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Windows XP question...


Mojlnir

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I just finished building my new P4 system and I have XP Pro loaded as my OS. I am wondering if there is a way to access the BIOS from XP? If not, is there a way that I can check my processor temp through XP? I want to make sure that my system is running at a decent temp...or if I need to add more fans.

 

Thanks guys,

 

M

 

ps - no overclocking atm

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A lot of motherboard manufacturers do provide monitoring software to monitor the sensor data from the BIOS. If the installation disc with your motherboard drivers did not include any of that kind of software, you may want to check their site. Certain chipsets do not support ACPI monitoring, in chich case you are out of luck. Unfortunately there is no "generic" software at the moment that can do it, except perhaps for the Intel monitoring software. But your system must be using an Intel chipset (not just CPU) and must have such support availble in the BIOS (often OS level monitoring is disable in the BIOS through a setting you cannot alter).

 

BTW: Why on Pete's Earth would you voluntarily use Windows XP when Windows 2000 has 90% of the same features and 2000% more stability? :huh:

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Thanks Van. Yeah I'm running an Intel board (DPBZ875) because they're solid as hell and I really like the set up. I'll check my install disk again, it should be there...must of opted not to install it for some reason when I loaded the OS.

 

As for XP, it happens to be what I have laying around...and since I spent enough on the system itself, I wasn't feeling like buying another OS. Plus, I've never had any instability issues with XP (knocking on wood before the whole thing goes up in smoke) so I'm counting myself lucky.

 

Thanks again,

 

M

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Mojlnir, why not buy a pc thermometer with a digital readout that allows you to see the temperature inside the PC? I've seen a few people with them, and they're pretty accurate. As a side note, why would you need more fans? I've got a P4 2.0 GHz system that's running fine without temperature issues. Plus, it's quiet as all hell. (Mind you, it is a Dell purchased PC)

 

Vandorssen, XP is extremely stable, actually. I've had my PC running XP Home for more than a year and a half now, no problems. Plus, to my knowledge, 2000 is crappy for games anyway. The only XP locks I've seen recently are from my sister f***ing around with my mother's PC and she manages to crash it all the time (don't ask how)

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Thanks everyone. I looked on my board install CD and, lo and behold, there was the software for the manufacturer supplied diagnostic tools. I installed those and it did the trick, now I can keep an eye on things.

 

As for fans, I have an GeForce FX5950 Ultra graphics card which throws some heat, a 3.4 P4 which adds to that, and 1Gb of Corsair XMS memory which adds its own little contribution. Most annoyingly, I have very little space for my case so its crammed under a desk in a little room with less than ideal ventilation and with a years worth of savings spent on components you can bet your ass I'm gonna keep it as cool as possible.

 

With my question sucessfully answered I think this thread can be locked.

 

Again, my thanks to everyone.

 

M :ph34r:

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Windows XP, a GeFoce FX, and, to top it off, a P4. When you buy a new system (In the unlikely event that someone who has those components doesn't buy systems whole, sorry for making this assumption.), I would be honored if you could arrange for me to take a sladgehammer to your current computer, which I have determined to be satanic and unsuitable for continued existence on the mortal plane.

 

EDIT: Oh, I see... You "built" it. Just throw the graphics controller in my direction when you get a replacement and we'll have a deal.

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Jealousy Marxist? My PC is a fire-breathing hellspawn...complete with an odd purplish-red glow. I "built" it because it was cheaper to put the parts together myself than pay Alienware $3,500 for some stupid case with alien eyes and a flashy fan system. I learned after ordering a Dell a few years back that you don't know what you're getting unless you put it in there yourself. The Dell I ordered did not come with an AGP slot (which they conveniently negelected to inform me of). Suffice to say it pissed me off and I'll never order a pre-built machine ever again, components are cheaper and who can pass up the fun of swearing at a bunch of wires on the living room floor while your wife says:

 

"It's 11:30, you've been working on that thing all night. Does it work yet? I want to go online."

 

And no, you can't have my graphics card. ^_^

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