FX5600 reboots during Direct3d Tests

I am at my wits end to this problem. I bought this card to beef up my
video a littel. I upgraded from a Geforce2 GTS. Anyways, it's an Nvidia
Geforce FX5600 with 256Mb. I recently upgraded to Win2k Pro also from
Win98se. I have a 750Mhz proc. with 256MB Ram. Now, my Geforce2 worked
fine until I installed win2k(clean install). Then in DX8, when testing
Direct3d, the computer would restart every time. Now, I don't believe
this is an issue with the new FX 5600. I installed DX9b then 9c and the
same effect. I have installed the latest Nvdia driver from Nvidias'
site (77.72) and still the same problems. I have Googled this and
others have had the same or similar problems in the past. Anyone have
these symptoms? Any known resolution? I've reinstalled Win2k pro 3
times now. If this is the wrong group for this question, I apologize.
djhurt1

'djhurt1' wrote, in part:
| I have a 750Mhz proc. with 256MB Ram. Now, my Geforce2 worked
| fine until I installed win2k(clean install). Then in DX8, when testing
| Direct3d, the computer would restart every time. Now, I don't believe
| this is an issue with the new FX 5600.
_____

When you change more than one component at a time, diagnosing a resultant
problem becomes more difficult. Since a hardware device might need to be
returned, it is usually a good idea, if possible, to get the new hardware
device working correctly before upgrading the operating system.

It is not clear from your post exactly what the sequence of events has been.

Does EITHER video card work now with Windows 2000 PRO?
Did you try the new card with your previous operating system?
How do the cards work in normal operation (NOT running diagnostics)?
What operating temperature for the video cards?
Do the cards work in SAFE mode?
How is your power supply? Is it marginal, and perhaps unable to supply
enough power for the FX5600?
Perhaps you jogged a connector when you made the switch?

Finally, your system is evidently fairly old. Perhaps some components
(especiall capacitors on the motherboard or in the power supply) have
deteriorated and are no longer in specification. Also your 750 MHz Pentium
III and 256 MBytes memory are a bit light for an 256 MByte FX5600 and
Windows 2000 PRO; this might be one of a number of interacting problems.

The fact that reinstalling the operating system and installing three
different versions of Direct X indicate a hardware problem.

Phil Weldon

wrote in message
oups.com...
I am at my wits end to this problem. I bought this card to beef up my
video a littel. I upgraded from a Geforce2 GTS. Anyways, it's an Nvidia
Geforce FX5600 with 256Mb. I recently upgraded to Win2k Pro also from
Win98se. I have a 750Mhz proc. with 256MB Ram. Now, my Geforce2 worked
fine until I installed win2k(clean install). Then in DX8, when testing
Direct3d, the computer would restart every time. Now, I don't believe
this is an issue with the new FX 5600. I installed DX9b then 9c and the
same effect. I have installed the latest Nvdia driver from Nvidias'
site (77.72) and still the same problems. I have Googled this and
others have had the same or similar problems in the past. Anyone have
these symptoms? Any known resolution? I've reinstalled Win2k pro 3
times now. If this is the wrong group for this question, I apologize.
djhurt1

Yes, I didn't really clarify very well I guess. Let me elaborate.
Had Geforce2 GTS running fine on Win98se with DirectX8. Played
QuakeIII, AOEII, and Mechwarrior4 very well. Installed Directx 9b and
problems began. I'm starting a business so I needed a little more
secure OS. So Win2k Pro installed and the problems increased to very
slow performance with anything 3d, however, Pinball runs very well
though. I then upgraded video card to Nvidia FX 5600 with 256MB memory
thining this might help a little. Problems still persist. I've
downloaded all the updates available for Win2k and the video card as
well as my mobo. I realize my hardware is showing it's age but, I don't
believe it should be this extreme. Also, the direct3d test causing the
system to reboot is interesting.
djhurt1

I forgot to mention, my power supply is a 350watt and I have removed 1
fan and some other devices, thining maybe not enough power. Also, the
fan on the video card is working perfectly and I even tried with the
cas cover off. Maybe I'll put an ice cube on the GPU Just kidding. I
don't think it's a heat issue.
djhurt1

'djhurt1' wrote, in part:
| I realize my hardware is showing it's age but, I don't
| believe it should be this extreme. Also, the direct3d test causing the
| system to reboot is interesting. Perhaps the D3D tests cause the FX5600 to
draw much more power.

You really have to be very systematic to diagnoise problems with computer
systems. You haven't approached the problem systematically, and haven't
been too clear in describing the problem and when it occurs. (Any problems
with the GeForce2 card and the present operating system?)

Yes, your system IS old enough to show hardware problems. Since you are
starting a business and say you need a more secure system, the FIRST thing
you need to do is to have a system that DOES NOT CHANGE and that you DO NOT
PLAY GAMES ON. Think about what you time costs. Is it really worth it to
jack around with a failing system that you must depend on for income?

Speaking of security, when you use a real email identity in posting to a
Usenet newgroup it will be harvested by spammers. Some worms also harvest
from Usenet news servers, and will target the email addresses with infective
messages AND will use the harvested email addresses as 'spoofed', fake
'From' addresses on infective messages. Use a guaranteed invalid domain
name with any prefix instead of a valid email address;
or - example.com and
invalid.com are reserved and cannot generate a deliverable email message.

Phil Weldon

wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes, I didn't really clarify very well I guess. Let me elaborate.
Had Geforce2 GTS running fine on Win98se with DirectX8. Played
QuakeIII, AOEII, and Mechwarrior4 very well. Installed Directx 9b and
problems began. I'm starting a business so I needed a little more
secure OS. So Win2k Pro installed and the problems increased to very
slow performance with anything 3d, however, Pinball runs very well
though. I then upgraded video card to Nvidia FX 5600 with 256MB memory
thining this might help a little. Problems still persist. I've
downloaded all the updates available for Win2k and the video card as
well as my mobo. I realize my hardware is showing it's age but, I don't
believe it should be this extreme. Also, the direct3d test causing the
system to reboot is interesting.
djhurt1

Yes, I understand your point of not playing games on the system. I'm
realling just using it to run billing software on it. The system will
be replaced when cash comes in for a dedicated maching for that
purpose. The real business machine is a linux box sitting next to me
that is very secure. This machine will have a unique ip vs. this one
etc. I'm not explaining things very well. I used to work for a computer
sales/network installation shop a few years back so I agree with you.
Blackbox troubleshooting and all of that. Systematic is the way to go.
I just assume people understand what I'm talking about sometimes. My
apologies.
The Geforce2 card exhibited the exact same problems in Win98(after dx9
installed) and in Win2k. Haven't tested FX 5600 in Win98 yet. This
machine will go to my son when I'm done with it, that's why I want to
make it somewhat decent.
djhurt1

I understand about the pass-along. I've got about four stages in my pass
along string. The system I'm using for this message uses all the 40 GByte
drives from the past (five, the motherboard has 4 IDE channels.)

As you offer more information, I am more and more prone to putting the
problem down to ageing hardware.

If you really want to make progress in diagnosing the problem you should
measure the voltages and temperatures in you r system (use a applet like
MotherBoard Monitor). DO NOT disconnect fans - a cooling fan in a PC
desktop uses only 2 to 5 watts. Hard drives and removable media drives
really don't use much power except when spinning up. Your CPU uses less
than 40 Watts (as I remember), the memory doesn't use much power, none of
the cards use much power (except for the FX5600.) Check the specifications
for your power supply.

Other questions for consideration in diagnostic:

Is the system OEM, and thus likely to have a marginal power supply?
Have you carefully check all power connectors? Molex connectors (as used on
power supplies) are usually poor quality.

Keep in mind that cooling depends on air flow, and an OPEN case can develop
hot spots that would not be there with a closed case.

It is a lot of work to diagnoise the problem you describe, exaberated by
ageing equipment and operating system. By the way, why Windows 2000
Professional? It's priced higher than Windows XP Professional.

Phil Weldon

wrote in message
ups.com...
Yes, I understand your point of not playing games on the system. I'm
realling just using it to run billing software on it. The system will
be replaced when cash comes in for a dedicated maching for that
purpose. The real business machine is a linux box sitting next to me
that is very secure. This machine will have a unique ip vs. this one
etc. I'm not explaining things very well. I used to work for a computer
sales/network installation shop a few years back so I agree with you.
Blackbox troubleshooting and all of that. Systematic is the way to go.
I just assume people understand what I'm talking about sometimes. My
apologies.
The Geforce2 card exhibited the exact same problems in Win98(after dx9
installed) and in Win2k. Haven't tested FX 5600 in Win98 yet. This
machine will go to my son when I'm done with it, that's why I want to
make it somewhat decent.
djhurt1

I agree with you about opening up the case. I had a good air flow path
with the case on. I did this because it was suggested by others,
although again I didn't think it would, maybe even hinder passive
cooling effect. I disconnected one fan because it was going bad. The
other stuff was just a part of the troubleshooting process. I have
win2k because it was from college. It was an IT program, associates
degree, and we got a then spanking new P4 system 512k ram, 40gb drive,
and Win2k pro for lab purposes. We got to keep the system for a very
low cost to the students. Anyway, I hated the os and figured I could
use it now with some updates. XP is better, although far from
acceptable, but that's MS for ya. The female uses it for her classes
and it is much more suitable for stability, gaming etc. I thin your
right, I need better hardware. I used to be up on this stuff but kids,
diapers, and kids have put a damper on the hobbies Thanks for the
input. I'm gonna upgrade but keep the vid card cause I think it is of
average performance, and that's all I need. Take care. I'm gonna dump
this Win2k cd cause it's worthless. I've tried using this copy on
various machines, and the headaches far outweigh the usefulness of the
OS. BTW, this is just a temporary dial-up connection so no security
risks here as the T1 will be installed in a couple of weeks Any
info. given from usenet will be a moot point.
Thanks again,
djhurt1

Do you have the AGP GART drivers installed for your motherboard?


wrote in message
oups.com...
I am at my wits end to this problem. I bought this card to beef up my
video a littel. I upgraded from a Geforce2 GTS. Anyways, it's an Nvidia
Geforce FX5600 with 256Mb. I recently upgraded to Win2k Pro also from
Win98se. I have a 750Mhz proc. with 256MB Ram. Now, my Geforce2 worked
fine until I installed win2k(clean install). Then in DX8, when testing
Direct3d, the computer would restart every time. Now, I don't believe
this is an issue with the new FX 5600. I installed DX9b then 9c and the
same effect. I have installed the latest Nvdia driver from Nvidias'
site (77.72) and still the same problems. I have Googled this and
others have had the same or similar problems in the past. Anyone have
these symptoms? Any known resolution? I've reinstalled Win2k pro 3
times now. If this is the wrong group for this question, I apologize.
djhurt1

I'm unfamiliar with that. I do have the "VIA CPU to AGP" controller
drivers.
djhurt1