Ok Druid Let me have it

[SmuttyChiken]

What do I need to do to my comp ... I am getting around $5,000 Xmas bonus at work so would like to up the anti with my CPU etc ... what things do I have to do to make it Quad Core buddy ... I currently run the 4600+ Dual core ... and does XP handle all the big bits? I think you just changed yours too didn't you?



I think I should just get another stick of RAM to go with the 2G I already have. Other than that I reckon the dual ASUS 8600GTs will last a while yet ...

[DruidChiken]

5 grand bonus!! u lucky git lol :P

Ok if u do a bios upgrade the M2N32_SLI will take the AMD Phenom 9950 (125w version) which is currently top of the range. but i have read it performs better with the Phenom 9850

This is Bios you need http://dlsvr04.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socketAM2/M2N32-SLI%20Deluxe/2001.zip
There is a newer version the 2101 but its reportedly got issues so use this 2001 version

To flash the bios is easy, unzip this onto USB memory stick then when you go it to bios (del key at start up) you will see the ASUS EZ Flash 2 tab use that function to load the new bios file from the stick

On the memory i would recommend that you go up to 4gb if u have the cash, RAM is cheap now and even though Win XP will only be able to use 3.25gb of it, it is worth it. Im running 2 x 2gb sticks of OCZ SLI RAm and im happy with it

I havent changed my CPU yet im still running the 6000+ i made the decession to up my Graphics instead, i traded my 2 x 8600GTs for 2x 9800GTXs and my next upgrade will be the Phenom but you shouldnt have any problems with the 8600GTs is SLI :)

[SmuttyChiken]

Awesome ... thanks mate ... I should be able to get this sorted by the new year ...

[SmuttyChiken]

I can get some Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX 4GB (2x XMS2 2GB) Twin2X PC-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 RAM, 2x240-pin DIMMs, Non ECC, Unbuffered, 4-4-4-12, 64Mx8 DRAMs, Dual-path Heat Exchange (DHX) Technology for $135.

I can't use 64 bit OS Ram can I? eg
Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C5DHX 4GB (2x XMS2 2GB) Twin2X PC-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 RAM, 2x240-pin DIMMs, Non ECC, Unbuffered, 5-5-5-15, 128Mx8 DRAMs, Dual-path Heat Exchange (DHX) Technology. (DESIGNED FOR 64-bit Operating System USE ONLY)


... so many techo questions ...

[DruidChiken]

Corsair is a good make so that will be fine, but if the RAM is specified for 64 bit only then dont touch it unless u are going to upgrade to Vista 64

[SmuttyChiken]

rgr ...

[SmuttyChiken]

I have ordered:

AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core Black Edition, AM2+, 2.5GHz, 4MB Cache, 125w, Over - Clockable with fan, and

Corsair TWIN2X4096-6400C4DHX 4GB (2x XMS2 2GB) Twin2X PC-6400 (800MHz) DDR2 RAM, 2x240-pin DIMMs, Non ECC, Unbuffered, 4-4-4-12, 64Mx8 DRAMs, Dual-path Heat Exchange (DHX) Technology.

I might even try to overclock the CPU to about 3.0G I think many overclock them to 3.2 - 3.5, anyway that will be if I really get the urge ...

I may even be able to up the Crysis anti to High with this extra grunt ... :D

[DruidChiken]

Nice Smutty :)

[SmuttyChiken]

Well the bits are here ... :D

Now before I go mukin with this ... will I have to reformat / reinstal everything after I upgrade the BIOS and bits?

If so I will just have to copy all my stuff before I get tooo carried away here.

[DruidChiken]

No u shouldnt have any problems with your current installation as long as it XP sp2 or sp3

Just make sure you flash your bios to 2001 before you install the phenom

:D

[Crestline Kid]

Careful Smutty if ya git it to fast you could cause an earthquake when ya turn it on.

[SmuttyChiken]

WOO HOO ... took about 30 minutes (had to clean all the dust and crap out while I had it pulled apart)

Don't worry Crest I strapped it to the desk before take off ... it sits up there purring ... I am ready to go and up the anti in Crysis now ... Merry Xmaas puter

... I am also going to read up on how to overclock this baby ...


... then I will have to get some rubber insulation under the desk to keep the house from vibrating ...

*shhh ... looks around to make sure Dysed's missus wasn't listening ...

[DruidChiken]

Nice one Smut


:xmas

[ClankChiken]

Way to go Smut! Smokin....

Now I want to build a new one. :-( $$$$

[SmuttyChiken]

Well I woke this morning to find that my puter wont start ...

When I turn it on it goes through the XP start up ... arrives at the 'select an account' screen ... then about 10 seconds later a blue screen flash and it reboots.

I have disconnected all external peripherals exept for the keyboard and mouse and still the same ... I then disconnected my second HDD and still the same ...

Any ideas?

How can I get to read the blue screen message?

:crying

[SmuttyChiken]

........

[DruidChiken]

It might be a RAM problem

take out all the sticks then try rebooting with one at a time



Blue screen mesages dont even make sense to M$ yet alone mere mortals

[SmuttyChiken]

I got advice from the Moocher ... thenby the resident Microshaft expert ... my mate ShadyChiken ...

I started in safe mode and did a system restore ... fixed it ... then I had it happen again today ... so fixed it with a 'start with last known good config' ...

if it does it again tomorrow then I need to start looking at what has been installed on my puter because it isn't a hardware problem as I have everything connected again ... with no alarms in the System / Hardware / Device Manager ...

[ClankChiken]

If you have the original XP CD, a Windows XP Repair may fix it.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Do you have any hard drive diagnostics in the Bios? Is your AntiVirus up to date?

[ClankChiken]

Not sure if you can access the previous MS link. Here's the content:
How do you perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. For more information about how to do this, refer to your computer's documentation or contact your computer manufacturer. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
1.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
2.
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
3.
Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
4.
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
5.
Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
6.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.

[ClankChiken]

The repair may require reinstalling some software.

You might also try a "chkdsk /f" from run command, which will prompt asking if you want to run during next boot. I think you can also right click the drive from "Disk Manager" and run it too.

[SmuttyChiken]

Druid ...

I am going to swap my power supply with my other computer tonight ...if that doesn't fix this problem it will be my mobo at a strong guess ...

What do you suggest for a mobo with my other stuff ... based on I wont be changing anything else ...

[DruidChiken]

Not that simple about just changing the mobo with out upsetting windows further, XP can be very particular about a change of mobo chipsets so really if it is a mobo problem i would suggest a fresh install.

But before u even think of that u need to check your other hardware further.
please try what i suggested with ram try it one stick at a time to see if u get the same problem and do the same thing with your graphics cards. take one out try it then swop the cards

This is a process of elemination u could even go as far as putting your old processor back in to see if that solves it, this may well be a windows problem not hardware at all, XP is fickle maybe yours is not happy with a quad core processor

If it does turn out to be the mobo then i would suggest the ASUS M3N72-D

[SmuttyChiken]

Ok ... will try all my hardware ...

[SmuttyChiken]

Well Fawk me hanging upside down ... pulled my puter out of the shelf and set it all up on the desk plugged everything back in and WHAT THE!!! it worked ...

I nominate SmuttyChiken for the Golden Goose Award for 2009 ... this award should be given out for extreme cases of blondeness ...

I am very happy my trusty ASUS based set up didn't actually let me down ...

[DruidChiken]

Nice one Smut :)

Perhaps all it needed was subtle kick in the right place :P

:beer2

[ClankChiken]

Sweet! No surgery required. Pull the plug, shack and replace. Aint it great!

[SmuttyChiken]

I am very relieved as I hadn't planned on spending any more ca$h on computers for a lengthy period ...

... it would have also cut a bit too dep into my Cluck-a-thon fund and would have cost me my trip ...

[]v[ech Jock]

Hey Smutroy, is your PC behaving good still? I ordered a gaming PC and moved my AMD duel core to be my kids PC. Hope everything goes to plan and smoothly with this set-up. I get nervous because I have had components arrive DOA. Anyway my set-up is very close to yours:

AMD 9950 (2.6ghz Black Edition, 125w)
ZEROtherm / Butterfly BTF90 CPU Cooler
4GB DDR2 1066mhz OCZ REAPER Gaming RAM with Heat Spreaders
EVGA 9600 GT with 512 MB DDR3
ASUS Hybrid-SLI Mobo (M3n78Pro with Hybrid SLI)
750 GB SATA II HD
LG DVD Burner with Light Scribe
Media Card Reader
RaidMax Smilodon Gaming Case with 2 x 120mm and 2 x 80mm cooling fans
Vista 64 bit OS

Thought about SLI but decided to pass this time.... this config is pricey enuff

MJ

[SmuttyChiken]

What I had done was actually clean up my computer desk area and in all the crashing and banging upset the large tangle of chords behind the desk. When I pulled it all apart and recontrusted it on top of the desk, ready for the component swapping that Druid told me to do, it obviously all worked again.

So I am happy to say that my computer is still operating as smoothly as ever.

I have used ASUS and AMD for nearly 10 years and have never had a 'real' problem ...

[DysedChiken]

Except for the fact that it hasn't made you a better gamer that is!

[SmuttyChiken]

No ... but it has allowed me to improve my 'Canadian Sex Therapy' sessions ...

[DysedChiken]

Aye and it doesn't cost me a dime to boot!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooohoooooo!