Big problem

[imagen]

Hi all.

I built (with a lot of help from a friend) a PC for video editing a few years ago, I don't have all the spec to hand right now but its a P4 with 2 GB ram and 128mb graphics and the Matrox rtx100 video card with 2 19inch tft screens, 1 from a dsub out and the other vga.

Basically the system was okay for a while but I then started to encounter some PC lock ups whilst editing. I did a bit of research and found a couple of fixes that seemed to help.

I did also notice the system got quite hot often around 60-70f so a couple of times closed its self down but I do have 2 case fans and later added an additional exhaust fan.

I then started to notice lines and glitches (mostly silver) appearing across the screens (they stayed there but if I refresh the screen they would disappear from the desk top but not from the application windows) and if I scrolled up and down a page even if it was up and down a word document it would often lock up the PC and crash.

Because of these problems I didn't really use the the computer that much but I want to make more use of it now.

So I've started to try and use it again but these glitches have got much worse, I also notice if I play video the glitches/lines appear rapidly all over the place. I've tried updating my graphics card drivers and my mother board bios and even removed the exhaust fan as it was next to the graphics card and I thought it may be interfering. Actually removing that has made the PC cooler funny enough.

I'm wondering if this all sounds familiar to anyone and/or if anyone can help me solve the problem. Although a little outdated now It was/should be a good set up and cost me loads, around £2000, so I don't want it to be a waste. I would really appreciate some help. :(

[Dalo Harkin]

Hi Imagen,

 

Welcome to FPCH :)

 

Right the lines that you say you are getting across the screen is due to heat build up.

This can be caused my many things, but the suspect areas are:-

1- The Northbridge on the MOBO

2- The GPU chip and ramsinks on the Graphics card.

3- The CPU itself can be getting hot.

 

resolutions (corresponding to above numbers)

1 - get a fan that points at the Northbridge.

2 - get a replacement cooler dependant on the mounting points these are fairly cheap and easy to fit.

3 - get an uprated heatsink for the CPU, again these are cheap and easy to fit.

[imagen]

Dalo thanks so much for this info, I'm actually thinking the heat of the CPU is a major factor as this has always been an issue, I have a good heatsink but I'm wondering if my friend applied properly. As I get the glitches as soon as the computer starts up do you also think its likley the other factors you listed are contributing to the problem in a big way to?

Also can you tell me where the Northbridge is?

Thanks again.

[Dalo Harkin]

If the Heatsink on the CPU is not fitted correctly then there is a high possibility this is the problem - the problem that you are describing is more common on overclocked systems, you may just need to redo the thermal paste that sits between the CPU and the CPU heatsink.

again this is an easy process - do you know what cooler you have on the CPU?

do you know what socket the processor is? 775?

There are 2 bridges on the MOBO:-

Northbrige at the top of the board - it will have either a fan on it or some pipes and the Southbridge at the bottom of the board and again it will have either a fan or some pipes on it - fans are more common on older/cheaper boards, and pipes on enthusiast boards.

[imagen]

Thanks Dalo, I'm away for a week so I'll get the info when I return and let you know. I cant remember those details at hand, all I remember is it was a mid to high spec ASUS motherboard at the time and I bought a separate heat sink/fan for the CPU to get better cooling, which is why I think the thermal paste is possibly the issue, do you think this may have caused permenant damage? I'll be back with the info ASAP. In the mean time thanks again for your help and support, I apprieciate it?