rec.autos.simulators

by **MadDAW** » Fri, 09 Nov 2001 23:14:33

I have been getting lockups in N4 now and I was wondering if its the patch
or the video drivers. I'm currently using the 21.88 drives. I got a big
increase in frame rates over the 21.81 drivers in OpenGL. I don't remember
getting the lockups with the 21.81, but to be honest I really didn't play N4
very long with those. I don't think its a heat build up issue because I can
play F1 for a couple hours with no problems. I'm thinking its probably the
drivers, but I really don't want to change them because they do seem to work
real well on my setup. The graphics lock up first then about 2 seconds after
the sound locks up. The only way out is hard boot.

System specs
AMD 1.4 T-bird
ASUS A7m266 MB
512 ddr PC2100 ram
Hercules Geforce2 GTS 64meg
Philips Acoustic Edge sound card
Windows ME

Thanks
MadDAWG

by **REDLINE42** » Sat, 10 Nov 2001 02:34:51

MadDAWG;
I'd suspect it's the patch, as I am still having a crash to desktop when
trying to save a Export/Replay while online with over 250mb of replays in
the replay folder. The only way to eliminate this is to move everything out
of the Export & Replay folders.
This also caused a screen freeze (lockup) at one time, hasn't appeared
again.

What kind of mouse/software are you using?

--
R.I.P. - William Joseph Dunlop OBE MBE 2/25/52 - 7/2/2000

http://www.roadracers.uk.com/legend.htm

by **Ryan** » Sat, 10 Nov 2001 03:38:44

I'd guess that you are right - you're having problems with heat. I had the
same issues with a Geforce 2 MX400. What is your system temperature? That
is the key - keep the case cool and you will be just fine. Mine used to run
about 33 degrees Celsius, and got it down to 26 or 27 and I don't have any
more problems. I'm sure your temps are different as each system is
different, but a few degrees makes a huge difference.

Ryan

by **MadDAW** » Sat, 10 Nov 2001 04:00:49

I really don't think its heat related because I can play any other game for
hours where N4 may lock at 10 laps or it may lock at 70. Fresh boot or
running for hours dosen't seem to make any differance. As far as keeping the
case cool goes I'm pretty well set for that as well I have a case fan bring
outside air right across the back side of the xideo card and the top of the
cpu. Plus a case fan blowing out on the lower front along with a dual fan
setup mounted in the top 5-1/4 bay blowing out. At times I think the thing
is gonna take off from the sound. Plus I never had this problem before until
reformating my system last night and reinstalling N4 with the new patch and
new driver version. Guess thats what i get for breaking the age old setup
rule "only change one thing at a time"

MadDAWG

by **SimRace** » Sat, 10 Nov 2001 04:06:44

If you have fans blowing *out* the front you may want to rethink. AMD
recommends (as do I) that you create a flow throught the case, typically
fans in the rear pulling air from the front.

Check out the recommended air-flow at the AMD site (www.amd.com) I think
they have a diagram somewhere how to create the optimum flow through the
case and point out that too many fans, and fans not working in the same
direction can cause more harm than good. I created a system to their specs,
that creates an "S" flow like they diagram and the thing runs mildly warmer
than room temperature. (AMD 1.2Ghz with a GF3 running N4 at 100+ FPS for
hours on end) The only fans in my case are a big one right under my power
supply, the power supply is vented on bottom and has a fan drawing air
through it and out the rear, and the fan on my GF3. According to your
scheme, you are pulling air from the rear and pushing it out through the
front which is backwards to what AMD specs and you are likely pulling warm
air through that is being evacuated from your power supply. Try reversing
the flow and have the air come in from the front and go out the rear.

This seems to me to be a heat issue as well.

by **MadDAW** » Sat, 10 Nov 2001 04:33:13

I can't say for sure about the AMD site, but the diagram that came with the
case and the add on fan unit say to do it the way I am now. Just like every
thing in life there is more than one train of thought. Besides same system
same setup with 1.1 version of N4 and 21.83 drivers ran fine.

MadDAWG

by **SimRace** » Sat, 10 Nov 2001 04:16:44

Here is their latest FAQ on the deal. Look on the left for "recommendations
for cooling" They apparently still recommend a front to rear airflow though
they don't say "no multiple fans" anymore. They just say that for every
exhaust fan there must be an intake fan (and remember to include the power
supply fan in the calculation)

http://www.amd.com/us-en/assets/content_type/white_papers_and_tech_do...
k_ref_faq.pdf

HTH

> If you have fans blowing *out* the front you may want to rethink. AMD
> recommends (as do I) that you create a flow throught the case, typically
> fans in the rear pulling air from the front.

> Check out the recommended air-flow at the AMD site (www.amd.com) I think
> they have a diagram somewhere how to create the optimum flow through the
> case and point out that too many fans, and fans not working in the same
> direction can cause more harm than good. I created a system to their
specs,
> that creates an "S" flow like they diagram and the thing runs mildly
warmer
> than room temperature. (AMD 1.2Ghz with a GF3 running N4 at 100+ FPS for
> hours on end) The only fans in my case are a big one right under my power
> supply, the power supply is vented on bottom and has a fan drawing air
> through it and out the rear, and the fan on my GF3. According to your
> scheme, you are pulling air from the rear and pushing it out through the
> front which is backwards to what AMD specs and you are likely pulling warm
> air through that is being evacuated from your power supply. Try reversing
> the flow and have the air come in from the front and go out the rear.

> This seems to me to be a heat issue as well.

> > I really don't think its heat related because I can play any other game
> for
> > hours where N4 may lock at 10 laps or it may lock at 70. Fresh boot or
> > running for hours dosen't seem to make any differance. As far as keeping
> the
> > case cool goes I'm pretty well set for that as well I have a case fan
> bring
> > outside air right across the back side of the xideo card and the top of
> the
> > cpu. Plus a case fan blowing out on the lower front along with a dual
fan
> > setup mounted in the top 5-1/4 bay blowing out. At times I think the
thing
> > is gonna take off from the sound. Plus I never had this problem before
> until
> > reformating my system last night and reinstalling N4 with the new patch
> and
> > new driver version. Guess thats what i get for breaking the age old
setup
> > rule "only change one thing at a time"

> > MadDAWG

rec.autos.simulators

N4 Lockups

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N4 Lockups

N4 Lockups

N4 Lockups

N4 Lockups

N4 Lockups

N4 Lockups