for a straight 36 odd hours and the only thing that has changed is ive wired on another cd drive. It doesnt reboot immediately either can be up to several hours before it messes about.

KingZeddy · 26 Apr 2009 at 00:01

unhook the new cd drive, system restore back to a time whan it all worked well. if this doesnt work then uninstall the GFX drivers and reinstall them

skippy2421 · 26 Apr 2009 at 00:04

well im starting with the memtest and then ill try what you said kingzeddy, thanks for the help guys ill let you know how i get on.

skippy2421 · 26 Apr 2009 at 20:23

well after a fresh windows install we now have no more crashing however we do have wireless card problems and 2nd monitor flickering problems instead, would like to determine the if my 4850 is the source of the problem. How would i do this perhaps a gpu stress test? any recommendations other than ati tool which seems to have serious issues with my computer.

Plec · 26 Apr 2009 at 20:30

FurMark 1.6.5 is how i detected a fault with my gfx card. It stresses the cards resources 100% so if there is a fault - it should find it.

Run the stress test and see what happens.

Edit: it might be good idea to list your rigs components.

Good luck

Plec

skippy2421 · 26 Apr 2009 at 20:42

Plec said:
FurMark 1.6.5 is how i detected a fault with my gfx card. It stresses the cards resources 100% so if there is a fault - it should find it.

Run the stress test and see what happens.

Edit: it might be good idea to list your rigs components.

Good luck

Plec

My components are:
intel Q6600@stock
some Dell mobo
4gb DDR2 800Mhz
Saphire 4850 512mb
Antec Earthwatts 650W
500Gb seagate HDD
Asus wireless card (determining what exactly it is seems to be a problem as windows thinks its something else)

I'll try furmark in a min once my housemate has finished faffing around with the wireless card as he has a lot more experience with the crappy things.

cheers for replies guys

skippy2421 · 26 Apr 2009 at 21:20

hmmmm no errors on gfx card front so far (23 mins into furmark). However the wireless issue is still there any ideas as to why my wireless card refuses to connect to the internet, tried two different connections and neither work.

wireless card is either a broadcom or asus hard to work out as windows says broadcom net brings up asus when you type model number.

for those curious its WL-138G_V2, when googling it normally brings up an asus card. Any wireless experts here?

Plec · 27 Apr 2009 at 00:33

I would try a new post about your network problems in this forum - it's a forum specific to Networks & Internet Connectivity problems/querys so you may get a faster and more detailed response.

Plec

skippy2421 · 27 Apr 2009 at 00:52

well it has bizarrely started working ever since we tried another wireless card in there and put back in the old one. :s very strange cheers for help tho guys, much appreciated.

Plec · 27 Apr 2009 at 21:45

It may have forced windows to recognise the device/drivers again placing the card in the second time.

I have a topfield pvr which, when i connect to the computer, takes a couple of attempts for it to recognise it successfully even though the drivers are already pre-installed.

Plec