The Official PC building thread -3rd Edition [page 311/524]

keith1993

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3. September 2009 @ 19:25

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harvardguy's posts are frankly ridiculous I get bored of reading them shut-off and only catch the key points (admittedly that's after only 4 lines and the same thing aplies to most things including those things with lots of writing you know, books) (We'll see if I have a sense of humour tomorrow when I find if I am or indeed aren't going to sixth-form with my D in English).

I could put something funny here but I cant be arsed. Now GO AWAY!

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3. September 2009 @ 19:27

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Only one post of his has made me do that in the long term (i.e. not come back later and finish it) which was the 5400 word post a few days ago, and that's mainly because most of it was written based on a misinterpretation of something I said, so what followed was irrelevant :P

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

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15 product reviews

3. September 2009 @ 20:28

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Hey guys I have this in a yellow box at the top of the thread:

Any Flaming Results in a Temp Ban or Worse. Your Choice!!!

WTF it doesn't show up for any other thread. I don't think I did any flaming :S

I did make clear that the Celeron Dual core was faster than a Pentium D though. Wonder if my descriptive language triggered a script or something XD

AMD Phenom II X6 1100T 4GHz(20 x 200) 1.5v 3000NB 2000HT, Corsair Hydro H110 w/ 4 x 140mm 1500RPM fans Push/Pull, Gigabyte GA-990FXA-UD5, 8GB(2 x 4GB) G.Skill RipJaws DDR3-1600 @ 1600MHz CL9 1.55v, Gigabyte GTX760 OC 4GB(1170/1700), Corsair 750HX
Detailed PC Specs: http://my.afterdawn.com/estuansis/blog_entry.cfm/11388

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3. September 2009 @ 20:28

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You do know that's been there for almost a year now right?

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

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3. September 2009 @ 20:31

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LOL no way! I've never even seen it before. @_@

Suppose I just never watch for things like that when every page follows a format...

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 3. September 2009 @ 20:32

ddp

Moderator

3. September 2009 @ 21:21

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i put that there when i started this thread. 1 liners. me. never.

AfterDawn Addict

3. September 2009 @ 21:28

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Originally posted by sammorris:
King of the one liners? Not strictly fair. I've always made short posts when only short posts are necessary. Only recently have I started posting big harvardguy style essays, but I don't exactly spam single sentences like some. (Before anyone asks, I will categorically state that this is not meant to be ddp - I'm well aware why he posts short messages)

Sam my friend, I was only kidding, it was a joke! I didn't mean to offend you. Actually Shaff is the present day King of the One Liners! He do make some short posts! LOL!! I never thought any of your posts were spam! You mostly stay on topic, you just used to give some very short answers! LOL!! You know your stuff, so no complaints there, and I'm not implying in any way that you did not deserve your Addict Status! 20k of posts proves that! That's almost 4 times as many as I have for roughly the same time period! ROFL!!

Best Regards,
Russ

GigaByte 990FXA-UD5 - AMD FX-8320 @4.0GHz @1.312v - Corsair H-60 liquid CPU Cooler - 4x4 GB GSkill RipJaws DDR3/1866 Cas8, 8-9-9-24 - Corsair 400-R Case - OCZ FATAL1TY 550 watt Modular PSU - Intel 330 120GB SATA III SSD - WD Black 500GB SATA III - WD black 1 TB Sata III - WD Black 500GB SATA II - 2 Asus DRW-24B1ST DVD-Burner - Sony 420W 5.1 PL-II Suround Sound - GigaByte GTX550/1GB 970 Mhz Video - Asus VE247H 23.6" HDMI 1080p Monitor

mrk44

Suspended due to non-functional email address

4. September 2009 @ 02:53

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Hey guys, I have a problem with my rig and I haven't been able to get any straight help from anybody...

Basically after I OCed my Q9550, a little while later it started doing this thing where, after I leave my comp off for a while (like overnight or something), it would lock up and freeze the next time I turned it on.
At first I thought it was just I had an unstable OC because when I restarted it would just lock up at the windows "welcome" screen. But then I lowered the clock settings (like barely changed them, maybe like .1 GHz), and it started working just fine for the rest of the day.

This basically happens every morning. I even loaded fail-safe settings in the BIOS, and it still happens. Now I figured out I can just turn it off for a few seconds after it locks up, and it'll work fine after. It's starting to worry me because I'm thinking my overclock screwed up the chip and I need a replacement.

Have any of you guys heard of/experienced this problem before?

Cooler Master HAF 932 - Asus Maximus II Forumula - Intel Core 2 Quad Q9550 @ 4.00GHz - 2x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2/8500 1066 Mhz - Corsair HX1000W PSU - Asus EAH5870 Graphics Card - Western Digital Velociraptor 300GB HDD - Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB WD1001FALS HDD - LG CH10LS20 Blu-ray Drive - Asus Xonar D2X Sound Card - Logitech X-540 5.1 Surround Speakers - Samsung P2370HD Monitor

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4. September 2009 @ 04:01

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Originally posted by mrk44:
Hey guys, I have a problem with my rig and I haven't been able to get any straight help from anybody...

Basically after I OCed my Q9550, a little while later it started doing this thing where, after I leave my comp off for a while (like overnight or something), it would lock up and freeze the next time I turned it on.
At first I thought it was just I had an unstable OC because when I restarted it would just lock up at the windows "welcome" screen. But then I lowered the clock settings (like barely changed them, maybe like .1 GHz), and it started working just fine for the rest of the day.

This basically happens every morning. I even loaded fail-safe settings in the BIOS, and it still happens. Now I figured out I can just turn it off for a few seconds after it locks up, and it'll work fine after. It's starting to worry me because I'm thinking my overclock screwed up the chip and I need a replacement.

Have any of you guys heard of/experienced this problem before?

mrk44,
What OS are you running? If you are running XP you need to turn off HPET in the setup. Sounds more like a funky memory stick to me.

Best Regards,
Russ

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4. September 2009 @ 05:04

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I also found turning off the high precision event timer(HPET) support on my board helped clear up a lot of little quirks like that. Something about it being a function meant only for Vista or Windows 7??? This was on an AMD 780G board with a Phenom chip though using XP Pro 32-bit

Locking up at OS loading might also be dodgy memory like theonejrs says. Maybe try lowering the OC on your memory, loosen the timings a smidge, or bump the voltage up a notch. If in doubt run MemTest on each individual stick at stock settings to check for errors. And again after you apply your OC.

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4. September 2009 @ 05:06

AfterDawn Addict

4 product reviews

4. September 2009 @ 08:07

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Russ: Hey, no offense taken, just clearing that up a bit :P
mrk: I'd try a basic BIOS reset (you shouldn't need to clear CMOS, just boot the system with only one stick of RAM, then shut down and put it back) then try your overclock again - if it comes back, try using a single stick of RAM, but bear in mind you can't really overclock with only one stick installed.

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

shaffaaf

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4. September 2009 @ 09:13

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or my fav suggestion, upgrae bios and reset cmos :D

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4 product reviews

4. September 2009 @ 09:25

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Mmmm, hassle.
What was it creaky said a few months back? "I've got a toothache, better reset the CMOS!"

Afterdawn Addict // Silent PC enthusiast // PC Build advisor // LANGamer Alias:Ratmanscoop
PC Specs page -- http://my.afterdawn.com/sammorris/blog_entry.cfm/11247
updated 10-Dec-13

mrk44

Suspended due to non-functional email address

5. September 2009 @ 17:56

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I just finished memtest86+, passed with no errors. The thing is that I can't just take out one of the memory sticks to test it because it has to be off for a while. Only then does it lock up after I first turn it on. So if I wanted to clear CMOS, I'd have to wait til after its been off for a few hours or more.

I'm on Windows 7 RTM and my BIOS is already upgraded to the latest version. And I've been running on stock settings for the past few days, so it's no longer OCed, yet it's still locking up after being off for a while. I just think it's weird because it works perfectly fine after I turn it off again for a few seconds after it locks up.

quick question about memtest: To test each stick individually, would I need to take one stick out? or is it no longer necessary if I ran and passed it with both sticks in?

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. September 2009 @ 17:57

shaffaaf

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5. September 2009 @ 18:29

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have you tried i differnt CPU/ram/mobo/GPU? swapped eaqch componeent out, or tested each one in another system?

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5. September 2009 @ 18:31

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Originally posted by mrk44:
I just finished memtest86+, passed with no errors. The thing is that I can't just take out one of the memory sticks to test it because it has to be off for a while. Only then does it lock up after I first turn it on. So if I wanted to clear CMOS, I'd have to wait til after its been off for a few hours or more.

I'm on Windows 7 RTM and my BIOS is already upgraded to the latest version. And I've been running on stock settings for the past few days, so it's no longer OCed, yet it's still locking up after being off for a while. I just think it's weird because it works perfectly fine after I turn it off again for a few seconds after it locks up.

quick question about memtest: To test each stick individually, would I need to take one stick out? or is it no longer necessary if I ran and passed it with both sticks in?

mrk44,
It's my understanding that you only test them one at a time, for the most conclusive results.

I know this may sound a little strange, but try warming the computer up a little with a hair dryer and see if it boots. There could be a low temperature problem with a component on the MB. I had a cold cycle re-boot problem one time, and if I warmed things up first with my hair dryer, the problem went away. If it was a warm day, same thing! It fired right up! It only happened when it was cold! Either way, it would eventually boot, which I think that happened because whatever the component was causing the problem, would warm up enough after a few failed boots, to finally start!

Best Regards,
Russ

ddp

Moderator

5. September 2009 @ 21:33

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that sounds like a cold solder joint or a break in an ic. another way to found out which component has that problem is to use a can of freeze(like a can of air) that can be directed at 1 component at a time.

mrk44

Suspended due to non-functional email address

5. September 2009 @ 21:42

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hmmm if that's the case then it might be my motherboard. A few weeks back I was replacing the backplate for a new cooler and I took the old one off with the hair dryer method. It came off, but under the backplate on the motherboard, it looked like there's some exposed copper. Could that be it? I mean, I want to narrow it down to whether it's my CPU or something else. I don't have another CPU to test, so I can't really figure it out that way.

EDIT: Also, I'm a little puzzled at something else. If it's locking up because a component is cold, wouldn't it work if I just restarted after it initially locks up? I mean it should get warm enough by then, right? The reason I say that is because it doesn't work unless I turn the comp completely OFF for a few seconds. Restarting just takes me to the "welcome" screen and then locks up again.

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. September 2009 @ 21:50

AfterDawn Addict

5. September 2009 @ 23:37

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Originally posted by mrk44:
hmmm if that's the case then it might be my motherboard. A few weeks back I was replacing the backplate for a new cooler and I took the old one off with the hair dryer method. It came off, but under the backplate on the motherboard, it looked like there's some exposed copper. Could that be it? I mean, I want to narrow it down to whether it's my CPU or something else. I don't have another CPU to test, so I can't really figure it out that way.

EDIT: Also, I'm a little puzzled at something else. If it's locking up because a component is cold, wouldn't it work if I just restarted after it initially locks up? I mean it should get warm enough by then, right? The reason I say that is because it doesn't work unless I turn the comp completely OFF for a few seconds. Restarting just takes me to the "welcome" screen and then locks up again.

mrk44,
It would take me about 6 to 8 reboots before my computer would boot up! I just stayed about a foot away and fired the hair dryer into the open side of the computer, with the side removed. You'll have to guage for yourself as to how far away to be from the works. I have a professional 1400w dryer, so I didn't want to be too close! LOL!!

Best Regards,
Russ

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5. September 2009 @ 23:57

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Seems there will be a Phenom II X2 550 BE in my LAN box soon. Just got a cheap offer for one from a friend. I think he picked it up open box just to play with it and it works fine. Orthos stable at 18 hours with stock settings. The guy selling it to me also has a 940BE at 3.6GHz so I think he was just bored. He's got the money to play with so it doesn't hurt him to sell his stuff cheap. Works out for me :D

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5. September 2009 @ 23:59

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Originally posted by Estuansis:
Seems there will be a Phenom II X2 550 BE in my LAN box soon. Just got a cheap offer for one from a friend. I think he picked it up open box just to play with it and it works fine. Orthos stable at 18 hours with stock settings. The guy selling it to me also has a 940BE at 3.6GHz so I think he was just bored. He's got the money to play with so it doesn't hurt him to sell his stuff cheap. Works out for me :D

Estuansis,
i haven't heard a lot about the Calista chips yet. Good luck with it. Hope it works out for you!

Russ

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6. September 2009 @ 00:06

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Well AFAIK they are the exact same thing as my fully featured 940 but with 2 cores. Correspondingly less L1 nd L2 cache but full 6MB of L3. They are supposed to be particularly good OCers and a great budget match to Intel dual cores. Stock 3.1GHz it keeps right up with an E8400 and stomps it in a few games even. It should be a decent chip as it has a lower TDP than my quad or a tri.

This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. September 2009 @ 00:13

AfterDawn Addict

6. September 2009 @ 03:25

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Hey Folks,
I have a friend who built a computer a while back. I recently gave this friend a 250GB Sata 3.0 drive. He wiped the drive clean and then formated it. The problem is it won't let him set up Dual Boot. He can boot from either drive by itself, but if he installs the Sata, and the IDE drive he has now is hooked up, it will boot from the Sata, but if he tries to make the IDE the boot drive, it will just sit there loading forever! He can boot from the Sata and access the IDE, but not the other way around. Even the boot manager won't help! Ant ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Russ

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6. September 2009 @ 06:51

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Mrk: I've used the hairdryer method to remove a backplate (primarily due to the fact that the HAF932's main design flaw means you need three hands to install a cooler backplate - so I just used the adhesive instead), but it didn't cause the board any damage when it was removed, not that I could see. As for cold solder joints, the required temperature may be 25ºC or so, but it could be 75ºC in which case the component would never work again and you'd RMA it saying it's dead. Depends on the size of the problem.
Jeff: The 550BEs are about the fastest dual core chips AMD have offered, and while not rivals to the E8000 series, for the price they're one of the best value dual core chips out there, for non-enthusiasts. Obviously when you consider overclocking like all high end AMD CPUs they're rather useless, but still good enough for midrange gaming PCs.
Russ: Faulty I/O controller perhaps? Has he tried using different S-ATA ports? Could also potentially try using a PCI IDE or PCI S-ATA card to isolate them and see if that helps...