busy computer, navigating in livehdtv, computer resets.

[ZetaVu]

Ok, I used to have this problem sporatically in the past, but I've been able to cause it twice in a couple days. It seems to happen while my computer is very very busy. I am using autogk to convert an ifo (vob collection) file (or mpeg file) to xvid, and reading from one ide hard drive and recording to another ide hard drive (and they are on two different branches, not sharing the same cable, not sure if this makes a difference or if autogk is even necessary to cause the error) I am also recording two shows simultaneously on my HVR 1600, one sd antenna and one HD antenna (not sure if it matters if both are antenna or if I could record HD antenna and sd s-video). I then start watching the HD show that is currently being recorded, using my undersized ATI AIW agp video card for playback (works only with ATI codec on HD content, all others stutter, and adds cpu usage) and I navigate forward one or two skips quickly, WHAM, brief bluescreen error message and windows reboots.

Then of course I have to recover both temp files, quickfix with videoredo (tp for sure, mpeg I was able to just watch) and I lose about 2 minutes of the shows from the reboot time.

So, I ave a few experiments to run (boy do I love trying to make my computer crash, well, no it scares the shit out of me) to try and isolate if this is a freak occurence when static and planetary orientation lines up against me, or if I can simulate enough drain on my system to cause reboot.

My thoughts - try massive recording and watching HD content with no autogk. Then repeat with autogk using the same drive, then two drives same chain, then two drives two chains. If by this last one I can't reproduce then it is a nn-repeatable wonder.

If I can reproduce, is it more likely with two recordings on the same card (HVR1600) or do I also get it recording shows on two cards? I think I need something to really load up the cpu's, which autogk does. Showsqueeze should do the same. Issue is my undersized video card, I believe, has to use a lot of cpu energy to play HD content, and gets spikes when I navigate. With my older MB and XP2000 processor, I would actually induce dropped frames in the recording if I navigate while recording HD. (CPU hits 100%)

So, my guess is I overload one of the busses, HD, PCI, AGP, not sure, voltage may drop to an unstable point, all of a sudden windows freaks and reboots. Question is, is this something I could theoretically fix with a bigger PS or is this simply an MB limitation? If I can figure ut the cause I could probably avoid that, but ideally I'd like to not have to worry about this.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[bradpvr]

My first thought is overloaded PSU.

[myktek]

Originally Posted by bradpvr

My first thought is overloaded PSU.

thats what I would assume off the bat, but I'd run 3dmark to stress the system and see if it crashes or Prime, Orthos, etc...

[GeorgeH]

It is almost certainly not a hardware problem.

I had a lot of "hardware/driver problems" with running just BeyondTV processes using a single core processor. When I changed to a dual core processor (just the CPU in the same socket in the same motherboard, in the same box, with the same hardware, doing the same stuff), all the "hardware/driver problems" went away.

BeyondTV has deep dark problems more CPU power moves them deeper. If you move them deep enough, they no longer affect you.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by GeorgeH

BeyondTV has deep dark problems more CPU power moves them deeper. If you move them deep enough, they no longer affect you.

notwithstanding that really Deep, dark comment, I personally would not discount the potential hardware problem. Zeta, Do the research on the PSU mentioned above before you move on to more expensive fixes. I actually had a somewhat similar issue on my btv link machine and it was in fact the PSU.

[tjdmobile]

Sounds like a PSU to me. My old BTV system was on a nice AMD 64 and it ran perfectly for about a year. Well, about 6 months ago it started going into a bluescreen loop. After troubleshooting forever, I replaced the Antec PSU and things started working again.

Unfortunately, when the PSU fried, it took something from the PC (memory or similar) and things never worked consistently again.

Well, this new PC I put better quality components in, and it's been pretty flawless. Truly, this could be a hardware issue.

[ZetaVu]

Thanks, I will need to get a new PSu anyway if I end up going for a new MB, this is 20 pin and new ones require 24 (preferably 20+4) One of my link machines is running on an underpowered 250W, I think I'l replace this one and send them down the line.

George, thanks but I'm pretty sure it is a hardware issue. I was just looking for suggestions on whether it looked like an instability issue with mu board or if more power would fix it. Either way, sounds like more power is step 1.

I was going to mess with it tonight, but I'm tired so I think I'll just watch House and save the tinkering for another day.

[ZetaVu]

Ok, I currently have an allied 400W, gives me 28A on 3.3, 40 on 5 and 17 on 12 (only one 12)

I took a look at Newegg to wee what is on sale, they have these

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817159040
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103928

The Antec has same 3.3, 36 on 5 and 17 on two 12v (I assume one MB and one components)
The Coolmax (lower reviews, higher "claimed wattage) goes 30 on 3.3 and 5, 16 and 18 on 12's.

I am guessing that the second 12v line would be the biggest boost for me, as such I'm leaning to the Antec but question is would I be better off going bigger yet? (or rather would I really see no benefit unless I go bigger?)

Oh, and while my Allied seems to really hold its weight, it is old and may be losing some of its juice. Full model is AL-400atx

[ZetaVu]

Here's another, two fans instead of 1 but the exhaust doesn't run continuously

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817103937

[ZetaVu]

Ok, quick update. I finally got around to running my system ragged. I recorded on all three tuners (two on HVR1600, one HD one SD antenna, and one HD on HD wonder). THen I tested navigation in each while recording and with task manager to monitor cpu. Watching 720p used up 20-40% cpu (my undersized card) and spiked as high as 75% when navigating. I then setup an autogk job, output to same hard drive, cpu would spike to 100% but no reset. Did the same with Autogk going to another HD on another branch, no difference.

So, cannot reproduce the reset, and not really willing to keep trying to fail. I'm just gonna make a rule to not run AutoGK while viewing live hdtv, since my video card still needs a lot of cpu resources. May still get a newer PSU and of course eventually a new video card.