Computer freezes when 3d applications run for over 20 mins

  • Thread starter Thread starter Butmac
  • Start date Start date
B

Butmac

Basically the subject says it all. I've been trying to hammer out this
problem myself for a few weeks now but nothing is working. Whenever I
am playing any game that uses 3D graphics (City of Villains, World of
Warcraft, F.E.A.R., etc.) the screen will freeze and then the audio
will keep playing one second loops that then get scratchy sounding
and then eventually the computer resets itself. This will happen
after about 20 - 30 minutes of gaming. The computer is new (made it
this past Christmas).

AMD64 3200+
2x512 Kingston RAM
400w PSU
ATI X700
Soundblaster Audigy 4
Generic DVD Burner
Windows XP Home

The temperatures are all fine and under 40 celc. My best guess is that
it is either a video card issue or a PSU issue (though I dont know why
that would be). ATI's Knowledgebase has my exact problem listed on the
site only the solution has to do with Linux based systems. Again, it
sounds like a heat issue but I have consistently checked the settings
and nothing sticks out, I've even opened the case to run it. All my
drivers are up to date. Help is unbelievably appreciated :)

Thanks guys,

Butner
 
just a couple of thoughts, it could be the ram or the ps.
you seemed to have ruled out heat but to check open the case and
get a fan blowing on the components.
What is the +12 volt amp rating? Should be 15 amps or better.
I am sure you checked all the components to make sure they are seated
properly.
You could run memtest on the ram but it may show nothing unless it is
under stress.
 
[email protected] said:
Basically the subject says it all. I've been trying to hammer out this
problem myself for a few weeks now but nothing is working. Whenever I
am playing any game that uses 3D graphics (City of Villains, World of
Warcraft, F.E.A.R., etc.) the screen will freeze and then the audio
will keep playing one second loops that then get scratchy sounding
and then eventually the computer resets itself. This will happen
after about 20 - 30 minutes of gaming. The computer is new (made it
this past Christmas).

AMD64 3200+
2x512 Kingston RAM
400w PSU
ATI X700
Soundblaster Audigy 4
Generic DVD Burner
Windows XP Home

The temperatures are all fine and under 40 celc. My best guess is that
it is either a video card issue or a PSU issue (though I dont know why
that would be). ATI's Knowledgebase has my exact problem listed on the
site only the solution has to do with Linux based systems. Again, it
sounds like a heat issue but I have consistently checked the settings
and nothing sticks out, I've even opened the case to run it. All my
drivers are up to date. Help is unbelievably appreciated :)

Thanks guys,

Butner
Click to expand...

Motherboard brand and model number ?
Power supply name and model number ?
Read the ratings off the label on the power supply and post
them, as in 3.3V@28A 5V@30A 12V@15A etc.

Try to make the hardware inventory as complete as possible.

Does the Prime95 torture test (mersenne.org) run error free ?
That will tell you if the processor and memory are OK.

Paul
 
Butmac said:
Basically the subject says it all. I've been trying to hammer out this
problem myself for a few weeks now but nothing is working. Whenever I
am playing any game that uses 3D graphics (City of Villains, World of
Warcraft, F.E.A.R., etc.) the screen will freeze and then the audio
will keep playing one second loops that then get scratchy sounding
and then eventually the computer resets itself. This will happen
after about 20 - 30 minutes of gaming. The computer is new (made it
this past Christmas).

AMD64 3200+
2x512 Kingston RAM
400w PSU
ATI X700
Soundblaster Audigy 4
Generic DVD Burner
Windows XP Home

The temperatures are all fine and under 40 celc. My best guess is that
it is either a video card issue or a PSU issue (though I dont know why
that would be). ATI's Knowledgebase has my exact problem listed on the
site only the solution has to do with Linux based systems. Again, it
sounds like a heat issue but I have consistently checked the settings
and nothing sticks out, I've even opened the case to run it. All my
drivers are up to date. Help is unbelievably appreciated :)

Thanks guys,

Butner
Click to expand...

Two thoughts:
I had similar symptoms when the fans on my Radeon 9800 card when out. Check
to see if the fans are working.
A long shot: but if the problem occurs exactly 20 minutes or 30 minutes each
time, you could have some scheduled task that starts and interferes with the
system.
 
Hey guys thanks for the replies

I knew I forgot to list a componen
The motherboard is a MSI K8N Neo
The PSU came installed on my Xion case and says Xion on th
powersupply pruduct number is LC-B450

It's actually a 450w psu; 3.3v@28 5v@50 12v@18 [email protected] [email protected]
[email protected]

The Prime95 torture test ran for 3 hours and reported no errors an
the memtest also had no errors

And I dont have any scheduled task to run after 20-30 mins (that
know of)

Also, after it crashed a few minutes ago after another attempt to pla
World of Warcraft I checked the cpu core voltage and it was at 1.42v

Whenever I am doing any other task on my computer or playing a gam
that is older like Starcraft, Diablo, etc. I can play for hours wit
no problem at all. Thanks again guys, let me know if you need an
more information

-Butne
 
Well after reading the suggestions here I checked to see if my vide
card fan was working...yeah, it's not. The card itself was hotte
than a pepper (maybe hotter).

So I assume that is why I have been having these problems, am I goin
to have to replace the fan or is there something I can fidget with t
get it to work

Thank
 
Butmac said:
Well after reading the suggestions here I checked to see if my video
card fan was working...yeah, it's not. The card itself was hotter
than a pepper (maybe hotter).

So I assume that is why I have been having these problems, am I going
to have to replace the fan or is there something I can fidget with to
get it to work?
Click to expand...
Yes, absolutely, that's your problem. Stop using that card until you get the
fan working, it could damage surrounding cards or the mainboard.
If the card is under warranty I'd RMA it and get a new one. I did. If you go
and mess with it you void the warranty. I bought a cheap card to use in the
meantime (7 weeks).
There is also a way to power the fan directly from the mainboard using one
of the case fan headers. Cut and splice stuff. Someone in this group gave me
a how to on this, if you look back you would probably find it. It was not
for me though.
Good Luck. At least you know what it is.
 
Be glad if it is just the fan. Probably it is and hopefully ur car
didnt get damaged. Of course u need a good fan on that card. Passiv
cooling works to a certain level, but u need a fan
 
Back
Top