Computer Freezes When Playing Games

[jimmytheshoes]

I have an athlon amd 1900 and 512mb ram, with windows xp.

Up until recently my computer worked fine, but now when I start a game it crashes between 2-10 mins of playing without fail.
I have noticed that if my computer has been turned off for ages and i go straight on a game it runs for longer before crashing. If ive already been on the computer for 30 mins, it will crash straight away.

I had the blaster virus but got the fix so it can't be that.

I reinstalled windows and that didn't help.

Before reinstalling windows my computer was up to date with all the latest drivers, Direct x 9.0 and service packs and kept clean with Tune Up Utilities 2003.

Surely (don't call me shirley) that means hardware!?

I'm confused.
Can anyone help me please?

[XxCowOfChaosxX]

probably u need cooling?

[CatScam]

Lets start with the basics, are you running the latest video & DirectX drivers?
When you re-installed windows did you install a virus checker? Many times a
virus checker running in the background will crash your game.

Some need to knows: What video card are you running & how much ram do you have?

[jimmytheshoes]

I do have a virus checker running, however it has never been a problem before. I will give that a try.

I have a 64mb radeon 8500 series graphics card, with the latest driver installed.

The RAM on my computer is 512 MB.

My CPU temp is 64 degrees C. / 147 F.

Is that normal?

Another thing that i forgot to mention is that when the computer freezes, the memory/activity light on the front of the tower/case stops, yet the computer is still on.

I appreciate the help.

[jimmytheshoes]

I turned off the anti virus programme and tried the game however it made no diffrence.

[EvilRick]

If it's crashing because of high heat, you can take the side(s) off. If it doesn't crash w/ the side(s) removed, then you know your not getting good air flow.

[VHockey86]

Ya that definately sounds like a heat problem.

Especially for that processor, anything in the 60s is quite warm.... not that those temps will actualy damage the chip but you will see a loss of stability.

[jimmytheshoes]

Is there a more permanent solution other than taking the sides off?

This computer is nearly two yeas old, why would this have not happened before?

[Tec]

This might be a slow spinning fan(your cpu cooler) due to dust. Sometimes you can't tell just by looking at it! It may not be going fast enough, as time flies your cooler gets dirtier! Your temperature is a little bit above normal. It's happened to me before, not with games though, but Windows crashed randomly after a few minutes and all I had to do was change the cooler and everything went back to normal! Hope it helps!

[VHockey86]

Well its probably been getting worse and worse over time, but just now to the point where you notice any change in stability.

You might want to get a can of compressed air and thoroughly clean the inside of your computer. Check to make sure your cables aren't screwing up air flow too bad, etc etc. General Maintenance

I would also keep an eye on your power supply fans (it might be overheating), make sure the unit doesnt get too warm to the touch. The PSU is particularily prone to dying from lots of use and a dying power supply results in stability issues like you're explaining.

[WingWizard]

sounds like it could be a power supply problem too, might wanna check into that if taking off the sides of the computer don't work.

[joker_927]

HAd some other peeople with this problem. They all bought OEM computer and had put new age video cards in them. The puny 200w-250w PSU's that OEM use can't handle the new video cards power.

When the card switches to 3d mode: BAM! no power.

[jimmytheshoes]

I spoke to the tech support guy today and he said it sounded like the graphics/video card. I ran 3dMark and it didn't crash. That pretty much rule out the graphics card right?

However it is taking longer to crash now about 20-30 if i haven't been on for a while, or 0-10 mins if i have just rebooted.

You can buy compressed air? Cool.

[jimmytheshoes]

Breakthrough!! In a way.

It just crashed while using the internet with absolutly NO graphic programmes running in the background. SO it can not be graphics.

Where can you buy compressed air from?

Also is there a risk of shocks when opening the tower/case?

[VHockey86]

Office max... sams club... Staples... pretty much any store like that. Comes in little aerosol type cans, about the size of a can of spray paint.

The sams club I live by has a ton of it on clearance, 4 cans for like 8 dollars so I picked up 5 boxes of it. Its normally around 5 dollars a can

Theres always a risk of static electricity if you're not careful.. but you should be ok if you are.

Dont actualy touch the componets without first grounding yourself. A little static gaurd never hurts.