rec.autos.simulators

     I tried various combos of turning some things on some off, but still
got the *** n2k2 lockup.  Finally I went back to the bios and chose the
reset option, which is probably the slowest also, and the lockups went bye
bye.

    The m***of this story...just because the board is by ASUS don't mean
it smokes.  (a7a 266)
This is what I get for buying local....  :)
dave henrie

  Dave, the real m***of the story is if it ain't broke, don't fix it :)

John

There's nothing likely in those BIOS settings to cause your system to
"hang".....unless you have something set terribly wrong somewhere else.
Let's assume for the moment, that you don't (assume you set all the other
stuff as indicated).

Before I did any other checking, I popped over to the ASUS boards (assume
you did that?).  Seems they are filled with "My ASUS A7A266 constantly
hangs/freezes!"  I read 40-50 posts dating back to early June.....nothing
but system hangs and crashes with A7A266 boards.  The problems were centered
on three issues:
1.  BIOS vs. 1011 is the only one that works.....if you don't have that, get
it.
2.  Jumper J10 is set wrong at the factory.....should be in 2-3 switch mode
(2.6volts), not 1.2 (2.5volts)....I think that is the AGP port voltage...but
you should check you manual to confirm (that would cause major league
hangs/freezes....if the AGP port voltage was incorrect).
3.  Power supplies under 350 watts.....don't work well.  Those who upgraded
to 400 watts or higher.....saw the hangs/freezes disappear (assuming they
have the right BIOS version to start with).

There were lots of other complaints....many centered around heat or CPU
temps running way off the chart.  I don't know, I don't use ASUS
boards.....but some of had good luck with them, I haven't.

You don't state your operating system, video card, video card BIOS settings,
video card driver version and Nv properties settings.....so I can't help you
further until I know that stuff.

Good luck.

TP

An afterthought........after I posted the previous reply.....I read your
post again and this hit me:  "I went back to the BIOS and chose the reset
option."  Do you mean you reset the BIOS to "factory defaults?"  I hope not.
If you did, those are generally set very benign.....and ASUS was famous for
setting them on the "troublesome mobos"....to half put the board to sleep!
Many "dummies" by those boards and never reset the BIOS......so they "think"
everything is peachy.  Fact is, the boards at something like 50% capacity at
ASUS factory defaults.

Just thought I'd mention that.

TP

PS:  Just so you know....there's nothing "tricky" in those BIOS
settings.....they are pretty low-tech and they have been recommended for Nv
boards for a couple years now.  I would say the odds that one of them is the
culprit....is about 1 in 10,000.

    Well yes that is what I did....I still get fps in the 80's  but
certainly not as strong as before.  I have an Antec 350w ps.   And the
original mb bios.  I'll look into updating that.
dh
(ps...go to Asus newsgroup?  read posts?  Bahhh I have YOU to do
that..heheheheheeee)
dH

The Antec 350 should be golden!  That's not likely the problem (though a 400
Antec would have been better).

What about the other stuff?

TP

  Just checked the Asus site and looked at the online manual.  THe J10
jumper is for ddr power.  2.5 is default and 2.6v is the 2nd option.  the
manual recomends the 2.5 setting to avoid "straining components"

256mb of ddr memory  2100 is the speed rating I beleive.
gf3 ti 200 o/c to 200/400??(forget the number..both are out 66% of the
Rivatuner range.)
XP+1800  Soundblaster Audigy Gamer.
dh

Summary:

1.  Power looks good.
2.  Leave J-10 at 2.5volt.....the mem shouldn't need to be kick started.
3.  Assuming you have at least the 29.80's Nv drivers.....and you've set all
the other settings according to the sheet you got from me......the "culprit"
points to the BIOS version you have (original).  I'd get that
upgraded......bet you its the problem.

TP

    the good news....Asus can update MB bios' without leaving windows....I
couldn't even find a working floppy  so that was a good thing.  Bios flash
went well,  no problem.  ran two quick sessions in n2k2 and no lockup...I
don't think I pushed all the settings back up yet, but I definately used the
2 2 tic memory settings and that was almost always asking for a crash.
   My 3dmark also went up...not a-lot but over 7000 with game-playing
settings.  (i.e. I don't have the mip detail set to plus 3 and garbage like
that)
Thanks for the research Tom.
dave henrie

just a thought -

If you remove a few system performance bottlenecks
and start (for example) getting much better throughput
to your video/CPU/RAM, it's possible you could be creating
heat problems which weren't evident before you tweaked.

I'm no N2K2 expert (ovals make me fall asleep at the
wheel) but I remember installing DDR for the first time
and my CPU temp jumped (along with system performance)
prompting me to install a better fan.  This is with a
tbird 1.4 which tends to output some heat so ymmv.

I would try testing performance with some other programs
which stress the system and see if you can induce lockups
with them.

I agree - asus != perfection.

They just make a higher proportion of reliable products and
charge a higher price for them.  Sometimes I think a lot
of reputation is gained simply by being expensive.  But then
I see ASUS consistently producing fast and stable mobos
so they are doing something right.  Some of their BIOS
updates have been annoying tho :)

iksteh

Hi Dave

Reset your graphics card to the default clock speeds. Overclocking is a real
easy way to trigger mystery lockups. If all works fine at default graphics
clock you can start to overclock it again if you really want, and when it
locks up again just back it off a bit.

By the way, if you want to "stress test" your system......run 3DMrk in
"loop" overnight.  I do this to each new rig I build......amazing what it
shows about temps and settings I skipped by mistake.  Just a thought.

Remember, even you can be a techy guru!  ....lol....

Tom

I agree with your statement on the heat issue......its worse when you have
your system really flying.  And, I have two rigs with 1.4 AMD's in them
right now......those CPU temps can go to 60-65 degrees in a heartbeat.  Even
just running desktop apps on a hot day!  That version Tbird is the hottest
running CPU I've ever seen/used.....and with the weakness of the OEM
fans.......that's a real problem for them.  I use Arctic Silver and
"aftermarket" fans on all the *** rigs.......its just good insurance for
the extra cost.  As of about a year ago, I also by default, cut a 120mm hole
in the side door....right over the CPU/video card rack.....and install a
120mm "blowhole" fan (*** rigs only).

TP