So, I finally got a GOOD PC, amazing eh? Only problem is that it's giving me some problems. Therefore, I have a few questions. Sure, I know quite a bit of things about computer work, BUT, there are still a few things I need to learn.
Here I was, partitioning my HD and getting ready to install Win XP Pro. It was then that I noticed something weird happened, the screen started becoming distorted and all of the text was broken on the screen. I was not too happy to see this but I figured it could be some weird occurrence, so I shook it off. Fast forward to XP being completely installed and me downloading programs and installing games. It didn't take long until my PC froze again (except for my mouse) and the screen looked distorted / broken. Almost like someone spotted the screen with random white lines in numerous parts of the screen. I realized this would also occur when I GENTLY tap my case, the screen flips out and then it freezes.
I'm pretty frustrated considering I paid for this computer and it's something I've wanted, for a REALLY long time. I was able to play TF2 on it for a bit and it was SO fast and it looked SO good! Then TF2 crashed due to that popular memory error that still lingers.
I'm not sure what the problem is. I thought it was the video card considering the screen flips out, but it DOES function. I also thought it COULD be my motherboard? I'm not too sure. Considering I've never had a problem like this before. It's just weird that it randomly happens, but it ALSO happens if the case it barely tapped. Which makes me think it COULD be the motherboard?
I've booted the PC in safe mode and the problem still existed. I also opened the case and made sure the card was in the slot all the way and made sure no wires were loose or anything.
I'm not sure what it could be and honestly I want to get it fixed ASAP cause I'm SO excited to finally have a NEW PC. I have a few friends that could help out but they're usually busy majority of the time. On top of that I work from 10 - 10 Monday through Friday, so I'm hardly ever home. I just hope I can get this beast up and running sooner than later.
Also, here are my specs.
INTEL CORE 2 DUO E8500 3.16GHZ RET.
250GB SATA II 3.GB 7200RPM 8MB
160GB SATA-II 3GB/S 8MB 7200RPM HD
2G DDR2 PC6400 MEMORY
ASUS P5N-E SLI NFORCE 650I SLI MB
EVGA GEFORCE 8800GT 512MB PCI-E
I know I could post this in the forums, but I'd rather it be seen on the front page / in the c-blogs so maybe I can get an answer faster. Maybe someone knows EXACTLY what I'm talking about. Who knows. I appreciate anything and everything though.
One thing is for sure though. I don't think I'm ever ordering from CyberPower PC again, first order and a not so good experience. :(
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(# 0) on 09/01/2008 20:48
(# 1) on 09/01/2008 20:48
(# 2) on 09/01/2008 20:50
(# 3) on 09/01/2008 20:58
(# 4) on 09/01/2008 21:00
(# 5) on 09/01/2008 21:03
Flash the Bios (unless you have raid setup - might cause issues)
Update Bios
If you were having issues before XP installed this could be mother board / memory issues / if the distorted text is still lingering it could be video card issue as well however it could be the board it self not transferring the data correctly.
(# 6) on 09/01/2008 21:04
Very very rarely would the bios ever be a problem and if it a restore usually does the trick....
(# 7) on 09/01/2008 21:06
How big is your power supply?
The easiest thing would be to start swapping out parts if you have any spares to do it with, anything old that you know works is fine.
(# 8) on 09/01/2008 21:24
miguel, when your video card flips out do you see graphic artifacts going haywire? In other words.. you see the game environment stretching into triangles and what not.. that generally relates to a graphic card / driver issue.
Also, is your computer reading the correct ammount of memory? I would recommend removing everything (minus the cpu - save that for absolute last - dont want to hassle with that mess just yet).
(# 9) on 09/01/2008 21:38
(# 10) on 09/01/2008 21:39
(# 11) on 09/01/2008 21:52
lolololololol
(# 12) on 09/01/2008 21:56
A basic troubleshooting step would be in install a different video card in the system (just a crap one) and see if you get the same problem using that. If so then you're working towards narrowing down the issue.
There are a lot of factors to consider with this info, I mean you got the system and then started tinkering with it (as you should), so it's hard to say right now if you caused it or it's fault hardware.
(# 13) on 09/01/2008 22:09
(# 14) on 09/02/2008 00:29
I figured it was probably something loose, but I'm really not sure. I'll go ahead and keep messing with it. I definitely did get the latest drivers for everything right off the bat, so in all honesty I bet it's a hardware issue or something in there just isn't making a connection. It's really annoying though, I think I'd almost want something to not work at all rather than doing something like this. It's such a tease! I'll try everything you guys said, I appreciate everything. :)
(# 15) on 09/02/2008 00:35
(# 16) on 09/03/2008 16:20
also, is it still having trouble or have you figured it out by this point?