Computer completly freezes while playing some games.

[Chad678]

I have a problem running some of my games on my Vista which freezes my whole computer to where I have to restart the whole computer. Last year, I was able to play these games. But now I can't even make them run without it freezing my computer.

Known games that will freeze my computer.

-Age of Empires 3.

-Spore

-GTA SA

-Shadowman, etc...

However, I was able to succesfully play games such as Sims 3 and Company of Heroes, (And couple of old games) While my computer freezes, it will freeze on my desktop with no sound, non working keyboard, and mouse. Can't even go to taskbar or do anything but push the power button off and restart the computer. 

[Broni]

Please, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")
- security programs in use (antivirus, firewall)

When was the last time, you cleaned inside the case?

Download, and install SpeedFan: http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Post your computer temperatures:



Provide processor info (hold Windows logo key, and hit Pause/Break key to find out).

Post two sets of results, while computer idle and while playing one of your games.

[Chad678]

I am useing Avira AntiVirus.

SpeedFan Status:
GPU :0C
Temp1: 39C
Temp2: 30C
Temp3: 19C
HD0: 34C
Temp1: 18C
Core:25C
 Hard drive space is like.. Eh, "All blue" which means that there are no free space.
Processor: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor LE-1250 2.20 GHz
RAM: 4.00 GB
Computer was never messed with from the inside execpt when we had to replace the fried Motherboard late last year. (Had to hire someone to replace it.)

[Broni]

Hard drive space is like.. Eh, "All blue" which means that there are no free space.

Start with solving the above issue.
Windows needs at least 15% of a free space to operate correctly.

[Chad678]

Useing Disk Cleaner etc..? It said that it's File System is unknown with each Free/Used Space having 0 Bytes in it. Is that a problem? (DVD RW Drive (E:)

[Broni]

Leave your DVD drive alone. There is nothing to clean there.
BTW, you won't get 15% of a free space by using just Disk Cleaner.
It's a good start, but you have to start moving out some serious files (movies, music, pictures, etc.), uninstalling unneeded programs, etc.

[rthompson80819]

BTW, you won't get 15% of a free space by using just Disk Cleaner.

Probably not, I'm not a computer technician by trade, but I've worked on several friends computer that have never had disk cleaner or defrag run.  The results were amazing.

[Chad678]

I just took out some useless programs and nice load of pictures and still have full blue status. Only biggest game I have on it is Company of Heroes. Other few are oldschool games(Such as Starcraft) and a 2D game (Rise of Nations.)

[Juice217]

if you haven't played a game in a while search through it and save the saved game files and then uninstall the game, so you can use them later without ruining the your progress.

[Broni]

Well, you either need to move more stuff, or get bigger drive.
What's the drive size anyway?

[the_mad_joker]

U Hav 2 Options Buy a new Hard Drive Or Clean Up Ur Unwanted Games, Movies , Softwares
and Programs not used Frequently

[Chad678]

Well, you either need to move more stuff, or get bigger drive.
What's the drive size anyway?

Drive Size? You mean the Hard Disk Drives OS (C:)? If so, I have 120 GB free of 222 GB

[Broni]

I'm confused now. At first you said, your hard drive is full, now you're saying, you have 120GB free?? 

[Chad678]

It's what I'm seeing, any suggestions? o.o

[BC_Programmer]

I'm confused now. At first you said, your hard drive is full, now you're saying, you have 120GB free?? 

they probably had that bar on their DVD drive... or something.

besides, once a disk goes below 20% the bar turns red I believe...