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I just started having some video-related problems as well as randomly time auto-restarts of my system after about 8 months of running perfectly. I didn't install any software or hardware, but I did notice a program named svcpack taking up large amounts of memory.
I did a search for this file and found (on these BBS) that it is spyware. I followed the fix, removed it, and removed quite a bit of other spyware. But the general problem of restarts is still happening.
I play Everquest a lot, and have noticed some very odd video problems during loading (blank screen or program will simply poof instead of the final load). These problems started at the same time as the restarts. I did everything EQ suggested including updating video card drivers and direct x. No change after that.
So I'm thinking it's a hardware problem. Possibly overheating of the CPU. The strange part is I run it with an open case (I've cleaned out all dust) and even run the AC in the room. These have made no difference. I also get restarts 4 times in 30 minutes soon after starting the computer, or after many hours of usage. Other times I can run it for 10 hours straight without any problem. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Athlon XP 1800+
768 DDR Ram 2100
128 DDR nVidia geforce 4
WD HDD 60GB (OS on 30 gb partition with 15gb free) 7200rpm ATA 166
MSI Mobo
Antec 300w case/ power supply
TDK 12x CDRW
Samsung DVD Rom
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Aida32 will report your CPU temp assuming there are sensors on the board/CPU.
Have you scanned the system for viruses - apart from the fix you mentioned? Make sure your definitions are up to date. May be worth doing an online virus check such as Housecall
Might be a good idea to remove the videocard from the board and reseat it - and check all other connections, too.
I agree with Pete - make sure you do a thorough scan for viruses.
It could be heat. Have you tried running for hours with your cover off and a small house fan blowing into the case. Sometimes this can point to or eliminate heat as a factor.
I would also suspect the power supply. Spontaneous rebooting is a telltale symptom of a power supply that is not supplying voltages close to spec. Check out your voltage readings in your bios and see if they appear to be significantly below spec.
Hello guys. Thanks for the welcome and the sugestions. My OS is Win XP Pro, guess it would help to mentioned that.
I ran Housecall which found and deleted 3 infected files. When I started up though, I booted into a blue screen which told me it was shutting down all operations and dumping physical memory to prevent damage to my computer.
It made 2 suggestions: updating video drivers and checking for BIOS updates. The video driver is new, as is my version of Direct X. The card itself is a newer part of my computer and has been running well for several months. The mobo is the newest part because my previous ASUS was damaged, possibly in a power surge.
The new mobo has no sensors for heat that I know of, and I'm not quite sure how to check the temperature in BIOS. One odd thing about the BIOS is that it doesn't let me customize clock speed, it just has normal and fast. Normal runs at 1.1gHz and fast at 1.15gHz. If I am not mistaken, my CPU is capable of doing 1.53gHz. So I guess I am underclocking in effect, if that makes any difference to heat issues.
I am looking dubiosuly at my video card, power supply, and possibly even CPU and mobo after that bluescreen. I will see how it runs after the virus cleanup, but I suspect it's something physical. If you have any more suggestions please let me know, but being limited by spare parts I think I may end up taking it to the shop so they can test each one let me know which one is slacking. Thanks!
I wouldn't be too worried about that blue screen unless it is not an isolated incident - the message is pretty standard/generic.
If you download Aida32 (get the Enterprise version - freeware) as suggested in my last post - under the Computer tab > Sensor it will show such temperature and voltage info that is available - no need to go delving into the BIOS if you don't feel comfortable there.
Underclocking produces less heat than overclocking - try searching for a BIOS update on the mobo web site.
I no longer have the Asus, though I think it was a VT series with a 333 bus. Aida reports my current mobo as: MSI KT4V.
I wasn't quite sure how to look up the cpu temperature, but I got this information using the software. Does this contain anything about the actual temperature, or did I miss a function in the software?
CPU Properties:
CPU Type AMD Athlon XP, 1150 MHz (5.75 x 200)
CPU Alias Palomino
CPU Stepping A5
L1 Code Cache 64 KB
L1 Data Cache 64 KB
L2 Cache 256 KB (On-Die, Full-Speed)
CPU Physical Info:
Package Type 453 Pin PGA
Package Size 4.95 cm x 4.95 cm
Transistors 37.5 million
Process Technology 6Mi, 0.18 um, CMOS, Cu
Die Size 128 mm2
Core Voltage 1.75 V
I/O Voltage 1.6 V
Typical Power 41.3 - 64.3 W (depending on clock speed)
Maximum Power 46.1 - 72 W (depending on clock speed)
It seems the MB does not have sensors. I think I may have stumbled upon the problem by accident. I re-checked my Everquest options, and it told my I had 512mb of ram. I have 3 sticks of Kingston 256, so I ran aida again. It seems to recognize that I have 3 sticks (all are firmly in place) but it also says I have 512mb of ram. Is one of the memory modules a dud? I need some help interpreting aida if possible.... Thanks in advance.
--- MEMORY REPORT ---
[ Kingston KVR266X64C2/256 ]
Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Kingston KVR266X64C2/256
Serial Number 021D3B00h
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Normal (15.625 us), Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 2.5 (7.0 ns @ 142 MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (7.5 ns @ 133 MHz)
Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported
Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Kingston KVR266X64C25/256
Serial Number 00118A00h
Module Size 256 MB (1 rows, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Reduced (7.8 us), Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 2.5 (7.5 ns @ 133 MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (10.0 ns @ 100 MHz)
Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported
Memory Module Properties:
Module Name Kingston KVR266X64C2/256
Serial Number 021D4000h
Module Size 256 MB (2 rows, 4 banks)
Module Type Unbuffered
Memory Type DDR SDRAM
Memory Speed PC2100 (133 MHz)
Module Width 64 bit
Module Voltage SSTL 2.5
Error Detection Method None
Refresh Rate Normal (15.625 us), Self-Refresh
Highest CAS Latency 2.5 (7.0 ns @ 142 MHz)
2nd Highest CAS Latency 2.0 (7.5 ns @ 133 MHz)
Memory Module Features:
Early RAS# Precharge Not Supported
Auto-Precharge Not Supported
Precharge All Not Supported
Write1/Read Burst Not Supported
Buffered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
Registered Address/Control Inputs Not Supported
On-Card PLL (Clock) Not Supported
Buffered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Registered DQMB Inputs Not Supported
Differential Clock Input Supported
Redundant Row Address Not Supported
Aida32 is not infallible, but it is puzzling that the SPD reports only 512MB - what does Windows report?
You could try two things - remove one stick at a time and see how the reported memory in Aida changes - if there is a dud stick then at some point you may have 2 sticks installed, but only 256 reported.
