Computer locks up during QII deathmatch

[JW310]

First, a little background info... I have 2 computers, a GW2K and a PII that I built, and they are linked via a 10BT ethernet connection, through a hub. I am using TCP/IP as the network protocol.

Whenever I go to play a Quake II deathmatch through my home network, one of the computers locks up and then reboots (usually the GW2K). What could be causing the problems? I have had similar problems when transferring large amounts of data from one computer to the other, but that was before I switched to TCP/IP.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[socalgal]

Bringing this to the top, hopefully someone can help.

[Mntsnow]

JW,

Which machine is running as the "server"? Are you sure that the reboot is not because of too low of system resources? (this is a big reason a lot of machines reboot or lockup when acting as server AND gaming machine at the same time as doing both at the same time requires a lot of overhead). Is your system Overclocked? Lots of questions for ya.

Mntsnow

[JW310]

Mntsnow,
The PII system is the one that I run as the server. Neither computer was oc'd the last time I tried a deathmatch. The PII is now oc'd to 392 from 350, but haven't tried a QII deathmatch since overclocking it.

I don't think it's due to lack of resources, but I could try it both ways, and see what happens!

socalgal, thanks for bringing my message 'to the top'!

JW310 (John)

[This message has been edited by JW310 (edited 10-03-99).]

[Mntsnow]

Deleted due to DP.

[This message has been edited by Mntsnow (edited 10-03-99).]

[Mntsnow]

JW,

I'm sorry I must not have made it clear as to what I was referring to OR I'm not understanding your reply. System resources (ie: memory, Processing time ect) are used when running several programs at the same time. If you get to low on "resources" windows will crash and bring everything down with it. What other programs are possably running while you are servering and playing Quake? How much memory is in your machine? Are you sure you dont have a resource hog running at the same time. (I keep coming back to this as its the problem I had on my system.)

Mntsnow

ps. My resource hog was my "lan serving/firewall software" that was also running on my "server/gaming 1" machine. When I would turn off the "Lan software" I could play for hours at a time and no crashes!

[JW310]

Mntsnow,
I think I might not have completely understood your reply. Thanks for making your question a little more clear.

The programs I am running while I am trying to play QII deathmatch are:
3M Post-It Notes
Task Scheduler (tray)
McAffee Vshield (tray)
Ensoniq Mixer (tray)
RealPlayer SmartStart (tray)
AOL IM (tray)

Other than that, I do not believe anything else is running on the computer that locks up. The computer is a 233 MHz Pentium MMX with 32 MB of SDRAM, with an ATI video card, and a LinkSys NIC. I can play QII fine on this system, with no problems. I only have the problem when I play a deathmatch across my network.

~edit~ Forgot to add... I usually use this computer (the one that locks up) as an answering machine, as it has a voice modem. However, I close the voicemail software before I run QII, and run the QII server on the 392MHz PII, not the 233MMX.

What might be worth looking into on my end is creating a new user name on the computer that I can log into when I want to play a QII deathmatch.


[This message has been edited by JW310 (edited 10-03-99).]

[Mntsnow]

Hmmmm...I will do some more digging and see if I can come up with any more ideas for you. Sorry I wasn't much of a help [img]/forum/frown.gif[/img]

Mntsnow

[kwai]

are you sure your systems are not overheating? try pulling off the case covers and blowing a room fan into the cases and see if the lockups still occur.

[JW310]

kwai,

That might be the source of the lockup/reboot. Because I generally use this computer as an answering machine/voice mail, I usually leave it on 24/7. However, I do not think I have adequate cooling for it to reliably run for lengthy periods of time, at least not for running a QII deathmatch. I think I might start looking into some other methods of cooling for the computer.

Anyone have any suggestions of a good cooling system for a Pentium MMX processor?

[kwai]

i prefer a system exhauster -- intake is good, but you don't always know if the air is just being recirculated.

i like the super slot drive (or super duper, whichever is the newer one). its powerful and quiet, but you need to have a slot (or two) free.
this place is pretty good:
http://2cooltek.safeshopper.com/


you'll probably need another fan besides that, intake or exhaust. it all depends on your case/mb config.

[JW310]

kwai,

I'll check out that link that you sent. For more info. about the case/mb layout, the computer is a Gateway2K G5-233 in a desktop-style case, with an ATX mb inside.
AFAIK, there is no place at the front of the case where I could mount an intake fan (I do want to put the intake at the front, with exhaust at the back, right??), and the only place I could put cooling in the back would be the slot fans you recommended. We'll see how the wallet supports the cooling, though... Being a high school student with no part-time job makes the income a little tight, but I manage.

[kwai]

**** oem cases... could be there's a space for a fan in front, but they didn't provide the fan holder with the case.

yeah, intake front, vent in back works for most people, but it doesnt look like you got much of a choice.

if you don't live in a place that's dusty, and there's no kids or pets around, you could just leave the case open and blow a regular fan in. not pretty, but cheap. did that for awhile myself.

if you're real desperate, you can start cutting holes in the case and mounting fans yourself. look at the same site, but follow the http://www.2cooltek.com/ link to see lots of good ideas from the store owner. of course, if that's the only case you're going to have for awhile, i'd be real careful...

good luck

[JW310]

I don't think it would be too good of an idea to start cutting holes in the case to make room for fans - the computer is my parents' computer, and I don't think they'd appreciate it if I made a mistake, and messed up the case....

For now, I think I'm going to look into the slot fans, and maybe even a better heat sink/fan for the processor.... try to keep one of the sources of the heat cooler.