Computer Problem

illinifan999 · 08-15-2009, 08:19 PM

I just got a new computer last week. It's specs are Intel Core 2 Q8300, vista, 2gb dual channel memory, dual NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240, 2048MB video cards.

It's freezing up a lot whenever I play games. I can count on it to freeze up while playing at least twice a day. It exceeds the recommended specs for every game I play, but I keep having this problem. Any ideas on what the problem could be? I've tried updating drivers, but it says they are updated already.

Philliesfan980 · 08-15-2009, 08:22 PM

This might not be the problem, but trying getting CPUFAN. Your PC might be overheating. Is it a laptop or a desktop?

illinifan999 · 08-15-2009, 08:38 PM

It's a desktop. Is there anyway to tell for sure if that might be the problem?

Castlerock · 08-15-2009, 08:42 PM

For what it's worth, I had the same problem on my last machine. It would run fine but then as soon as I tried playing a game, it would lock up. Turned out the video card had failed. Do you have another to swap in?

I think that's what you are going to need to do. Swap one piece at a time until the problem goes away.

Philliesfan980 · 08-15-2009, 08:53 PM

If you don't have an extra card you can swap out, at a minimum, can you make sure the fan on your GPU is spinning? Because you mention that it's freezing up when you play games, I still suspect that it might be a heat issue (or as Castlerock indicates, it may just be a bad card)

sovereignstar · 08-15-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by illinifan999

I just got a new computer last week. It's specs are Intel Core 2 Q8300, vista, 2gb dual channel memory, dual NVIDIA GeForce GTS 240, 2048MB video cards.

It's freezing up a lot whenever I play games. I can count on it to freeze up while playing at least twice a day. It exceeds the recommended specs for every game I play, but I keep having this problem. Any ideas on what the problem could be? I've tried updating drivers, but it says they are updated already.

Return it. Get another.

Edit: While you can...

gstelmack · 08-15-2009, 09:08 PM

Could be memory, could be video card, could be anything.

Try installing the DirectX SDK. Do the samples included with it lock up?

Try running Prime95. Does it lock up?

There are various memtesters out there you can try as well.

If it's CPU, things like memtesters will work fine, but Prime95 will fail. If Prime95 passes but DXSDK locks up, probably video card. And if memtesters fail, it's memory.

I pinned mine down to memory, took the modules out one at a time to identify which one, and they all tested fine. Got them back in and everything has been fine since. One was apparently either loose or had worked itself a bit loose, reseating them fixed the problem.

Normally though a dead video card results in visible graphics corruption.

MizzouRah · 08-15-2009, 09:14 PM

My first though is the video card like a few have mentioned.

If it's new I would replace that first and then report back.

Galaril · 09-05-2009, 10:38 AM

I also am having a problem where my computer monitor just goes blank not blue screen just black as if the power sources is not going to the monitor or something. If I giggle the monitor to PC cable near the PC port it goes back on but then off again. It is a intermittent problem but happening more often as time goes on. The computer is 41/2 years old. I have already replaced that cable so it is not that. Could this be a graphics card problem is this pc ready to die on me. I guess now is a good time to buy a new pc with all the deals going on.

Matthean · 09-05-2009, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaril

The computer is 41/2 years old.

You really need to get a PC that was made after 1989....

flere-imsaho · 09-06-2009, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galaril

If I giggle the monitor to PC cable near the PC port it goes back on but then off again.

Based on this I'd say a loose connection. If I'm reading it right you're wiggling the cable from the monitor near where it connects to the PC's video card, so the loose connection could be there.

If that's the case, you have two options:

1. Figure out how to fix the loose connection. Open up the case and see if the connection has broken away from the card to which it's attached.

2. Get a new video card.

08-15-2009, 08:38 PM	#3
illinifan999 Pro Rookie Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: VA	It's a desktop. Is there anyway to tell for sure if that might be the problem? __________________ Chicago Eagles 2 time ZFL champions We're "rebuilding"

08-15-2009, 09:08 PM	#7
gstelmack Pro Starter Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Cary, NC	Could be memory, could be video card, could be anything. Try installing the DirectX SDK. Do the samples included with it lock up? Try running Prime95. Does it lock up? There are various memtesters out there you can try as well. If it's CPU, things like memtesters will work fine, but Prime95 will fail. If Prime95 passes but DXSDK locks up, probably video card. And if memtesters fail, it's memory. I pinned mine down to memory, took the modules out one at a time to identify which one, and they all tested fine. Got them back in and everything has been fine since. One was apparently either loose or had worked itself a bit loose, reseating them fixed the problem. Normally though a dead video card results in visible graphics corruption. __________________ -- Greg -- Author of various FOF utilities

08-15-2009, 08:22 PM	#2
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	This might not be the problem, but trying getting CPUFAN. Your PC might be overheating. Is it a laptop or a desktop?

08-15-2009, 08:42 PM	#4
Castlerock High School Varsity Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Boston, Ma	For what it's worth, I had the same problem on my last machine. It would run fine but then as soon as I tried playing a game, it would lock up. Turned out the video card had failed. Do you have another to swap in? I think that's what you are going to need to do. Swap one piece at a time until the problem goes away.

08-15-2009, 08:53 PM	#5
Philliesfan980 Banned Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Exton, PA	If you don't have an extra card you can swap out, at a minimum, can you make sure the fan on your GPU is spinning? Because you mention that it's freezing up when you play games, I still suspect that it might be a heat issue (or as Castlerock indicates, it may just be a bad card)

08-15-2009, 09:14 PM	#8
MizzouRah Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Troy, Mo	My first though is the video card like a few have mentioned. If it's new I would replace that first and then report back.

09-05-2009, 10:38 AM	#9
Galaril Pro Starter Join Date: Jan 2004	I also am having a problem where my computer monitor just goes blank not blue screen just black as if the power sources is not going to the monitor or something. If I giggle the monitor to PC cable near the PC port it goes back on but then off again. It is a intermittent problem but happening more often as time goes on. The computer is 41/2 years old. I have already replaced that cable so it is not that. Could this be a graphics card problem is this pc ready to die on me. I guess now is a good time to buy a new pc with all the deals going on.

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