Relic

Been a while since I've been around 2000, never touched ME, but can't you just download a 98 bootdisk from bootdisk.com, boot from the floppy, swap over to your CD drive with the 2000 CD in it, type in "setup.exe" and install 2000? Man, I can't remember the last time I booted off a floppy, I don't even have a floppy in my current system.

Here's a couple cards, not on the list, but compatible with your mobo anyhow. I like EVGA because they have a good track record, and the best warranty in the biz. Shop around for price, these are just my suggestions, and where I shop in Canada. http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=20674&vpn=256-A8-N542-TX&manufacture=eVGA http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=16742&vpn=128-A8-N374-TX&manufacture=eVGA http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=17283&vpn=256-A8-N330-LX&manufacture=eVGA

I don't think you're paranoid, I think you may have a virus or Trojan on your system. Possibly a boot sector virus that just keeps coming back after you scan your HDD with an AVP. Possibly just your boot sector is corrupt, either way, it has to be fixed. A corrupt boot sector can give you weird characters for file names, just like a virus. So, try this out, boot from your XP CD, when you get the option to select "R" for the Recovery Console, choose it. Once in the recovery console, type in fixboot and hit enter, this will write a new boot sector to your HDD. If that doesn't solve the prob, boot from the XP CD again, enter the recovery console again, and this time type in fixmbr, this will write a new master boot record to your HDD. I'm sure one of those will do the trick, "fixboot" would be my first attempt at fixing it.

You still have a virus problem, and Norton blows.

We need to know what's running in the background, do you know exactly what every process in your device manager is for? Could you spot something out of the ordinary? If so, you shouldn't be asking questions in here, you should be answering them.

Start up in safe mode, once in Window$, hit "ctrl+alt+delete", take a screen shot of the "processes" tab, and post it in here.

Originally Posted By: Sampson Yes, Relic, that is the Asus Board - HP also lists it here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/docum...cname=c00054445 What caused me to hesitate about the AGP slot was the AGP2 specification and IGP onboard video usually indicates that it uses the older AGP specification. But, if it is the 4X, he should be able to choose from a multiple of cards. Thanks for pointing it out. Yeah, kinda misleading, the 2.0 stands for the AGP spec, not the speed, as in AGP 1.0/2.0/3.0. Be nice if HP would specify the AGP bus speed like every other manufacturer on the planet, instead of the AGP specification. Great resource here for those still using AGP and looking to upgrade: AGP Compliance

Couple questions, first one being: What are your system specs? Are you running with onboard sound, or using a sound card? If you're running with onboard sound, have you updated ALL your mobo drivers?

Originally Posted By: shassouneh Hmm, I'm seeing more and more people leaning towards the 7300 GS here. Relic and Raven, please re-read the original post. I have found a 7300 GS / 256 Meg for $62 or so shipped. However, it says 64-Bit Texture Filtering and Blending. I don't know if that is the same as the RAM interface, which I sometimes see posted as 128 bit. Can someone clarify? Also, here is the link to the 7300 I found: GeForce 7300 GS 256MB on Geeks Yes, that's the memory interface; 64bit, which is slow. When it comes to gaming, 64bit just doesn't cut it, especially with newer games. Just know in advance, if you plan on playing games like BF2/FEAR/FarCry/HL2, forget about AA/AF, and stay at 800X600 or lower to get any kind of performance out of the card. That's just the way it is, unfortunately, a 6600GT AGP will smoke a 7300GS, hands down.

BTW, this is his mobo here Sampson ASUS A7V8X-LA

Yes a GeForce will run in your computer, you have an AGP 4X/8X slot, no need for a PCI card, it would be useless for flight sims anyhow, not much better than your onboard graphics... What flight sim are you thinking of playing? That will give us a better idea of what you need to run it with decent graphics.

Don't be fooled by "turbo-cache", that just means that the card has to use system RAM(which slows the card down as compared to onboard video RAM) to reach it's full potential. The wee graph on the TD site is also misleading, it's being compared to an X300 128mb, which is not in the same league. Stay away from turbo-cache unless you have at least a gig of RAM in your system, and then it will still be slower than what nVidia states.

I wouldn't suggest either one of those cards for gaming. If you go with a 6600, get a "GT". If you're going with the 7X00 series, go with a 7600, GS/GTS, or GT. 7600GS for $105 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130020 7600GT for $129 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130062

Wonky mobo AND a very weak PSU...

Sadly enough, I'm happy to have helped. If Micro$haft just used fair business practices, situations like this would never occur.

21 when gaming.

The only way around the BS and red-tape at Micro$haft is to lie. Tell them you had to RMA your HDD because it failed, problem solved. They only give you a hassle with OEM versions of Windoze. Should you upgrade your mobo/HDD/anything that requires re-installing Windoze, you will go through the same hassle everytime, which is BS. Always lie, and all will be well. Sad situation, but this is how M$ is a facillitator when it comes to w4r3z, they force owners of legitimate copies to use cracks. Can they get any greedier?

I have a Linksys 4-port router, no need for a hub, just connect the modem to the wall outlet, ethernet connection on modem to the internet connection on the router, plug in your systems, and you're done.

Wow, thanks for the info!

Are you clicking the "apply" button after changing the setting?

Originally posted by trottsta_man: Quote: yes it is the PCIe version, so i will try to change it for the AGP version, thankyou for your reply. hopefully the other type will work!! Dude, please go back to Sampson's post and click the "solution" tab under his post, this helps others in the same predicament. Thanks man.

Quit surfing pr0n sites.

Good to see you got it fixed up, no thanks to COX. I don't worry about tweaking my connection, currently my speeds are very good, streaming video/music is flawless. Download Speed: 4851 kbps (606.4 KB/sec transfer rate) Upload Speed: 365 kbps (45.6 KB/sec transfer rate)

That makes no sense whatsoever, very weird. Before I'd format the works, I'd be calling cox. I'm with Rogers cable here in Barrie ON Can, there is no "time to live", my cable is always on. No need for "pings", my TV is always on, so is my cable internet. If you're losing your connection on a regular basis, either your modem is faulty, or you need a new ISP. Cable has two things going for it, number one is speed, number two is that it's always on. Time to dial the "800" number and start asking questions......

Have you tried shutting down Zone Alarm 6.5, MS Defender, and Kaspersky? Turn them all off, then try connecting. If that works, try them one at a time, then together. Personally, I believe you have overkill going on here, they're fighting each other and screwing up your connection.