Vista hanging on screensaver

[Guest]

On a couple occasions now, I have left the computer, and then come
back to the computer to see the screen all black with that circular
Vista logo in the middle of the screen. I take it that means the
screensaver was about to kick in? Well the system did not respond
either time. What is going on here?

These Vista freezes are getting tiresome. I have also had problems
with Chess Titans. If I open IE while playing it, then system is
guaranteed to freeze. If I try to maximize the Chess Titans window,
the system is guaranteed to freeze.

Some people warned me not to get Vista. If I can't fix the freezing,
then I will regret not listening to them.

 

[Malke]

On a couple occasions now, I have left the computer, and then come
back to the computer to see the screen all black with that circular
Vista logo in the middle of the screen. I take it that means the
screensaver was about to kick in? Well the system did not respond
either time. What is going on here?

These Vista freezes are getting tiresome. I have also had problems
with Chess Titans. If I open IE while playing it, then system is
guaranteed to freeze. If I try to maximize the Chess Titans window,
the system is guaranteed to freeze.

Some people warned me not to get Vista. If I can't fix the freezing,
then I will regret not listening to them.

Sounds like an issue with your video card, either the hardware or the
drivers. Since you didn't include any details about your computer, that's
as specific as I can be. Troubleshooting would be to a) update the video
drivers (see below); b) if that doesn't work, uninstall the card for a
known-working one that is compatible with Vista and if that solves it,
replace the original card. Also check for overheating.

General drivers information - Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get
them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer
(HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model
machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

Malke

 

[Guest]

Sounds like an issue with your video card, either the hardware or the
drivers. Since you didn't include any details about your computer, that's
as specific as I can be. Troubleshooting would be to a) update the video
drivers (see below); b) if that doesn't work, uninstall the card for a
known-working one that is compatible with Vista and if that solves it,
replace the original card. Also check for overheating.

General drivers information - Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get
them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer
(HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model
machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html- Belarc
Advisorhttp://www.gtopala.com/- System Information for Windows

The computer is a Dell Inspiron 530 with an Intel E8200 CPU, 2 GB of
RAM, and it's using the onboard Intel 3100 graphics media accelerator.

I will try to upgrade the drivers after the chkdsk finishes running.

Today I tried playing a DVD on the computer, and it worked as long as
the WMP window was not maximized. After I maximized WMP, the system
froze. All of these freezing problems seem to indicate that the
onboard Intel graphics just can't handle the load, does it not? I am
thinking about upgrading to a real video card, and hopefully that will
solve all the problems.

 

[Malke]

The computer is a Dell Inspiron 530 with an Intel E8200 CPU, 2 GB of
RAM, and it's using the onboard Intel 3100 graphics media accelerator.

I will try to upgrade the drivers after the chkdsk finishes running.

Today I tried playing a DVD on the computer, and it worked as long as
the WMP window was not maximized. After I maximized WMP, the system
froze. All of these freezing problems seem to indicate that the
onboard Intel graphics just can't handle the load, does it not? I am
thinking about upgrading to a real video card, and hopefully that will
solve all the problems.

Well, it could be the video card but with the additional information you
included it could also be another hardware problem such as bad RAM or
overheating, or a combination of all of the above. Certainly you could try
putting in a standalone video card, but if your Dell is still under
warranty I think I'd call Dell tech support first.

If the computer is out of warranty, then go through some general hardware
troubleshooting along with the video card:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

Malke

 

[Guest]

Well, it could be the video card but with the additional information you
included it could also be another hardware problem such as bad RAM or
overheating, or a combination of all of the above. Certainly you could try
putting in a standalone video card, but if your Dell is still under
warranty I think I'd call Dell tech support first.

If the computer is out of warranty, then go through some general hardware
troubleshooting along with the video card:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

I haven't updated the drivers yet, but I did try disabling Aero. And
the problems went away! I can now open IE with Chess Titans already
running, and the system doesn't freeze. I can now open Chess Titans
and maximize the window, and the system doesn't freeze. I can now
play a DVD in full screen mode, and the system doesn't freeze.

So it seems like all of those freezing problems were due to the
onboard Intel graphics chip having its hands full with Aero, and when
I tried to do additional graphically-intensive tasks, it overwhelmed
the Intel chip, and that caused the system to freeze.

Even with Aero disabled, I can see that the Intel chip struggles with
certain tasks. When I run that Chess Titans game, it will spin the
board 180 degrees before starting the game. If the Chess Titans
window is not maximized, then the spinning will look pretty smooth.
But if the Chess Titans window is maximized, then the spinning will
look pretty jerky.

Perhaps all of these problems are because I'm running in 1920x1200
resolution? That might be too high of a resolution for the Intel
chip. Maybe my computer needs a real video card.

 

[Malke]

I haven't updated the drivers yet, but I did try disabling Aero. And
the problems went away! I can now open IE with Chess Titans already
running, and the system doesn't freeze. I can now open Chess Titans
and maximize the window, and the system doesn't freeze. I can now
play a DVD in full screen mode, and the system doesn't freeze.

So it seems like all of those freezing problems were due to the
onboard Intel graphics chip having its hands full with Aero, and when
I tried to do additional graphically-intensive tasks, it overwhelmed
the Intel chip, and that caused the system to freeze.

Even with Aero disabled, I can see that the Intel chip struggles with
certain tasks. When I run that Chess Titans game, it will spin the
board 180 degrees before starting the game. If the Chess Titans
window is not maximized, then the spinning will look pretty smooth.
But if the Chess Titans window is maximized, then the spinning will
look pretty jerky.

Perhaps all of these problems are because I'm running in 1920x1200
resolution? That might be too high of a resolution for the Intel
chip. Maybe my computer needs a real video card.

You've done an excellent job of troubleshooting. I agree with your
conclusions. Go buy yourself a real video card that can support the
resolution and programs you want to run.

Malke