Computer hangs, directx prob? AGP prob?

[Buggeroo]

I have a quite annoying problem with my computer hanging.

Just for reference, my system is an AMD K6-2 500 on an Acorp 5ali61 motherboard, 128MB RAM, Hightech HIS Geforce2 mx400 graphics.

Here's what been happening:

The whole thing started a while ago, when my computer started crashing at seemingly random times. Mostly on the desktop, after reviewing several symptoms I concluded that it had to be my graphics card(I had wanted to get a new one for some time anyway), so I bought a new one(the Geforce 2 MX400). Nothing changed though and more specifically this is the problem: Sometimes it just hangs on the desktop for no apparent reason. It seems to not do it if i run with the standard VGA adapter from Windows(which is why I thought it was a graphics card issue in the first place). I cannot run direct3d games as they will crash. I CAN run OpenGL games though (which previously made me think it was a driver problem, but it is still there with the new Geforce). I don't think it is a cpu overheating problem as I can run QuakeIII for hours with no problems and I have "underclocked" the cpu to 400 mhz. I have tried removing all unnessecary hardware (such as network and sound cards) but no difference.

Could this be a problem related to AGP or the motherboard in general or what. I'm stumped!

I know this was a long rant, but I like to cover as many sides of a problem as possible to give you guys a beter chance of figuring it out

Please help me as I am going nuts.

 

[xscape]

It may sound linke an obvious thing, but are you sure your motherboard supports 4x AGP (or 2x even)? I had a similar problem when I upgraded to a GeForce2 card on my old computer (AMD K6/2 500 and the motherboard was an Ali Chipset if I remember correctly). That too would hang for no apparent reason, yet I could run Deus Ex for ages with no probs, it crashed all the time when on the desktop or something similar. I had a quick look at the motherbard manual (which I should have done before getting the card) and found it only supported 1x AGP. Worth checking out if you haven't already!

Hope it helps

 

[Buggeroo]

Well, it does sound as if your problem was similar to mine, but if this is the problem isn't there some way of telling the card to run only 1xAGP?

 

[Buggeroo]

BTW i seem to recall at some point changing a setting somewhere with my old card (Nvidia Riva Vanta) to make it run 2x in stead of 1xAGP, which could have started this whole thing in the first place i guess.

According to Acorp's site the board only supports 1xAGP, so i am afraid you have a point xscape

 

[xscape]

I'm afraid the GeForce cards will run at 2x and 4x. However, AGP 1x was too far before 2x and 4x to make the card work with it (it's also to do with voltage differences if I rememeber rightly). So, in short, the GeForce won't work with 1x AGP. Sorry mate. You can return the card, or maybe upgrade your system (that was my excuse to upgrade, well that's what I told myself).

Hope you work it out!