12-23-2008, 02:34 PM
So here is what I did last night.
After seeing even more issues with instability, like the computer failing to enter the BIOS setup when I hit <delete> while it is posting, I took advantage of the fact that I bought my hardware locally instead of online and returned the motherboard to Fry's.
I then had some conversations with a few of the hardware guys there, picked up a new version of the same motherboard (plus a grounding strap and some Arctic Silver Compound for the CPU/Heatsink) and headed home.
I did a much tighter, cleaner job of installing the motheboard this time, including putting the CPU and heatsink in place before placing the motherboard in the case, which allowed me to make sure the fan was really secured properly.
I'm pretty confident my issues are not from the MB or CPU at this point, because after a much tighter installation last night the same issues arose.
I'm looking at my RAM (as per Conc and a few other friends) and my hard drive, at this point.
I was thinking that I would pick up two 2-GB RAM chips on the way home tonight, along with a new hard drive. If one fixes the issue, I'd return the other.
My 4 1-GB Kingston DDR2 RAM chips are a bit older. I did verify that they specify 1.8 (or 1.9, I forget) Volts as their preferred voltage, and made sure the motherboard was set to the same voltage for its DDR2 output, before testing last night.
Any thoughts on what is important in a new hard drive, in terms of boosting performance, while I'm picking one up, or what is important on DDR2 RAM for that matter?
After seeing even more issues with instability, like the computer failing to enter the BIOS setup when I hit <delete> while it is posting, I took advantage of the fact that I bought my hardware locally instead of online and returned the motherboard to Fry's.
I then had some conversations with a few of the hardware guys there, picked up a new version of the same motherboard (plus a grounding strap and some Arctic Silver Compound for the CPU/Heatsink) and headed home.
I did a much tighter, cleaner job of installing the motheboard this time, including putting the CPU and heatsink in place before placing the motherboard in the case, which allowed me to make sure the fan was really secured properly.
I'm pretty confident my issues are not from the MB or CPU at this point, because after a much tighter installation last night the same issues arose.
I'm looking at my RAM (as per Conc and a few other friends) and my hard drive, at this point.
I was thinking that I would pick up two 2-GB RAM chips on the way home tonight, along with a new hard drive. If one fixes the issue, I'd return the other.
My 4 1-GB Kingston DDR2 RAM chips are a bit older. I did verify that they specify 1.8 (or 1.9, I forget) Volts as their preferred voltage, and made sure the motherboard was set to the same voltage for its DDR2 output, before testing last night.
Any thoughts on what is important in a new hard drive, in terms of boosting performance, while I'm picking one up, or what is important on DDR2 RAM for that matter?
Jormuttar is Soo Fat...