Ignorant wife needs help

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Here in Orlando it sucks for computer parts and stores. Prices are way higher then the net so that is why I usually buy online here. Once in awhile we get a computer show which have more resonable prices then what the stores around here try to sock it to ya.
 
Ok, here's what the RAM box says: KVR-PC133/256-R, 256mb 168 pin DIMM, 32mx64 133mhz SDRAM, and here's what the test says:
CAS latency (spdeeprom)2/3 (66mhz)2 (100mhz)2 (133mhz)3
RAS to CAS delay tRCD 20ns 2 2 3
RAS precharge tRP 20ns 2 2 3
RAS cycle time tRC 8 7 9
RAS active time tRAS 45ns 5 5 6
SPD version Intel SPD 1.2
PC100 compatible 133mhz
intel spec data f5, ok
checksum 30, ok
DIMM manuf. Kingston
DIMM type # KVR133x64C3/256
SPDeeprom complete ok
" " bugfree ok
 
Good, it is pc133 but cas3 at 133mhz. Kingston will usually operate at a faster speed then rated, I will tell you what bios settings to set for the rated speed indicated. Then I will tell you settings that you can try to get more performance out of it. The first settings should work perfect and give much better performance then what you had before.

In spec settings: (Go to bios setup)

1. Advance Chipset Features
2. Set Bank 0/1 Dram Timing to Normal (this will set the ram timing to 6-3-3-3)
note: since your only using one dim now the other two settings (Bank 2/3/4/5) can be leaved as is, or you can set them to Normal as well.
3. Set DRAM Clock to HCLK<b>+</b>33M (not HCLK-33M) this sets your ram speed to 133mhz, 33% faster then what you had before.
4. Fast R-W Turn Around set to Enabled

Out of spec performance settings🙁experiment only when you decide that your computer is stable with the previous settings.)

1. Bank 0/1 DRAM Timing set to Turbo (sets a very agressive ram timing of 5-2-2-2) you might want to try a setting of Fast first. Test this setting before you go to #2 below.
2. SDRAM Cycle Length set to 2 (this may cause lockups but does give a significant speed boost) if you see instabilities then switch back to 3 or you can try less aggressive memory timings like Medium or Normal above and this setting of 2.*

*Just be aware that your ram was not rated for Cas2 at 133mhz but will probably work using Cas2.

Let us know how these settings work out and what your final settings turn out to be. There are a number of other optimizations that you can do if interested after you set your memory. Plus I can guide you in how to determine if your settings are maximize, sometimes the more aggressive settings are not the fastest settings due to recoverable errors but still hindering overall performance. Once you are done with the memory part we can work on your graphics card optimum settings.
 
Here is the Memory that she more than likely bought (since it is the only Kingston 256MB RAM DIMM that they sell.)
Kingston Technology 256MB 32x64 ValueRAM SDRAM Memory
Model: KVR-PC133/256-R

If it works for you then don't fix it.
 
Yea, she ranned the good program CTSPD which reads the SPD information from the dim which tells you the manufacturer rating of the dim. Pretty good program if you pick up some cheap non marked dims or to figure out if it has memory errors. It breaks down the ratings for 66mhz, 100mhz and 133mhz thats why you see the three numbers on each memory timing setting:
CAS latency (spdeeprom)2/3 (66mhz)2 (100mhz)2 (133mhz)3
RAS to CAS delay tRCD 20ns 2 2 3
RAS precharge tRP 20ns 2 2 3
RAS cycle time tRC 8 7 9
RAS active time tRAS 45ns 5 5 6

Easy program to use and it tells you allot on how to set you timings in the bios.
 
Ok, so far running great. It froze once, but I think (I hope) it was just a fluke. Made sure the room fan was blowing on it and no problems since then, except for one odd one: I left to go to the store real quick, and when I came back, my screen was doing this really weird flicker thing (reminds me of trying to watch scrambled porn channels, haha). Is this anything major?
 
On the first set right now, wanna run it that way for a bit and see how it works, though I don't think I'll be able to get into EQ tonight, gotta take my son to the movies tomorrow mornin. Will post how it runs though.
 
Something to note, seeing how you are running win 98 and not 98SE you may wnat to consider installing the via usb filter drivers as well found here. <A HREF="http://download.viahardware.com/usbf108.exe" target="_new">http://download.viahardware.com/usbf108.exe</A>

A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing!
 
<A HREF="http://www.geforcefaq.com" target="_new">http://www.geforcefaq.com</A> has lots of suggestions for Geforce flicker problems.

You'll have to pay to unscramble your porn.
 
Ok, went out and got Asheron's CAll. Can't get into it. I froze in game (and when I was playing, it was sorta choppy at times), and now I can't get in at all. I either freeze on the entry portal, or get kicked out of that screen. ANNNND, since I was stupid and didn't write down the bios info before I changed it to those first settings, I don't know what to change it to now. *sigh*
Figured I should clarify...I was able to play EQ all last night, and then today I was able to play AC for awhile, then just all of a sudden, this happens.
Tracy, who doesn't watch porn anymore. =)

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Fataliya on 07/15/01 00:53 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Did you go back in changed it further?? hehe, well keeping track is important thing to do. Well if you are still with the first set I've gave you then go back into the bios and change <b>Fast R-W Turn Around</b> set to <b>Disabled</b>. Well how about telling us all your settings in the <b>Advance Bios setup</b> also <b>Pnc/PCI Configurations</b>, yeap a pain in the behind but maybe helpful too. Of course it will be round two to iron the new wrinkles, maybe round three hopefully not four. Patience and persistance you may have either a very fine turned machine or one thrown out the window, hopefully not.
 
Good news, sort of. I uninstalled and reinstalled AC, and it works (so far), but it's real choppy. I don't know what to change to make it not choppy. In the meantime, I'ma go write down all the info you requested and come back and post it, plus change that fast rw turnaround to disabled. Be back in a flash.
 
Forgot to add that I did go in (my husband told me to try it) to BIOS and load the fail safe defaults, but I just now went back in and changed that 0/1 dram to normal, dram clock back to hclk+33m, and fast rw turnaround off. Ok, here's my settings at the moment:
(advanced bios)
anti virus-on
cpu internal cache-on
external cache-on
quick power on self test-on
1st boot device-floppy
2nd "-HDD-0
3rd "-LS120
boot other device-on
swap floppy-off
boot up floppy seek-on
boot up numlock status-on
gate a20 option-normal
memory parity/ECC check-off
Typematic rate setting-off
security option-setup
os select for dram>64m-non os2
hdd s.m.a.r.t. capability-off
report no fdd for win95-yes
video bios shadow-on
mainenance time-0
" month-0
bios guardian-on

(pnp/pci)
pnp os installed-yes
reset config. data-off
resources controlled by-auto(escd)
pci/vga palette snoop-off
assign irq for vga-on
INT pin 1 assignment-auto
pin 2 "-auto
pin 3 "-auto
pin 4 "-auto

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Fataliya on 07/15/01 01:53 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Change the following:

Gate a20 option set to Fast (This allows an internal clock to be used in protected mode of windows vice a keyboard clock using real mode (slow))

Video bios shadow set to Off (worthless in Win98 just takes up extended memory reducing reliability)

Also I recommend you turn off the Anti Virus in the bios. It only protects the boot block which may interfere with other programs, make sure you use a regular Virus program such as Norton Anti Virus.

Everything else looks ok, actually I asked for the <b>Advance Chipset Features</b> selection so if you feel like it please list those too. Those will have more bearing on your stability. Then we can work on Window settings to enhance your setup.

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by noko on 07/15/01 02:04 AM.</EM></FONT></P>
 
Sorry, totally misread that post. ANyhow, here's the adv. chipset:
0/1 dram timing-normal
2/3 "-normal
4/5 "-normal
sdram cycle length-3
dram clock-hclk+33m
memory hole-off
pci master pipeline req-off
p2c/c2p concurrency-off
fast rw turnaround-off
system bios cacheable-off
video cacheable-off
video ram cacheable-off
agp aperture-64m
agp 4x mode-on
agp driving control-auto
agp fast write-off
k7 clk-ctl select-default
onchip usb-on
onchip usb2-on
usb keyboard support-off
onchip sound-on
cpu to pci write buffer-on
pci dynamic bursting-off
pci master 0 ws write-on
pci delay transaction-off
pci #2 access #1 retry-on
agp master 1 ws write-off
agp master 1 ws read-off

Seeing how I've been looking at these damn settings for like 3 days, I think someone will tell me that agp 4x mode should be off, and that maybe onchip sound should be off, but I'm not sure, and there's no way in hell I'm gonna change anything without someone telling me to. =D
 
Try the following, you should see an improvement in stability. Once you are stable then we can go to a more aggressive setup. These are the opposite what you had before. This may solve your jumping problem since you prevented the pci bus from doing multiple things at once. Yes AGP 4x can be unstable while only slightly faster then 2x in most things, still eventually you will want to go there. Let us know how these work out. Then Windows should be next.

pci master pipeline req-on
p2c/c2p concurrency-on
agp 4x mode-Disable
onchip usb2-Off
usb keyboard support-on (if you have a USB keyboard, this should help during bootup)
onchip sound-off
pci dynamic bursting-on
pci master 0 ws write-on
pci delay transaction-on
pci #2 access #1 retry-on
 
Had to go back in and turn onchip usb back on, cuz my mouse didn't work. (I have the mouse with the flat plug, guess that makes it usb). Heading into AC again to see what happens.
 
No, I'm afraid I'm not that clever. It would make a good sig. Actually, I was just making a joke regarding an aside made by Fataliya. She said that her monitor was flickering "kind of like a scrambled porn channel". It was too funny not to comment on it.
 
I can get on AC and the like and play longer than I used to, but it still freezes just out of the blue like every 20-30 minutes. It's choppy in game too. I even tried playing without 3d acceleration (aaaaahhhhh, reminds me of playing castlevania or whatever that game was), and I froze. And does this have anything to do with illegal ops? Cuz when I logged out of AC to hit the sack, I had one: "ZClient caused an invalid page fault in module kernel32.dll at 015f:bff8abea" ZClient is the microsoft gaming zone. All I know is that everytime I get an illegal op, it's with this damned kernel32.dll.
 
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