Computer Randomly Restarts Only When Playing Certain Games

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

For about 3 years my computer has been restarting itself without warning. It only restarts when I play certain games. Almost every time my computer restarts, there are a bunch of vertical, grey, lines/bars running down the screen. I can play Team Fortress 2 for almost 4 hours straight, and not a single problem. I can only play Skyrim for about 15-30 minutes without the computer restarting. The sooner I can get a reply the better, it is SO ANNOYING to have your computer restart after only 30 minutes of gaming!

richc46 · Mar 15, 2013

Welcome
We can test further, later, but sounds like graphics card/driver.
Go to search by the start button, and type device manager.
In DM look for small yellow markers, update those drivers
No, markers, go to the web site of your graphics card and update the driver.

Patonb · Mar 15, 2013

I have a feeling it's heat and/or stress level on the gpu.

If you download gpuz and let it log your system, you can look at it after you crash and see what temperature you hit.

I'd also recommend stressing the card with furmark to see the temps youre hitting.

GPU-Z Video card GPU Information Utility
FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

Allan D · Mar 15, 2013

Hello Prototype661,

Well, system restarting while playing a game can be really annoying. This can be due to overheating of the system. Observe if the system overheats.

In addition to what Richard has said, I would request you to try the following steps:
-- Run the Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA / ePSA) Diagnostics.
Run the test and check if gives any error code. Note down the error code and update me with the same, would let you know the next course of action. If the test passes on all the hardware components, follow the next step.

-- Run a PC Diagnostics on the Video Card and CPU. This would prove the functionality as well.

Please try the steps and write back with the results. I hope you are facing the issue with the Dell Computer that you have updated in My System Specs. However the system Model was not mentioned. Hence I would request you to mention the system model with your reply.

Awaiting your response!

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

richc46 said:
Welcome
We can test further, later, but sounds like graphics card/driver.
Go to search by the start button, and type device manager.
In DM look for small yellow markers, update those drivers
No, markers, go to the web site of your graphics card and update the driver.

I checked the device manager for any of those markers, and everything was fine. A couple days ago I did a complete factory system restore on the computer, and I also downloaded the latest driver for my card that day. Thanks for the response, but it seems that that wasn't the problem.

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

Allan D said:
Hello Prototype661,

Well, system restarting while playing a game can be really annoying. This can be due to overheating of the system. Observe if the system overheats.

In addition to what Richard has said, I would request you to try the following steps:
-- Run the Pre-Boot System Assessment (PSA / ePSA) Diagnostics.
Run the test and check if gives any error code. Note down the error code and update me with the same, would let you know the next course of action. If the test passes on all the hardware components, follow the next step.

-- Run a PC Diagnostics on the Video Card and CPU. This would prove the functionality as well.

Please try the steps and write back with the results. I hope you are facing the issue with the Dell Computer that you have updated in My System Specs. However the system Model was not mentioned. Hence I would request you to mention the system model with your reply.

Awaiting your response!

Thanks for your response, im going to try that now. I'll let you know if anything comes up.

Allan D · Mar 15, 2013

Hi Prototype661,

Please do take your time and let us know the results. I would be glad to assist you further.
Awaiting your response!

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

Allan D said:
Hi Prototype661,

Please do take your time and let us know the results. I would be glad to assist you further.
Awaiting your response!

I just finished the test, and everything passed, I also did a memory test, and everything passed too. Now i'm going to test graphics card and cpu. The model of my computer is the Vostro 420.

richc46 · Mar 15, 2013

Go to search and type
event viewer.
Especially in administrative, look for errors or worse that occurred at the time of the problem

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

Just finished the CPU and video card tests. Everything passed, although the computer peaked at 76 c, i'm not sure if that's average temperature under stress, but the conversion is 168 f, pretty hot. There was a test for unexpected restarts, so I am going to try that now.

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

Prototype661 said:
Just finished the CPU and video card tests. Everything passed, although the computer peaked at 76 c, i'm not sure if that's average temperature under stress, but the conversion is 168 f, pretty hot. There was a test for unexpected restarts, so I am going to try that now.

After taking the unexpected restart test, only one thing failed: PCI Bridge: Intel(R) ICH10 Family PCI Express Root Port 2 - 3A42. I have no idea what this is, but it said that this is a fatal error.

Patonb · Mar 15, 2013

What peeked at 76? vcpu or video card?

If its the gpu your good, cpu your bad.

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

Patonb said:
What peeked at 76? vcpu or video card?

If its the gpu your good, cpu your bad.

The GPU is what hit that temperature during the test, not the cpu.

Prototype661 · Mar 15, 2013

Computer restarted again just now

, I cant wait to get this stupid thing fixed....

Prototype661 · Mar 16, 2013

Patonb said:
I have a feeling it's heat and/or stress level on the gpu.

If you download gpuz and let it log your system, you can look at it after you crash and see what temperature you hit.

I'd also recommend stressing the card with furmark to see the temps youre hitting.

GPU-Z Video card GPU Information Utility
FurMark: VGA Stress Test, Graphics Card and GPU Stability Test, Burn-in Test, OpenGL Benchmark and GPU Temperature | oZone3D.Net

I downloaded GPU-Z and had it log the temperature to a file. I played Skyrim for about an hour until it restarted again. When the computer restarted itself, it was averaging 77 c at 100% load. I'll check and see if that is an ok temperature for my specs.

Patonb · Mar 16, 2013

That temperatures fine actually.

Have you tesxted the cpu, isn't skyrim a heavy game?

Try running intel burn test
Download IntelBurnTest 2.54 Free - Stress your computer to find out how stable it is - Softpedia

But becareful with itg as it'll reallyh load your system.
Use coretemp to watch temps
Core Temp

Prototype661 · Mar 16, 2013

Patonb said:
That temperatures fine actually.

Have you tesxted the cpu, isn't skyrim a heavy game?

Try running intel burn test
Download IntelBurnTest 2.54 Free - Stress your computer to find out how stable it is - Softpedia

But becareful with itg as it'll reallyh load your system.
Use coretemp to watch temps
Core Temp

Skyrim IS a heavy game, but my computer can run it at almost max settings, and I get 50-70 fps when playing the game. If I can run the game at high settings and still be able to play the game with no lag, then shouldn't that mean that the cpu can perfectly handle the stress? I'm still going to try the Intel burn test though.

Prototype661 · Mar 16, 2013

Took the Intel Burn Test, and even at maximum stress level the test said the CPU was stable.

Core Temps Reached @ Maximum Stress Level :

Core #0-76°C
Core #1-71°C
Core #2-75°C
Core #3-72°C

Unless these temps are higher than normal, then it looks like the CPU isn't the problem either. I'm going start up my game with Core Temp on, and see if they reach the same temperatures that they did in the Intel Burn Test. If they do, then it looks like the CPU might be overheating. I really only use my computer for gaming, and if the CPU is constantly at the temperatures, then I might need better cooling system.

Thanks again for all of your replies, it feels good knowing that others are trying to help me out. :D:

D:D

richc46 · Mar 16, 2013

A way back I had mentioned that you should take a look at the event viewer, do that.
If that does not give any leads, furnish us this information. I know you did not have a BSOD, but we will get a little information if you cooperate and furnish us the info requested.
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/282419-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Prototype661 · Mar 17, 2013

richc46 said:
A way back I had mentioned that you should take a look at the event viewer, do that.
If that does not give any leads, furnish us this information. I know you did not have a BSOD, but we will get a little information if you cooperate and furnish us the info requested.
http://www.vistax64.com/crashes-debugging/282419-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

What exactly are you wanting me to find in the Event Viewer?

Computer Randomly Restarts Only When Playing Certain Games

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