My settings keep changing

Hi,

Ever since I downloaded the update to my CPU, my settings keep changing. No matter what I set them at, they change to something different a few days later. I did a System Restore 2 times and waited a few days between the System Restore and re-downloading the new driver for the CPU. Without the update, my settings don't change. I wouldn't mind the settings changes except that one of them is a problem. The space orientation for letters, numbers and other things on a keyboard are even, as the letters in this post are. The word "different" would show up as di f f er e nt. I ran several tests in Regular Mode, Safe Mode and Safe Mode with Networking and no bugs were found.

Also, just a few weeks ago, I went through Read Me and Post with the results of all the scans. I ran HD-Tune, CPU Test and MemTest and the only thing found wrong was the speed of moving or copying files from my C drive to a partition or an ext hdd.

This is what my computer:

- Biostar TFORCE 6100-939 mobo which supports dual channel ddr
- SATA
- AMD Athlon 64 3200+ 2.0GHz / 512KB Cache / 1000MHz FSB / Venice / Hyper-Transport / OEM / Socket 939 / Processor
- 2 twin sticks of 1G RAM
- Corsair 620W PSU
- Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 SATA 3.0Gb/s 320-GB Hard Drive
- Windows XP X64

I'm wondering if there is a software clash between other software or hardware. I've had so many problems and new ones keep cropping up.

I'm also thinking about reformatting my computer and installing Windows XP Pro 2000 because of all of these problems. I'm not sure if X64 may be causing most of them. With the hardware I have, would a 32-bit os work?

I'm going to be going to my mobo site and check to see if there's an update for my BIOS and drivers.

I'd appreciate all the help I can get.

Denise

 

What is this "new driver for the CPU" that you speak of? CPU's generally don't require their own dedicated driver.... I'd check with the MB's manufacturer if that's where you got the updated software that's causing the settings to reset. There's probably a forum at their web site and you can check there to see if anyone else is having a similar issue.... but, (I'll ask again) what is this CPU driver????

hd2k

 

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I don't know the name of the driver. I went into Device Manger, right clicked on each device, and the only update available was for the CPU. Microsoft downloaded and installed it. It says that "the best driver found will be installed." If you can tell me where I can find the name of the driver, I'll get it for you.

Denise

 

I've had the update uninstalled for over 2 days now and my settings haven't changed. I won't use the update again.

I'm going to look for an update at the AMD site and download it from there if they have one.

 

I think what you're referring to is the "Cool-N-Quiet" driver for AMD CPU's. I run an Athlon64 3200+ and I haven't ever installed the C-n-Q driver 'cuz I don't think I need it. Also, I usually NEVER use Microsoft's hardware updates 'cuz I've had past problems with 'em; they've knocked out the sound, disabled modems, caused the video to be 'locked' at 640x480.... If I need hardware updates, I go to the manufacturer of the device in question; for motherboard drivers (LAN, audio) I go to MSI, video is NVidia, etc. The only hardware driver I update regularly is my video card. Everything else works great, so if ain't broke..... Any CPU software and/or drivers should ALWAYS be downloaded from the manufacturer; Intel or AMD....

hd2k

 

Hi hopperdave,

It could be the Cool-N-Quiet driver. I don't know since Microsoft never gave me its name.

I have another thread running the Hardware forum because I was checking everything that could be causing the problem. I received some good info about updating my drivers from the manufacturers' sites, as you said. I downloaded the CPU, Nvidia and mobo driver updates last night and installed them and my computer is working really good . . . actually, it's excellent compared to the way it used to be. I had a multitude of problems, something new always cropping up, but these driver updates did some good things for my pc.

I also downloaded the update to my BIOS but I haven't installed it yet. The directions I received were to put the update on a floppy disc and my floppy drive went up in sparks and smoke a couple of weeks ago (literally). I ordered a new FDD and cable and received the drive but not the cable, so I'm waiting for it to come in before I update the BIOS.

Thanks for you input . . . I appreciate it . . .

Denise

 

Again- if ain't broke, don't fix it. This is especially true when it comes to your BIOS. Most mobo manufacturer's state this on their web sites: if your PC and BIOS is working OK, flashing it un-necessarily isn't really recommended. If something goes horribly wrong (like, say, a black-out in the middle of the flash) then you'll have a very expensive door stop.... just a word of warning... be careful when flashing the BIOS, esp. if this is your first time flashing the BIOS. Read ALL the mobo info about flashing the BIOS (print it and study it) before you do it!!! and BE CAREFUL!!!

hd2k

(I hope I didn't scare you too much )

 

Thanks for the info and the warning and I'll make sure no air conditioners, etc, are running when I flash the BIOS. I received these instructions from someone here who gave me a lot of advice during the entire time that I was building my computer, so he knows it pretty well, and he's still helping me a lot. He's the man who gave me the links to update my drivers. His instructions are:

Since it's so automatic, without me having to give it any information except for inserting the floppy disc, it should go pretty smoothly, but that's what they said about the Titanic and the Lindenburg. :guitar

If you ever want to read the thread about the building of my computer and all the weird things that cropped up (and are still cropping up), let me know and I'll give you the url for it. A number of guys helped me build it and it was dupped Damien :eek

Denise

 

Cool. I feel better now You seem to have a pretty good handle on things. And your BIOS has a built-in flash utility, and that's good. I've had pretty positive experiences with BioStar products, so... yeah; you're good to go but.... Damien?!?!?! The Dark Son?!?!?!? Bleeearghhh!!!! Run!!!! Run far, far away!!!!!


-hd2k-

 

. . . he's really a sweet pussycat when you get to know him, just a little bit more than a tad temperamental. You've seen The Exorcist, I'm sure . . . uke . . . well, he's going to be exorcised whether he thinks so or not

We at MajorGeeks :major . . . or I should say, those who know things here at MG about computers are gonna get it straightened out if it kills me. I can't count myself in that number. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought the parts to build it, but it's built despite everything it's thrown at us.

It was a very bad sign when I had to knock the back panel plate off to change it for one that would fit my mobo. I used a rubber door stop and the butt end of a screwdriver and I had to pound hard a few times before it came out. That's just a small sample, but enough to give you an idea of what it was like.

I'm also glad to have people here advising me as to what I should do and how to do it. I didn't know that my mobo had a built in flash utility and I couldn't even tell you what a flash is, except a flash of lightening, a flash bulb, a hot flash . . . well, you get the idea. LOL

Denise