solving a custom build computer problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Troubledyouth
  • Start date Start date
T

Troubledyouth

I build a computer for christimas and I still haven't got it working
to the way it should be. The computer runs slow at just about
everything. It will freeze up during games and the hard drive lights
will come on and stay on. I have all of the latest drivers for
everything. I also found out a little while ago, that in my device
manager, that most of my hardware is listed twice in a row when i
only have one of each. ex:it has my cpu listed twice one right after
the other. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I
also do not know the correct ram timmings to put on my ram. I have
corsair value select ram and the model number is:VS1GBKIT400C3. Some
one please help me!
 
I build a computer for christimas and I still haven't got it working
to the way it should be. The computer runs slow at just about
everything. It will freeze up during games and the hard drive lights
will come on and stay on. I have all of the latest drivers for
everything. I also found out a little while ago, that in my device
manager, that most of my hardware is listed twice in a row when i
only have one of each. ex:it has my cpu listed twice one right after
the other. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I
also do not know the correct ram timmings to put on my ram. I have
corsair value select ram and the model number is:VS1GBKIT400C3. Some
one please help me!
Click to expand...

Boy that seems really messed up. If windows is detecting things twice
etc then something is messed up.

What motherboard do you have? Are you overclocking? Are you using a
cheapo power supply?

I would check temperatures. I would then take everything out first ---
extra cards etc and reformat and then test the mem with memtest86 and
the drive. Theres a free downloadable image of in CD format called
Ultimate Boot do a search for it. It includes several utils including
memtest86 and several hard disk utilities. Set your PC to boot from
your CD after burning the CD.

I always test memory as an afterthought.cause everytime Ive tested Ive
never had any problems but a neighbor had recurring problems and he
had some expensive Samsung memory he bought 1 gigs worth in two
sticks. I didnt test it initially cause it was only a few months old.
After recurring problems I finally did and one stick was really
screwed really bad errors right away. After I took it out all his
problems went away.

Who knows what your problem is though. You should try to go at it
systematically to try to eliminate one thing at a time though some
things you can only do the crudest tests on like swapping things out
and guessing whether its really bad or not by the results of the swap.
 
Boy that seems really messed up. If windows is detecting things twice
etc then something is messed up.

What motherboard do you have? Are you overclocking? Are you using a
cheapo power supply?

I would check temperatures. I would then take everything out first ---
extra cards etc and reformat and then test the mem with memtest86 and
the drive. Theres a free downloadable image of in CD format called
Ultimate Boot do a search for it. It includes several utils including
memtest86 and several hard disk utilities. Set your PC to boot from
your CD after burning the CD.
Click to expand...

Or you could use the Ultimate boot CD before reformatting though if
you have bad memory it could have screwed your windows up.
 
i have ram memtest and it doesn't bring back errors. i let the test
run through 29 times
 
i have ram memtest and it doesn't bring back errors. i let the test
run through 29 times
Click to expand...

I would strip it down then video card only and try a fresh new install
of Win. Its good to have an old hard disk even if its only a few gigs
to use for this with only Windows installed. It would be great if you
could swap out your power supply if you suspect that. If its a decent
Antec or something then thats less likely to be the cause of the
problem.
 
What kind of motherboard do you have? I would ensure that the latest bios
update is installed then, if you have changed any settings in bios reset
them to the factory/nominal settings and see what happens.
 
when u say do it with nothing but my video card. you mean take the ram
out and everything?? i have an old hard drive(its either 4 or 8
gb)that should be big enough to put windows xp on it right? and just
put them two things in it and make fresh install of windows.

i have the asus p5p800 mother board(it should be in my sig)
 
Memory tests are not sufficient until also executed with
memory heated - such as with a hairdryer on high. Also
effective, but much less so, is to test memory at 40 degrees
F. Yes, if you really want to test comprehensively, then put
the computer in a refrigerator. However intermittent memory
that tests just fine at 70 degrees with often expose their
defects at over 100 degrees F. The hairdryer on high is a
perfect diagnostic testing device because it cannot overheat
anything inside that computer.

Of course, this is only one of so many things you must
verify. Since you built the machine, there is no manufacturer
with a complete set of comprehensive diagnostics
(comprehensive diagnostics execute without loading Windows).
You must obtain diagnostics from each hardware vendor. Every
responsible hardware manufacturer will provide comprehensive
diagnostics for free on their web site.

In the meantime, when hardware causes problems, Windows will
reload a second driver for that hardware - because it no
longer knows about the first driver. You must delete all
copies of hardware drivers in Device Manager for each device,
and then reboot the machine. The machine should then find the
device, see no driver, and load one according without being
confused by some other (and defective) driver for the same
device.

Yes you do have a lot of work to do. Some drivers will not
properly load until the other devices are properly deleted,
and reloaded on reboot. Must trial and error and numerous
reboots to eliminate so many defective drivers in Device
Manager.
 
but when i delete the devices in my device manager and reboot it
recgonizes them and install them 2 times again
 
Troubledyouth:
The computer runs slow at just about everything. It will freeze up
during games and the hard drive lights will come on and stay on.
...most of my hardware is listed twice ...Some one please help me!
Click to expand...

You haven't given anywhere near enough information for anyone to do more
than make wild ass guesses. Write down the specs, exactly what happens,
any error messages, etc., etc., etc... be specific. And for god sake don't
take a hair dryer to your computer or take advice from any numbnut that
tells you to do so. All computer components will produce errors when
heated beyond their safe operating temperature.
 
when u say do it with nothing but my video card. you mean take the ram
out and everything?? i have an old hard drive(its either 4 or 8
gb)that should be big enough to put windows xp on it right? and just
put them two things in it and make fresh install of windows.

i have the asus p5p800 mother board(it should be in my sig)
Click to expand...

No I mean CPU, video and ram. Thats the basic stuff you need .
And use an old HD with a clean install.

Also that bios advice is good cause your MB doesnt seem to be
recognizing things properly so a bios upgrade may make a difference if
its a new board.

And are you checking the temps with Motherboardmonitor?
Also WIN XP has an events folder that will list generally what
problems have happened its under control panel admin tools or whatever
its called.
 
You haven't given anywhere near enough information for anyone to do more
than make wild ass guesses. Write down the specs, exactly what happens,
any error messages, etc., etc., etc... be specific. And for god sake don't
take a hair dryer to your computer or take advice from any numbnut that
tells you to do so. All computer components will produce errors when
heated beyond their safe operating temperature.
Click to expand...

I would guess most cures on these news group questions are " wild ass
guesses" by helpfull people with good problem solving abilities and
knowledge.
The use of the hair drier is a excellent tool- used properly along
with other tools that are available. Most people don't have meters,
scopes or diagrams to follow let alone the ability to use them.
 
And for god sake don't
take a hair dryer to your computer or take advice from any numbnut that
tells you to do so. All computer components will produce errors when
heated beyond their safe operating temperature.
Click to expand...

LOL, I still have a A7N8X that won't POST most of the time
unless it's heated with a hair dryer. Went through all
typical troubleshooting steps to no avail, probably either a
flaky electrolytic cap or an undetected hairline crack or
bad solder joint. It'll sit till it gets old enough that I
decide to cannibalize it for parts.

Note that I don't advocate trying to heat boards to produce
errors, it just happened to be evident that heat helped a
particular board post because the prior owner had it working
in summer but not when ambient temp dropped.
 
I build a computer for christimas and I still haven't got it working
to the way it should be. The computer runs slow at just about
everything. It will freeze up during games and the hard drive lights
will come on and stay on. I have all of the latest drivers for
everything. I also found out a little while ago, that in my device
manager, that most of my hardware is listed twice in a row when i
only have one of each. ex:it has my cpu listed twice one right after
the other. I don't know if that has something to do with it or not. I
also do not know the correct ram timmings to put on my ram. I have
corsair value select ram and the model number is:VS1GBKIT400C3. Some
one please help me!
Click to expand...

What operating system?


Have a nice one...

Trent©

Budweiser: Helping ugly people have sex since 1876!
 
IDIDIT:
I would guess most cures on these news group questions are " wild
ass guesses" by helpfull people with good problem solving abilities
and knowledge.
Click to expand...

Most cures are not wild ass guesses, but wild ass guesses are plentiful.
The use of the hair drier is a excellent tool- used properly along
with other tools that are available. Most people don't have meters,
scopes or diagrams to follow let alone the ability to use them.
Click to expand...

Tom likes to make blanket suggestions that are potentially harmfull to
system components, especially to people who have very limited hardware
experience. Tom has demonstrated time and again that he does not
understand that heat is a by-product and requires proper management. A
hairdryer can overheat system components that are in operation
producing artificial errors. Whether or not it can cause permanant
damage is debatable, whether or not it is necessary and advisable is
not.
 
IDIDIT:


Most cures are not wild ass guesses, but wild ass guesses are plentiful.
Click to expand...


I guess that interpretation is an individuals reference. After many
years repairing many parts of systems if something like a burnt
whatever, obviously broken whatever, loose whatever etc. is not
obvious it's wild ass guessing until the scope and schematics come
out. With me it started with checking fuses with a meter not
eyeballing, checking grounds, checking voltages with a meter, cleaning
contacts etc. Some may say that's good procedure, others would
consider it's part of wild ass guessing.
 
IDIDIT:
I guess that interpretation is an individuals reference. After many
years repairing many parts of systems if something like a burnt
whatever, obviously broken whatever, loose whatever etc. is not
obvious it's wild ass guessing until the scope and schematics come
out. With me it started with checking fuses with a meter not
eyeballing, checking grounds, checking voltages with a meter,
cleaning contacts etc. Some may say that's good procedure, others
would consider it's part of wild ass guessing.
Click to expand...

I understand what you're trying to say but it has nothing to do with
your original statement about newsgroups. If you are relying on wild
ass guesses after "many years" then you are not properly identifying
the problem to begin with.
 
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