RoninCS

The exploit, as you call it, crashes servers, not clients. I still maintain my previous comments.

Go to MS' Explorer website and take a look. Explicitly lists that it's only installable under WinXP. If you're using it under other OS', then you may want to check the licensing agreement.

30+ GXP drives with no issues. Some I've had for..hrmm...almost 3 years now.

The last 2 are a Tbird 1.4GHz at 1.6GHz straight multiplier OCing with just a Thermaltake Orb on the cpu and Arctic Silver 2 paste. I'm considering throwing it into the Kryotech to see what I can do with it.

This doesn't include the 3 systems I've built since the new year. Any questions on the rack, feel free to ask.

Sound loop is happening because you're freezing, so most likely nothing to do with your sound card at all. CS the only game you use openGL by chance? If so, you might want to try reinstalling the drivers, or trying a newer version (of course that would mean using beta drivers, but..). Let me know what you find.

<---Uses USB KB and had the same situation on my dual 1900MP setup. This is why I brought it to the table.

I would check the Voltage multiplier settings on your board to be sure they are default for your setup. Also, are you running a USB KB or a PS2 one? Some motherboards by default will not recognize a USB KB on boot, and that may cause your issue there. If it's a PS2, then perhaps trying a different KB. Asus is a rock solid mb manufacturer in my experience (I have several Asus boards here in the house), and I have no doubts they are correct in that the board is working properly.

Mushkin in all my systems, and not a bad chip in the bunch. They have also proven fairly stable in FSB OC situations, which is what I spend my time doing, as I test multiple platforms with multiple CPUs/RAM configurations.

Powerstrip allows you to adjust gamma on the fly. My suggestion for a resolution for you.

Check your Vid drivers and your DX install. I play CS flawlessly on my machine, and never had such an error, so the problem is HW related somewhere.

Powerstrip does not require you to register it for it to work..you only have to deal with that popup screen if you don't register it. It's an excellent utility to modify a lot of things in regards to your Vid card, and a must have for me wheneve I install a new OS on a computer I plan on using for gaming.

MSN Explorer..the one you speak of, I believe, was designed for XP only. Not designed for 2k, either. So you're attemtping to install an incompatible software based on OS.

There are also known Creative DMA issues period, regardless of OS that can cause this same problem. I know Creative is aware of this and working on a resolution/workaround, but nothing solid.

There's an inactive icon setting for the taskbar. Right click on the taskbar, select properties and play around there. You'll find it there.

I wanted to update this thread some in regards to some performance tests I've been running. The memory bandwidth issue was discussed, and I wanted to go ahead and run that test and show it here to show that I have no problems doing so: I've no comments to make aside from there is a difference between memory BANDWIDTH and the performance it provides. Bandwidth is one thing, latency is completely separate.

Different experiences all around, but I can certainly see where the loyalties lie.

We could banter this issue back and forth. VIA chipsets were brought up. Is this the only chipset for AMD based motherboards? Hardly. AMD chipsets, SiS, ALi, there are several other alternatives. Stability? The stability is in the system itself and the components as a whole, not one specific area of the system (again, you're talking motherboards, not CPU's). I never argued the point of Intel still being the manufacturer's choice, but I also put in why I felt that was the case. Pertaining to the VIA chipsets, my personal experience has been very good. From the KT133 to the KT266A, I've been satisfied with the results. Why does VIA put out updates? To enhance the performance, for one. Sometimes there are other issues that are addressed, but I'd hardly say there was a problem with them (aside from the issue VIA has had with AGP, which is resolved by buying a board with a Northbridge other than VIA, but not necessary anymore, as those issues were MUCH more prominent at the induction of the Athlon). You brought up the speed of RAM. RAMBUS latency is hellaciously slow in real world applications, as well as games. It's not a gamers machine, and Intel shot themselves in the foot by going with RAMBUS. 400MHz FSB? It runs slower than a 133. I've got Xeons, and a P4 to boot. If you'd like, I'll be more than happy to run those benches. Let me stress again that I was an Intel user for quite some time. I moved to AMD for multiple reasons: 1. More bang for my buck 2. Better performance 3. Massive stability and speed improvements from the K6 line I could go on, but there's no need. This is simply my expression of my opinion based on 12 years of background in the industry, and literally weeks of testing on a multitude of test beds. Note again that AMD CPU's aren't a *little* bit faster. The benchmarks there clearly show that a 600MHz slower CPU dusts the P4 2.0GHz. I hardly see that as a small difference, especially for the cost comparison. I have no less than 17 computers in my home (12 of which in an AS400 rack) that serve multiple purposes. From Celeron 2's to P4's to Athlon MP's. I test time and again, using multiple different formats (OS, RAM, Vid, programs and benchmarking tools). The reason I posted the shots above were because the system that was tested was nothing special. Very basic, not beefed up, just a fresh install with the proper drivers. Still an eye opening, imho.

Just wanted to put in my 2 cents: This is a benchmark I did on one of my base systems. Nothing special about the system, no tweaks in either of the benchmarks. The OCing is done via the Bios via FSB. Even at base speed, the P4 2.0GHz (right now at a $300 price difference). It's not just about creating an inexpensive competitive CPU. It's about the performance the CPU provides. Is it fact that most manufacturers are still using Intel for their systems (computer manufacturers, that is)? Yup, very much so. Could be that AMD has left a bad taste in their mouth from the K6-2/3 CPU's. Could be a lot of other things. But having been an Intel user for quite some time up to the release of the Athlons, and still being an Intel user on 8 of my systems, I'll take the AMD path over the Intel one bar none. There is no comparison. Oh, forgot to put the actual system specs of the system of the test: FIC AD11 1.4GHz DDR Tbird 512MB of PC2100 27.3GB IBM 7200RPM