Games??

[CJ550]

Hi everyone, I have a few problems, a friend(??) upgraded my computer a few months back from a Tiny off-the-shelf to an upgrade- ( XP Pro SP2(5.1.2600)Memory512mB, nVidiaGeForce6600GT... SoundBlasterLive(24bit) Looking at my computer I see Realtek AC'97 then STATUS: ERROR (does this mean anything?) cannot play most new games on my computer. It started with TOCA RaceDriver 2, then GTR, Brother In Arms and Battlefield 2 (BF2.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close) completely pissed off, any ideas? Thanks

[-pops-]

The AC97 error is an indication that the on-board sound system has not been properly disabled following the installation of the Creative card.

Now, from my point of view, you can never really successfully upgrade a computer by sticking on a few extra bits and bobs. This, coupled with the fact that the original machine was, shall we say, probably not of the highest quality manufacture, if you want an improved computer, it is far better and more economical in the long run to start again with a new system.

As you are experiencing now, there are problems with your upgraded machine that will most likely cost money to put right but then something else will be amiss which, in turn will cost etc., etc. By the time you have a "good" system, all of the important components will have been replaced and you will have most likely laid out more money than the price of a new computer.

Sorry to seem harsh, even cruel, and negativistic but, that's how I've found things from many years of building computers and patching up other peoples machines - especially ones they've upgraded.

[Alan2273]

If your friend upgraded it for you he needs to go into the BIOS and under integrated peripherals he needs to disable AC97 sound.

What wattage power supply is fitted in your computer?.

As pops said above it generally costs you more to sort out these sort of problems.

[andsome]

Get one built by a local specialist if you do go down the road of buying new. The commercial boys will rip you off with offers of so called FREE add ons and software that you don't need and is NOT free, but included in the original costings of the machine. You are also likely in the event of any problems occurring, to spend ages on premium rate telephone helplines, despite having a so called on site warranty.

[Rebel=UK=]

slap a nocd on them end of problem as your replacing the exe anyhow, plus you can keep the CD/DVD's all new in the box :) (i wouldnt do this with BF2 because if Punkbuster sees you have a modified .exe you will get kicked/banned from the server as it thinks your cheating, you need to mount a virtual image to get round that). Toca race driver 2 uses that awful starforce protection aswell...really bad that, even when you uninstall the game its still on your pc causeing system slowdowns, PC instability, device conflicts, and it is nearly impossible to remove. I have a tool if you want it that will remove it.

link removed -- SM

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