System Lockups

Go to start-> run and type in MSCONFIG and click OK; click on Uncheck process config.sys & process Autoexec.bat & load startup group items; click on win.ini TAB, Click on the (+) next to windows and Uncheck the "run=" & "load=" Lines; click on startup TAB, CHECK scan registry & system tray (Note. if system has winmodem be sure to check that too); Click Apply then OK (reboot)

Go to start-> run and type in SYSTEM.INI and click OK; scroll down To the [386enh] category. at the Bottom of that category type this

MinSPs=12
next scroll down till you see the category [VCACHE]; type under it:

MinFileCache=(vcache size) - MaxFileCache=(vcache size) - ChunkSize=512 - <---space--->
click on file-> save then exit system.ini

Right-click My Computer-> properties and click on performance, click file system and change typical role of this machine from Desktop Computer to Network Server, click on apply-> OK, click virtual memory click on change both minimum and maximum from what they are to (swap size) click ok, say "Yes", click close (reboot).

Click start-> programs-> accessories-> system tools-> disk cleanup, choose c: and click ok, select all, hit "Ok", say "Yes", click on start-> find-> files and folders, look in c:\ and find files named:

Memory table based on total system RAM
16 4096 32
32 8192 64
64 16384 128
96 24576 192
128 32768 256
256 65536 512
(calculate RAM/4=VCache; RAM*2=Swap)

Try that. If that doesnt work, you might want to upgrade your RAM. 64 megs is the MINIMUM for windows ME AND TO run high end games, you will probably need more. Nogo there, disable devices in device manager one by one to see if it is hardware. Nogo, reload windows.

Try loading the Detonator 3 drivers from www.nvidia.com - I had similar errors with my GeForce 256 DDR when using my Asus drivers, but the NVidia drivers remedied the problem.

If the games you play are on the Net, then you may have to go and clean up your internet files... If you have Microsoft Internet Explorer: go to View, Internet Options, and click on the middle (Delete Files)and last (Clear History) buttons....

Also, click on the START button and go to your TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES on your C:> Drive and clean that out as well.

Most people don't realize that they need to do this every so often to clean up their PC -- especially, if they are high-end users of the Net....

Hope this helps....

I can think of a couple of possible solutions.

1) Heat. Both the Athlon and the TNT2 make a fair amount of heat. How far apart are they and is there sufficient air flow? The answer is always no, since you can't have too much. You might try leaving the case open and play your games. If it either goes longer than normal before locking or doesn't lock at all, then you know that heat is your problem.

2) RAM. I generally don't play on less than 128 (especially first person shooters). Depending on what programs are running in the background, you may be running low on RAM when playing those games (they tend to be fairly memory intensive). See if you can borrow another 64MB stick and try it again. You'll be happier with 128MB inthe long run.

I ran across this problem with an Athlon in an HP box and ME. The HP cure was simple. Turn off the Graphics Acceleration. THe TNT card does not need the acceleration anyway, expecially if it is an AGP card. ME is a pain. 64 Megs is not enough to run it along with the other loading applications. I suggest an increase of at least 64 Meg more. This should stabilize the system. Also, if you want to really intensify your 3D gameplay, disable everything in the startup (msconfig) except for systray and explorer (only while playing). This should take your resources into the 90'S and disable the screensavers, backgrounds and expecially the damn "WEBSHOTS". Screensaver, backgrounds and WEBSHOTS, even through interesting and pretty will runa system into the ground, expecially one with only 64 megs of Ram. I hope this helps you out.

Paul.

Both AMD and INTEL had an issue with the 800+ mhz on some processors, go to the provider site and see if there is a updated driver or fix provided. Also ME has a few Bugs yet, get the latest fixes on the Win update site. If the Games are run in Dos, this is a real issue with ME , and can be the culprit also , there is a patch for ME somewhere on the Windos site , but you will have to look for it , if the other things don't get the job done (And get more Ram as suggested as ME is sort of a Hog). Hope you resolve it

Which drivers are you using? If you are using the official released drivers from nVidia, then I suggest you try the various beta drivers till you find one that works for your setup. They can be found at www.reactorcritical.com. I had a similar problem with a TNT2 M64 on Windows 2000 PRO. I went through 6-7 betas before I found one that would function error free. The official drivers would all lockup in 3DMark.

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