I`m ready to chuck this comp out the window! Honest!

I can't seem to work out whats up with this system, specs are as follows:

Intel Pentium Duo 2160 @ 1.8GHz
ASRock 775Dual-VSTA Mainboard
2GB Memory (2x 1GB Modules)
HIS Radeon 1950 Pro AGP8x Videocard
160GB IDE Hard Drive (2 Partitions, C:\ 20GB, D:\ 129GB)
TSSCorp Samsung DVDRW/CDRW

OS: Slipstreamed Windows XP Pro OEM + Service Pack 3
(Downloaded ALL latest updates from windowsupdate link)
DirectX (August 2009)
NET 2.0 + NET 3.5 + Patches!
VIA Hyperion Pro Drivers (INF Chipset)
ATI Catalyst Drivers (Full)
Realtek HD Audio Drivers
VIA Ethernet Drivers
Avast Home Edition + Latest Definitions
(**All are the latest drivers, patches and updates**)

Working in windows, touch wood, seems fine, but when I play a game it also seems fine, but roughly 20 to 30 minutes into the game, the screen suddenly drops out to a blank screen into sleep mode, and it just hangs there, even if I hit the reset button I can't get the system to reboot, I have to physically turn the power off, then back on!

I am getting really fed up with things not working, I just forked out $250 for this setup and everything is pointing towards the videocard being dodgy, however I do not have another videocard to test, any idea's or tools out their that could either confirm or deny what the actual problem is?

I feel like picking it up and putting it right through the window, this is the second clean install as my original format had viruses & trojans galore, which is why I originally formatted to begin with, all I was told when I got this computer is that Call Of Duty Modern Warfare 2 would make the computer lockup/reset after about 20 mins of gaming, if the graphics were put on high, but if run at normal or low, it wouldn't do it, so I tried running batman arkham asylum at the lowest settings, still did it 20/30 minutes into it.

Kindest Regards,

David Giles

 

Heck, Even Zuma's Revenge does weird things, sometimes the balls won't show up, and the sound of the balls going around will constantly repeat itself, I dunno. I just want it to work, and play properly, so I can give the new batman a good run without worrying about damaging my computer or videocard....... :-(

 

My personal view on this is that your PC is running hot and the sensors shut it down to protect it, have you tried Everest to see what temps you have ?

http://majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

 

I agree with BILLMCC66,

Sounds like it's a temp problem download everest or speedfan and check your temps on there. It could mean that you might have to put a case fan on your desktop (if it is a desktop) if its a laptop you can buy a laptop cooling fans which goes underneath the laptop to cool it that way.

Andy

 

Got everest installed, these are the current temps:

Temperatures:-
Motherboard = 39c
CPU = 37c
CPU # 1 / Core # 1 = 49c
CPU # 1 / Core # 2 = 48c
GPU = 50c
GPU Ambient = 51c
GPU VRM = 52c
Seagate ST3160815A = 35c

c = Celsius

This is also my exact videocard:
HIS X1950 PRO IceQ 3 Turbo 512MB/256MB AGP (Rev.2)
http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-2.shtml

Mine is the 256MB Version.....

 

If those temps are accurate, I'd be looking at the gfx card or the PSU next, can you borrow a gfx card and or PSU to test?

 

No, I have no spares of either, and don't know where I could borrow another card to use to test. Getting fedup with it all, If I just use windows itself to surf the net, e-mail, chat, etc it's fine, but as soon as I play a game, wham, 20 minutes into it it crashes/hangs my PC....

 

I still suspect heat is the problem.

The temps you gave, are they with the system under stress (game playing)

 

Testing methods I would be trying:
- GPU-z with logging enabled
- Fur Rendering Benchmark.

Resize the screen option to 1/2 your monitor, eg. 680x512 (GPU will be getting just as stressed) and run that trying to force a system crash (60s then 120s......upto 600s).

Do this and try and force a system crash with a "data log" (I can plot it if you want).

The next stage may mean disassembly of the card. It is definitely the 32Bit 9.11 drivers (you seem very informed here so I am assuming so) but did you do a registry clean via CCleaner to ensure there are no "residual" reg entries from previous drivers?!?

 

Yeah I agree.

Still sounds like your computer is overheating when you load up a game, the temps you given us is that the temps when you running email and other programs and not games.

I would suggest if it's a desktop computer put a case fan either on the side panel or at the back of the computer just to give it a bit more cool air then test the temps again.

Andy