Computer Help Thread

[Carcrazy]

Call your MoBo company, it's boring, and it takes FOREVER, but they can help... Also, try moving to sticks around some, try different configurations like slot 1+3; 3+4; 1+4; etc. It's probably a hardware issue. You may also want to try updraging your mobo BIOS. (I had a problems trying to install Windows Vista with 2GB on my Abit, turns out it needed a BIOS update.)

YOu may also want to run something like MemTest, or even the integrated ram checking that's built into Vista.

[prince1142003]

I've run MemTest with no problems reported. I can't switch the RAM around on the mobo as it needs a VERY specific configuration to work (channels 1+3 populated if only two sticks are used). ASUS support sucks, so I don't know what else to do.

I'll try to update the BIOS. Only problem is, the version higher than my current one is a beta BIOS.

[baumaxx1]

Hmmm...
System specs:
XP SP2
3.2 GHz P4 Northwood with Hyper Threading
1.25 GB DDR 400 RAM (Running at 333... what's better, more ram, or taking the 256 out to bring it up to 400 DDR)
7600GT

-Drivers: Updated Crysis demo release.

-Crysis: Playable (40-30 FPS) with a few settings on med.

Now, Juiced 2 runs crap on minimum... but the weird part is that when I run in windowed mode and bring up task manager in race, it runs faster than frozen and actually goes smooth before it pauses... what is going on? I'm aware I only just scrape the min settings, but the PS2 can handle it and it should at least be playable on low.... hey look, a game that runs even more retardedly than prostreet!

[S2000_Skyline12]

It's not a very well optimized game, the vinyls don't even look good in that game.

[prince1142003]

It's weird, but it seems that setting the BIOS to ACPI v1.0 instead of v2.0 did the trick. Can anyone explain why that would happen? I used ACPI v2.0 up until I changed my RAM.

[baumaxx1]

It's not a very well optimized game, the vinyls don't even look good in that game.

Yeah, I figured it was badly optimized considering that they couldn't bother changing the menu commands to PC controls, it still shows xbox buttons... and that minimum spec to actually make the game playable is more powerful than the Xbox gear. It's the worst port I've seen and I think that disc is heading straight for the bin. "Try before you buy"... lucky I did, because I know better than to waste money since TDU. $80 hurt like hell considering that I spent $400 on the PC to exceed recommended specs, but at least Oblivion and FEAR ran on high settings and run Crysis better then I expected! =-)

Two thumbs up to:
Bethesda Softworks, Crytek and Sierra.

Slap across the face to:
Atari and Juice/THQ.

[Carcrazy]

It's weird, but it seems that setting the BIOS to ACPI v1.0 instead of v2.0 did the trick. Can anyone explain why that would happen? I used ACPI v2.0 up until I changed my RAM.

Did you say it was Windows Vista, or XP? I think I remember reading somewhere that Vista runs better with it at 2.0.

[prince1142003]

It's XP. What's weirder is that ACPI v3.0 shows up as a BSOD saying my PC isn't ACPI compatible. Is that a Windows XP error, or are the ACPI tables in my BIOS corrupt?

[Carcrazy]

I"m not really sure when it would come to that... try Googleing if XP is compatible with it.

You may also want to try backing up your data and re-installing XP. It could just be that Window's is just having general setup problems with the hardware change.

Sorry I can't be of much help atm... kinda tired and depressed. lol

[baumaxx1]

Anyone know how to burn 24/96 WAV audio to CD so it's playable on a CD player.... at that high level of quality? OR is it basically "try and see if your zen plays it?"

[vellu]

Anyone know how to burn 24/96 WAV audio to CD so it's playable on a CD player.... at that high level of quality? OR is it basically "try and see if your zen plays it?"

You cannot. CD-audio is standardized at 16/44 quality and no player will accept anything other.

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Book_% ... tandard%29

You may want to look in Super Audio CD (SACD), but a regular CD-player will generally not support it (since the media is usually a DVD-disk).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Audio_CD

[baumaxx1]

Thanks, I'll try that. I believe my HDMI dvd player may support SACD, and I think PS3 might, but would any benefit be gained with audiophile grade headphones, but with on-board sound?

[vellu]

would any benefit be gained with audiophile grade headphones, but with on-board sound?

The headphones for sure, but on-board sound chips might not even support 24/96 output not the mention possible signal quality issues which is always an issue with motherboard integration.

If you really want good output (and not want to shell out big bucks for professional hardware) I highly recommend Creatives X-Fi series sound cards. Extreme Audio might be the one for you (has true 24/96 playback and recording):

http://www.soundblaster.com/products/pr ... 5855&nav=1

[baumaxx1]

Hmm... not fussed about the PC at this stage, I wanna play this on my hi-fi... wonder if my zen vision supports it... I might dl one track and see.

[race_invader]

I have abit of a virus problem.. I get virus's everyday ever since something happened on my computer, i believe it opened more internet ports or something like that? its my sisters fault anyway, i just wanna fix it cause ever since that happened its been getting virus's they are easy to heal etc but it gets annoying.

Edit: okay she explain something else to me just then, she said it was something to do with 'tcpip.sys' a patch went onto it and did something.

[vellu]

What scanner/removal programs have you tried?

What security software you have installed (antivirus/firewall/spyware)?

[baumaxx1]

adaware, spybot S&D and an AV will do.

[race_invader]

Adware, spybot S&D and an AVG, thats what i have so basicly what baumaxx1 just said. Here is a image of whats happening, i get more everyday pretty much also my internet doesn't even load anymore except when im on my mums computer her internet works etc and they are both linked up to the same modem/router. So atm ill be using my mums computer.

[vellu]

Adware, spybot S&D and an AVG

You seem to be missing a firewall component. The windows (xp) firewall isn't enough in this case, because IT DOES NOT filter outgoing traffic at all. Which is what you need to able to block in your case (malware is taking over your internet connection).

Besides that, you need specific cleaning tools if your current applications are unable to remove the viruses found (might be rootkit hidden. AVG offers a free antirootkit tool (separate program not included in AVG free edition), you could try that.)

[Carcrazy]

Yeah, you have two options:

a) Format the computer and reinstall Windows (Hopefully you have the disks, so this is the free option)

b)Buy anti-virus software (either McAffe, Norton, or a paid AVG edition)

c)Download a Norton/AVG Pro trial using your mom's computer, burn it to a CD, and install it on the invaded computer. (<-- May work best; you'll get a paid edition, but for free, and seeing as most trials are at least 30 days, you'll be protected if it tries to reinstall itself.)

[race_invader]

@vellu: I've tried the AVG antirootkit tool picked up nothing.

@Carcrazy: I cant reinstall windows i do have the disk but the computer place who built the computer didn't supply us with the serial number etc. option C we will be buying AVG when the computer is fixed so until then mum doesnt wanna buy anything.
---

Would it be easyer to call a computer expert and get them around to remove it? cause ive tried many tools even Ccleaner for the temporary internet files etc.

[boganbusman]

Would it be easyer to call a computer expert and get them around to remove it? cause ive tried many tools even Ccleaner for the temporary internet files etc.

Instead of paying for an "ekspurt" use that money to buy a new copy of Windows.
Getting someone else to fix it for you is a waste of time. What if he fixes it and then a couple of months later it happens again? You'll be back at square one.

[Carcrazy]

Okay, I ****ed up my computer again... >.<*

(RIP Silverbullet.v2.0)

Anyway, I think the Hard Drive's ruined... When I try to install Vista again (to the hardheads: don't give me ANY bull about Vista, it's a hardware problem) I can delete the Partition on the Hard Drive, and can create a new one... if I try to format it, it freezes. (It doesn't actually freeze, it just sits there...) The HDD Activity Light stays luminated the entire time... If I try to install it without formatting it, it gets to Copying Windows Files, (the FIRST step, that normally takes less than a second.) Once again, it just sit's there with the HDD light on.

I've tried changing SATA ports, BIOS settings, hell, I even put in a new SATA cord... any ideas?

Nevermind, a slap across the face from Linux whipped it into shape!

[bashderq]

Recently, my computer has been acting up for no discernable reason. One of the 'problems' is that every time I start my computer, something starts making random ticking noises. I've eliminated the speakers and I've checked all the plugs going into my computer are put in properly. I think it's coming from the PSU but the noise is so soft its hard to pin point its exact location. The noise continues for a few minutes and then stops until I restart the computer again. The performance of my computer isn't affected but I just want to figure out why it started in the first place.

Specs if it matters
XP sp2
460W Macron PSU
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
3GB ram

[S2000_Skyline12]

Could be HDD or PSU, I had some noise coming from my previous PSU/HDD, but it seemed to be the case in my situation