Lockups on fullscreen applications

[Settra]

Im outta ideas

My computer:
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-K8N sLI
Processor: AMD 64 3000+
Graphics: Leadtek 6800GT
Sound: onboard
OS: XP SP2

I've consistantly had this problem ever since i put together the computer.

It seems, every time i run a fullscreen application, such a game, my computer freezes. First, the screen will flicker for a bit, then it will freeze for a few second, and the sound will "stutter" until it unfreezes, then a few seconds later, it happens again. then, randomly it dosent unfreeze, and after a while it blue screens saying the file "n4_dsp" (im pretty sure) has caused the crash.

This also happens whenever i view a .wmv using wmp.

I've tried everything from different drivers to a complete format.

any ideas?

[Dilbert]

How much memory does your system have? What are the minimum specs for the games that often crash?

[Settra]

I have 1.5 gb ram

and it's any game, from the first splinter cell to HL2, BF2, Need for speed most wanted

I can get around the problem by running the game as soon as the system starts, but thats to be a huge hassle when im trying to make videos for school and need to quickly go back into game to record a certain moment..

[Dilbert]

You definitely do NOT have a memory issue... you bested me by .5 GB!

Next on the agenda: Drivers. Do you have the latest version? Or do you have an earlier version on purpose to fix a game problem, or just never upgraded drivers? (I ask because I use older drivers intentionally to fix a problem with a couple games)

Anyways, let me know if the drivers are the latest.

[Settra]

graphics: yes
sound: yes

the rest...whatever came on the cd's that came with the hardware

i don't think it's a driver issue, because if i start the game just after windows finishes loading, the game runs fine..

[Dilbert]

This could be a DirectX issue. Let's see how it responds to an upgrade. DirectX 9.0c is available for download:

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=2DA43D38-DB71-4C1B-BC6A-9B6652CD92A3&displaylang=en

Please note that you will need to download another application so that Windows can make sure you're not running a pirated version of Windows. But that's not really a problem. There are full instructions. Just click continue to get started.

[Settra]

Already got 9.0c, it's one of the first things i install after a format

[Dilbert]

And people wonder why my mousepad has a sticker that says "bang head here". I need an aspirin... Thinking that perhaps this was a common problem with your type of video card, I Googled your card and got nothing like this problem. So that can't be it. Quite simply put, your PC is a good one. You put it together yourself... no wonder it has such good specs, but... The only thing I can think of now is some obscure virus that hinders fullscreen. Just a sec, let me Google to see if such viruses even exist... nothing.

Maybe I should go to bed. But I can't just ignore a problem. That's just who I am, and sometimes I hate that. Wait... I think I may know this. What resolution do you normally set your desktop to? And what resolution are the games?

[Settra]

1280x1024, for both. Running an LCLD monitor, it looks all blurry and crappy otherwise.

I think the problem is power. I have a 500w PSU, but it's some cheap-*censored* brand (cost me a whole 30$ AUS), and i think it's overrated by alot...

could this be true?

[Dilbert]

Maybe. Do you know what brand the PSU is? Someone made that thing, and I'll try to find out if said thing has known issues.

[Settra]

"EZ Cool"


sounds rather respectable, eh? :p

[Fed]

Try changing your resolutions (Windows & games), I've never owned one but I believe lcd monitors have a 'happy' resolution zone.  
It's an easy test.

[dl65]

Fed correct about the resolution settings .

dl65  

[Dilbert]

They do? I always just set it to the highest it would go...

[Settra]

Changing reso has no effect..

I can't work in anything below 1280 anyway