PC Problem - crashes all games - advise requested

[KafirChobee]

:help: A few weeks ago my PC began demonstrating a number of pecular symptons - like crashing during games (Rome particularly, but during other activities as well). When it finally would not reboot at all I took it to a local shop. They said it was the Motherboard and replaced it.

That was 1 1/2 weeks ago. Now, games lock up and regardless of how long one waits for it to unfreeze or trying ctl+Alt+del, nothing happens and I am forced to shut it down manually. I tried leaving it on one night and the next morning it was locked up again (fyi - hybernation was not allowed).

Now I have run diagnostics and all the fun check system goodies that tell me everything is Okie dokie. It ain't.

My question is, is it possible that the new motherboard (mainboard) simply is not sophisticated enough for the other hardware? Or, could it be the CD-RW Drive (52x32x52) or gamecard (Radeon 9800)? Though I can't see how they could effect windows from locking up.

Any input would be welcome, as I am taking it back in on Monday.:help:

Thx

[BlackAxe3001]

Check your ram. I was having random reboots on my video editing machine the other day but ignored it for a few days but then it started locking up on me. Did a memtest run and lots of errors, so I replaced the ram and no more problems. Something you might want to look into. It could also be a driver conflict of somesort.

[sapi]

It might be heat.

Locking up in the middle of intensive programs like games is one of the telltale signs of overheating.

Open the side of your case and place a desk fan so that it is blowing gently on the hardware.

Try to play again, and if you don't crash, that'll be the problem.

[TosaInu]

Yes heat.

Do you have a NVIDIA videocard? If so, Forceware drivers have a simple temp monitor built in. You can also obtain http://www.guru3d.com/article/nvtemplogger/294/2/

My motherboard had its own sensor tool, so I'm not sure what to use.
http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?id=8 lists some general tool. You want one to monitor your CPU, mobo and maybe even Northbridge. http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=893 is what you need I think.

You can use Asusprobe (supplied with driverCD) if you have an Asus mobo.

I'ld say it's your gfx cooler. I have a Nvidia 6600GT and it hit 90+ degrees Celsius when running games. The stockcooler is poor and it performed even less after a year. So games started to crash. Installed a ~$20 Zalman and it's 60 degrees Celsius now.

Also try to keep your case clean from wires: bundle them with fasteners, put unused cables away, move some devices, add a casefan.

P.S. if it is the gfx card, just opening the case and blowing with a fan might not be enough. Those chips can get very hot and a poorly installed heatsink/fan may block it from any external cooling.

[KafirChobee]

Can pretty much guarantee it isn't the temperature - of late it has been cool here (Florida) at night and the average temp of the PC (internal) has been about 62-72f. But, it makes sense.

As to the RAM - will bring it up to those at the shop, but ...?.

Er, isn't the ATI Radeon 9800 my video card?

At any rate, I have written your suggestions down, and will bring them up tomorrow. Any more suggestions are welcome.

Thx for taking an interest in my dillema. Thx all.

[TosaInu]

Sorry, missed about the Radeon :embarassed:

[Geezer57]

Er, isn't the ATI Radeon 9800 my video card?


If your determine that GPU cooling is in fact your problem, you should consider an Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer (available here http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/arcovgasir3.html for about $15). I've been using several, they're very quiet and effective.

[KafirChobee]

Still having problems. Have had the Main board (Mother) replaced, changed out the memory cards when an error was reported after 23 hours that there was a 1% failure (1GB). Then I was getting stuttering and lock up, so we replaced the game (video card - though they screwed up and game me 9550 Radeon inplace of the 9800 that was there).

Now, I can go online for a while - but, games still crash after a time - from 1 hour to 2 (battles crash it real quick - generally upon conclusion).

About the only thing left is the Pentium and HardDrive.

The error message, after I manually shut the system down and reboot is that there is a Device Driver Error - in XP.

So what the hey? Reprogram? Gah!

[caravel]

If your determine that GPU cooling is in fact your problem, you should consider an Arctic Cooling VGA Silencer (available here http://www.sidewindercomputers.com/arcovgasir3.html for about $15). I've been using several, they're very quiet and effective.
Strangely the cooler on my Radeon 9800 has started making a racket. When I boot up from cold the fan does a lot of gyrating and buzzing, after a while it quietens down a bit. Typical Stock cooling though. I may look into this one. :2thumbsup:

[KafirChobee]

Thx, for suggestions. PC still has a hitch, but I think it is a software glitch. Also, the suggestion about adding cooling elements - e.g. additional fans - is probably right on. Will be doing that as well - why not.

So, thx y'all.