I forgot to mention to always check with the hardware first. Too many times its the case that the issue lies in the hardware realm and changing software configs trying to fix an issue will only compound the seriousness.
Repeated issues that cant be solved through simple software manipulation should be attempted inside the case. Ground yourself with a wrist strap and start pulling cards/cables, especially those related to the problem. Knack mentioned pulling RAM and switching positions, which is pretty well known as a potential fix for many erratic RAM issues. Usually involves mismatched RAM pairs. Another simple fix for obtuse issues is HD cables, either it being of wrong type (speed) or using a cable for two IDE components when only using one. If you have a single of the same type, use that. Otherwise make sure the device is plugged into the last connection.
I've had a lot of issues with heatsinks/chips overheating, not catastrophically but enough to cause errors of a wide variety and hard to pinpoint. Makes you think you have spyware/trojan. My video card will often have issues to degree of freezing DP within seconds of loading. Totally seems like a software/driver issue, and thats how I chased it for a long time. Went around almost arbitrarily changing settings. Turns out it was purely hardware, a combo of the AGP Slot and the cards fan/heatsink. The fan/sink is inadequate and easily clogs with dust, the slot is lifted too far off the m.board making it easy for large pieces of debris and dust to coagulate in there.
Thats just one of many similar situations which has lead to my comp having its own regular (every few months) maintenance schedule. Pull all easily accessible cards/cables. Clean and remove as much dust as possible, examine all cards/boards components (capacitors/resistors/inductors) for burn marks or any physical signs.
Be careful when doing this stuff though, if done wrong can be much more harmfull than beneficial.
- Wear a grounding wriststrap,
- Stick all cards in their own static free plastic sleeve (the mirror looking bags),
- Be gentle with any physical connections, especially the cables. Those tiny wires inside can be broken with little effort
- DONT USE STANDARD BRUSHES TO REMOVE DUST, you'll create tons of static and probably ruin many devices. I use compressed air, either in an aerosol can or from a vacuum with a "blow" option tiny nozzle. Then use a ShopVac or room airfilter on the end you push the dust and crap towards. It should catch most of it. Not doing this last step will leave you with most the dust still in your computer case ready to resettle and the rest floating around your room for the next week or two until it goes back into your case.
- Better than all this is to just seal your computer and have all fans pointing out. Have one end with more airflow than the other, aka two fans pointing out in back and only one pointing out in front (don't forget the powersupple fans.) Negative pressure systems work great at keeping out dust, but they have to be sealed well.
wow, what a ramble. im done.
p.s. - snipen, please remove trev from your mask ban/firewall. another good person banned for little reason, being forced to stop playing because of a ban.
mewa.rules
