GeForce256 keeps halting system; what should I do?

[Über~PhLuBB]

:mad: *sigh* I've just about had it with these friggin crashes. I have a GeForce256 (Guillemot 3D Prophet, 32MB SDR). It's no longer overclocked (Overclocking this GF256 isn't worth it; no significant gains).

Any time I play a 3D game (I play mostly UT), my whole comp will freeze until I hit reset. While playing the game, sometimes the game will stop for a few seconds (5 secs to 43 secs, I've timed it) then everything will be fine until the system freezes, I get blown up, or it just stops temporarily again. Any suggestions on what to do to prevent crashes and/or temporary freezing? This is intensly aggravating.

(Some side notes: I run an Athlon 950, not overclocked, on a crappy mobo [BCM], have 256 MB of PC-100, and a 40.9 gig 7200 RPM HDD. I have no money to go and purchase a GeForce 3 yet, though that day is coming soon, and I dont really want to waste money on a card when I'm just going to purchase a GF3 in the future [About a month]. I have the latest drivers [Detonator 3 from nVidia]. The system will freeze in any 3D game, not just UT.) :mad:

[Pinky]

UT sucks sometimes... bottom line, reinstall UT and video drivers, directx, and anything else video related. If that doesn't work, it's always possible the video card's the problem, but unlikely.

[Über~PhLuBB]

Like I said, UT isnt the only program that has these problems. It happens in X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter, X-Wing Alliance, Mechwarrior 4, Quake 3, Kingpin, and all the other games i play but dont feel like listing. (Ok, it doesnt happen in Starcraft or Warcraft II, but those are 2D games)

I doubt it's drivers. I just downloaded and installed Direct X 8.0a, and re-downloaded Detonator from nVidia today (To see if it's a newer version), and the problem remains.

[maha_x]

Only thing to hit my mind is the GPU fan. Is it still alive? Could it even be a heat issue?

[Über~PhLuBB]

Originally posted by maha_x
Only thing to hit my mind is the GPU fan. Is it still alive? Could it even be a heat issue?

Ah, an excellent question. With 2 answers. The original is no longer running. I noticed (I dont know why I even thought to look at it) that it stopped about 3 months ago. I obtained an ancient Pentium Pro heatsink with fan, got a tube of Arctic Silver, and attached the two together with an eye-bolt rigging (I cant describe it. All I can say about it is that it can be tightened to hold the heatsink on so hard it bends the card. No, I didnt try to tighten it too much. Maybe I'll post some pictures soon, it's real cheap, real easy, and strong as an ox.)

[GRiMMi]

It could well be your power supply, I have had the same problem.
Also if you have low quality memory, try turning off all agressive memory settings.

www.geforcefaq.com has a lot of info on it, and I found it very helpful.

[Pinky]

Originally posted by PhLuBB
Like I said, UT isnt the only program that has these problems. It happens in X-Wing Vs TIE Fighter, X-Wing Alliance, Mechwarrior 4, Quake 3, Kingpin, and all the other games i play but dont feel like listing. (Ok, it doesnt happen in Starcraft or Warcraft II, but those are 2D games)

I doubt it's drivers. I just downloaded and installed Direct X 8.0a, and re-downloaded Detonator from nVidia today (To see if it's a newer version), and the problem remains.

Sorry it was 1AM when I replied and didn't read the post entirely.

Heat could definitely cause these problems. be sure the heatsink is firmly pressed against the GPU (evenly too)... any gaps, as I'm sure you know, and heat exchange won't happen.

[Über~PhLuBB]

Originally posted by Pinky


Sorry it was 1AM when I replied and didn't read the post entirely.

Heat could definitely cause these problems. be sure the heatsink is firmly pressed against the GPU (evenly too)... any gaps, as I'm sure you know, and heat exchange won't happen.


Then the card bending I mentioned earlier could very well be the problem here. I thought it was secure, but I guess the card can't take the strain without bending just slightly, which must be creating a gap between card and GPU. I cant really draw it, and it's hard to explain.

I dont plan on using the HSF for anything else, and I doubt there would be any reason for me to take off the HSF. So where can I get some thermal epoxy? I've read articles in which epoxy is mixed with arctic silver... wouldnt that supress the power of epoxy, as well as dampen the heat conveying effects of arctic silver? Is there an efficient heat transferring epoxy I can pick up? If so, where do I get it?

[Über~PhLuBB]

So are there any other suggestions? And where can I pick up some thermal epoxy?