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ARCHIVED TOPIC: Band in a Box, computer freezes
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gdoc - Posted - 05/10/2010: 22:13:07
My computer is on the old side, in dog years about 70, so I don't know if it'm my computer or Band in a box. While using Band in a Box, not always, but often enough my computer freezes up. Bad enough I have to do a hard shutdown, end task won't cut it.
Has anyone else experienced this? PC or Mac? Old or new?
Most important, were you able to solve the problem, and if so, HOW!
Although I want a new computer, I can't afford one right now. Currently have a PC.
Edited by - Bill Rogers on 05/26/2010 01:14:48
Seansvoice - Posted - 05/10/2010: 22:31:25
Programs like Band in a Box use lots of resources. I don't know what your RAM situation is but there's no such thing as too much.
A hotter display card may help...something with lots of video RAM.
You might also consider adding a SATA host card in one of your PCI slots, then adding a fast SATA drive. Put your data files on this drive ... or any other drive but the one the software is on.
Finally, make sure your sound card and display card have the latest drivers.
Hope these suggestions help!
gdoc - Posted - 05/10/2010: 22:48:39
Everything helps, thanks Sean.
I can't add more RAM, I have 1g, and no room for anymore. I checked into that last year for other reasons.
I'll check with Dell about a better Video card, that may solve the problem.
Just down loaded all the lastest drivers yesterday trying to solve this problem.
I'll have to check into the SATA host card... don't have a clue to what that is.
Does the SATA drive work off USB cable?
Thanks for all info.
erstokke - Posted - 05/11/2010: 01:53:47
Don’t waste money upgrading an old computer.
If it works, then ok. If it doesn’t, get a newer one.
Bayou Talker - Posted - 05/11/2010: 07:27:45
I have to agree. By the time you upgrade an old computer you have paid more than a new one and it still is not as good. If you want to build a new one or try to upgrade your old one try TigerDirect.com. They have some great prices on parts and bare bone systems and are good to work with.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/
quote:Originally posted by erstokke
Don’t waste money upgrading an old computer.
If it works, then ok. If it doesn’t, get a newer one.
Seansvoice - Posted - 05/25/2010: 16:13:20
quote:Originally posted by gdoc
Everything helps, thanks Sean.
I can't add more RAM, I have 1g, and no room for anymore. I checked into that last year for other reasons.
I'll check with Dell about a better Video card, that may solve the problem.
Just down loaded all the lastest drivers yesterday trying to solve this problem.
I'll have to check into the SATA host card... don't have a clue to what that is.
Does the SATA drive work off USB cable?
Thanks for all info.
gdoc - Posted - 05/26/2010: 00:56:46
Well I reformatted my hardrive to get rid of anything that might be slowing it down, installed all the latest drivers and such and it's working a little better but still freezing way too often, like almost daily when I use Band ina Box... Freezes on other things too but not as often, in fact not too often. I think I'll hold off until I can get the computer I want with all the bells and whistles I can afford at the time. (bells and whistles for me is as much ram and best cpu I can afford, graffics and sound card)... anything else I should think about?
axsis - Posted - 05/26/2010: 04:36:13
I would e-mail through the Hangout Texas Banjo as she is the most informed on BIAB that I know. Perhaps she could solve your problem.
Texasbanjo - Posted - 05/26/2010: 05:46:52
I've used BIAB on my old computer for years -- it's about 6 years old, has XP on it, and I've never had a problem with BIAB freezing up. I have added extra memory and have an excellent sound card but other than that, the old computer is just like it was 6 years ago (actually, it crashed last week but up until then, it worked perfect - now it's a piece of junk fixing to be thrown out or recycled).
You can get an brand new PC for less than $500 if you look around. I just got an all in one 22' with all the goodies and it's fantastic!