I believe I am experiencing hard drive corruption. I have an HP desktop, upgraded the RAM to 3gb, the power supply to 430W Thermaltake, and added an EVGA 8800GS. While using the computer, it spontaneously begins to lag heavily and then freezes. The screen loses signal but the computer sounds like it is still running. After the crash, the only way to get things moving again is to hold the power button. After the computer restarts, there are little dashes across the entire screen. Sometimes when the crash happens the Start-up Repair tool automatically begins. Other times it attempts to load Vista and fails. I used to have Ubuntu on another partition of the hard drive. Any thoughts on what I should do? I am willing to reformat the hard drive if I need to but this would still be a last resort.
take that evga card out & see what happens. dashes across the screen if at post & not in windows posts to bad ram or bad gpu on the videocard. does the card get power from the psu?
Yes, the card has a 6-pin connector that connects to the psu. Unfortunately, I lack the connector that would allow me to use the integrated graphics of the computer for the time being. I would be able to get back to you on whether or not the computer behaves differently running without the gpu later though... Could it possibly be that the psu is just not providing enough? I'd honestly rather deal with replacing the psu than to try and mess with evga's warranty service or something.
Not sure, don't have the box with me. But I did find something on the internet that said "Minimum of a 400 Watt power supply. Minimum recommended power supply with +12 Volt current rating of 22 Amp Amps." I went through and fixed the MBR but that seemed to cure only the booting problem. Now I still get random lock-ups. No more dashes either.
video card problem or you bought cheap/incompatible memory and the momeory could be causing problems.
Well, the memory I bought was Kingston and is compatible, I'm sure of that. Unless there is some discrepancy in what I should be using as opposed to what the HP manual says. The Kingston is faster than the other two memory sticks that came with the pc. I believe the Kingston is 6400 and I'm not sure what the memory is that came with the pc.
I've never overclocked anything on this pc. I did use RivaTuner to turn up the fan speed on the card because it was overheating from time to time, but other than that I've never tweaked anything. I have read articles about the EVGA 8800GS running hot. But most of the time it seems to hover in the range of 55-60 degrees C. It will jump to temperatures higher than this when put under a load such as gaming.
try a dif video card then, sounds like it could be the video card. you could buy one from bestbuy and if its not the problem bestbuy is ussually pretty good at taking back open items
Alright, that sounds like a good plan. I'm convinced it is the card as well, due to the fact that I found the display artifacting when I got back to my computer...
If anybody still cares... I found out on a lot of EVGA cards they have a lifetime warranty! Sent the card in yesterday, waiting for them to receive it and to hear back from them.
Well I just had to register the card and then request an RMA to send it in. I'm waiting to see what they're going to do about it. One of their first questions was whether or not the card was overheating. I answered basically yes and then the recommended me to the RMA. Had to wait around for the RMA to approve but no hassles so far. Hopefully they just send me a new card.
They sent me a new card I got it on monday. Works great. The process was hassle free as well. A little unfortunate that they send you a re-certified card though.
glad to hear it worked out fine with no problems. I think most manufactures always send back a refurb or recertified device back. Hey i always figure as long as it works and as long as its the same or better!
