Rendering frustrations... Computer shuts down!

zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 6:20 AM
Hello,

I have been trying to render a video (about 15 hour render time) and after an hour or two I come back to my computer and notice that there is no video signal or hard drive activity. Nothing I do can revive my computer!

I have successfully rendered this video once (unfortunately I needed to make some changes), but the last three times it has crashed like I stated above.

I have booted up using msconfig and shut off everything that was running in memory (anti-virus, firewall, etc...) and it still crashes in the middle of a render.

I am trying to get a movie done for someone and this is delaying the process.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks,

Steve

Comments

JJKizak wrote on 1/10/2004, 6:27 AM
It could be a heat problem---bad fan, processor heats up and shuts off.
If it is a fan go to the higher rpm kit for the processor or make sure the fans are working in the cabinet. You can temporarily open the cabinet and use a large fan to blow into the computer during render as a check to see if it works. If it does, well---.

JJK
kentwolf wrote on 1/10/2004, 6:30 AM
Yup. Sounds like a heat issue, due either to bad fans/heat dissipation or overclocking.
craftech wrote on 1/10/2004, 6:50 AM
Before we go through the same endless list of standard crap:

You have a heat problem
You didn't defrag
You have an IRQ conflict
You forgot to enable DMA
You need to disable DMA
etc. ad naseum

Please post as much of your entire configuration including motherboard model and all other hardware and OS. Also indicate whether this is a dedicated machine or the family computer.


John
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 7:16 AM
I don't think it is a heat problem. I am using a 80 mm tornado case fan (it moves a lot of air). I also have Intel’s active monitor that tells me the processor temperature as well as two zones in the case. All are in normal limits (although the temps do go up during rendering).

My computer:
P4 3.06 GHz with HT
Motherboard: Intel D865GL
Ram: 1 GB
Hard Drives: 1 Samsung 120GB, 1 WD 120 GB. Both are 7200 RPM
Graphics card: Radeon 9700 pro
Audio: Integrated (Sound MAX)
Firewire card
Cable modem

This computer is not the family computer. My kids have a separate PC for their stuff.
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 7:18 AM
Sorry I forgot to add that I am using Windows XP Home Edition with SP1 installed.
JJKizak wrote on 1/10/2004, 8:06 AM
You might check your event log in the Intel motheboard temp monitor to see if it recorded an overtemp.

JJK
craftech wrote on 1/10/2004, 9:02 AM
In looking over your configuration and reading the description of your problem I would first look at the Radeon 9700 Pro.
ATI has never been known for having reliable driver sets, but in terms of the entire system shutting down I would look to a heat related problem first, but to the video card overheating not the system in general. You should do the following:
1. Remove the case cover.
2. Check to see if the video card fan is turning and that THE CARD IS PROPERLY SEATED.
3. Take a length of drier duct or something similar and tape it to the video card (over the existing fan). Try to isolate it so that it is only blowing on the card.
4. Put a room fan on the other end of the duct and turn it on.
5. Start the render

If that works, seek to upgrade the card's fan and/or improve the airflow around the card.


You may also want to check your memory and remove a recently added memory module if you did that.

Also, if you have removed the motherboard and reinstalled it, check for shorts.

John
pelladon wrote on 1/10/2004, 9:38 AM
zstevek, what kind of power supply do you have (wattage, rating).

The ATI 9700 sucks power like crazy, your old PS might be giving out.
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 9:49 AM
Thanks John,

I will try out your suggestions.

Steve
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 9:53 AM
I have a 300 watt power supply.

I just checked my battery backup's power status and during normal usage it is recording 205 Watts of power consumption. During a render the power consumption goes up to 283 Watts!

Do power supplies just shut down the computer when they reach their maximum capacity?
JJKizak wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:06 AM
I would definitely get a new 500 or 600 watt power supply. What you have now is like driving a car at maximum speed and rpm and it won't last.

JJK
craftech wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:13 AM
The power supply would be the next step, but don't go by the wattage rating. It's BS.
Best bet: Give me the model number off the side of the PS.

John
pelladon wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:16 AM
No a 300W just can't handle today's systems. You'll have to replace it.

Yea, a power supply will shut down if too much power is drawn from it. Had that happen before.
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:17 AM
I forgot one thing when I listed my battery backup power output........ My monitor is connected to it. To get a valid reading I would have to plug my monitor into the wall and see how much power my battery backup is supplying.
pelladon wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:18 AM
True, but a 300W?? And he's got a P4 with 2 HDs, a ATI card. A miracle it lasted as long as it did.
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:22 AM
After connecting my monitor to another outlet the reading is now 135 Watts in an idol state and 201 Watts during a render. That gives me 100 Watts to work with so I don't think it is my power supply.
craftech wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:40 AM
After connecting my monitor to another outlet the reading is now 135 Watts in an idol state and 201 Watts during a render. That gives me 100 Watts to work with so I don't think it is my power supply.
----------------------------------------------------------

It's irrelevant.

You need to know the sustained output at a given load. The rated wattage is BS and the quality control is often very poor today. There are 280 watt PS which will outperform 400 watt ones.
Tell me the name and model and I'll look it up.

John
JohnS wrote on 1/10/2004, 10:56 AM
Hey Zstevek,

I got a couple of All-in-Wonder cards (9700 & 9800) at the office and the Dell boxes that we put them in wouldn't even fire up. After spending days of frustration, we finally tried a larger power supply (450 Watt). Presto. It worked. Needless to say, because of this, I, too, am in the power supply camp. You should be able to find a fairly inexpensive one ($50-$100) at your local computer store. I'd certainly try it. If it's the answer, it will certainly be worth it. If not, bring it back.
pelladon wrote on 1/10/2004, 11:07 AM
Here's a interesting document:

http://www.formfactors.org/developer/specs/ATX12V_1_3dg.pdf

Gives tables, graphs and other specs pertaining to ATX12V power supplies.
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 11:24 AM
My power supply is an:

Allied, Model: AL-A300 ATX

Thanks,

Steve
craftech wrote on 1/10/2004, 11:56 AM
Zstevek,
The Allied, Model: AL-A300 ATX is a Deer company model and typically goes for $20-$35. It is capable maintaining only around 160 watts and supplying a relatively low amperage of 15A or so to the 3.3v circuits, 20A to the +5v circuits, 5A to the +12v circuit.

The company is noted for its poor quality control as well.

I would try the suggestions I mentioned above, then see if you can swap out the PS from someone elses computer to see if it helps.

If you decide to buy one, I would suggest any PS by Fortran Source or one of the Antec "True Power" series such as this one:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006B6TB/qid=1073764460/sr=1-71/ref=sr_1_71/002-8396701-9352038?v=glance&s=electronics

or this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006B6TD/qid=1073764460/sr=1-79/ref=sr_1_79/002-8396701-9352038?v=glance&s=electronics

But please swap it out if you can first before you go sinking money into it.

John
zstevek wrote on 1/10/2004, 1:30 PM
It only supplies 160 W of power? It says right on the power supply that it supplies 280 W and 300 W maximum. How could it supply only half of what it is rated for?

farss wrote on 1/10/2004, 2:07 PM
This is a very common bit of cheating on the manufacturers part.
Say at 5V it can supply 20 Amps, thats 100W
Say at 12V it can supply 5 Amps thats 60W
So you might think its a 160 Watt power supply.
Well no because it cannot supply both those fugures at the same time. Problem lies in the inverter circuit that converts the mains power, maybe it's only good for 120 Watts. So if you try to load both the 5 V and 12 V supplies to full load it'll shutdown.

Unfortunately most people buying power supplies don't understand this and in any case the manufacturer doesn't give you enough info to know although I've seen some rediculous claims, like a 400 Watt power supply that draws only 2 Amps from the mains. You immediately know something has got to be wrong, 250 Watts in to get 400 Watts out!