Strange annoyance

[celith]

Alright...Not too long ago my computer started to freeze randomly during gaming. It would totally lock up the system and have a sound loop to the lock up. The freezing could happen anywhere from the first few mins. to an hour or so later. Some days I would not even get the freeze. Around the same time I started to get this blank screen with movable or not movable pointer after the green loading bar. I figured I must of installed a bad driver so I decided to reformat my HDD with my Vista CD. I ended up getting rid of the freezing issue * or so I believe as it has not happened yet*, but I still get this blank screen with the mouse pointer. The thing is is that it never happened before and it is annoying if anything since the blank screen only lasts about 10 seconds and the computer continues to boot normally. Has anyone have any suggestions on what is causing this screen?

specs are:
VistaX64 Ultimate
Intel core I7 2.66
two GTS 250 *not in SLI mode*
6 gig ram

 

[richc46]

Might be a graphics card problem. Go to device manager look for any yellow warning signs about bad card or driver. Then make sure you have most up to date driver.
Get it from the company website, not automatic update.

 

[celith]

alright I did do that. Device manager doesn't show any errors and I did have the curent version of my video card driver. I decided to use driver sweeper and install the driver before the newest update. So far I haven't had an issue with my games but I've only played an hour or so and like I said I could go days without an issue. I do however still have that temporary 10 second black screen with mouse pointer after loading bar and before user login screen.

 

[richc46]

Follow these instructions carefully to see what is causing the delay
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

 

[celith]

Alright after a few days playing with the older driver I am still getting random lock ups during my games. I know it is not over heating, because the temp for both the CPU and GPU never go over 45C. I did what that link asks to do, but it is a no go. I did however notice that the event log/viewer does not show anything for the crashing other then that the computer shutdown was unexpected. After finding this should I expect this to be a MOBO or power supply issue?

My full computer specs are:

Vista x64 ultimate edition
intel core i7 920 2.66
ASUS LGA 1366 P6T
6 gig DDR3 corsair ram
2X Nvidia GTS 250
750 watt Corsair PSU

 

[richc46]

Here is our information on Game Problems. I will continue to research and post anything signnificant.
Tips on Troubleshooting Game Issues - Windows 7 Forums

 

[celith]

alright I will try to do all the updates and tasks that the post talks about. After I do that I will get back here and see if anything happens. Thanks for the system spec instructions. I can give you guys more info on what is going on. Appreciate all of your help rich. Just hope I can get this solved :S

 

[jcgriff2]

Monitor temps with SpeedFan v4.41 --> Download SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

Are you going directly to NVIDIA for video drivers? --> Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

`

 

[celith]

thanks for the reply Jc. I have checked the temps using evga percision and from the mobo. I also have an lcd screen that constantly shows what the temps are for the gpu cpu and the case as a whole. Should I still use speedfan? What I've been using has said that the temps haven't gone over 45C. As fo the nvidia drivers yes I only download them from the nvidia website. I was wondering should I disable my onboard sound and see if that is the cause?

 

[richc46]

Temps seem in the normal range. Not being familiar with the software that you mentioned, I would suggest that you install speedy fan for extra assurance. The last thing that you need to maintain your computer is an overheating problem.

I would follow the troublehooting guide that I provided, since that entails quite a few tasks. I would not disable the onboard sound until all the other tasks are completed and problems still exist.

 

[celith]

ok I will download it when I get home. Yeah I had company over last night so only went through a few tasks but will complete it tonight. I guess a better question should of been can a bad sound card or bad driver cause games to crash like that? I know only a fair share about computers so I am trying to learn as much as I can.

 

[richc46]

Anything that is in use during the game can cause the crash.

 

[celith]

[/IMG]

Installed speedfan and this is what I see.

EDIT: ok so I was playing L4D2 and the temp seems to go up to 66C for the first GPU. That is the highest I have seen it so far

double edit: alright I was able to get it to 78C

 

[richc46]

66 is a bit high. That may be the problem
About 60 is the highest it should go

If you are in the USA and using Farenheit. 60=150
66=165 big difference

 

[celith]

yeah I am in the US. I am goign to take it out and blow some air on it.

 

[richc46]

How to Prevent Your Computer from Overheating (and Why It's Important)

 

[celith]

ok good news is when I took a can of air to it I was able to blow out a ton of dust from inside the card. after I restarted my computer the temp dropped about 5C. so I am going to test it out and will be back if something or nothing happens.

 

[richc46]

Hope it works.

 

[celith]

temp still will reach 70C :S I haven't crashed yet, but I am using EVGA precision to set my GPU fan speed to 80%. If I do this the GPU will stay around 60C while under load. My room is warmer than normal, but I am going to try the increased fan speed as well to keep it cooler. I just hope that my GPU isn't damaged from the overheating if that was what it was

 

[richc46]

60 is the upper limit. You may have to buy something like a cooling pad.