[happyrock]

when you try getting around the hardware requirements to run demanding software you can and usually will have issues...its best practice to go with recommended hardware to avoid issues or be prepared to fight with your system...

[mattsphil]

Yes I understand, but as cliche as this sounds I am a broke college student and my parents have been in a financial struggle as well so they can only help so much as they already have enough on there plate. I've had to make the best of what I have and this computer has worked fine for a year for what my school projects have been. I know that my computer would be able to do what I need it to do for this final project, minus the rendering, if it was working like it used to. The rendering can be done on the school render farm so I'm not worried about that part. ALL I NEED is for this computer to work for 4 months and then I can save up to get one of those fancy schmancy GFX cards for $1,000 a pop and whatever else I'll need to upgrade. This is my last quarter before I graduate and I really, really need to find the source of this problem . At the moment I can replace basically one or may be two pieces of hardware before school starts but that's as far as my money can stretch. I really appreciate the time you have been spending so far helping me going through these steps, and are there any more that can narrow this problem down??

[happyrock]

Quote

I've had to make the best of what I have and this computer has worked fine for a year for what my school projects have been.

it may just be that whatever projects you are trying now need a little more horsepower to accomplish the task and that pushes your computer over the edge
your very first post you say...

Quote

My computer only seems to crash when I am working within Autodesk Maya and after about an hour of work, sometimes less, my computer will freeze up and then crash

and

Quote

some annoying hiccups along the way where I've had to re-install Windows again multiple times

it may be a heat issue

[mattsphil]

Okay I can see what you're getting at. I can tell you that as for right now what I've been having to work on in Maya I've worked on a similar, if not more intensive, projects over the past year when my computer was working. The hiccups along the way were narrowed down to my bootleg copy of Windows, which I have a legit copy now so no worries on that. I also never had the 124 BSOD before during that problem time. I've run Speed Fan to look at heat while I'm working but obviously Windows crashed quicker than I can look at the temp. Do you think that over the year working with Maya it has taken a toll on my CPU and now it is unable to handle what Maya is throwing at it? Should I run Prime95? I heard this might be able to detect a problem, if there is one, with the CPU. Is this correct, or is there another program that I could run? I can replace the CPU if need be but I'd like to feel confident that this would fix my problem, at least until I finish up school.

[happyrock]

you can run Prime95 stress-test...just to see if it crashes your computer if nothing else...
if your going to just try to get by I would recommend installing the max RAM your mobo will handle and upgrade the video card (GTX 570 or better) before replacing the processor
I'm positive the video card is the issue

[mattsphil]

Okay, may I ask what makes you feel like the graphics card is the problem? Is there a test I can download that could possibly confirm your thoughts? Sorry if it sounds like I'm doubting your skills, I don't really have much room to talk as far as computer knowledge, but just so I can understand this problem better for future reference. Thanks for your help.

[happyrock]

the maya requirements call for a Quadro series video card...
you have a 470 installed...the difference between those cards is huge

[mattsphil]

Not sure if this will mean anything different but I am unable to run Prime95. It will start the test and maybe 10 mins later, at most , my computer will blue screen on me with the same 124 code.

[happyrock]

are you overclocking anything...if so set everything to stock or default setting...
124 code means increase/decrease QPI/VTT first, if not increase/decrease vcore...have to test to see which one it is

[mattsphil]

I don't have anything overclocked on my computer. as far as "increase/decrease QPI/VTT first, if not increase/decrease vcore" I'm not sure what you mean here? How do I test this?

[happyrock]

look in the bios for the cpu settings...tell us what the settings are now

[mattsphil]

These settings should be under the Ai Tweaker part of the BIOS right? These are the settings I got for voltage:

CPU & NB Voltage Mode = Offset
- CPU Offset Voltage = 1.350
- CPU/NB Offset Voltage = 1.250
CPU VDDA Voltage = 2.500
DRAM Voltage = 1.650
HT Voltage = 1.200
NB Voltage = 1.200
NB 1.1V Voltage = 1.100
NB 1.8V Voltage = 1.800
SB Voltage = 1.100
Sideport Memory Voltage = 1.500


Is this the information that you were looking for or no?

[happyrock]

yep...did you notice a default or auto settings option for the cpu...if so, select it and save your settings...usually F 10 but read the screen to be sure then reboot as use the system for a while and see what happens..

[mattsphil]

For the "CPU & NB Voltage Mode" one there was only the option for "offset" or "manual". As for everything else they were already set to Auto.

[happyrock]

I would like to download your mobo manual...also need your cpu model
give us the make and model numbers or if home built the mobo make and model number...
if you don't know you can get that info by going here and getting CPU-Z...launch it and click on mainboard..the make and model will be there...
get the REV number too