Online games freeze

[Jon Rice]

Whenever I try to play any high-end pc game (specifically
Command and Conquer: Renegade and Command and Conquer:
Generals - Zero Hour) in XP Pro, the computer locks up
and I have to restart. I thought the problem might have
been my winmodem, but an external modem generates the
same outcome. Even if it was my winmodem causing it, my
games never use over 50% CPU usage on my 2.4 Ghz P4 with
128 MB Radeon 9000. I have updated nearly all the drivers
on my computer, completed Windows Update, booted in
diagnostic mode with all startup applications disabled,
and tested in administrator but to no avail. Any and all
help is appreciated.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Jon,

Hardware issues can cause freezing, black screens and other
errors. Also, your drivers should always be kept up to date.

Try the following steps one at a time to try and resolve the issue.
I hope this helps. Please post back if you have any questions!

1. Update DirectX and your Chipset, Sound, &Video Drivers:
For all Video / DirectX / Game and Hardware Issues, I have a
Checklist of Solutions at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

2. Dust your fans, vents and components using a 1/4" paintbrush
and a hose vacuum. Use compressed air for hard to reach places.
Set a housefan to blow cold air into your case to expose an over-
heating issue.. If it works add more fans or replace defective ones.
Use this Mainboard Monitoring Utility: http://mbm.livewiredev.com

3. A faulty power supply can cause STOP errors, random reboots,
and black screen lockups. One way to test for that is to check the
wattage sticker on your power supply and then calculate your need
http://www.jscustompcs.com/power_supply/ (Min. 350 for gaming)

4. Test your RAM using: http://www.memtest86.com/memt30.zip
after you extract that zip file, click on the README.txt file for the
instructions on how to create the boot floppy to test your RAM.

--
Cheers, Windows XP MVP Shell / User
Jimmy S. http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Game FAQs: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=FH;[LN];gms
Visit my Zone.com / Gaming Helpsite: http://nibblesnbits.tk or Call / Contact
MS Support at: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=sz;en-us;top
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

| Whenever I try to play any high-end pc game (specifically
| Command and Conquer: Renegade and Command and Conquer:
| Generals - Zero Hour) in XP Pro, the computer locks up
| and I have to restart. I thought the problem might have
| been my winmodem, but an external modem generates the
| same outcome. Even if it was my winmodem causing it, my
| games never use over 50% CPU usage on my 2.4 Ghz P4 with
| 128 MB Radeon 9000. I have updated nearly all the drivers
| on my computer, completed Windows Update, booted in
| diagnostic mode with all startup applications disabled,
| and tested in administrator but to no avail. Any and all
| help is appreciated.