PC hangs when converting (yes i've read the previous posts!)

[cookie_boy2000]

Hi
Whenever I attempt to convert a movie my pc either hangs after 2-3 minutes or the converting software shuts down.
I've tried canopus, tmpgenc and others but still the same. The software's ok as other people I know are using it with no problems.

I've tried all the suggestions i've found on the forums but no joy
I've increased to 768MB of ram from 256 on the advice of a friend but no change.
My processor is a Celeron 1.7GHz (beneath this on the system properties it says 1.96 GHz).

Any ideas?
thanx in advance.

[presideo]

I had a similar problem and I fixed it by making sure the IDE channel that my DVDR was on had the proper transfer mode setting.

I set it from the device manager window:

Secondary IDE channel/Advanced settings/Transfer Mode. It should say DMA or DMA if available, not PIO. Do this for both devices if you have two on your secondary IDE chain.

Hope that helps.

cheers.

[cookie_boy2000]

Thanx for the suggestion but i've just had a look but it already says as you suggest.

This is a real bummer.
People I know just convert & burn, I just get shit.
Even Virtual dub is playing up now!
The 2 windows that run are different sizes, with the 2nd one virtually off the screen!!!

I can't believe it's this problematic, 4 1/2 hours sitting here getting more and more angry

[BJ_M]

why dont you stop overclocking ... for one , and see if that fixes your problem ..

reset your bios to default safe (or optimised) (warning - playing with your bios if you dont know what you are doing can cause your computer to not boot)


second .. run your system with only 1 stick of memory , check each stick one at time .. you may have a bad one ... (i dont care what the bootup mem tester says -- you may still have a bad stick or two)

[cookie_boy2000]

Thanx for the tip but I wouldn't know how to overclock my pc!
Never the less, I followed your advice and reset the bios but still the same.
Anymore ideas?
I've spent a bloody fortune on a new pc (to me anyway!) and I can't do the one thing I want it to!!
ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[BJ_M]

if you have a 1.7ghz chip and it says in system properties 1.96 -- that appears to be overclocked , somehow ..

[cookie_boy2000]

oh great!
I've been running a cpl of tests and all movies seems to crash after approx 5 minutes whilst being converting.

re: apparent clocking, any suggestions how I can remove the over-clocking?

[cookie_boy2000]

yup, still here!
Could there be a prob with the CPU?
It's maxing out at 100% when I try to convert. It's pretty new so I can't see that this is the fault but i'm running out of options

[BJ_M]

there are so many reason for crashing -- its hard to pin down any one cause long distance ..

heat
bad memory (or socket)
bad cpu
bad motherboard
bad voltage reguators
overclocking
cpu heat sink not installed correct
wrong memory
bad power supply
bad hard drive
bad ide cables
not 100% connected cables, chips, ps connectors
software errors (big catagory)
OS config/installation errors (bigger catagory maybe)
video card problems
device (other) problems
network card problems
audio card problems
keyboard problems

and maybe i forgot some ..

[BJ_M]

if you are encoding -- you would expect to see the cpu at 100% .. which is also a big draw on power and on memory and system buss bandwidth ..


so - see above list ..

sorry i can not help you more -

[cookie_boy2000]

thanx for the list, i wouldn't know where to start! I think i'll have to forget this downloading stuff, I'm getting sooooo stressed over it and it's not worth the hassle.
Bloody pc's, I sh*t em!!!!

[bugster]

thanx for the list, i wouldn't know where to start! I think i'll have to forget this downloading stuff, I'm getting sooooo stressed over it and it's not worth the hassle.
Bloody pc's, I sh*t em!!!!

Don't give up so easily

On the evidence presented so far it appears there is a good chance that your PC has a problem with running at 100% CPU for more than a few minutes. In order to test this theory I suggest downloading something like the SETI or United devices screensavers and let them run. If these also cause your PC to hang or crash after a few minutes you have a faulty PC. If it is still under warranty, take it back and get it fixed or replaced. If not try and find a knowledgable friend (or friend of a friend) who can help.

[lordsmurf]

I'd think it were a CPU improperly setup, and may be missing some aspect of the cooling system - if it only hangs at full usage, that is. And if it were an Intel chip, that may be its way of shutting down to avoid catastrophe.

[cookie_boy2000]

Thanx for the advice. I've managed to load/get the Asus monitoring software for my pc and there is one thing it does whilst trying to convert a movie as well as run the seti programme: The cpu fan is at 3997 rpm but it should be running at 1786 rpm (at least that's what I think the monitor is telling me!)

Where do I go from here?
PS: I didn't buy it retail, I bought the parts and some work colleagues built it for me.

[lordsmurf]

Keeping a CPU cooled properly sometimes requires more than just fans. You'll need several things. You'd have to look that up. I followed the manual that came with my processor and motherboard.

[The village idiot]

! I think i'll have to forget this downloading stuff

So the things you are trying to convert are downloaded AVI's? Probably bad frames or wrong codec/codec conflict. Download the mpeg version next time.

To add to the list:

virus

power spikes/dips (like from your A/C or refridgerator) get a UPS

[BJ_M]

little UPS's like you find for homes and at computor shops and avg. office type dont do squat for power conditioning ..

only way that is done is through a UPS which runs all the time off the battery (and its getting charged also) .. or with a power conditioner ..

both of the above are very expensive compared to home time and small offfice ups (which are good to use anyway for sure)

the BEST FERRUPS is one the kind im refering to ..

[Reaper88]

I had a similar problem with my pc hanging when cpu was at 100% and it was also running hot. I ended up tracking it down to a bad power supply. Went out a bought a new one and i havent had a problem since.

[cookie_boy2000]

Thanx for all the advice everyone, you've been a great support during these troubling times! In the end, it looks like it was the CPU being overclocked, as a friend of my sons came over and noticed this. He did a cpl of wiz things in the setup bios and i've managed to convert a movie! Only prob now is the audio is running about 10 seconds ahead of the video!
Oh well, these things are sent to test us

[BJ_M]

i have to say it --- i told you so ...

[The village idiot]

little UPS's like you find for homes and at computor shops and avg. office type dont do squat for power conditioning ..

only way that is done is through a UPS which runs all the time off the battery (and its getting charged also) .. or with a power conditioner ..

both of the above are very expensive compared to home time and small offfice ups (which are good to use anyway for sure)

the BEST FERRUPS is one the kind im refering to ..

The crappy little Cyberpower one I have, fixed a problem with my DV Bridge. Everytime the refridgerator would turn on, or an A/C unit turn on, it would glitch. It is very sensitive to any voltage drops (not big enough filter caps. in the power supply). The model is 375SL rated at 210 watts for the backed-up circuits. RFI filtering on all circuits. Only cost me about $60 USD.

At work we have stock in APC. Though once in a while, the APC units will catch fire! It's really cool