Two Issues that might be related

[Pablo 54]

HTPC2 Specs:
ASRock H67M-ITX Socket 1155
Corsair Force CSSD-F40GB2-A 40GB SATA II
Intel Core i3-2100T
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3 1333 Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBRM
HD 2000 graphics
Win7 64bit
LG 22X Super-Multi DVD Burner Black SATA Model GH22NS90B
Antec EA-380D PSU

Issue 1:

I have now ripped all of my legally owned DVD's (480) and Blu-Ray movies (1080p) to my server and enjoy watching them on my Boxee and main HTPC. My main HTPC has a 2400 chip and uses the onboard Intel video - everything runs smooth as glass. The problem is the 2nd HTPC (listed above) running stock cannot handle anything higher than 480i. Based on some tips, I haved OC'd the onboard Intel HD 2000 to 1300 and gave it some extra juice. Has been running fine now for the past 24 hours.
My question is this: Is the 2100t and Intel HD2000 not powerful enough to run 720p to 1080p video? My server has a 2100t chip and seems to be OK.

Issue 2:

To add to the fun, about every other day, when I turn on the 2nd HTPC, it can't located the SSD though it will show in the POST. I have to hit reset for it to start. It is set to ACHI, S.M.A.R.T and connected to the SATAII ports on the MOBO. Anyone have a good free SSD diagnostic?

Thanks,

Paul

[Blacksmith1]

Can't tell you jack about ati GPU's but the rest of it should play video any any resolution no problem. I can't ever remeber hearing a system was too weak if the vid card could handle it.

[PP Mguire]

Those are Intel IGPs Black, and you are right they should handle 1080p video just fine. How are these HTPCs connected to your server? My gfs rig has my old i5 at 4ghz and an HD5850 and the network speed (wireless) sometimes drops enough to lag 1080p video if not buffered enough.

As for the SSD problem, it sounds like your mobo and not the SSD itself.

[Pablo 54]

Hope it's not the motherboard. Since tweeking the juice a bit and upping the onboard video, everything has been running smooth as silk. Just puzzled that I would have to do that. And yes, I have everything running through the server. I even save recorded HD TV to the thing. Best decision I ever made was to build one of those things.

[PP Mguire]

Yea I do the same. That is why I was asking if one is wired vs wireless. That would make a difference right there.

[Pablo 54]

Spoke too soon. ALL video is now sputtering. After a bit more adjustments, all I can think of is the onboard LAN is having a problem with running data off the server. I can access the Internet fine (Netflix etc) but pulling any video (480i up to 1080p) from the server causes the system to stutter during play back. I have an old nic card that I am going to try this weekend.

[PP Mguire]

Does it do it on buffered 1080p Youtube videos? Or videos copied over from the server?

[Pablo 54]

Videos copied over from the server. I play it all via WMC but the issue crops up even if I use a different player. I updated the drivers but no changes. I might try the ones at the Intel site.

[Pablo 54]

Interesting development:
If I start up the ASRock HTPC, and then restart it, everything works fine. If I just do a cold boot, all videos run choppy. I have to restart the machine from Windows for all items to stream correctly. This only affects the material streamed from the server. My Netflix etc. work fine regardless.
My main HTPC that records shows etc, never has this problem.

[Blacksmith1]

sounds like something isn't loading right the first time. maybe you should look thruogh the event viewer after the boot, and then again after reboot looking for differencecs, with luck the boot record will show an error you can fix.

[Pablo 54]

Thinking the same thing. Pretty sure it has something to do with the LAN. I might do a cable switch next weekend.