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View Full Version : Overclocking pitfalls


batboy
01-25-01, 01:35 PM
I've been pushing my Celeron 566, trying to get 1 Gig out of it. I can now run it at 978 (115X8.5), fairly stable. I can post and boot into Windows safe mode at 1020 MHz, but it pukes at the startup in normal mode. I won't bore you with everything I've done to get this close or list off all the goodies on my current order I have on the way right now. But, I'm getting close to pulling down 1020. I knew it need more cooling since I was running 1.9v, but I was too eager to wait for my new GlobalWin cooler and Arctic Silver thermal paste, so I keep trying and eventually pushed my system too far. What I ended up doing was scrambling one of my harddrives and totally screwing up my Windows registry.

Let this be a lesson to you guys. I lost all my data, but was finally able to fdisk and reformat my harddrive (those rumors that Maxtor don't like O/C must be true). I had to reinstall Windows and then spend two days with Norton Utilities fixing all the damage. From now on, I'm going to Ghost my master harddrive to my slave and then disconnect the slave during my extreme overclocking attempts. If I ever have another failure, I'll just swap in the backup harddrive and be back in business again. I'm just lucking there was no permanent damage...but it sure was a great big hassle!

Daniel ~
01-25-01, 09:22 PM
We've all been there Batboy. I Ghost all my drives now to, what a Godsend!

dadx2mj
01-26-01, 11:18 AM
The old Maxtor drives had problems o/c but the new ones work just fine. With an over clock of close to 50% you have to expect something to give.

batboy
01-26-01, 11:53 AM
Actually, it was my newer 7,200 rpm ATA100 Maxtor (40 gig) that got scrambled. My old trusty 5,400 rpm ATA33 Maxtor (13 gig) is still working like a champ. I've abused the old drive for over two years now with no problems ever.

Twofan
01-26-01, 05:01 PM
I just scrabled a ATA-66 7200rpm WD. running 125fsb. I think the heat gets them with the 7200 speed. Never had a problem with my 13 gig WD that is 5400. It still works fine and has outlasted 2 7200 models. I just ordered a Quantum this time along with a twin-fan hdd cooler. Then just maybe I can get to 133fsb and everthing will be back at normal speeds.