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Troubleshooting FAQ Added on: Tue Nov 05 2002 |
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This FAQ is a combination of various user and Forum Assistant input on collecting and troubleshooting a large amount of 3dsmax and computer problems. Please read through the list fully, as just looking through it may solve your problem.
This FAQ Was originally posted to the Discreet webboard which has been recently wiped clean due to an upgrade. I originally typed up a large portion of the FAQ and am now having it posted to 3dluvr, when hopefully it won�t be wiped for some time.
[This FAQ and its information now applies to ANY online forum. It also applies to virtually ALL 3d applications. Please do not email me personal computer questions�I WILL CHARGE you.]
Troubleshooting computer issues can be extremely task intensive and aggravating. Please remember that sometimes solutions take a bit of time to work themselves out, and to be patience. We're here to help you, but can only do so if you give us as much information as possible, with clear concise wording.
THE BEGINNING
What exactly is happening to your machine or program? Are you getting a specific error? Is the machine sending out coded beeps? Is usage of the program/machine under an operating system causing a BSOD, Freeze, or reboot? Any stop errors in the event log? Is the machine being overclocked?
Error: This is the computer asking for help. Error messages usually indicate a Dr. Watson, General Fault, or just that your scene has to be saved cause of some problem within max. Make sure to write these down, and tell if they are reproducible or not.
BSOD: Blue screen of Death. Microsoft's trademark error screen. The most important thing to do when this screen appears is write down the first and second line of information. Also make note of when this BSOD occurs, and if it can be reproduced.
(Ex IRQ_NOT_EQUAL_TO_OR_LESS_THAN error occurs while simultaneously playing winamp, and surfing the web)
Freeze: The machine looses all responsiveness. The application may appear to still be open, but music will stop, the mouse pointer will cease to move, and the numlock and capslock keys on the board will be unresponsive. Sometimes the freeze is so intense that you have to completely power of the system to recover. (Aka the reset switch won't work) If a freeze occurs while booting up on the initial bios screen, turn off the machine immediately as it could be tell tale signs of a misaligned or improperly installed heatsink. Try and record when the freeze occurs.
Reboot: While working in the OS/Program the computer spontaneously reboots. If this occurs, the first thing to do is....(Win2k)
Start-settings-crtl panel-system-advanced-startup and recovery. Uncheck automatically reboot. Make sure the event viewer is set to log. This should result in a BSOD next time the error occurs and allow you to provide more information.
Beeps: If your computer makes a series of beeps when it turns on, record the number and length of the beeps and the manufacturer of your motherboard. These beeps are error codes which tell you what components are causing hardware issues.
Event Viewer: Start-Settings-Ctrl Panel-Admin Tools-Event Viewer. The event viewer logs problems between the os and applications, hardware, dll's, other computers, and network issues. One of the greatest advantages of the NT kernel's is this event viewer. It makes troubleshooting much easier. Make sure to record any yellow or red errors in your post to the forum.
(Ex. 4 beeps, Iwill KK266 revision 1.04)
Please gather as much error information together as possible when asking for help. It will speed up our responses significantly.
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