crashes to desktop and sometimes reboots

[darkchild81]

P4 2.4
Soyo Dragon Plus 2 v1.0
eVga 6600GT 128 AGP
1.5 GB 2100 Ram (512x2 & 256x2)
350w Antec PSU

I originally installed the 6600 on a Microstar MB but the SiS chipset conflicted with the card and I kept on crashing the computer. So I upgraded to the Soyo Dragon MB with an Intel chipset but I'm still crashing.

I updated to Far Cry 1.3, got the latest 71.89 Nvidia drivers, reflashed my bios, and ran and passed Hot CPU Tester after reading all the other discussions on this board. But I'm still crashing. I know a lot of people have problems because of power or heat issues, but I don't know if that's my problem. Sometime I can play for 45 min with no problem, other times it crashes to the dekstop or resets my computer after 1 min of playing (but it hasn't froze yet). Its the same with Half-Life 2.

The only other weird thing is that the "Far Cry Configure" program autodetects my system as "low" so it turns down the graphics. But I can play on high with a decent framerate.

Do you have any suggestions to fix the crashing?

[marts123]

I would try another half decent Gcard from a friend.Maybe try turning down the gragh's on that card might do something.

[Pur3_0wnag3]

Originally posted by darkchild81:
P4 2.4
Soyo Dragon Plus 2 v1.0
eVga 6600GT 128 AGP
1.5 GB 2100 Ram (512x2 & 256x2)
350w Antec PSU

I originally installed the 6600 on a Microstar MB but the SiS chipset conflicted with the card and I kept on crashing the computer. So I upgraded to the Soyo Dragon MB with an Intel chipset but I'm still crashing.

I updated to Far Cry 1.3, got the latest 71.89 Nvidia drivers, reflashed my bios, and ran and passed Hot CPU Tester after reading all the other discussions on this board. But I'm still crashing. I know a lot of people have problems because of power or heat issues, but I don't know if that's my problem. Sometime I can play for 45 min with no problem, other times it crashes to the dekstop or resets my computer after 1 min of playing (but it hasn't froze yet). Its the same with Half-Life 2.

The only other weird thing is that the "Far Cry Configure" program autodetects my system as "low" so it turns down the graphics. But I can play on high with a decent framerate.

Do you have any suggestions to fix the crashing?

If your computer gets restarted automatically after like 1 minute of play then it's a possibility of the card overheating. The 6600 GT might also be power-hungry. I'm not sure if 350 watts is enough. 400 might be a minimum for it to be stable, because it seems to me like there's an instability going on here. What's weird here is that Far Cry detects your system as 'low'. Hmm...it could be your motherboard? How many fans do you have installed in your case and what temperature is your CPU on average running at?

[CuZtds_Lst_Stnd]

Detecting as low is normal...
FC doesnt recognise 6000 series cards.
Tips re PSU are good tho' and re heat. Try this thread for tips on how to investigate.

http://forums.ubi.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/170106891/m/1251097592

CuZ

[darkchild81]

Darn, I was hoping it was a software problem but I guess it could be power/heat.

According to eVga 350w is recommended for the AGP 6600GT. But now I wish I would of bought a 400w as insurance. As for the fans, besides the fans on the cpu and video card I have 2 others. All 4 are working all the time.

[darkchild81]

i just took the 6600gt over to a friend's house with 500x psu, and the card was rock solid. guess it was a heat/power issue.

[Pur3_0wnag3]

Originally posted by darkchild81:
i just took the 6600gt over to a friend's house with 500x psu, and the card was rock solid. guess it was a heat/power issue.

Yeah, that's the exact same thing I've been thinking. It must be a PSU issue. Even though it says 350 watts is a minimum to run the 6600 GT, you'll need at least a 400 watt, or get a 500 if you can.

[darkchild81]

i unplugges all the other devices that i'm not using (cdrw, zip, fans) and played far cry. the game ran smooth. no crashes. so i ordered a 480w psu. that should be enough right? or do you really think i need a 500w?

[fabulouscoops]

480 should be enough. Stick with Antec to get a solid, stable PSU. The 350 might have been enough if you took out the two sticks of 256 RAM and turned off the zip drive but you will do better and have expandability with the 480 watt.

[darkchild81]

thanks for all the help. i really appreciate it.

[Pur3_0wnag3]

Originally posted by darkchild81:
thanks for all the help. i really appreciate it.

No problem! Next time you buy a card, and it says "minimum", it's always good to have more. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif

[darkchild81]

Originally posted by Pur3_0wnag3:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by darkchild81:
thanks for all the help. i really appreciate it.

No problem! Next time you buy a card, and it says "minimum", it's always good to have more. http://forums.ubi.com/images/smilies/16x16_smiley-wink.gif </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Now I know....and knowing is half the battle.