New build pc with XP problems

[johnrxx99]

Hi, I've just put the following together:

Asus A8N-SLI premium
Athlon 64 3700+
Gainward Bliss GeForce 6800 GS
Creative Soundblaster Audigy 2 platinum ex + speakers
Maxtor 250gb pata drive (will be sata)
Corsair 2GB twin DDR
Antec case and 550w psu.

I've loaded XP Prof and service pack 2 followed by the mobo, media and sound drivers. With the first two came different dvd/cd write software packages, which have also been loaded. No other software yet.

I am getting intermitent blue outs. The MS feedback was initially to reduce the video acceleration and now it just says drivers and it's working on the problem?

Is there a disk which can help you toward a balanced set up?

I'm using this machine for gaming.

Any help much appreciated. John

[Cricket]

Test your RAM with a software memory tester like Memtest86+.

Cricket

[johnrxx99]

Thanks for that Cricket. Whilst I had trouble with the programme you mentioned I therefore used Windows Memory Diagnostic, which worked fine and all the tests suceeded.

In my view difinately graphiv driver as the windows error feedback threads focus on that and when crashes occur the resultant message now refers to vga issues.

[Panama Red]

Originally Posted by johnrxx99 With the first two came different dvd/cd write software packages, which have also been loaded.

I've seen where two different write softwares don't play nice on the same machine - especially if they both are running packet writing software like Nero's In CD. Don't know if this is causing your problems but I'd remove one of those programs.

[glc]

If it's complaining about drivers, you need to try different driver versions.

[johnrxx99]

Panama Red - I've deleted one package and kept the Asus mobo one. Still no difference in that on first boot up it crashes with a long blue page, restars and is then ok. It issues the error report.

GLC - hi. The only drivers are the ones that came from the hardware cd's. I've updated the mobo to Asus's current one using their built in internet system. Microsoft wont let me update nVidia's. I go to nV's site, download the latest driver but when it goes to load Windows says it is not signed and cancels the install. Of the very many diver in windows32 file, which ones do I chose?

This seems mad to me, surely there is a method of setting up and correcting windows. All the kit is mainline, no rogue internet sourced software.

One thing occurs to me, is there a right order to load hardware, ie: windows wp; service pack2; mobo; video and audio. Or should it be audio before video etc? Thank god I don't have XP 64 bit!

[glc]

Can't you tell it to install the unsigned driver anyway?

There really isn't a "correct" order, but I usually install Windows, then the motherboard/chipset drivers, then the video driver and Ethernet driver. Then I can go after the rest of the drivers without dealing with low screen resolution, then the service packs and updates. I always connect through a router so I have a firewall.

[Statica]

Originally Posted by johnrxx99 I go to nV's site, download the latest driver but when it goes to load Windows says it is not signed and cancels the install.

To allow XP to use unsigned drivers, you may need to make this change - go to Control Panel > System Properties > Hardware tab > Driver Signing button and switch the action to: Warn (preferable) or Ignore and check the box for "Make this action the system default"

[johnrxx99]

Thanks GLC and Statica.

Regarding the nVidia drivers, no I can't override. I have the firewalls off, both nVidia's and Widows, the Driver signing to ignore (was on warn before so should have been OK) and now it says the executable is corrupted and to get another copy. I've done this 3 times, saving to disk first, with the same result. I'm assuming the nVidia driver site is OK.

I'm also getting a Windows warning that the Control Center has to close and you... etc. This is an improvement as the PC doesn't restart, indeed the restars are quite intermitent but it is happening in a game, I'm playing Oblivion at the moment.

And finally, when I click on something to open, as soon as I move the mouse the window closes unless I move the mouse to the box very quickly. Must be something I've done in setup but cant fathom. Sorry I'm so thick guys.

[johnrxx99]

I thought I would also mention that I've just tried to install a Java update but that has failed as it says one of the files is corrupted, like with the nVidia update. Can Windows be seeing problems that aren't there?

[LiTe]

Originally Posted by johnrxx99 I thought I would also mention that I've just tried to install a Java update but that has failed as it says one of the files is corrupted, like with the nVidia update. Can Windows be seeing problems that aren't there?

Reinstall windows?

[glc]

If you are getting that much corruption, you have a hardware problem. You aren't overclocking, are you? Have you tested your ram and hard drive with proper diagnostics? Have you tried setting your bios to defaults?

[johnrxx99]

Thanks guys. I've decided to format and reload. All the hardware memory tests OK with the tests that have been mentioned here, well the ones I've been able to use. No overclocking and BIOS on default.

I've come across a number of preferences for loading XP, drivers and SP2 then software and their drivers. Building the machine is kids stuff but get XP to work is another world!