I got a problem, not sure what it is...

ZAP_Tech

ZAP_Tech

New member
So by may signature you guys have and understanding of my PC, but i got a problem, if i play games it locks up and i have to restarted it by cutting the power.

I sent all the parts in for testing, and they could find no fault. So i re-installed operating systems, etc... But havent played a resource hungry game in a month or two. So i decided i want to play Crisis, borrowed my cuzs copy, yes borrowed not copied, and installed update it with the latest patch usually stuff. But when i play not more than 30 mins sometimes less PC locks up.

Happens with Call of Duty 4, Far Cry 2, NFS: Undercover, with my settigs on medium to high, cause of the stupid lock ups. Screen is a 19" wide havent upgraded that yet.

Oh if i play NFS: Underground 2, Rollercoaster Tycoon 3, Warcraft 3 i can play for hours with out hassle also with details det on max. I know these games are older, but what can i do if i can't run a new game??
 
Oh yes nothing is overclocked, its all standard... Bios is up to date, drivers are current on all components, windows is legal, not sure what else you might ask.

Current operating System: Windows 7 RC x64
Previous Operating System: Windows Vista x64

Happened on both operating systems... So i think its hardware but i can't isolate the problem.
 
if it locks up do you get black screen or one with vertical spaced stripes ? tried another gpu or psu ?
 
It's your PSU giving you issues,upgrade that :)

[EDIT] wait i only checked your pc out now :p uhm, I dunno it's kinda weird. ill look into it
 
Prime95 it under a blended stress test.

Leave it for a while and see if it locks up. If it does, it's either RAM or CPU. I'd also recommend SpeedFan or Everest to monitor your temps, since they will get hot under Prime95 stress testing.

I'm inclined to believe it's the RAM since you'd likely be surprised at how many people have crashes and lock-ups in games when simply replacing the RAM will help.

And I know you say everything's been tested, but obviously something's been overlooked.

Alternatively, run MemTest for a while and see.

If nothing happens after a few hours of Prime95, and MemTest doesn't detect anything either, then I'd start looking at either the graphics card or the mobo. But those are pretty unlikely and the problems would be way more obvious.

I'm actually willing to bet it's one of your RAM sticks. First run MemTest for a while with just one stick, then the others, all one at a time until you find the one with the problem.

Hope this helps :)
 
It's either a PSU or RAM issue. Try borrowing those from a friend, and replacing yours to see if it makes a difference. Frankly, I wouldn't trust techs to test thoroughly enough to diagnose problems like that.
 
Azimuth said:
It's either a PSU or RAM issue. Try borrowing those from a friend, and replacing yours to see if it makes a difference. Frankly, I wouldn't trust techs to test thoroughly enough to diagnose problems like that.
Click to expand...

/me hasn't trusted techies in years.

The PSU would be the last thing I'd, personally, suspect since PSU problems are easily noticeable and diagnosed. Computer randomly reboots with kind of a "dipping" sound mid-game? If it's never happened before, PSU is starting to fail. If it just started happening after an upgrade, likely to be insufficient power. Computer not booting at all? Check the switch's cable and/or make sure the 24-pin ATX is seated correctly along with the cables of all other components.

PSU problems are almost always easily noticeable. If components continually fail over time and if you feel comfortable doing so, check the voltages coming from the PSU rails with a multimeter.

*shrug* I just really, really, really, really doubt it's the PSU. Granted, it could be PSU degrading other components, but... eh...

Like I said, I'd put money on it being RAM-related. I find it unlikely that it'd be the CPU, and it's just incredibly unlikely that it'd be the board or graphics card.

If it was the board, you'd have other noticeable issues, for example the computer having to be started multiple times before it finally turns on correctly. Certain device errors/conflicts in your Device Manager. Or, the notorious blank-screen start-up usually indicating a short somewhere or a blown cap.

*shrug*

It's kinda fun diagnosing hardware issues ^.^ You almost always learn something new and hardware problems manifest themselves in the funniest ways :p

Anyway, whatever the problem is, hope you sort it out soon, ZAP_Tech, and let us know what the problem was :)
 
Hmm ... if it's a matter of time before it freezes - and individual parts test fine when plugged into separate machines, then I'd put my money on ventilation/overheating...

Put a normal deskfan on your open case and see if the problem persists...it's the quickest/easiest way of ruling our that factor so you can jump onto the next one.

Good luck mate
 
What is the idle temp, of a GTX 295, with the speed fan 4.39 the card is reading the following:

GPU 1: 76C (It got a fire sign here)
GPU 2: 74-75C (It got a fire sign here)

Other temps include:
Temp 1:46c
Temp 2:48-51C (It got a fire sign here when goin over 50)
Temp 3:39-46C

Core: 36-40C

All on Idle, and opening windows and things.
 
I don't know about a 295. but my 280 idles at 34C... in game it goes up to 54C.

Have you tried disabling one of the gpu's and then running the games?
 
ZAP_Tech said:
What is the idle temp, of a GTX 295, with the speed fan 4.39 the card is reading the following:

GPU 1: 76C (It got a fire sign here)
GPU 2: 74-75C (It got a fire sign here)

Other temps include:
Temp 1:46c
Temp 2:48-51C (It got a fire sign here when goin over 50)
Temp 3:39-46C

Core: 36-40C

All on Idle, and opening windows and things.
Click to expand...

hectic dude :p put some marshmellows on it and see if it melts :p
seems too hot for me? I dunno much bout nVidia cards though.. :/
 
ZAP_Tech said:
What is the idle temp, of a GTX 295, with the speed fan 4.39 the card is reading the following:

GPU 1: 76C (It got a fire sign here)
GPU 2: 74-75C (It got a fire sign here)

Other temps include:
Temp 1:46c
Temp 2:48-51C (It got a fire sign here when goin over 50)
Temp 3:39-46C

Core: 36-40C

All on Idle, and opening windows and things.
Click to expand...

40-50C for your CPU is normal. I believe it has a max temperature of 70C. The little fire sign from SpeedFan is just SpeedFan being special, so don't worry :)

However, GPUs are running hot if those are idle speeds. Are they getting enough breathing room? Perhaps time to do a bit of dusting? Bigger case?

Seems other people (after a quick Google search) on the same card get idle temperatures of around 50C.

You might've found your problem.
 
I basically think there is nothing wrong besides the fact he doesn't have enough ventilation in the case. Those temp aren't normal by any standard
 
Either that, or these isn't any way to get rid of the hot air aswell. So it works both ways :)
I have plenty fans that do a good job for me :) But ofcourse you need the right case to take advantage of this. A Midi-tower for example is just not good enough for a GTX290
 
Gradius said:
Either that, or these isn't any way to get rid of the hot air aswell. So it works both ways :)
I have plenty fans that do a good job for me :) But ofcourse you need the right case to take advantage of this. A Midi-tower for example is just not good enough for a GTX290
Click to expand...

Totally :3

I'm a sucker for big cases though. I love having lots of room for manoeuvrability :p
 
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