I need help... dont know what to do


Bamboo

 

Posted

I have been having some problems with the game in the last few weeks and they have been getting worse. While i am in game, there are all kinds of flashing green lights that take over teh screen. From people's limbs to buildings to everything on the screen begins to flash this weird shade of green. My initial reaction is that there might be a problem with the video card since i have just put a new hard drive in and performed a complete system recovery, but i just want more qualified opinions before i go out and buy a new one. I currently have the nvidia GeForce 6800Xtreme. This is the same vid card that i have used for the last 3 years. I only play CoV/CoH so i dont need a super computer. I just want to play the game relatively comfortably without getting frustrated with the lag and flashing colors. I know basics about computers but by am no means an expert. I am going to paste the info from hijackthis and coh helper. Any help would be greatly appreciated because as you can see i dont normally make posts on the forum, but right now i am just at a loss. Thanks everyone.

---System information gathered by CoH Helper version 0.1.1.7---

DxDiag gathered at June 30, 2009 12:42 (-04:00)
Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)
System Manufacturer: HP Pavilion 061
System Model: PL382AA-ABA A706N
BIOS: Rev. 3.11
Central Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 3000+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.1GHz
Memory: 1024MB
.Net Memory Report: 571MB out of 1023MB available
Page File: 2065MB (461MB currently in use)
C Drive: (WDC WD1600AAJB-22WRA0) 131803MB out of 146467MB (89%) free
D Drive: (WDC WD1600AAJB-22WRA0) 981MB out of 6137MB (15%) free
E Drive: (TSSTcorp CDW/DVD TS-H492A) zero-size drive
Windows directory location: C:\WINDOWS
DirectX: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DirectX Diag version: 5.03.2600.5512 (32-bit version)

Display Notes: No problems found.
Sound Notes: No problems found.
Input Notes: No problems found.

Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor's Max Resolution: 1600,1200
Video Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 6800 GS/XT
Manufacturer / Chip: NVIDIA / NVxx
Video Memory: 256.0 MB
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8618
Driver Date: 6/10/2009 6:03:00 AM
Driver Language: English

Sound Device Description: Realtek AC97 Audio
Driver File: ALCXWDM.SYS
Driver Version: 5.10.0000.5730
Driver Date: 10/1/2004 10:24:02 AM


WMI Information
Motherboard Manufacturer: ASUSTek Computer INC.
Motherboard Model: (empty)
Motherboard Product: Kelut
Motherboard Version: 2.02
BIOS Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
BIOS Name: Rev. 3.11
BIOS Version: KM400 - 42302e31
BIOS Release: 20040902000000.000000+000

Registry Information for Current User
Resolution: 1024x768
3D Resolution: 1024x768 (Not using renderscale)
Full Screen: Yes
Maximized: No
Screen Position: 0, 0
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Vertical Sync Enabled: Yes

Physics Quality: Medium
Maximum Particles: 50000
Max Particle Fill? 10.000
Physics Card Enabled: No

Anti-aliasing: None
Anisotropic Filtering: 4x
Texture LOD Bias: Smooth
Water Effects: High Quality
Bloom: 1.000 (turned on)
Depth of Field Enabled: Yes
Desaturation Effects (Sepia) Enabled: Yes
Shader Detail: High

World Texture Level: Very High
Character Texture Level: Very High
World Detail Level (Vis_Scale): 1.000
Entity Detail Level: 1.000
Shadows Enabled: Yes
Gamma Correction: 1.000
Geometry Buffers (VBOs) Enabled: Yes
Suppression of Extra Player FX Enabled: No
Suppression of FX When Camera Close Enabled: No
Close Suppression Range: 3.000
Show Advertisements: Yes

Audio Mode: Performance
3D Audio: No
FX Sound Volume: 1.000
Music Sound Volume: 0.600

Show Advanced Graphics Options: No
Overall Graphics Quality: 0.600
Reverse Mouse Buttons: No
Save Login Username: Yes
Transfer Rate: 635136 bytes/second
Current Game Version: 19.20090619.2T
Installation Directory: C:\Program Files\City of Heroes

Mod files in the Data directory
No modifications found

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 12:26:26 PM, on 6/30/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\WRConsumerService.ex e
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon06.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\AGRSMMSG.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb1 0.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ALCXMNTR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeperUI.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Updates from HP\309731\Program\Updates from HP.exe
C:\Program Files\Prevx\prevx.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeper.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Prevx\prevx.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...&pf=desktop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/?rs=1
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...&pf=desktop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.1.1309.3572\s wg.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Dictionary Compression sdch - {C84D72FE-E17D-4195-BB24-76C02E2E7C4E} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\fastsearch_A8904FB862BD9564.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: HP view - {B2847E28-5D7D-4DEB-8B67-05D28BCF79F5} - c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\HPDTLK02.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] "c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD06] "c:\Program Files\HP\{AAC4FC36-8F89-4587-8DD3-EBC57C83374D}\hphupd06.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon06] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon06.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] "C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] "C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VTTimer] VTTimer.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AGRSMMSG] "AGRSMMSG.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Reminder] "C:\Windows\Creator\Remind_XP.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb 10.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] "ALCXMNTR.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] "RUNDLL32.EXE" C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] "nwiz.exe" /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] "RUNDLL32.EXE" C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Google Quick Search Box] "C:\Program Files\Google\Quick Search Box\GoogleQuickSearchBox.exe" /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpySweeper] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeperUI.exe" /startintray
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe"
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Updates from HP.lnk = C:\Program Files\Updates from HP\309731\Program\Updates from HP.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add To HP Organize... - C:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\HPORGA~1\bin\core.hp.main\Sen dTo.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MI1933~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...nt/swflash.cab
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O23 - Service: CSIScanner - Prevx - C:\Program Files\Prevx\prevx.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service (iPodService) - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (WebrootSpySweeperService) - Webroot Software, Inc. (www.webroot.com) - C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeper.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Client Service (WRConsumerService) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\WRConsumerService.ex e

--
End of file - 7766 bytes


 

Posted

In 3 years, a lot of dust can accumulate in the heatsink of the 6800. Have you looked at that?

Also, while the system is running, does the fan work on the thing? I'm assuming there's a fan... some didn't have one.

It just sounds more like a heat issue, or possibly just age... I don't see anything *overly* related to the problem in your logs up there... Of course, others will have a look and point something out I missed, maybe...


August 31, 2012. A Day that will Live in Infamy. Or Information. Possibly Influence. Well, Inf, anyway. Thank you, Paragon Studios, for what you did, and the enjoyment and camaraderie you brought.
This is houtex, aka Mike, signing off the forums. G'night all. - 10/26/2012
Well... perhaps I was premature about that whole 'signing off' thing... - 11-9-2012

 

Posted

When i put the new harddrive in, the first thing i did was clean out the inside of the computer. I got rid of any dust that was inside the computer, but the video card does not have a fan.

However, if it is a heat issue, i just dont understand why all of a sudden it would be an issue and not at all in the last 3 years.

But let's say that it is the video card, what would be a good vid card for my system or one that would run the most effectively with my system?

Thank you.. i appreciate you responding to my original post.


 

Posted

Hi, Bamboo,

Before you consider replacing your graphics card, I thought to ask about this.

You mentioned that you have had problems for the past "few weeks". I noticed that your graphics card driver version is dated 10 JUN 2009. Could your problems in-game possibly coincide with this relatively new driver release?

Even if you feel this may not be related, my first suggestion would be to try either rolling back this driver or else uninstalling then reinstalling your graphics card and using the previous driver version and date for it. See if that makes an improvement or a difference at all. If the previous driver version/date is also fairly recent, try rolling back to the driver release prior to that. If this works, then it is a far simpler (and less costly) solution to your problem than the purchase and installation of a new graphics card.

Sometimes, when graphics card drivers get updated, the change(s) incorporated in the new driver release don't necessarily mean an improvement in performance all-around.

Oh, and if you don't already have your computer thusly configured, be sure you don't have Windows set to automatically download AND install updates before you try any of this, because it could certainly foil your troubleshooting efforts.


~ corva ~

Download Corva�s new CoX power icon pack

 

Posted

Thanks Corva.

I just recently updated the driver when i had to replace the harddrive this past saturday.

Before that i tried reinstalling the graphics card to get the original drivers, but i actually had more problems as the entire game would always freeze within 20 seconds on the character create screen and the respec screen.

Also, if i took too long picking a new power when i trained, the game would freeze too and I would have no choice, but to close out the game.

But I will try to maybe install a driver that is somewhere between the original drivers and the most recent ones that I downloaded.

Thanks for the input Corva it is much appreciated.


 

Posted

The 186.18 driver was working fine for Mateo when he tested it on XP, but it is causing problems on Vista and Windows 7 installations. The 185.85 driver is the previous version of the driver and works well with XP and CoH, and is the most current driver working with Vista or Windows 7 and CoH.


If the game spit out 20 dollar bills people would complain that they weren't sequentially numbered. If they were sequentially numbered people would complain that they weren't random enough.

Black Pebble is my new hero.

 

Posted

Thank you Texas Justice. I will try to install that one now and see if it makes a difference at all.


 

Posted

I tried to download the 185.85 driver, but says it is not compatible with my operating system since i do not have Vista.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
I tried to download the 185.85 driver, but says it is not compatible with my operating system since i do not have Vista.

[/ QUOTE ]

Download the XP version in that case, as I recall Nvidia has drivers for Windows 2000/XP and for Vista (both 32 and 64 bit)


COH has just been murdered by NCSoft. http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes

 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I tried to download the 185.85 driver, but says it is not compatible with my operating system since i do not have Vista.

[/ QUOTE ]

Download the XP version in that case, as I recall Nvidia has drivers for Windows 2000/XP and for Vista (both 32 and 64 bit)

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok Thanks.. I just downloaded the XP version. Will see if it makes a difference once the servers come back up.


 

Posted

I downloaded the 185.85 drivers and at first i thought it made a difference because for like the first 30 minutes there were no flashing green lights and the loading times were even shorter than they have been.

However, after the first 30 minutes the flashing green lights came back in full force. Even causing the drivers that I downloaded to completely crash on me.

Lets say that it is my vid card, what kind of card would be best for my system?


 

Posted

What is your budget for a replacement?


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
What is your budget for a replacement?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would like to get one for under one hundred dollars, but can spend up to one hundred if i need to.


 

Posted

Poke around newegg.com for a start.


 

Posted

This system has the default power supply?


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
This system has the default power supply?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, everything is the original except for the harddrive which i just replaced less than a week ago.

And I will look around newegg.com, but the problem is I don't know which graphics card will give me the best performance with my system while taking into consideration how much I can spend on it.


 

Posted

Well, that's where my questions were leading, and I'm afraid the answers aren't very good.
The default PSU on your system is fairly anemic, which along with the budget requirements, rules out a fairly large spectrum of upgrades.

Edited to add: You recently replaced your HDD? Did you remember to re-install your chipset drivers along with your OS?


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
This system has the default power supply?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, everything is the original except for the harddrive which i just replaced less than a week ago.

And I will look around newegg.com, but the problem is I don't know which graphics card will give me the best performance with my system while taking into consideration how much I can spend on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Check to make sure your power supply was strong enough for the 6800.

Then make sure its enough for whatever new card you get.

Knowing HP's, if your system came without a graphics card, it more than likely won't have a power supply strong enough for one. You should check that it is before investing in a new card.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Well, that's where my questions were leading, and I'm afraid the answers aren't very good.
The default PSU on your system is fairly anemic, which along with the budget requirements, rules out a fairly large spectrum of upgrades.

Edited to add: You recently replaced your HDD? Did you remember to re-install your chipset drivers along with your OS?

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm not sure and since i'm not sure, then I probably did not install the chipset drivers. But how do I do that? I did re-install the OS with disks that i got from HP probably almost 2 years ago now.

Also, how do I check to see if the power supply is strong enough for this card and if it will be strong enough for a new one? This is the first time I have had these kind of problems since getting the 6800 3 years ago.

Also, I don't know how relevant this is, but while in game i pulled up the task manager using ctrl+alt+del and under the performance tab the CPU Usage hovers between 93%-100%. I don't know if it always did this because I never checked it before now.


 

Posted

Nothing unusual about that CPU usage, especially since you were checking it while the game was running.

You could try downloading and installing these

These should be compatible with your system.
How do I know that? Magic.

If you open up your case, there should be a sticker on the side of your power supply.
The vast majority of store-bought PCs will have a barely adequate PSU, but let's confirm what exactly the limitations of the system are.
Once we know how much power is available in your rig, it's a pretty simple matter to check at various manufacturer's websites on the recommended power usages of any particular videocard


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Nothing unusual about that CPU usage, especially since you were checking it while the game was running.

You could try downloading and installing these

These should be compatible with your system.
How do I know that? Magic.

If you open up your case, there should be a sticker on the side of your power supply.
The vast majority of store-bought PCs will have a barely adequate PSU, but let's confirm what exactly the limitations of the system are.
Once we know how much power is available in your rig, it's a pretty simple matter to check at various manufacturer's websites on the recommended power usages of any particular videocard

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok I downloaded and installed the chipset drivers you provided in the link. Gonna go in-game to see if it makes a difference.

Also, i checked the power supply and it says continuous DC power output will not exceed 250W. Hope this is what you needed.

How much would it cost (approximate) to upgrade the power supply to perhaps not the best one out there for me, but to one that would be more respectable?

Are there limitations to which power supply I can buy based upon my computer?


 

Posted

Yeah, see 250 watt is just......sad.
More importantly from a video-card standpoint, you're really interested in the available amperage on the +12v rail or rails, which in the case of that PSU, I believe it barely cracks 11 amps.

To put that in context, high-end videocards typically call for 30 or more amps on the +12v rail.

The good news is that that model takes a standard ATX power supply, so upgrading or replacing it isn't terribly difficult.

They even show you how (skip to page 31 onwards)

You don't need a top of the line PSU, unless you intend to build your next system, in which case you could migrate it from the HP.

This one is pretty decent, and it's currently on sale.

After you replace your PSU, this is a very nice upgrade compared to what you are currently using.

If you simply must stay with nVidia, this is your best bet, but it's more expensive and not as powerful

If you do decide to make the switch to ATI, make sure that you check the ATI issues thread, especially the part about uninstalling old drivers.
This is especially important if switching between nVidia and ATI.

Keep in mind that realistically, your system is very, very close to the end of it's reasonable gaming lifespan.

You may want to seriously consider just putting that money towards an eventual rebuild.

Check out this possible build, shamelessly cribbed from FatherXmas

This system would run rings around your current setup.

Good luck to you, and let us know how it shakes out.

(oh, and hopefully the chipset drivers solved the issue and the rest of this is moot )


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Also, i checked the power supply and it says continuous DC power output will not exceed 250W. Hope this is what you needed.

[/ QUOTE ]

250 watts? There's part of your problem right there, I haven't seen that weak a PSU in 10 years.

Based on the info in your first post I come up with a minimum PSU for that machine of ~300 watts... this is from Asus Computers Power Supply calculator. I'd say there's a good chance that your PSU has been running over spec for a while and it's starting to have problems.

If your machine uses a standard PSU, and looking at the info on your computer's motherboard it appears that it does, then you should be able to find a good quality 400 watt ATX unit for not much money; the last time I bought one I think it was around $50.

In looking at Newegg I find a Sparkle ATX 350 watt for $34 that will probably do for you with your current video card. It's not the best name brand but I've used them in several machines without any issues. If you're considering a more powerful vid card you may want to move up to a 400 watt PSU.

<edit>
And I see Gamma_Guardian has stolen my thunder. His advice is good, and the PSU he's linked IS a better unit than the one I suggested.


COH has just been murdered by NCSoft. http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes

 

Posted

You don't need a top of the line PSU, unless you intend to build your next system, in which case you could migrate it from the HP.

[/ QUOTE ]

Actually, I plan on having my brother-in-law build my next system for me. Although he doesnt know it yet. However, he is in Korea on business till the end of August and I have no way of getting in contact with him.

Since I plan to do that, what PSU would you then recommend for me? Again, I don't need the absolute best just don't want something that just gets by. (sorry to keep asking so much of you, but it is very much appreciated)

In the meantime, the information you have given me is great. I will definitely upgrade to the power supply you have suggested because it is affordable and will address the problems that I am currently having. And I can install it myself which is always a plus thanks to the manual you posted as well.

I have no allegiance to nVidia, so the vid card you suggested looks good to me because like you said it is less expensive and more powerful than the nVidia card you mentioned.

Just want to clarify everything to make sure I know what is going on now.

Based upon your last post, I just need to replace the PSU to resume playing without all the lag and flashing lights. So for approximately $140 give or take for sales tax, shipping and mai-in rebates, I can having a pretty decent working system for now at least until i build my next system?

I would like to thank you and everyone who has responded to this thread and has helped me figure this out. It is very much appreciated.

Dont worry Call_Me_Awesome, your input was just as valuable as Gamma_Guardian's. It is all appreciated.


 

Posted

[ QUOTE ]
Dont worry Call_Me_Awesome, your input was just as valuable as Gamma_Guardian's. It is all appreciated.

[/ QUOTE ]

No problem at all, Gamma did give you more details and he's more current on hardware.

I'm not "current" enough on PC hardware to really be able to give specific advice on a new vid card... I typically only research everything when I need to upgrade my machine so my knowledge at the moment is a couple of years out of date. Some things like PSU's don't change a lot, and it does look like that's your biggest problem now. The one Gamma suggested is better than the one I linked and the Sparkle units are lower end. That said, I've used several in various machines and haven't had one fail.

I do know that my nephew is running a system with similar specs to yours and it's adequate for the game; after all it's mostly hardware replaced in my machine a couple of upgrades ago. With the 6800 you should have playable framerates up to about 1024x768 resolution; you may need to turn some details down in game though. There's no question that newer vid cards are faster though; the 6800 is about 4 generations old... but it was one of the "performance" models of that generation.

If it was me and I was looking at a new machine in a couple of months anyway I'd probably buy a new PSU and see if that solved the problems while saving the money you'd spend on a vid card for your new machine. If you still have problems after replacing the PSU then I'd think about a vid card. I like to give a problem the chance to be a cheap fix before I throw more money at it.


COH has just been murdered by NCSoft. http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes