Wolf_Shadow

Safer Networking's Spybot: Search and Destroy
You already have the link for Ad-Aware from Lavasoft

You may need to temporarily disable AVG to install the spyware programs. If you're still stuck, try http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

-Wolf sends

That graphics solution (about the equivalent of a desktop 9500GT) is probably going to struggle in games at that resolution.

-Wolf sends

No need to configure. CoX is now set up to use both cores of a dual core processor by default.

-Wolf sends

I've been running CoX on XP-64 for a couple years now. Absolutely no issues... given that I selected my components for the build based on whether or not there were XP-64 drivers.

-Wolf sends

Aside from the ridiculously priced refurbished 7800GTX, your current 7900GS is your best option.

-Wolf sends

Looking at Tom's Hardware Hierarchy chart, the 7900GS you currently have is on par with the 9500GT (meaning they should perform about the same).

Not worth the upgrade.

-Wolf sends

http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_ca...common-vista64 if running Vista 64-bit

http://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_ca...common-vista32 if running Vista 32-bit

In both cases it's the third download button.

-Wolf sends

If you have 3 Gig of physical RAM installed and your system is only reporting 1 Gig, that is a definite problem that needs looking into.

If, on the other hand, you have 1 Gig of physical RAM installed and 2 Gig of virtual RAM (as reported in your system specs); totalling 3 Gig, then yes. You should seriously consider adding more physical RAM.

The virtual memory is actually a small part of your hard drive. Reading from it and writing to it is exceedingly slow compared to reading from and writing to physical memory and a common result is lag.

-Wolf sends

Motherboard first. Then install Windows.

-Wolf sends

I wonder if anyone has ever tried disabling dual-core support on single core systems. Since it's on by default, can you disable it with Renderthread -0?

Anyway. Single core processor @ 1.8 GHz
1 Gig of RAM
8400GS graphics

I wouldn't expect too much from this system and certainly not if you're running higher than 1280x1024 resolution. Try turning down some settings like Particle Count (5000) and turn Suppress Player Effects on.

Other than that, consider purchasing more RAM for your system. 2 Gig (2x1GB) comes in at just over $20. If you're up to spending a bit more cash, also consider a better graphics card (if possible).

-Wolf sends

Unless I'm mistaken, Geforce manufacturers stopped making AGP cards with the 7xxx generation cards (7900gs was the top NVidia AGP, I believe).

Radeon manufacturers are still making AGP cards, even as late at the newest HD4xxx series cards, but understand, as Miuramir points out, higher end cards need more power.

The Geforce 7600GS Miuramir links to would be a step or three above the Radeon 9600 you currently have.

I'd be curious to know what your Processor is (speed and single/dual core), power supply (output and amps on the +12v rail) and monitor resolution. Since you're already running a Radeon GPU, why not stick with one? If your system can handle it, the HD4650 is even within your budget range.

-Wolf sends

Additionally, most 3G type internet providers state in their Terms of Service that the service is not for Internet Gaming. Also, most (if not all) carry a 5GB monthly cap, so downloading or streaming of large files can get to be expensive.

So $60/month for the service
Can't game
Can't stream
Doubt if I can remote in to home

For me, that's not worth it.

-Wolf sends

Given the damage is already done, I don't see any changes coming in the future. I do agree that AE missions should be something earned and not given access to right out the gate. Something along the lines of:

1) You must have X number of Contacts before you can access AE Missions.
2) Make AE Missions an optional arc/contact, like Lt. Wincott in the Hallows.

-Wolf sends

Happy B-Day, Billz (whereever ya be!)

-Wolf sends

I would also recommend posting power supply specifications (usually found on a sticker on the side of the unit).

-Wolf sends

I ran into this with my new HANNS-G 27.5" monitor and an ATI card.

Look for an option in NVidia Control Center for Overscan.

-Wolf sends

And just one more thought. If no one can do it for you for less than $100 and you can pull all your data from the hard drive, just buy a new Operating System.

Windows XP Home w/SP3

Windows Vista SP1 64 bit

Pull your data off the hard drive.
Insert the new OS Disk
Reboot your system from the CD/DVD
Format your hard drive
Install Windows
Update Windows
Replace your data

Probably not a bad idea to have a phone number of a local shop that will probably answer questions for free.

-Wolf sends

FatherXmas - Is there a concern with the RAM Voltage? That motherboard (which I recently purchased btw) is looking for 1.8v RAM where as Greenykins' selected memory is 2.0v. Any issues there?

-Wolf sends

What brand power supply and how many amps on the +12v rail(s)? There should be a sticker on the side of the power supply with this information.

Also, did the crashing begin immediately after the upgrade or more recently?

-Wolf sends

<--- has my I-D-10-T form framed and on the wall. Took me two months to figure out how to use the trams!

-Wolf sends

Generally, when a better system crashes and the lesser system does not, the problem lies in either a hardware fault and/or a driver fault.

First thing I'd do is clean up the hard drive on the desktop. Ad/Spy/Mal-ware checks, virus checks, error checks against the hard drive, system defrag.

Next would be a driver uninstall/reinstall for the graphics card as well as the sound card (if you have a discrete sound card). Next, I would probably try reinstalls of any motherboard component you may be using (network, sound, etc.)

If that doesn't resolve the issue, then I'd probably go with burning a Memtest86+ iso to disk and checking your memory one RAM module at a time.

I'd also look to your power supply to make sure it's enough for your desktop's graphics card.

-Wolf sends

I moved this because it just didn't belong where it was. It's in response to a question concerning ATI graphic card support and sung to Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail's Knights of the Round Table:

{begin music}

We're cards of the Red Label
We fail when e're we're able
We do routines and graphic scenes
with color impecc-able
We cram right in the graphic slot
We show red and blue and green alot!

We're cards of the Red Label
Our RAM is for-mid-able
When you ask, we're given tasks
of things we're not quite able
We're vector mad in the graphic slot
we over scan the pix-a-lot!

We're cards of the Red Label
Although, the Green, is Stable
We're not just slugs
with Driver bugs
We've chips that are quite-able
We've a busy job in the graphic slot

We have to fight the FUD a-lot!!!!!

{end music}

No. On second thought let's not ask about ATI
Tis a silly question!

-Wolf seeks

FWIW - I own two ATI and two NVidia cards.

Yeah, I know. For my rig (XP Professional/Home - All-In-Wonder - X1800 series) it still flashes the Catalyst 7.9 page before redirecting.

Anyway, they did fix the release notes links. No mention of CoX that I saw.

-Wolf sends

I'm wondering if the "fix" GhostRaptor is referring to is the Catalyst 8.1 release. Billz, you mentioned in another thread that the betas for Vista were out. Did you happen to notice the release notes?

-Wolf queries

Edit: They're out now (for Vista anyway). From the release notes:

Crap! My bad. Didn't notice they (AMD) haven't updated the link yet. Release Notes link still points back to Cat 7.12 Driver release.

Got RAM?

I think current wisdom also states: Vista + Hypermemory Graphics card + CoX = 2 Gig of RAM minimum.

-Wolf sends