PC Crashing

Takaharu · Nov 8, 2009, 12:42 AM

I supplied a friend of mine with one of my old processors and while he's playing a game his PC will crash on him.
The BIOS was updated to the latest version (which fixed it for a short while), re-installed the graphics card drivers and he's still getting the problem.
I've run a stress test on the CPU and every test passed. However, it seems to only happen in the games. I also checked all of the temps and they all check out ok - the GPU was a tad high but it was in the low 50s (Celsius) so I doubt it's that. The CPU was fine, even when running the stress test.

He used to be running a Pentium D (if memory serves, didn't check when I took it out), now a Core 2 Duo E7300 on an Asus P5N-E SLI (BIOS 1404) and has a Geforce 8800GS.

Any more ideas are welcome.

moshpit · Nov 8, 2009, 12:56 AM

Power supply or memory. Isolate problem by running Memtest86 and if passes, most likely power supply issue.

OldBuzzard · Nov 8, 2009, 05:52 AM

Or, it could be ther game itself. There are games that will do that.

I know I had a lot of problems with Fallout 3 before I found a 'tweak' for one of the .ini files. Same thing with Far Cry 2 when I was running it in DX10 mode. You might try doing a google search on the game to see if others are having problems with it as well.

niceguyrichy · Nov 8, 2009, 08:48 AM

yep ^ the old man has a point

fallout 3 completely killed my comp when i put it on first, as did another game i got fairly recently (i forget which). would go so far , then blam, crash

check the game before you start pulling hardware

RoyBatty · Nov 8, 2009, 10:16 AM

If the machine is overclocked try to set everything to default frequencies so that you know the overclocking is not the problem. I know you said you have already run some stress tests, but I would try that.

Takaharu · Nov 15, 2009, 01:27 AM

I'm currently working on resolving the issue of the PC, after I actually had some real time to work on it.
Though a few tests I have found that the graphics card is cranking up the heat like nobody's business; in about 3mins the temperature of the GPU was up to 80 degrees then slowly climbed to over 100 degrees from running a stability test. It seems that the graphics card is reaching a temperature that it can't handle after gaming for a while then cutting out, causing the PC to crash, which would stand to reason given the symptoms.
However, what is baffling is that this started happening either straight after or a short while after installing the new processor. It might just be coincidental but I'm not sure...

Tyrsonswood · Nov 15, 2009, 01:33 AM

May be coincidence..... If the processor temps are staying stable.

is there enough air circulation for that video card..... that's way to hot.

Optix · Nov 15, 2009, 01:34 AM

Sounds like a coincidence to me. I really can't stand those when they relate to hardware.

Your friend can try cleaning the heatsink on the video card, maybe work on cable management or add/upgrade fans if air flow is an issue or you could grab some extra thermal pads and reseat the heatsink after cleaning off and replacing the thermal interface material.

I do the latter on all of my cards and usually on my motherboards as well. Most of the time the TIM looks like it was put on by a 5 year old at craft time.

duncan880409 · Nov 17, 2009, 04:38 AM

how is the crash happen, PC shut down automatically or restart automatically?

Nov 8, 2009, 12:42 AM	#1
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,847 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	PC Crashing I supplied a friend of mine with one of my old processors and while he's playing a game his PC will crash on him. The BIOS was updated to the latest version (which fixed it for a short while), re-installed the graphics card drivers and he's still getting the problem. I've run a stress test on the CPU and every test passed. However, it seems to only happen in the games. I also checked all of the temps and they all check out ok - the GPU was a tad high but it was in the low 50s (Celsius) so I doubt it's that. The CPU was fine, even when running the stress test. He used to be running a Pentium D (if memory serves, didn't check when I took it out), now a Core 2 Duo E7300 on an Asus P5N-E SLI (BIOS 1404) and has a Geforce 8800GS. Any more ideas are welcome. __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Nov 8, 2009, 12:56 AM	#2
moshpit HardwareHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Pit, pit, pit, in the pit! Posts: 84 Rep Power: 57 System Specs	Re: PC Crashing Power supply or memory. Isolate problem by running Memtest86 and if passes, most likely power supply issue. __________________ Ci7 2600K @5Ghz/8Gb Crucial Ballistix Tracer/Asus Sabertooth P67/EVGA GTX580 Black Ops/2x Patriot Torqx 128G(OS)/1Tb WD Black Ci7 920/6Gb Corsair DDR3 1600/GA-EX58-UD3R/Radeon HD5870/750Gb Seagate ES.2(OS)/2x 2Tb WD Green Ci7 860/8Gb Patriot Viper II/EVGA P55 SLI/Radeon HD5870/750Gb Seagate ES.2 (wife's rig)

Nov 8, 2009, 05:52 AM	#3
OldBuzzard DH's oldest Geek Join Date: May 2003 Location: Oberlin, OH Posts: 2,783 Rep Power: 145 System Specs	Re: PC Crashing Or, it could be ther game itself. There are games that will do that. I know I had a lot of problems with Fallout 3 before I found a 'tweak' for one of the .ini files. Same thing with Far Cry 2 when I was running it in DX10 mode. You might try doing a google search on the game to see if others are having problems with it as well. __________________ When looking for a reason as to why things go wrong, never rule out sheer STUPIDITY

Nov 8, 2009, 10:16 AM	#5
RoyBatty HardwareHeaven Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 1,941 Rep Power: 122 System Specs	Re: PC Crashing If the machine is overclocked try to set everything to default frequencies so that you know the overclocking is not the problem. I know you said you have already run some stress tests, but I would try that.

Nov 15, 2009, 01:27 AM	Thread Starter #6
Takaharu I can fart in 7 languages Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: England, UK Posts: 1,847 Rep Power: 110 System Specs	Re: PC Crashing I'm currently working on resolving the issue of the PC, after I actually had some real time to work on it. Though a few tests I have found that the graphics card is cranking up the heat like nobody's business; in about 3mins the temperature of the GPU was up to 80 degrees then slowly climbed to over 100 degrees from running a stability test. It seems that the graphics card is reaching a temperature that it can't handle after gaming for a while then cutting out, causing the PC to crash, which would stand to reason given the symptoms. However, what is baffling is that this started happening either straight after or a short while after installing the new processor. It might just be coincidental but I'm not sure... __________________ I don't get paid to know the answer, therefore I'm far more likely to give you a straight and honest answer. Mods Rig, Box Mods Rig, Folding details

Nov 17, 2009, 04:38 AM	#9
duncan880409 DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Malaysia Posts: 5 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PC Crashing how is the crash happen, PC shut down automatically or restart automatically?