Hardware problems getting the best of me!

[Bearracing 3]

In preparation for the installation of FS2004, I upgraded my system (new 19" monitor and a 128mb ATI Pro 9700 video card). Immediately following the installation of the video card I began having serious lockup problems. Eventually we (my neighbor) got my system working acceptably, but after installing FS2004, the lockup problems once again appeared, though they now occur only in FS2004. The lockups are total, as no rebooting is possible, only a full powerdown and repowering of my system will return it to operation. Initially the lockups occurred with everything (Train Simulator, Wordpad, etc.), but after I returned my system to CompUSA (who had installed the ATI card) and I presume they had installed the latest drivers, the lockups only occur now with FS2004. There is no set pattern to the lockups, as they may occur on the setup screen or after 30 minutes of flight, but of every 50 attempts to fly in FS2004, the lockups occur in 45 to 48 of those times. I'm very sure the problems relate to my hardware configuration, as I've not heard of any similar problems by anyone with a similar setup as mine, but the problems I've having have caused me to curtail my weekly Bear Picks and my reviews now require 5 to 10 times as long to do, because I constantly have to repower my system and defrag my harddrive everytime it locks up. Its very frustrating, as I'm sure you could imagine, but I was hoping maybe someone can offer some ideas. Over the weekend (Oct 10 to 13), I had a friend come by, who is a software specialist by trade, who spent a very frustating couple of days with me, but despite all his efforts the problem is still with me. My system specs are:AMD 1.2Ghz processor128MB ATI PRO 9700 video card (3.7 drivers)44GB harddrive512MB SDRAM ram133 motherboardWin98SE operation systemSteve (Bear) Cartwright

[Guest SoarPics]

Hi Steve,Sounds like you and your friend have looked into the software angle. The new sim seems pretty stable... most of the lock-up problems have been hardware related.First (and easiest) thing to do is remove the left side panel and blow some air into the case with a house fan. Go fly and see what happens. You could have heating problems with the CPU, or memory, or video card. What sort of case and how many fans?What kind of PSU do you have? And do you have another that you can install to test with?If you have a VIA chipset MB, have you updated the drivers?

[Avcomware 1]

Hi, Steve.If this does not help, post your Chipset here.I would start with the BIOS try to set it to Fail safe / conservative mode.Try to move, your RAM sticks, if you have more than 1, around, or just make sure it's seated properly.Monitor your CPU / case temps, keep around 45/32.Make sure you have the latest Chipset drivers, VIA etc.Make sure you have the proper Sound driver.Verify no IRQ contingency / conflict.Install / reinstall your Video drivers, use a driver clean util, from driverheaven, or post here for more info.Install DX9 and make sure you get no errors when you run DXdiag.Post here if no joy. TV

[michal 44]

Bear,I have recently been through very similar experience but it was not FS2004 related. The computer would lock-up (even when left alone with no work being performed) such that the only way out was power recycle - normal manual reboot was not working. It turned out it was a bad CPU. But like I said - my lock-ups had nothing to do with flight simulation.I was told by the technician I was extremely unlucky - it doesn't happen for more than 1% of users.Michael J.http://www.reality-xp.com/community/nr/rsc/rxp-higher.jpg

[Bearracing 3]

Michael,My problem sounds very similar, as my beginnings of the lockups were well before I had installed Flight Simulator and ironically, the person that has been helping me on the problem, suggested that my CPU may be the source of the problem. I'm sure you understand how frustrating it is to have to repower the system and all that entails as for the time involved trying to fly or whatever. I did reinstall my yoke drivers this morning, which so far seems to have helped a great deal, but we'll see. I've also passed on the information (to my friend) about the other suggestions noted here. One consideration I may try is to upgrade my mother board and CPU (maybe a Pentium4 3.2Ghz or so), as a last resort, but we'll try some of the other suggestions first. Thanks for the ideas from all that responded.Steve (Bear) Cartwright

[jamiee 0]

Bear,What power suply are you running? I'd recommend nothing less than a decent 350w one. Go 400w or above for added security as most of today's higher end gfx cards are power hungry.That's just one thought anyway.