Posts by Coconut Monkey

Have you installed the latest drivers for your card, available from ATI's website? (download the basic Control Panel version)

Chances are that TNT2 will be limited to AGP2X, which means a voltage of 3.3V. I wouldn't use the card!

No, you need the AC adaptor. Attempting to charge the mouse in an unpowered cradle is not recommended by the documentation. I suggest you send it back!

The reason Windows failed to boot previously is because of your drastic hardware change and not removing the old drivers beforehand. Regardless, it is highly recommended you reinstall Windows when swapping motherboards and/or video cards.

For retrieval of your old files, try this.

Hi Richard. Apologies for the thread deletions, but it's best to keep all of these questions to just one topic - they are related after all. I've also compiled your two answers into one goldeagle.

2. The letters after the Intel CPU model numbers held to identify the revision of the CPU core. E, for example, identifies the CPU as a Prescott core model (a rather toasty one at that).
The AMD CPUs are much the same. I believe "S" means that the CPU is a Sempron core, while "A" is an Athlon 64 core (I assume it's an A64, since Athlon XPs are no longer in production).

3. You haven't identified what speed DDR1 RAM you have there, but it is highly likely that the motherboard, which supports DDR1 RAM, will accept it (up to DDR400 "officially", although higher ratings DDR433 or DDR500 will also probably work). The best way to check is to identify what RAM you have exactly and then have a poke around in your motherboard manual. Some manufacturers also keep a list of tried and tested RAM for their boards.
"i865PE" is the name of the chipset used - a collection of controller chips that make up the motherboard.

Welcome to the forums stevorh. I've moved this thread to the correct area - take note for future topics. You might want to check out the sticky located in this forum.

Any suggestions?

Nope, the supplied Intel chipset is onboard, and cannot be removed. Adding a new card is not possible (well, nothing decent anyway). I'm afraid you're stuck with it. If you want to play games, buy a decent desktop system. Laptops are not gaming machines!

Ok, it would seem that you've got the heatsink mounted incorrectly. See this article for tips on proper heatsink installation and application of thermal paste (swapping AMD & FX-53 for your CPU :P).

Whoa, that is crazy-high. 30-40 would be a safe temperature for the motherboard, but yours is way past that. Is the motherboard cooler a passive cooler, and if not, is the fan spinning? Regardless, I'd be looking into sending it back for a replacement if it's still under warranty.

yes and no
you should have put paste on that pad---it may be too late :(

but if its not too late-try putting paste on it--it should cool it by 60%

Thermal paste isn't necessary if a thermal pad is already present on the heatsink. Granted, paste can be better, but not as much as 60%. Was the heatsink correctly mounted? Did the pad have a plastic covering that you removed beforehand?

What kinds of temperatures are you seeing Paddy? Do you have any case cooling?

larrenfitz, this question was originally posted early last year. Chances are the creator has long since moved on. Your post is helpful, but please refrain from resurrecting old threads again in future.

Any brand should do. Whether or not it acts as two devices in one depends on what model you buy.

Regardless, bring in your laptop or provide the model number to your local store and obtain a guarantee that the card you buy will work.

okay....i have everything BUT the speakers----would it be ok if it were for show---eg-40 speakers that are not plugged in

Well hey, whatever catches your fancy!

Bass? From internal speakers? Heavens, I'd pay to hear that! ;)

If you're looking to pimp your PC, I suggest you look into other avenues of modding, such as fancy lights, plexiglass panels, neat cabling and the odd fishtank window.

If you really must install additional internal speakers, then I'm afraid I can't help you.

Some cards have both ethernet and a dial-up modem on them - there will be a separate connection for each.

Yes, you can buy a network/ethernet card. Take your laptop into the local store, ask and they should be able to provide.

1) if you have a PCI card in a computer on a network, can another computer on the network also watch tv through that card?

Unless the software supplied with the card provides such a feature, then no, not easily. I imagine you could setup some server to stream the video from the tuner to clients on the network, but I wouldn't know where to start.

2) can you unistall PCI cards and then install them into a different computer later?

Yes. I'd be in up in arms otherwise!

No.

However, there are boards available from ASRock with both socket types.

I'm glad you got it working DaMaGe. It's funny that the newest tech (SATA) still relies on tech that most people consider obsolete (floppies).

There's an exception in this case though.;)

DaMaGe has attached his hard drive to the Silicon Image SATA RAID controller, which requires drivers in order to be recognised by Windows. However, what you should do DaMaGe is attach your hard drive to the native nForce4 controller (refer to your manual to find out which is what). This will result in slightly better performance and no need for drivers during Windows XP setup.

However, don't stress. It's not going to heavily impact on anything if you just stick with the Silicon Image controller - just something to keep in mind next time you think about reinstalling Windows.

Are you sure that you are using the correct drivers? Please provide the make and model number of your motherboard and specify which SATA port the hard drive is plugged into.

thanks for the advice, I will get a new PSU. I am now thinking of getting an ATI x700 pro. Would the x700 pro be a better buy? I don't think I will get the most out of a 6600GT.

Similar performance, and I would recommend the 6600GT over the X700!

I would seriously consider saving for a more comprehensive upgrade.

If you do buy a PSU, watch out for what you buy. ATX2.0 PSUs have 24 pin motherboard connectors, so you'll need an adaptor.

It's not enough of an increase to justify splashing out. In standard Directx 8 games with no fancy driver detail increases, both cards are around the same. The 9600XT shines a little brighter in Directx 9 graphics (which the GF4 cannot do) and when using anti-aliasing or anisotropic-filtering (i.e. better looking eye candy), but it's not something I'd buy when you've already got a GF4. Save a little more, buy a new PSU (unless it's something really good - brand?) and get a 6600GT at least.

I suggest you read this thread then. ;)

yeah, but if any means possible you know? just make sure everything else is working before going into any conclusion if not, your local retailer or the place where you bought it can be a good assisstance :)

Venturing into the case is a risk. The vendor you bought the system from may use warranty stickers - they sit where the case cover/side meets the chassis and will break if the case is opened. Thus, they can tell if you've attempted a little home maintenance.

If something's not working, then it's not your problem! But, as mentioned previously, make sure you've connected everything correctly.

But open the case up and see if the graphics card is connected or if its fans are spining, but yeah , i think its the monitor

I highly recommend you don't do this if your PC is a package with a warranty. You risk voiding it!

Hard drive manufacturers typically offer "zero-fill" utilities on their websites. These will wipe your drive clean by filling it with nothing but zeroes.

Bought the PC as a package from a store? Take it back under warranty!

I do think there's something wrong with your actual PC, which could be any number of things (motherboard, CPU, video card, PSU). Is it still under warranty?

You can still use PC3200 (DDR400) RAM in your system - it will just run at a slower speed.

A 6600GT would be a nice match for that system, but you may want to consider a more comprehensive upgrade depending on what kinds of games you intend to play.

but after u have installed it by yourself does the drive get roconised automatically?

Yes, Windows should automatically install it for you. However, whether or not the BIOS detects it depends on whether or not you've set up the jumpers on the back of the drive correctly. ;)

I've bought 2 LG optical drives (one DVD, one CD burner), no problems. Hardly an indication of overall quality, but every bit helps.

I personally recommend Pioneer & NEC for DVD burners.

You could try previous versions of the ATI 64-bit drivers, but to be honest, you're far better off sticking with 32-bit Windows XP for now if you want everything to work smoothly!

Your card isn't too bad, but what kinds of games are you trying to play?

I can't really recommend a new CPU for your current motherboard. The only other, faster model available is a 3200+, and the performance difference would be negligible. Even so, a 3000+ is still a capable chip.

The amount of RAM on your video card does not determine the performance - you need to tell me what kind of chipset it has, as well as the model number Sparkle uses to identify it.

2.16Ghz is the correct operating frequency for your Athlon XP "3000+". I seriously doubt that your CPU was running at 3.2Ghz and if it was, you've probably got a new overclocking record on your hands!

If you play a lot of resource hungry games, I suggest you look at your video card and possibly RAM (if the hard drive is being accessed mid-game).

And it's not necessary to boot into safe mode to install drivers. ;)

get latest stable version on nividia;s site, make sure you uninstall then reboot in safe mode to install it.

Please don't cross-post clasher (i.e. post the same question in more than one area).

All assistance is to be directed to this thread.

Download the latest drivers, uninstall the old package and apply the new one.

Do you have the latest versions of Generals and CS?

Crucial does not "rebrand" anyone else's components to make the modules they sell.

Once in a while, Crucial will offer a solution that has been made by another manufacture, ie. Samsung, Infineon if they do not have a solution available from Micron.

Bit of a contradiction there mate. ;)
They're taking Micron chips and slapping "Crucial" on the top. Admittedly, it is the same company, but with some different marketing and rebranding.

Well, that's how I see it anyway. Your definition of "rebranding" may differ. ;)

Crucial is one of the TOP TIER memory providers in the world, so it amazes me how some can flame without knowing any facts! :confused:

Who's flaming chawk? :confused:
We're just stating what we know and experiences we've heard of with product.

Hmm, the last thing I heard Corsair, Geil and Kingston do not even make their own memory components.

Like I said above, many manufacturers source the chips from elsewhere. ;)

Interesting....BIAS perhaps??

Not at all! Our advice not only comes from our own experience, but from the words of praise of enthusiasts everywhere. Hit a few overclocker forums and you'll see what we mean.

Do you have the latest patch (1.01) installed for Max Payne? Have you tried older driver sets?

Yep, you make sure the previous drivers are uninstalled beforehand via Add or Remove Programs under the control panel. If you still experience issues, try older versions or the alternative Omega Drivers.

When installing programs, specify a different install location. Easy as that.

You cannot move the Documents & Settings folder (not easily anyway). However, you can move the My Dcouments folder. Right click it, properties and change the target folder location.

If the 24 pin connector doesn't snap in two, you'll probably need one of these (provided your new PSU is still all right!).

You wont need this as you have an AMD board.

Newer AMD motherboards DO require the extra 4 pin "P4" power connector which was previously Intel only. Check your manual and motherboard connectors to be sure. However, a PC of that vintage will likely not need the extra connector. ;)

AMD boards only use the standard 12 pin connectors.

Eh? The previous ATX standard uses 20 pin motherboard connectors, whereas ATX2.0 utilises a 24 pin connector. Newer A64 motherboards, especially SLI ready models, take a 24 pin connector (although you can plug a 20 pin PSU into a 24 pin motherboard, depending on other hardware being used).

i would also reccomend that you buy a new chassis as the chassis you currently have will be statically charged.:)

Errm, I'm not sure where you got that idea Janine, but the case, as dcc stated above, does not need to be replaced.

do i take it back whre i got the pc from??

That would be the logical thing to do, yes. ;)

Give them a call first and explain your problem.

Programs do not have to be installed on the system drive to work. You can change the install folder.

Ok I started to load xp. I did the first partition at 30gb for the os. Now for the rest which will be two partitions where can I find info on what to do next. How do I create the other partitions?

You could have created the other two partitions during Windows setup. Otherwise, it can be done via Control Panel->Admin Tools->Computer Management->Disk Management.

Depends on your budget!

Would three be ok?
OS and apps-30
Data, music, pics,-80
Video-140
Does this make sense?

It's up to you mate. Personally, I would just combine data/music/pics and video into one big partition.

Whooha, too many partitions! If you do feel comfortable with that level of organisation, then by all means go ahead, but I think you're breaking things down a little too much! I would just have a single system partition for Windows, with at least 10Gb of space. If you want to install programs on it, allocate a little more (I'm not telling you how much - you should know!). Allocate the rest to a single storage partition for all your other stuff and games. Should Windows ever implode or you feel like starting afresh, then all you need to do is backup a few odds and ends on the system partition and then format it, leaving the storage partition intact.

The floppy controller cannot be replaced or fixed by you, being integrated into the motherboard. The board would have to be sent back to the manufacturer, and it looks like you have a rather old model that has likely run out of warranty long ago!

Are you sure the floppy controller is at fault? Where does your PC freeze exactly? How often does it occur? Have you tried stripping it to the bare minimum and troubleshooting from there?

The A64 series of processors will happily run 32-bit applications, so you don't need a special 64-bit OS. The only issues you may come across are finding Linux drivers for your other hardware.