Computer shutting down only in game

Z

Z

Just the past few days my computer XP/Pro with SP1 fully updated, shuts down
whenever I am in a game with lots of graphics going on.

I have scanned for sasser, reinstalled latest nVidia drivers, rolled back
the video drivers, scan disk, defrag, cleared all dust from cpu and video
card fan.
If not in game (Never Winter Nights) computer never shuts down.

Is it just a faulty video card?

Z
 
M

Malke

Z said:
Just the past few days my computer XP/Pro with SP1 fully updated,
shuts down whenever I am in a game with lots of graphics going on.

I have scanned for sasser, reinstalled latest nVidia drivers, rolled
back the video drivers, scan disk, defrag, cleared all dust from cpu
and video card fan.
If not in game (Never Winter Nights) computer never shuts down.

Is it just a faulty video card?
Does the machine shut down with any other games? If not, then I'd look
on the game's website for tech support, patches, user forums, etc. If
it does it in *other* games, then the card might be overheating, the
card fan might not be working, etc. You didn't say which Nvidia card
you have - I had to replace my son's Ti4200 64MB for something similar
recently. However, before you run out and replace your card, answer the
question I asked. Another troubleshooting step would be to swap out the
card with a different one (if you have another video card available)
and see if that solves the issue. Unless you just want a new video
card, hmmm? ;-) If you've got lots of money, I'd wait for the Geforce6
to hit the shelves.

Let me know if you need more help.

Malke
 
Z

Z

I have been running this game for over 18 months and at least 3 months since
their last patch.
I reinstalled the game for good measure and am still getting the same
trouble.
The card is just an old NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 440 but has done the right
thing by me for quite sometime. The fan is definatley spinning as I have the
side off the case and can see it.
I don't have any other games that require major graphic load NWN is all I
need.
I run a 24/7 game server and it's a pain as I can't log in for more than 30
mins or I crash out.
I don't have a spare card handy so swapping it out is not an option.
Loads of cash? I wish lol!

Also when it crashes the main power light and CPU fan are still going and
pressing the reset button or main power button does nothing.
After about 20 -30 secs it restarts itself.
As I said this only happens when I'm in the game.

Cheers

Z
 
M

Malke

Z said:
I have been running this game for over 18 months and at least 3 months
since their last patch.
I reinstalled the game for good measure and am still getting the same
trouble.
The card is just an old NVIDIA GeForce2 MX/MX 440 but has done the
right thing by me for quite sometime. The fan is definatley spinning
as I have the side off the case and can see it.
I don't have any other games that require major graphic load NWN is
all I need.
I run a 24/7 game server and it's a pain as I can't log in for more
than 30 mins or I crash out.
I don't have a spare card handy so swapping it out is not an option.
Loads of cash? I wish lol!

Also when it crashes the main power light and CPU fan are still going
and pressing the reset button or main power button does nothing.
After about 20 -30 secs it restarts itself.
As I said this only happens when I'm in the game.

Thanks for the good description. Well, I'd look in two areas: your RAM
and your card. I'd do a RAM test with something like Memtest86 from
www.memtest86.com. You want the precompiled binaries for Windows, and
you'll make a bootable floppy (I think they might have files for a
bootable cd, too). Boot with the utility and let it run for an extended
period of time - all day or overnight, unless you get errors right
away. If you get errors, replace the RAM. As far as swapping out the
card, I'm sorry but that's the way to test it. Either that, or put the
card in another machine. Even though the card has worked well for you,
that doesn't mean it isn't going now. If you don't have the extra
hardware or an obliging friend, consider taking your box to a good
local repair shop (not a BestBuy or CompUSA type of store) for testing.
It should not be very expensive.

Good luck,

Malke
 
Z

Z

Beings I'm in Australia that would rule out taking it to CompUSA store :p
I think I will just buy a new card and see what happens.
If the problem remains at least I have a nice new vid card.

Then I can check the RAM is not bogus.

Many thanks will let you know what happens from here.

Z
 
M

Malke

Z said:
Beings I'm in Australia that would rule out taking it to CompUSA store
:p I think I will just buy a new card and see what happens.
If the problem remains at least I have a nice new vid card.

Then I can check the RAM is not bogus.

Many thanks will let you know what happens from here.

See how you are? ;-) You really just wanted a new video card. Seriously,
please check the system RAM first with Memtest86. If you go to the
expense of buying a new video card and your system RAM is bad, you'll
be unhappy.

Malke
 
Z

Z

Seems I was lucky and got a new video card taboot.
ATI RADEON 9600SE Extreme

Hasn't crashed yet so this looks like it was the problem.

Cheers.

Z
 
M

Malke

Z said:
Seems I was lucky and got a new video card taboot.
ATI RADEON 9600SE Extreme

Hasn't crashed yet so this looks like it was the problem.

Cheers.

Z
Very kewl. That's the one I just bought for son #2. Enjoy!

Malke
 

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