System crash with all games

[Jormungund]

I've got a ATI All in Wonder VE with 64 mb and running 512 DDR on a W2k professional OS running on an Anthlon 1800.
I was having alot of system crashes so I went out and bought a new HD and did a complete fresh install with new updated BIOS for my Gigabyte GA7DXR+ and updated video drivers. Updated windows media player to 9.0 and also Dirext X 9.
My problem happens on even my old legasy video games and a new one I just bought. When I run the game after the intro screens I either crash to my desktop or 8 out of 10 times I get a hard crash.
I can't even go to a website and view movie previews without it crashing.
My system is running with 2 internal blowing case fans and 2 other fans exhausting the heat. My OS is running around 65-70c and I also have additional fan on my vid card. i don't think heat is the issue.
My question is could I be having a RAM failure and the system pops off when it gets too much RAM used?? Or is it the video card. I can download mpegs and watch them without crashes, but games and online movie trailers seem to hard crash me.
Any help or suggestions would be appreciated. I've tried almost every setting (both high and low) on my video options for graphics and 3D in the settings/display/advanced and am at a total loss after about 8 hours or trying to tweak things. Below is my DXDiag if someone can help.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/4/2003, 23:27:28
Machine name: JORMUNGUND
Operating System: Windows 2000 Professional (5.0, Build 2195) Service Pack 4
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: GBT___
System Model: AWRDACPI
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) XP 1800+, MMX, 3DNow, ~1.5GHz
Memory: 512MB RAM
Page File: 168MB used, 1079MB available
Windows Dir: C:\WINNT
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0b (4.09.0000.0902)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.0001.0902 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ALL-IN-WONDER VE PCI
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: RADEON 7500 (0x5157)
DAC type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_5157&SUBSYS_0F2B1002&REV_00
Display Memory: 64.0 MB
Current Mode: 800 x 600 (16 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0010.6378 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 8/12/2003 22:34:46, 369152 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 8/12/2003 22:34:28, 594432 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-1217-11CF-586B-212FA1C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x5157
SubSys ID: 0x0F2B1002
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [CC00]
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_00531102&REV_03
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: e10kx2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0129 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 7/13/2001 08:29:12, 1745168 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: Creative
HW Accel Level: Standard
Cap Flags: 0xF5F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 191999
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 32, 31
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 32, 31
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
Registry: OK
Sound Test Result: Not run

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
Description: SB Audigy Audio [CC00]
Default Sound Capture: Yes
Default Voice Capture: Yes
Driver Name: e10kx2k.sys
Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0129 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Date and Size: 7/13/2001 08:29:12, 1745168 bytes
Cap Flags: 0x40
Format Flags: 0xFFF

-----------
DirectMusic
-----------
DLS Path: C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
Acceleration: Enabled
Ports: SB Audigy DirectMusic Synthesizer [CC00], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
SB Audigy Audio [CC00], Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy Sw Synth [CC00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy Synth A [CC00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy Synth B [CC00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy MIDI Port [CC00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
SB Audigy MIDI Port [CC00] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
Registry: OK
Test Result: Not run

-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Mouse
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Keyboard
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Multimedia Keyboard Hub
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x03F0, 0x020C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Multimedia Keyboard Hub
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x03F0, 0x020C
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Multimedia Keyboard Hub
Attached: 1
Controller ID: 0x0
Vendor/Product ID: 0x03F0, 0x020C
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No
Registry: OK

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ USB Root Hub
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
| Service: usbhub
| Driver: usbhub.sys, 6/19/2003 15:05:04, 40176 bytes

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------
+ PCI bus
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0a03
| Service: pci
| Driver: pci.sys, 6/19/2003 15:05:04, 59312 bytes
|
+-+ Creative Game Port
| | Location: PCI bus 0, device 15, function 1
| | Matching Device ID: pci\ven_1102&dev_7003&subsys_00401102
| | Service: gameenum
| | Driver: gameenum.sys, 6/19/2003 15:05:04, 9808 bytes

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ HID Keyboard Device
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x03F0, 0x020C
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_keyboard
| Service: kbdhid
| Driver: kbdclass.sys, 6/19/2003 15:05:04, 24528 bytes
| Driver: kbdhid.sys, 5/8/2001 08:00:00, 13744 bytes
|
+ PS/2 Compatible Mouse
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0f13
| Service: i8042prt
| Driver: i8042prt.sys, 6/19/2003 15:05:04, 46992 bytes
| Driver: mouclass.sys, 6/19/2003 15:05:04, 21776 bytes

----------------------------
DirectPlay Service Providers
----------------------------
DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)
Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.0000.0900)

DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
Registry: OK

-------------------
DirectPlay Adapters
-------------------
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM2
DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: NDIS 5.0 driver -

-----------------------
DirectPlay Voice Codecs
-----------------------
Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

[Whyzman]

Hello Jormungund,

Welcome tohttp://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif Forums!

65-70C seems a bit warm for your CPU...

Did you assemble your rig???

Are you getting these temps from the BIOS readings??

[Budfred]

How did you conclude that heat isn't the issue? Those temps are high and the symptoms sound like what you would get with a heat problem. If you are running at 70C at idle or low key use and you start playing a game, it is likely that you will get a spike of at least a few degrees and most system will hopefully shut down at that point to keep from destroying your system...

[Jormungund]

OK I've cleaned the whole interior of the case and blown all the dirt out, reattached all the adaptors and cards and added a Blowhole to the sidecase.The system is now running at 28c and my CPU is at 46C and still getting the same problem.
Whyzman, yes I built the system myself about 1 1/2 yrs. ago and have only been getting this problem the past few weeks.
Thanks for the input.

[Whyzman]

Those are respectable temps...good move cleaning things up! ;)

You've replaced the harddrive...I'd say try a RAM tester...

http://www.simmtester.com/PAGE/products/doc/docinfo.asp

A visual inspection of the board might be in order...if you were heating up there could be residual problems...be on the look-out for bulging/leaking capacitors...

How old is your PSU?? You might want to pick up MBM5 or perhaps just take a look in your BIOS and see what kind of output you have on the various voltage rails...

MBM5 has great tach gauges that you can display and set to alert voltage problems...

[BigBlue66]

Could be that your video card is choking on DX9. As I understand it, this is an irreversible install. Only way you can get rid of DX9 is to format and reinstall.

This happened on my kid's system recently. He was using a Radeon 7500 and was playing all games smoothly...then decided to install DX9 that came with Vice City. After that, there were all kinds of weird video problems, even in BIOS, so methinks DX9 seriously compromised the video card that didn't really support it in the first place.

You might try ATI tech support to see what they say about using DX9 with an older vid card such as the one you have.

[mjc]

It is a kind of catch-22 we re gacing here.....DX9 is needed to patch a serious security hole (MS03-30 -- Unchecked Buffer in DirectX (http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/?url=/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-030.asp)), but it does not play well with older video cards.

But, yes it does look like that may be an issue.

DirectX is usually a one-way street....it can be tediously manually uninstalled (but I don't recommend it), and some versions have a third party unistaller (DirectX Eradicator (http://www.voodoofiles.com/3117) or DirectX Uninstaller (http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2935) --don't really like this site but....)

[Whyzman]

What about a System Restore point? I was just to the Microsoft site and it had something there to the effect that before you installed DX that you might want to set a Restore Point...

When I checked my WinMe it did create one without my manually doing so...