Topic: hi all haveing some problems (Read 1745 times)

Khalee1 · « **on:** March 04, 2007, 10:23:53 am »

What I have happening is I got virtical lines showing up every so often and at times my computer locks up as weel when the lines show up.

I have turned down everything I can but it still happens.

Is that my video card going bad or my mother board. If card I might be able to replace it in time, but if mother board then Im done with computers as I cant afford a new one.

computer and vid card are about 5 years old

got a kt3 ultra2 msi motherboard runing amd athlon xp duron processor.

video card is a nvidia ti 4200 64 meg card and yes I have all updated drivers when the problems started to happen

Sirgod · « **Reply #1 on:** March 04, 2007, 10:41:48 am »

I would roll back the drivers, or check the power supply.

Hey call me Khalee.

Stephen 405-356-4009

Nemesis · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2007, 10:56:52 am »

1st a question. When did you last give your system a good cleaning? All the heat sinks and fans? CPU, Graphics card and powersupply especially. Even look at your monitor could its vents be dust blocked and in need or a good air blow?

I'd say most likely your monitor, 2nd most likely your video card, 3rd most likely something wrong at the Operating System level that can be fixed.

Boot into your BIOS screen and just let it sit there (While there monitor your temperatures to see if they are normal). If you have the lines even there then it is most likely the monitor (though it could still be the video card). You can isolate it even further by turning the monitor on alone and seeing if it flickers or anything. If it is the monitor then you might try reducing the refresh rate from the video card and even the screen resolution as even if it has begun to fail you may get life out of it by using it in less taxing modes.

If that all shows the monitor is likely alright then reduce your resolution and refresh rate as your video card could stil be marginal. Uninstall and reinstall your video drivers as Stephen says is good.

Have you looked in your area for computer/electronics liquidators? Sometimes you can get parts and even whole systems far below the price you would expect. One of the ones in my area for example is selling Athlon XP 2400 for $230 (Canadian of course) + taxes and monitors starting at $50. If you have such a local store it might let you replace more than you think within your budget.

Nemesis · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2007, 11:07:43 am »

If all else fails (and it isn't your monitor) then you might manage to buy some more life for that computer by doing what I'd doing with my failing dual Athlon XP 2100+, I'm underclocking it and it is performing more like a dual 1600+. Its been working that way for several months now when it was locking up every few minutes due to a failing component.

Running a computer below its rated clock speed can often let you continue to use an otherwise failing machine. It also will use less power and therefore save you money.

Khalee1 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 04, 2007, 11:36:15 am »

and how does one underclock.

Khalee1 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 05, 2007, 07:43:24 pm »

Well I figured it's defiantly my video card. SO I uninstalled the driver and now I'm using the on board VGA controller probably not a good thing to do, but I'm up and running again. Hopefully I can get a new card here in a while, probably wont be until the end of the month, but I can wait.

Nemesis · « **Reply #6 on:** March 06, 2007, 07:20:53 am »

Quote from: Khalee1 on March 04, 2007, 11:36:15 am

and how does one underclock.

Underclocking is done through the BIOS and each BIOS manufacturer handles things a little differently so you need to consult your motherboard manual (downloadable as a PDF for most motherboards from the manufacturer if you don't have a hardcopy).

Don Karnage · « **Reply #7 on:** March 07, 2007, 03:04:04 pm »

i got a old mother board with cpu and fans, i know its amd but for the rest i don't know, i will go get it and offer it to you if its ok with what you have, so tomorow or friday i will have it and give you more info.

Just plain old Punisher · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2007, 06:19:53 am »

You probably have AGP in your computer setup, so your choice of video card will be very limited with everything out there going PCI Express.

I suggest you consider this card:
http://www.pcclub.com/product_details.cfm?itemno=A9602825

It's 60 bucks at PC-club. It gives fairly decent performance at a good price, certainly better than your old setup. Just make sure your power supply is rated for it. (should be at least 300W, the max output of your power supply should be written on it -- you'll have to look in the inside of your case tho.

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