Computer Crashes

[Guest]

when i play counter strike source (half life 2) my computer crashes?
i can load it up but when im 5 mins in to the game it just freezes or goes
to my desktop with no error message!
what can i do?

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Victor,

when i play counter strike source (half life 2) my computer crashes?
i can load it up but when im 5 mins in to the game it just freezes or goes
to my desktop with no error message!
what can i do?

Updating video card drivers can solve most gaming issues. Here's some
simple abc's to always keep in mind. a. Shut off download accelerators,
firewalls and antivirus programs when downloading or installing updates;
b. Check for game patches: www.avault.com/pcrl/patches_list.asp?letter=a
c. Make sure you meet the game's minimum video and system requirements.

Before you update your drivers, I recommend that you install DirectX 9.0c:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...11-62fe-4f61-aba1-914185249413&displaylang=en

Here are the steps I recommend you use to update your driver:

1. To identify the make and model of your card, right click your
Desktop, choose Properties / Settings / Advanced / Adapter.

2. Download the latest video driver for your card online, using
http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers
to find the website to download from. I also have advanced
video driver and direct X troubleshooting steps on that page.

3. Save the .exe driver (or extract the zip file) to a folder
in My Documents named after the driver version number.

4. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

5. Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware
Device Manager / expand +Display Adapters / right click on
the adapter, pick "Uninstall", and click No if asked to reboot.

6. Use Control Panel / Add-Remove programs to uninstall the
previous driver (exe)software which may have been installed.

7. Restart the computer in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key
about once every second as it's rebooting to pick Safe Mode.

8. If the driver is NOT a (.exe)program file, GO TO step 11.

9. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Cancel" and Double click the driver program to begin installation.
* Even if not prompted, doubleclick the driver and install it.

10. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Scroll down to the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

11. When Windows prompts you to install the video adapter, click
"Install from a list or specific location", click the "Browse" button,
browse to the My documents folder where you saved the driver,
and finally click on one of the driver files to begin installation.

** If you are not prompted, or if the driver was updated automatically:
Click Start / (settings) Control Panel / System / Hardware Device Manager
expand +Display Adapters / right click on the adapter, pick "Update Driver"
to start the Update Wizard, choose the "Install from a list..." option:
Browse to My Documents\ folder with the driver in it
Click OK and click Next to begin the update.

12. After you reboot, go to Control Panel / Display / Settings and
choose 32 bit Color Quality, and 800x600 or higher Resolution.
That's it! Try the advice in the Troubleshooter if you have problems.

TROUBLESHOOTING:

Test your drivers using DXDiag: Click Start / Run / type: DXDIAG
Click the "Test" buttons in the Display, Sound, Music & Network Tabs;
If any of the Display options are Disabled and you cannot Enable them,
your most likely solution would be to update your Chipset Drivers as per
my website: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#v11

Your program might not support dual monitors, or "dual head" video cards
You can disable the extra video output in your display properties control
panel. Click Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display>Settings>Advanced.

Along with your Video card, Sound Cards, Motherboard Chipsets,
and Video Monitors may also require updated drivers. Even your
motherboard's BIOS may need to be updated for compatibility with
your Video card. These steps are listed at: http://NibblesNbitsVideo.tk

Perhaps the old Video drivers did not completely uninstall. If that's the
case, use these utility to completely uninstall the drivers and go to step
7:
nvidia: http://content.guru3d.com/index.php?page=detonatorrip&menu=0
or for all cards including nvidia use: http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/

The latest video drivers sometime don't work with a particular game.
(Check the Video suggestions in the readme.txt file in your game folder/CD)
If there's no suggestions, try an older (WHQL) driver, and/or if you still
experience problems try a Beta driver, or even an Omega driver instead:

BETA Drivers: http://download.guru3d.com/
OMEGA Drivers: http://www.omegacorner.com/

There you have it, if you have any questions feel free to post them!

--
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 MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Assisted Support: http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

 

[Guest]

hello jimmy

i first would like 2 thank u for trying to help. but i tryed some of the
things u suggested and i think it made my computer worse? (my fault for being
a idiot) now it resets itself and plays all my videos in full screen mode. i
can turn it on and do stuff as normal but every so often it just resets!
ianit got a clue?

If you have any idea to what the problem is or reconmend anyone i could
approach in the North London region, it woud be much appreciatd.

many thanks. Hope to hear from ya soon. Victor.

 

[Jimmy S.]

Hi Victor,

Your system is most likely restarting as a result of a STOP error.

To stop this behavior go to Control Panel / System / Advanced /
Click the Startup and Recovery Settings button / Uncheck the box
labeled "Automatically restart" under the System Failure section.

To analyze the error, try the steps in: http://aumha.org/win5/kbestop.htm

If the error indicates a file name that begins with ati, or nv (nVidia)
the most likely solution would be to install the latest drivers using
the instructions at: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits/Video.html#drivers

--
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 MSN Zone.com and Gaming Help Site: http://mvps.org/nibblesnbits
MS Assisted Support: http://support.microsoft.com/select/?target=assistance
My advice is donated "AS IS" without warranty; nor do I confer any rights.
_________________________________________________________

|
|
| > hello jimmy
| i first would like 2 thank u for trying to help. but i tryed some of the
| things u suggested and i think it made my computer worse? (my fault for being
| a idiot) now it resets itself and plays all my videos in full screen mode. i
| can turn it on and do stuff as normal but every so often it just resets!
| ianit got a clue?
|
| If you have any idea to what the problem is or reconmend anyone i could
| approach in the North London region, it woud be much appreciatd.
|
| many thanks. Hope to hear from ya soon. Victor.

 

[Guest]

jimmy Thanks for your answer to my last question! my computer is workin ok
now! (Again thanks for helping)
But the main problem still occurs!
(computer crashes or freezes )
I have tryed most of the commands u said but it still happens.
It done it just 20 mins ago and lef this message
Counter Strike Source: hl2.exe Application error
instruction at "0x241f2d25" referenced at "0x0loe8348" the memory could not
be read.
click to close.
if that message does not come up it just freezes or automatlicly goes back
to my desktop!
please if you could try and help!
thank you

 

[RonK]

A couple of possible problems are :

If you have 2 sticks of memory installed - Remove 1 stick and try it.

Possible video card overheating. Try running the computer with the side
cover off to improve cooling. If this stops the problem, Install 2 case fans
to help keep everything cool.

 

[Guest]

hi ronk
thanks but i havnt got a clue how or what 2 do!
do u have any recomandation for a good computer shop in north london?
i will take it to them and let them do it.
because i dont want to break it any more.
thanks

 

[RonK]

Hi Victor,

Try a few things yourself first.
Remove the sidecover of the most popular towers by removing 2 screws from
the back of the side panel. That would be the one on the left if you are
looking at the front of the case.

If you are not sure how to see if you have 2 memory sticks, maybe you could
ask a friend to have a look for you. If you do it yourself make sure you
touch the metal frame of the computer case before you touch anything inside
so you won't cause a static spark.

If you don't want to do it yourself you should call a few different shops
and get a diagnostic estimate.
I live in Ontario Canada .

Ron

 

[Guest]

thanks ron
i done wha u said u i only got one sick of memoy!
and i left the side case of and it let me play for 15-20mins but then it
crashed!
do u think i need some more fans? or what do i need because i just dont
knowi thanks again ron!

 

[RonK]

It should have ran a lot cooler with the side cover off. Is there any dust
built up in the fins of the heatsink (Cooling block)?

Does your video card have a fan and if it does make sure it is not plugged
with dust and that it is spinning.