| Author |
Message |
Dan White
Guest
|
 Posted:
Mon Feb 14, 2005 2:04 am Post subject:
Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
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Hi,
I have a really annoying and bizarre problem. Since I reinstalled XP Pro at
Christmas, I have had a nightmare with certain .avi files, in particular
ones that have been obtained via BitTorrent.
With many avi files, when I try to play them, my system immediately reboots.
No warning, no BSOD, no errors, nothing. It's as if someone just pulled the
plug. When I restart, there's nothing in the event log, no crash dump,
nothing to give me a clue as to what is going on. Occasionally, even
clicking on the file is enough to cause the computer to reboot.
I have tried opening the offending files in programs such as GSpot to find
out if it is a nonexistent codec error. Usually GSpot reports that the file
is playable (and often Xvid encoded), but if I click on the "render" button,
it then reboots.
I'm at a loss to explain it. At first I thought it might have been a
corruption in the "Thumbs.db" file, which caused it to crash when trying to
read the thumbnail info. I deleted *all* the Thumbs.db files and tried
again, but I'm still getting the same problem.
Does anyone have any suggestions please? I wouldn't mind if it crashed in a
controlled manner, but a spontaneous reboot is getting very annoying.
Ta,
Dan
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.
|
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Clive Lumb
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:39 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
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|
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> a écrit dans le message de
news:379tmlF586qaoU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | Hi,
I have a really annoying and bizarre problem. Since I reinstalled XP Pro
at
Christmas, I have had a nightmare with certain .avi files, in particular
ones that have been obtained via BitTorrent.
With many avi files, when I try to play them, my system immediately
reboots.
No warning, no BSOD, no errors, nothing. It's as if someone just pulled
the
plug. When I restart, there's nothing in the event log, no crash dump,
nothing to give me a clue as to what is going on. Occasionally, even
clicking on the file is enough to cause the computer to reboot.
I have tried opening the offending files in programs such as GSpot to find
out if it is a nonexistent codec error. Usually GSpot reports that the
file
is playable (and often Xvid encoded), but if I click on the "render"
button,
it then reboots.
I'm at a loss to explain it. At first I thought it might have been a
corruption in the "Thumbs.db" file, which caused it to crash when trying
to
read the thumbnail info. I deleted *all* the Thumbs.db files and tried
again, but I'm still getting the same problem.
Does anyone have any suggestions please? I wouldn't mind if it crashed in
a
controlled manner, but a spontaneous reboot is getting very annoying.
Ta,
Dan
I have seen this sort of behaviour with a corrupt codec. In my case it was |
AC3filter.
Try removing/updating your codecs.
Good luck
Clive |
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Dan White
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:58 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Clive Lumb" <clumb2@Gratuit_in_English.fr.invalid> wrote in message
news:420fd71a$0$12834$626a14ce@news.free.fr...
<snip>
| Quote: |
I have seen this sort of behaviour with a corrupt codec. In my case it was
AC3filter.
Try removing/updating your codecs.
|
Thanks Clive, I'll give that a go.
Dan.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying. |
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Just Me
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:31 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
It could be your CPU is getting too hot. I was having a similar problem and
then installed this much larger heat sink and fan and never had trouble
since. I bought it at a computer parts store for something like $15. The
newer CPU's create quite a bit of heat compared to a few years ago.
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:379tmlF586qaoU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | Hi,
I have a really annoying and bizarre problem. Since I reinstalled XP Pro
at Christmas, I have had a nightmare with certain .avi files, in
particular ones that have been obtained via BitTorrent.
With many avi files, when I try to play them, my system immediately
reboots. No warning, no BSOD, no errors, nothing. It's as if someone just
pulled the plug. When I restart, there's nothing in the event log, no
crash dump, nothing to give me a clue as to what is going on.
Occasionally, even clicking on the file is enough to cause the computer to
reboot.
I have tried opening the offending files in programs such as GSpot to find
out if it is a nonexistent codec error. Usually GSpot reports that the
file is playable (and often Xvid encoded), but if I click on the "render"
button, it then reboots.
I'm at a loss to explain it. At first I thought it might have been a
corruption in the "Thumbs.db" file, which caused it to crash when trying
to read the thumbnail info. I deleted *all* the Thumbs.db files and tried
again, but I'm still getting the same problem.
Does anyone have any suggestions please? I wouldn't mind if it crashed in
a controlled manner, but a spontaneous reboot is getting very annoying.
Ta,
Dan
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.
|
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Dan White
Guest
|
| Posted:
Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:25 pm Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Just Me" <theclient@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:acTPd.993$W%5.576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
| Quote: | It could be your CPU is getting too hot. I was having a similar problem
and then installed this much larger heat sink and fan and never had
trouble since. I bought it at a computer parts store for something like
$15. The newer CPU's create quite a bit of heat compared to a few years
ago.
|
Hi,
I looked into that, but I'm running twin radial fans on the heatsink, and
the CPU never gets above 42 degrees C, even after several hours video
encoding, so I'm ok on that score.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying. |
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|
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Just Me
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:08 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
Another easy thing to do is to pull out the power supply cable to the
motherboard a few times to help clean the connection. You could also move
the RAM to another available slot that might be a better connection. I'm
not sure how a software problem would cause the computer to re-boot itself,
seems more like hardware. Also, when it happens, do you hear the power
supply fan slowing down? If it does, it could be the power supply. A
computer store will check the power supply for free if you remove it from
the computer and bring in.
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:37bjm2F5bhec3U1@individual.net...
| Quote: | "Just Me" <theclient@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:acTPd.993$W%5.576@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
It could be your CPU is getting too hot. I was having a similar problem
and then installed this much larger heat sink and fan and never had
trouble since. I bought it at a computer parts store for something like
$15. The newer CPU's create quite a bit of heat compared to a few years
ago.
Hi,
I looked into that, but I'm running twin radial fans on the heatsink, and
the CPU never gets above 42 degrees C, even after several hours video
encoding, so I'm ok on that score.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.
|
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|
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Brian Kraft
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:22 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
Dan White wrote:
| Quote: | I have a really annoying and bizarre problem. Since I reinstalled XP Pro at
Christmas, I have had a nightmare with certain .avi files, in particular
ones that have been obtained via BitTorrent.
With many avi files, when I try to play them, my system immediately reboots.
No warning, no BSOD, no errors, nothing. It's as if someone just pulled the
plug. When I restart, there's nothing in the event log, no crash dump,
nothing to give me a clue as to what is going on. Occasionally, even
clicking on the file is enough to cause the computer to reboot.
I have tried opening the offending files in programs such as GSpot to find
out if it is a nonexistent codec error. Usually GSpot reports that the file
is playable (and often Xvid encoded), but if I click on the "render" button,
it then reboots.
I'm at a loss to explain it. At first I thought it might have been a
corruption in the "Thumbs.db" file, which caused it to crash when trying to
read the thumbnail info. I deleted *all* the Thumbs.db files and tried
again, but I'm still getting the same problem.
Does anyone have any suggestions please? I wouldn't mind if it crashed in a
controlled manner, but a spontaneous reboot is getting very annoying.
|
news://news.readfreenews.net/thas015oe5ina75rudenkk7phc6464m6f7@4ax.com
May be a related problem. |
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|
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Dan White
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:39 pm Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Just Me" <client@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:_XbQd.541$IU.287@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
| Quote: | Another easy thing to do is to pull out the power supply cable to the
motherboard a few times to help clean the connection. You could also move
the RAM to another available slot that might be a better connection. I'm
not sure how a software problem would cause the computer to re-boot
itself, seems more like hardware. Also, when it happens, do you hear the
power supply fan slowing down? If it does, it could be the power supply.
A computer store will check the power supply for free if you remove it
from the computer and bring in.
|
Ok, have already cleaned the contacts for the PSU.
Ran Memtest x86 continuously for 48 hours, no problems.
PSU fan doesn't slow down, and is a 550W beast so should be fine. Multimeter
tests across the terminals show the voltages to be spot on, as does the
motherboard diagnostic software.
Which is why I'm getting a bit confused!
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying. |
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Dan White
Guest
|
| Posted:
Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:41 pm Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Brian Kraft" <bkraft@nyx.net> wrote in message
news:42115c75$0$1745$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net...
<snip>
Hmmm, interesting, and something I'd like to do even if it *isn't* the
problem!
Thanks for that, I'll give it a go.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying. |
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Just Me
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Feb 16, 2005 5:03 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
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|
One thing you could do as a last resort is to completely reformat the hard
drive (erase completely) and reinstall Windows. Sounds like you just did
that last Christmas. Did you reformat or just install Windows on top of
itself? What type of computer are you using?
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:37e5f1F5bt8ofU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | "Brian Kraft" <bkraft@nyx.net> wrote in message
news:42115c75$0$1745$892e7fe2@authen.yellow.readfreenews.net...
snip
news://news.readfreenews.net/thas015oe5ina75rudenkk7phc6464m6f7@4ax.com
May be a related problem.
Hmmm, interesting, and something I'd like to do even if it *isn't* the
problem!
Thanks for that, I'll give it a go.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.
|
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Dan White
Guest
|
| Posted:
Wed Feb 16, 2005 3:18 pm Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Just Me" <client@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Y4wQd.1166$kU3.170@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
| Quote: | One thing you could do as a last resort is to completely reformat the hard
drive (erase completely) and reinstall Windows. Sounds like you just did
that last Christmas.
|
Yup, about 8 weeks ago.
| Quote: | Did you reformat or just install Windows on top of itself?
|
Low level format, the only way to be sure...
| Quote: | What type of computer are you using?
|
Athlon XP2800+, 1Gb RAM, 720Gb across 6 hard discs. Self built.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying. |
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Just Me
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:01 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
How can you have 6 hard discs when there are only 4 places to plug into on
the motherboard?
Also, have you checked for viruses? Your problem sounds like something an
annoying virus would do.
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:37gkv9F5e1hadU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | "Just Me" <client@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Y4wQd.1166$kU3.170@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
One thing you could do as a last resort is to completely reformat the
hard drive (erase completely) and reinstall Windows. Sounds like you
just did that last Christmas.
Yup, about 8 weeks ago.
Did you reformat or just install Windows on top of itself?
Low level format, the only way to be sure...
What type of computer are you using?
Athlon XP2800+, 1Gb RAM, 720Gb across 6 hard discs. Self built.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.
|
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Dan White
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Feb 17, 2005 4:49 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Just Me" <theclient@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:yhQQd.2030$IU.440@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
| Quote: | How can you have 6 hard discs when there are only 4 places to plug into on
the motherboard?
|
Ever hear of a RAID controller card? :-)
Actually, I just checked. It's seven discs plus DVD burner.
| Quote: | Also, have you checked for viruses? Your problem sounds like something an
annoying virus would do.
|
Full scan every morning, including inside archive/zip files, update check
every 24 hours.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying. |
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Just Me
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:42 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
You could also check the system bios to see if it is set to re-boot the
computer upon an error. Do you know how to get into the Bios?
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:37i4fbF5e3i4bU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | "Just Me" <theclient@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:yhQQd.2030$IU.440@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
How can you have 6 hard discs when there are only 4 places to plug into
on the motherboard?
Ever hear of a RAID controller card? :-)
Actually, I just checked. It's seven discs plus DVD burner.
Also, have you checked for viruses? Your problem sounds like something
an annoying virus would do.
Full scan every morning, including inside archive/zip files, update check
every 24 hours.
--
Dan White
(dan@finex666.org.uk)
Perform an exorcism when replying.
|
|
|
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|
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Clive Lumb
Guest
|
| Posted:
Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:22 am Post subject:
Re: Bizarre restarts when accessing .avi files |
|
|
"Dan White" <me@privacy.net> a écrit dans le message de
news:37a4c1F5c0r1mU1@individual.net...
| Quote: | "Clive Lumb" <clumb2@Gratuit_in_English.fr.invalid> wrote in message
news:420fd71a$0$12834$626a14ce@news.free.fr...
snip
I have seen this sort of behaviour with a corrupt codec. In my case it
was
AC3filter.
Try removing/updating your codecs.
Thanks Clive, I'll give that a go.
Dan.
Hi Dan, |
I see that you're still struggling.
Did you try removing and reinstalling all the codecs ?
Does the problem occur whatever software you use to play your avis ?
I have found that VLC is far more understanding with corrupt avi files. For
example WMP will freeze the computer, BSPlayer will freeze itself and VLC
will play. If you get similar behaviour then you should suspect either
corrupt avis or once again a codec issue.
If all player software provokes restarts then the problem is more likely to
be a driver or hardware issue.
You could try some/all of the following:
Make sure that you don't have a card in the PCI slot adjacent to the AGP
slot (these two slots share an interrupt)
Run Dxdiag and make sure that all dlls check out OK and that the graphics
and sound rendering tests all work
Remove ALL divx/xvid codecs then install just ffdshow and AC3filter
Update your graphics card driver to the latest version
Update your sound chip driver to the latest version
Try a graphics card with a different chipset (e.g. ATI if you have an
Nvidia)
If your graphics card has TV-Out or dual screen, make sure that it is turned
off.
Try changing the rendering mode in your player (WMP
Tools->Options->Performance->Advanced-> Turn off "use overlay"), this will
reduce performance but may allow the videos to play. If this is the case,
then there is probably hardware problem.
Try burning a "bad" avi onto a CD and playing it from there (to check if it
isn't a buffer I/O problem on your RAID card).
Good luck ! |
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