DescentBB

Ok, here's the short version. (I hope)

I hooked my computer up to my 40\" Bravia KDL-40S4100. I struggled getting each other to play nice and wound up using some strange but seemingly benign resolutions.
I forced it to do a res that it didn't seem too happy with. (the 'puter) and now the high end games like COD4 and Crysis (and warhead) play for about 20 minutes and crap out. Normally, the start hanging and eventually won't load the next level. When I go to reboot, the system hangs and I have to hard boot.

I've Reinstalled and/or updated ALL my drivers: vid, sound, mobo, bios, Dx 9.0c

This seemed to help a little. At least it's not blue screening and preforming a mem-dump any more.

I pulled my vid card and took a look at it and all seems to be \"OK\". Of course, there's a heat sink covering 80% of one side and a paper sticker over a chunk of the back that has a warranty void warning if removed thingy. But no caps are cracked open and no components are fried. (the smt fuse is still in tact)

Here are my system Stats:

mobo: Asus A8N-E
CPU: Athlon64 3500+
VID: Nvidia 8600GT
M: 2 Gig 2400 Corsair
Sound: SB X-Fi Audio [B000]
OS: XP PRO
IE 6 & Opera 9.64
Dx 9.0c

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System Information
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Time of this report: 5/30/2009, 23:43:46
Machine name: DUPER
Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.080814-1233)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: System Product Name
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 Processor 3500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz
Memory: 2048MB RAM
Page File: 371MB used, 3568MB available
Windows Dir: C:\\WINDOWS
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.
Sound Tab 1: The file ctaud2k.sys is not digitally signed, which means that it has not been tested by Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL). You may be able to get a WHQL logo'd driver from the hardware manufacturer.
Music Tab: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.
Network Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce 8600 GT
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\\PCI\\VEN_10DE&DEV_0402&SUBSYS_C7583842&REV_A1
Display Memory: 256.0 MB
Current Mode: 1400 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: ViewSonic VG2021m
Monitor Max Res: 1400,1050
Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.8250 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 3/27/2009 10:03:00, 6186880 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
Mini VDD Date: 3/27/2009 10:03:00, 6280416 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-4742-11CF-C87B-53E700C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x0402
SubSys ID: 0xC7583842
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Revision ID: 0x00A1

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Ok, so is there a diagnostic I can run on my hardware to tech this out further? I REALLY don't want to do a complete reinstall of windows (again) only to find out it's hardware related. I still need to do memtest.

Thanks all!

I can’t help you with your problem, but I am curious what resolution you were using?

Only because you should have been able to use 1360x768 (monitor) with no problems, on the VHS or HDMI input. You also should have no problems using the video in “HD TV” mode and using either 720P or 1080. That TV should support both. (although native may only be 1366x768)

You prolly want to use a monitor for gaming.

It wanted to settle in at 1360x768. This was a clearest but not perfect. I tried 1280x1024 but it didn't really like that as the image was shoved and crunched way over to one side. The Res I made it do was 1920x1080. It would do it and the image was crystal clear for about oh.. 3 minutes then it would get kinda shimmery. That is to say, the image had little waves running through it. (can't think of the right word at the moment).

Also, regardless of what resolution I had it set on, I would have to redefine the res in the games i opened up. and that was an issue occationally.

Oh, the manual explisitly states to use the VGA port in the back for PC and NOT to use a HDMI port.

Did a mem test and all is well.

did you tell nVidia Control panel that it was NOT a HDTV connection? when you ran the TV Wizard or did you not even run the TV wizard?