Lockup Help needed [Archive] - TheHolo.Net Forums

Shadow Storm

Dec 12th, 2009, 05:13:19 PM

Occasionally, as in every so often, my computer will lockup while playing a game. Normally it occurs when the monitor display goes a little fuzzy before pausing, and a strange sound comes from the case, sounds kind of like a buzzing bee but more electro sounding. I have to restart my computer to get it back to normal. Also, the Processor temp normally reads about 54*C, and case temp about 32*C.

So I'm not sure if I'm dealing with an overheating issue, a graphics issue, or what.

Yog

Dec 12th, 2009, 05:43:23 PM

So I'm not sure if I'm dealing with an overheating issue, a graphics issue, or what.
My first instinct is an overheating GPU. What is your GPU temperature under full load? Maybe the graphics card got a malfunctioning cooling fan, which could produce that buzzing sound. The buzzing sound could also bee (http://www.healthline.com/blogs/outdoor_health/uploaded_images/106_1360_2-732865.JPG) (pardon the pun) a warning sound from your motherboard saying something is running too hot. On that note, you should monitor the RPM of your GPU cooling fan.

Edit: It also helps if you post the specs of your computer.

Your graphics card is the prime suspect since this happens while playing games, and because the display is turning fuzzy. To eliminate other possibilities, try running Prime 95 (http://files.extremeoverclocking.com/file.php?f=103) torture test in blend mode. That will quicly check the hardware stability of your CPU and memory under full load. Make sure all CPU cores are under full load (# of threads). Run it for an hour, and let us know if any errors appear.

GPU-Z will monitor GPU temps and fan rpm:
http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1709/TechPowerUp_GPU-Z_v0.3.8.html

Also, the Processor temp normally reads about 54*C, and case temp about 32*C.
Are these load or idle temperatures, and what kind of CPU, graphics card, motherboard and memory do you have.

(Also, just to make sure, update to latest video card driver, but I don't think it's a driver issue)

Morgan Evanar

Dec 12th, 2009, 07:49:33 PM

Sounds like an overheating GPU or failing power supply.

Are these load or idle temperatures, and what kind of CPU, graphics card, motherboard and memory do you have.

Shadow Storm

Dec 15th, 2009, 12:00:44 PM

I need to find the order reciepts for precise stats, but base stats for the computer are:

Processor: 3.0 GHz AMD Athlon 64X2 Dual Core Processor
Memory: 2x1GB Corsair XMS RAM
- http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034
Video Card: Nvidia 8600 GT 512MB
Hard Drive: 300 GB SATA 3.0gb/s 7200 RPM
PSU: can't remember if it's 650W or 750W.

Also, the error normally occurs about an hour or more into gameplay. But so far the error only occurs on RTS type games. I've never had lockup errors on WoW or CS:S. AoE III and Heroes III of Might and Magic (which requires stats of 133 MHz CPU, 32 MB of RAM, DirectX6.0, 4xCD-ROM, and 200 MB Hard Drive space) are the only ones which have produced errors thus far.

Morgan Evanar

Dec 15th, 2009, 07:56:33 PM

Heros 3 is a buggy game, and so are the AoE games. What exact PSU do you have? A lot of crappy manufacturers make outlandish wattage claims but it's still garbage.

We still need load CPU temperatures.

Shadow Storm

Dec 15th, 2009, 11:19:51 PM

Here is the link to the Processor -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103772

PSU -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811144095

Video Card -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130085

RAM -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145034

Motherboard -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131172

Monitor -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009094

Hard Drive -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136201

Current CPU temp reads at 40-41.

Shadow Storm

Dec 15th, 2009, 11:27:35 PM

Morgan Evanar

Dec 16th, 2009, 08:29:55 AM

Your power supply is not very good. It's likely the problem, but it could be a whole host of stuff.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139008

Run a disk check?

Tear

Dec 16th, 2009, 11:58:11 AM

Have you patched those games? Like Morg said the first releases can be notoriously buggy. Memory leaks and what not that will eventually crash unless you patch them.

Shadow Storm

Dec 16th, 2009, 03:21:12 PM

AoE III, which is what it locks up on the most, is fully updated. Heroes III has the first and second bug fix patches, although it doesn't have the latest (2007) incremental content patches.

Also, looking for upgrade to video card anyways, how much would this one compare to my current, and is this a good buy for under 75$ for RTS/limited FPS gaming?

Morgan Evanar

Dec 16th, 2009, 11:06:04 PM

What resolution are you running?