Help With My AMD XP3200+ Computer
 

Lately I have tried playing some new computer games (F.E.A.R., Call of Duty 2, Half Life 2) it will let me play for about 6 min. and then my computer freezes on me. My friend told me about Prime95. I downloaded it and start it and it runs but when I do the TORUTURE TEST it will test then get an error. I have tested it about 4 times and same thing. 3 times it will test for 1 min. and then error. [url]http://wildfire.servebeer.com/forum/Prime95%20Test%20Faile.bmp[/url]
And then once it tested for 54 min. and then error.
[url]http://wildfire.servebeer.com/forum/Prime95%20Test%20Faile%202.bmp[/url]
I really want to know if any one can help me with my problem.

I have had this computer about 2 years and I remember testing it a little after I built it with Prime95 and it gave me an error.

AMD Athlon XP 3200+ 2.2ghz (socket A)
AOpen AK79D-400 Max (Mother Board)
2x512 Rosewill PC3200 RAM (Dual Channel)
Western Digital 80GB 7200rpm 8mb Cache IDE100
Maxtor 200GB 7200rpm 8mb Cache IDE133
Nvidia GeForce 6600GT 128mb AGP8x (MSI brand)
MSI wireless b pci card
400w or 430w Power Supply (forgot what brand)

The games that I have and try to play but they crash all the time are
Doom3
F.E.A.R.
Call of Duty 2
Half Life 2
Battle Field 2
Battle Field 2 Special forces

With Doom3, F.E.A.R., Call of Duty 2, Half Life 2 I will be playing and it will just freeze making me have to reset the computer. I was able to play Half Life 2 when I under clocked my cpu form 2.2ghz to 1.8ghz but the other three freeze. With Battle Field 2, Battle Field 2 Special forces I will be playing and my computer will just throw me back to windows but not to often but it has happened where it freezes having to restart the computer.

My computer’s temp us around 40-45 degrees Celsius idle 48-52 degrees Celsius load.

1)

I guess the processor isn't getting enough electricity. The 3200+ is at the very limits of AMDs K7 technology. I find this problem pops up most often in the 3200+. Check in the BIOS that the cpu is getting factory default voltage (i think it's 1.65v for 3200+) or slightly higher. You can also increasing the CPU voltage (vCore) by small increments (the smallest offered by your motherboard, do not make large jumps). Increased voltage promotes stability (and better chances of passing prime95 torque), but carries some risk of overheating. I would advise not letting your CPU go over 60 degrees Celsius.

2)

The RAM could be flaky, which would explain why you couldn't run properly at 1.8ghz (unless the vCore wasn't correct). Check the CAS timings in your motherboard and set them to the fail safe mode. Or, try running the RAM at DDR333. I find that can help stability of machines with flaky RAM. Run at tool called MemTest86. It is avalible, but i use it bundled in this boot cd: [url]http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/[/url].

3)

Check your power supply, it may not be delivering the 400w it is rated at. Many nonamebrand companies will batch power supplies; rating 1000 or so based on the performance of 1 picked from the batch.

Most likely a memory problem,
if possible change memory to the lowest possible settings.
The memory maybe not really compatible with the motherboard.
The manufacture usually has recommened memory for a MB.

If the motherboard supports it, try each RAM module by itself.

Your power supply may be marginal for the load required by your PC
also it may be undersupplying voltages ie 12, 5, 3.3 only 11.x, 4.x, 3.y .

If undervoltage problem try boosting the CPU voltage in BIOS by a small amount.
Underclocking the CPU and it then working can indicate inadequate CPU voltage.
It also can indicate the RAM is set too fast.

Check for dust build up in CPU heatsink and fan, and blowout/clean off.
The temps if correct are fine.

The chipset could also be overheating, is there a heatsink and fan for it ?
If so are they filled/covered with dust ?

My brother came over and tried helping me with my problem. He checked the BIOS and it said my RAM timing was running at 2.5/3/3/7 but it defaults at 3/3/3/8 he switched it from manual adjust to spd or psd (what ever its called) so it was running at default timing. I left for work when I came home I had no start menu bar just a black line so I restarted threw task manager. When it came back up i was just using my computer like I usualy would and IE crahsed Firefox crashed and then I tried Prime95 and started the touture test and it went straite to Blue Screen of Death. I then set the RAM timing back to 2.5/3/3/7 and it worked fine again. I then tested each stick of RAM by then selfs in slot 3 cuz I thought that was slot 1 but found out it was not when i ran CPU-Z. Ran Prine95 with each stick for 1 hour and they didnt faile. Then I put both of then back in but this time they where switch from what slot they where in befor 1 in slot 3 and 3 in slot 1. Rebooted and ran Prime95 again and it didnt fail I first ran it for 2 hours and nothing and then lated ran it again for 4.5 hours and still didnt fail.
As of now I have not tried playing any games with it switched. I did play F.E.A.R. once when I had one 512 stick in and it played great but now I will try playing it with both in.
I will write back and tell you if I crash.

Thanks for your guys help.

OS
 

Perhaps you need to reinstall XP, apply all the latest updates, update all the latest hardware drivers and then attempt your games/prime95 again.

None of my games crash. For some reason swithcing the RAM's spots on the mother board fixed the problem.

(shrugs)

Maybe that forces the bios to poll the memory's specs.

O well it works and these sticks wont be in this computer much longer I am looking to get 2x512 of corsair. These will go in a chepe slow computer for my friends to play games on when they come to my house.

Thanks every one for your help.