PC crashing is getting old, hope to have a solution soon.

[ninjaarashi]

I've posted her before but haven't been back in awhile my previous problem is gone though a new one has reared it's ugly head. Sometimes while playing a game on my PC, windowed or full screen, the monitor looses signal from the videocard or the screen locks up and the image distorts. In both cases the PC seems to lock up as I have tried to continue to type to someone and they didn't get any of it. The only solution I have to the problem as of now is reseting the PC. It doesn't always happen, and each time it does one or the other.

I'm thinking that this has to do with my videocard or my monitor, but just in case I'll post all my specs again.

Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2
Pentium 4 3gig
Intel D946GZis Motherboard
1gig of 667 DDR2
GeForce 7600 GS 512mb
hp pavilion mx70 (Monitor)
Ultra X2 550w

If more info is needed, let me know

[Calum]

Try updating your video drivers.
Also check the connections between the card and the monitor.
Check that the card is firmly seated and that the inside of the PC is free of dust.
What malware protection do you have?

This is my 2000th post, I now have a coloured name.
8-)

[street1 (RIP)]

Deputy Sheriff ?  You left out a zero. Congratulations
Calum.

Robert [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

[ninjaarashi]

2000 posts, do you get a medal with that? Congrats!

Everything is fine and I've run Spybot and AdAware as well as AVG and none of them have found anything, any other suggestions?

[patio]

Try removing the video card and cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser and re-seating it...

As always when working inside the case remove all power sources and take the neccessary ESD precautions.

[Calum]

Deputy Sheriff ?  You left out a zero. Congratulations
Calum.

Robert [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

I did leave out a zero.
Thanks for that, fixed now.

2000 posts, do you get a medal with that? Congrats!

Everything is fine and I've run Spybot and AdAware as well as AVG and none of them have found anything, any other suggestions?

Thanks.  The medal, I'm assured, is in the post.
Did you update your drivers?
And try patio's suggestion.
Do you know when this started, and what happened before it did?

[ninjaarashi]

I'll try the eraser trick before I go to bed. Though I have have the card out before and I cleaned the connectors with a q-tip.

This issue has been going on since I upgraded and that was awhile back now. It stopped for some time, and that was when I got the other error which I came and posted here about. But that one quit happening and this one is back... I think the other problem was fixed, but this one doesn't seem to have a sure fire solution. I'll let you know if it happens again tomorrow. [edit]I just realized it IS tomorrow... so I'll let you know if it happens later today.[/edit]

[ninjaarashi]

I just realized I misspelled the title... heh...

Anyways, for awhile I thought the issue was gone, but just now I had to restart the PC because the crash happened once again.

I'm starting to suspect a tie between 3D rendering and the crash. But seeing as it doesn't happen all the time or right away I'm still mystified.

Well, I can only guess that no one has any other ideas... Right now I think it's either the videocard or the drivers for said videocard. Anyone?

[pcdoc4christ]

Try the Windows DXDiag tool:

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Enter dxdiag and click OK.
3. Click the Display tab.
4. Click Test DirectDraw to run the diagnostic tests.
5. Click Test Direct3D to run more diagnostic tests.
6. Let us know whatever errors or problems Windows reports.

[ninjaarashi]

No problems found.
DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful.
Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.

The tests don't last very long though and the error doesn't happen right away, normally takes awhile, like example right when the game gets good. It has great timing (sarcasm).

[patio]

What game ? ?
Have you checked all the settings in the game itself and/or re-installed it ? ?

[pcdoc4christ]

Also, check your PC for overheating.  Make sure all the cooling vents are cleared of dust and the fans are all spinning still.

[ninjaarashi]

Hmmm, now there is a thought... But if it were overheating wouldn't it happen every time and not just every now and then? I mean most times after it happens, I restart and the computer is fine after that... All fans are operational and were cleaned upon my last installation of stuff.

[edit]Uhm, just crashed again, this time the monitor lost signal and I couldn't reset the PC[/edit]

[pcdoc4christ]

Actually, it would happen every time the PC reaches a certain temperature threshold.  For example, it would be more likely to happen when playing games with 3-d graphics than when the PC is sitting idle.

[Jp]

pcdoc4christ,

There should be a warning message if the system is overheating,

telling you it will shut-off if not corrected, right ?

Jp