Any computer experts around?

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

My computer had a habit of locking up on me about twice a day until I discovered that I could turn down graphics acceleration from the Windows 98 control panel. That side stepped the problem but I would like to know what I have to do to regain maximum acceleration.

[karma]

could be a number of things. is it agp or pci?
does your video card have a fan on it is it spinning?
could be voltage set on the board in the bios for the agp
or it could be over clocked in the bios. is your directx up to date?

[5th element]

This could be a heat problem. I had a similar problem with mine locking up too. It turned out that it was my processor gettin a tad hot so I lowered the core voltage and this lowered it by a couple of degrees. This was enough to stop the problem entirely.

It sounds to me like your graphics card could be overheating try removing the side of the case and set up a desktop fan to to fire into the case.

Then turn up the graphics again and see if the problem persists. If its solved then it is a heat issue. Then its up to use as to solving it!

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

Thanks.

I thought it might be heat related as the exhaust fan is kind of sketchy- sometimes it gets noisy and once I caught it napping. I shall replace the fan.

[Tensop]

if the exhaust fan you are referring to is inside the computers power supply then its dangerous if this is failing... replace it or you will be looking at capacitors with 339v exploding

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

There is a fan that pulls air into the case and across the power supply. The marginal fan pulls warm air out of the case and I'll have to admit that the air isn't that warm.

Just curious, what part of the computer uses the higher voltage you referred to?

[Tensop]

inside the computer powersupply is a typical low grade smps
it goes 240v ac > recification > triacs > step down > diodes > output

when those mains capacitors(usualy 400v 400uF) explode it isnt pretty. you can also get alot of fluctuations in the outputs, which a computer wont be tollerant of and will lead to the death of it.. (especially hard drives, motherboards..)

[Schaef]

Personally, I'd say replace the power supply in general. Especially if this was a custom built computer using a cheap case and power supply. Depending on the configuration of the system and the power capability of the power supply, I'd say you're probably marginal on it. Power supplies are notoriously over-rated, especially ones pre-packaged with cases. You're better off buying a case without the supply and buying a separate one.

[mbroker]

Forget the fans. Update the video drivers first. Bad drivers are a far more common cause of video problems than heat. You'd be surprised how much heat is radiated through the case with no exhaust fans, paticularly if the CPU sits idle most of the time and there is only one hard drive.

Mark

[Bill Fitzpatrick]

For the driver I have:

NIVA RIVA TNT2 Model 64/Model 64 Pro

My hardware config for the monitor just says:

Plug & Play Monitor

The monitor is a 20" Sun.

What are your recommendations?