Random crashes in just about any videogame

hahallur · Jan 11, 2009

Hi I've been having this problem for a while now so listen up

(Screens are below for more info)

When playing just any game it crashes and I get an error messege saying "Directx has encounterd an unrecoveralbe error"
and
Display driver "nvlddmkm" has stopped working.

Then the computer flickers in and out and I am forced to restart the computer manualy.

Thins I've tried is that I formated my main "C" harddrive and setup all newest drivers etc.
That didn't fix this.

Another thing I thought of is that the card was overheating, well it has a custom Thermal Right cooler and a 120mm fan but I still tried and opened up the case.
That didn't have any effect.

This is a strange problem because I am able to run tests such as 3d mark -Vantage, 06, 05 and 03 without any crashes.
It's only when I play games for a while, and there doesn't seem to be a pattern in how long I can play it is totally random.

So any ideas ?

Regards
Hallur

hahallur · Jan 12, 2009

Dzomlija · Jan 12, 2009

try downloading and installing updated (NOT BETA) drivers from Welcome to NVIDIA - World Leader in Visual Computing Technologies

hahallur · Jan 12, 2009

Shouldn't I have Directx 10.1

I have SP1 installed

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 1/12/2009, 16:43:45
Machine name: HALLUR-VISTA
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Ultimate (6.0, Build 6001) Service Pack 1 (6001.vistasp1_gdr.080917-1612)
Language: Icelandic (Regional Setting: Icelandic)
System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
System Model: P5K Deluxe
BIOS: BIOS Date: 06/19/08 11:21:34 Ver: 08.00.12
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 2046MB RAM
Page File: 1133MB used, 3200MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 64bit Unicode

sygnus21 · Jan 12, 2009

Be aware that Vista comes loaded with DX10 out the box.

In order to use DX10 (10.1) you'll have to have both a video card and game capable of DX10. If you have a DX10 card, but the game is DX9, your card will play in DX9 mode, likewise if you have a DX10 game, but a DX9 card, the game will be played in DX9 mode. If you have both a DX10 game and card, the game will be played in DX10. Note that some games will give you the option to choose either DX9 or 10. Examples of these games are:

Bioshock
Crysis
Crysis Warhead
Lost Planet: Colonies Edition

I would suggest you update you DX files by downloading and installing both files. DX9 first, then the Runtime files.

DX9 Update Download details: DirectX 9.0c Redistributable for Software Developers?

DX End users Runtime (Nov 08) http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

And as has been stated, make sure you have the latest video card drivers, as well as the latest soundcard drivers.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Edit: Even though your DX info reads DX10, (It'll still say that even after doing updates), it's 10.1

AstaLaVista · Jan 12, 2009

After doing what sygnus21 suggested and if you are still experiencing the problems, I would try re installing your drivers since 181 is already out.

Did you recently updated your drivers, say from 178 to 180? if so, did you also uninstall the PhysX drivers and run a registry sweeper before installing the newer drivers?

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

Games i've played so far have all crashed. Both dx 10 and 9.
It actually first started with Fallout 3 and it's like the lower I have the settings, that's res and deatail, AA etc. the longer I can play.

Games I've played so far since this started have all had this directx error.
Fallout 3
Left 4 Dead
Call of Duty: World at War
ElderScrolls IV: Oblivion

I'll try what you've recommanded and let you know if it works.

AstaLaVista · Jan 13, 2009

Not 100% sure here but I think that Vista x64 requires at least 4GB of Ram to be able to work well, less than that and you are looking for trouble, of course this is only hearsay on my part and, hopefully, someone else will either confirm or deny this.

You have a very good card, even by today's stds and you also stated that you have a cooler but, have you checked your temps?

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

There doesn't seem to be too much heat... after all I have the best available aircooler for this card from ThermalRight. (See below on pic)

Also when trying to remove the display driver I get this problem.

sygnus21 · Jan 13, 2009

AstaLaVista said:
Not 100% sure here but I think that Vista x64 requires at least 4GB of Ram to be able to work well, less than that and you are looking for trouble, of course this is only hearsay on my part and, hopefully, someone else will either confirm or deny this.

You have a very good card, even by today's stds and you also stated that you have a cooler but, have you checked your temps?

Sorry but that's hearsay. Running 2gig of RAM under Vista 64 is fine, and that won't cause the crashes he's having. With that said, I personally think 4gig should be the minimum under Vista 64. But that's a debate for another time.

I would suggest hahallur follow my earlier suggestions and go from there. With the issues he's having, it's either a video card or driver issue.

sygnus21 · Jan 13, 2009

One other thing, what soundcard do you have??? Have you updated the drivers??? Faulty/outdated soundcard drivers will and can cause problems in games.

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

RME: Fireface 800

Not casual

I have all the latest drivers for my soundcard.. not that it matters.

sygnus21 · Jan 13, 2009

hahallur said:
RME: Fireface 800

Not casual

I have all the latest drivers for my soundcard.. not that it matters.

Hmmm....I'm assuming you're a musician or recording artist? Impressive...but is it for gaming?

Were you ever able to play these games without problems, if so, when and what was your system like?

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

My system was the same and is the same...

Of course it's not meant for gaming but I haven't had any trouble in the past with it... the only game I wasn't able to play without having the Fireface 800 turned off was Fable 1.

I'll try playing without sound by unplugging the Fireface and see if it helps.

But I don't see how it could be the soundcard since I've played plenty games in the past with the FireFace.
And also why would the game allow me to play 1-30 minutes and then give me a directx error.

I'll still give it a shot though!

edit: could this be due to lack of power ?
I'll post full specs.

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

CPU = Intel Q6600 SLACR
Motherboard = ASUS P5K Deluxe
Memory = Crucial Ballistix 2GB (1GB x 2) 800 mhz
GPU = GeForce 8800 GTX
Soundcard = RME Fireface 800
Volume Control = Presonus HP4
Os = Vista Ultimate x64 SP1
HDD1 = WD Raptor 150 GB
HDD2 = Seagate Barricuda 1000 GB
HDD3 = Seagate Barricuda 500 GB
HDD4 = Seagate Barricuda 500 GB
HHD5 = Seagate Barricuda 500 GB
HDD6 = Seagate Barricuda 200 GB
PSU = Corsair HX620W Modular
Chassics = Antec P180
DVD drive = Samsung DVD-RW
CPU cooler = Thermalright Ultra 120
GPU cooler = Thermalright HR-03 PLUS
Keyboard = Logitech G15
Mouse = Logitech MX518
Mousepad = Qck Steel
Monitor = Viewsonic VG900b 19" lcd
Speakers = KRK Rokit 5 75w rms x 2

sygnus21 · Jan 13, 2009

To be honest, I'm beginning to run out of suggestions. You might want to check to see if your video card is faulty since you say you can play "1-30 minutes" before getting a DX error. That’s the part that looses me. Can you post a screen shot of the error?

As to the power supply, I see you have 6 HD + a DVD drive + other stuff on a 620W PS. I'm not sure what to make of the situation there. Maybe you ought to look at a 700-750W. Hard for me to say one way or the other.

I myself have an Antec Neo HE 550W PS on 3 (was 4) HD's, two DVD writers, + other stuff and have not had any issues, and I'm overclocked. That's why I'm a little skechy on you PS situation.

Bottom line - Take a closer look at both the PS and video card, ...and your cooling!

And it would really help to have a screen shot of your DX error.

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

I'm also not leaning towards the PSU.

This PSU has 3x 18A 12v rails which should be enough I think

According too eXtreme Outer Vision - eXtreme tools for computer enthusiasts I need 555watts of power so mabey I should upgrade.... not sure though.

sygnus21 · Jan 13, 2009

You'll get no debate from me on your power supply as I'm one who don't believe you need a uber wattage power supply to meet daily needs. Again, I'm using a 550W with absolutely no issues.

And before I get beat up by the PS enthusiasts, I said no need for uber wattage, not quality! Always always always get a high quality PS

At any rate - are you looking at your video card, and did you get the screen shot for the DX error?

hahallur · Jan 13, 2009

I can't take a screenshot everything is frozen up.

But the messege I get is exactly like this.

"DirectX Error DirectX has encountered an unrecoverable error. Please check DirectX"

Klaudius · Jan 14, 2009

Wow this sounds like old school overclocking problems. If your not overclocking then just dont worry about reading this post, because your video card is failing and you need to return it to the vendor.

As for being able to run tests? I wouldent really trust that as a system stress test. Those are just benchmarks, they arnt trying to run your system till it fails. Thats why pc mark will show 1FPS instead of crashing your machine and saying "your machine is below our standard, please buy another one".

Your memory on the card might not be able to take it, or the GPU, honestly, if your crashing in "Just about any video game" you definately have to take it back a notch.

Also Im guessing your system is probly overclocked as well,

I know people used to overclock systems hard core before, but these days high end performance is so cheap there's no real reason too unless you want to overclock a high end system to specs that don't exist yet.

This really sounds like an overclocking problem, usually this stuff happens when your pushing too much current through the GPU /Memory on the card, cooling wont help it unless its submerged, air can only cool so much per minute.
Here are some quick things you can do to figure it out. Try each one separately.

1) Back the video card / and CPU down to original voltage/speed.

2) Unplug all the hard drives but the main one. I know your saying you have alot of power, but you may not have as much as you think you do. Im guessing those drives are media quality so they are spinning at like 10000 rpms like the high end segates. Sometimes these games do seek operations that will spin up all the drives, I dont get it but ive seen it happen.

3) Disable the driver for your sound card in the device manager and run the game.(this might actually crash a game since some of them dont like running without sound, hell if battlefield can check for a 60 hz refresh rate anything is possible)

4) Find a priest, and exorcise the cantarian demon that has gotten into your DDR4 memory on the video card.

If i think of more I will post them, its early and I havent had my caffine yet.

Oh and the double flicker after the crash is your video card trying to find out what refresh/resolution to run because it cant talk to the monitor through the OS anymore , your video card is lonely and in pain.

best of luck
-K
I

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