Windows Vista Crash Problems

[AlexProdigy]

Alright I went to that site and read the instructions but the problem is that if there is a dump file created I can delete it but from some reason if there is no dump file created disk cleaup doesn't seem to find any. I have never created a dump file for SC2 before so all the crashed have probably been lumped together into one dump file. And for some reason disk cleanup can't find that file when I don't manually select from the task manager to create a dump file.

 

[richc46]

Did you read my edit about system files?

 

[AlexProdigy]

Yup, I read your post about the system files but I don't see that anywhere on my disk cleanup when I run it. Basically there is a box called System error memory and dump files and if I haven't created a dump file than it won't show anything to delete, but here's the problem, if I create a dump file for SC2 than it just deletes that current dump file and not the actual system error memory which is stored else where I believe. So when I create a new dump file it still has all those old dump files in it thus making it 600Mb large. Ya I'm really sorry about this I know its frustrating but I will keep trying to find out how to get you those dump files.

 

[richc46]

Funny, I was concerned that I was frustrating you. I will research and find a manual way to remove them.

 

[AlexProdigy]

Alright so I did some reading and I found out a couple things. There is a good chance it is an overheating issue or some kind of power supply related issue. I am hesitant to say it is a power supply issue since when I got my new card from Dell they told me my power supply could handle it. But I wanted to check this for myself, do you know anyways of determining my power supply and what it can or cannot handle? Also I am still trying to find out how to get those dump files might be a little while though.

 

[richc46]

I have this, but I think it is more likely overheating.
Power Supply Test - How Do I Test the Power Supply in My Computer? - PSU Test

 

[AlexProdigy]

Alright so I couldn't really find anything on how to get you those dump files, not sure if your search went any better. But either way it looks like it is probably overheating. But if my graphics card is overheating what is causing this? I was able to play starcraft 2 on ultra high settings for at least a good month before any of this started to happen. My PC never overheated before from any games, plus I now play starcraft 2 on the lowest settings and I'm still overheating. Do you have any suggestions for me?

 

[richc46]

My guess is that the inside of your computer looks like a garbage dump; dust, dog hair, bugs etc . Clean is out

But here is more
Keep Your Computer Cool - www.compukiss.com

 

[richc46]

To delete files

I would suggest running cmd/DOS command at elevated administrative level -

START | type cmd.exe into the start search box | RIGHT-click on cmd.exe above under programs | select "Run as Administrator" | Paste the following into the cmd/DOS screen -
Code:
del /f /q "%localappdata%\temp\*.dmp"
​

Per John of BSOD squad Seven Forums
jcgriff2

 

[AlexProdigy]

Is that with or without the quotation mark at the end?

 

[richc46]

With
Paste just as it is.

 

[AlexProdigy]

Alright so I copied and pasted what you told me but all that came up was "Could not find
C:\username\Appdata\Local\Temp\*.dmp", any ideas on what went wrong?

 

[richc46]

Im at a loss. I think we need to forget the suggestion of getting the dump file and move on. I think that you are on the right track with the Overheating. Evidence before the problem seens to substantiate that supposition.

 

[AlexProdigy]

Hey, alright so since we think my issue is overheating I cleaned out my computer early this morning. I do a regular clean up of my computer every 3-4 months so it's all clean now. Also I reset my graphics card, I'm not sure if that's the correct term for it but I basically just pulled it out and put it back in. Any suggestions on what else I should do, and why my computer is overheating now when it never used to almost 2 weeks ago. Seems kind of strange how could my computer be fine 2 weeks ago and now burn up from playing a single game on the lowest settings?

 

[richc46]

Heat is the worst thing for the computer and those temps seem high after just a few minutes. Download this, try the game. If temps go much above 60, be careful

SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

If you get a dump download, But, dont play the game too often if you have overheating concerns.

Play the game and report back with the temperature. No need to guess. Suggested is 55 or lower. I round and say 60.

 

[AlexProdigy]

Hey, I have a quick question actually two. I have an ATI Radeon HD 5750 1024 MB card and these are the drivers I downloaded for it : "http://sites.amd.com/us/game/downloads/Pages/radeon-vista-32.aspx". Just wanted to make sure if I have the right ones. I have never had a problem with downloading drivers but I thought I should just double check in this case. By the way I download the Full Catalyst Software Suite (Recommended) from that site. Secondly I have this application for my graphics card called "Catalyst Control Center" and within the application is an ATI Override tab. Within this tab I have the option to control:
High Performance GPU clock settings
High Performance Memory clock settings
Manual Fan Control
And than there are the current values for my GPU clock and Memory clock settings:
GPU clock: 400MHz Memory clock: 900MHz
Now all of these options are greyed out since they are locked and I must click the unlock button to gain access to them. However upon click this there is a lengthy warning that changing these settings from the factory settings may harm my PC and may not be covered by my warranty. Now, I know all this but I was just wondering if it is worth it to unlock these settings to gain access to my GPU fan, since currently it runs only at 36% even when the temperature is rising. Or do you think increasing the fan speed could harm my computer? I don't know if increasing fan speed can actually damage anything like increasing clock speeds but I thought it would be better to ask before trying anything.

 

[AlexProdigy]

Alright so I played the game for a bit not too long and recorded some temperatures. Now these temperatures are under optimal conditions or close to it. This is because the last few days there has been a heat wave going through Toronto causing extremely humid conditions. Thankfully there was a nice storm this morning to clear up all that humidity causing a nice drop in temperature. Also my computer was cleaned today as well, so these temperatures may not reflect the conditions in which my computer previously crashed but either way they should be a good understanding of what's going on in there.

My Catalyst control center tells me my GPU heat as followed:
49 degrees Celsius
SpeedFan told me various other temperatures which included:
21 degrees Celsius - System
32 degrees Celsius - CPU
38 degrees Celsius - AUX
54 degrees Celsius - Core 0
45 degrees Celsius - Core 1

 

[richc46]

The link that you sent me reverts to the home page when clicked, so I do not know exactly which drivers you want. I tried to copy and paste, when I looked and that too does not work. But the one that looks like your driver is version 10.8 dated 8/24/10

If you came up with the same one, I would guess that it is right. If it is different, I suggest that you give me the information that was put in and we can see where the problem is.

It is my feeling and the opinion of some members that overclocking in any manner can cause problems. I feel that MS employs experts in the field, to come up with a product that is the best for the budget allowed. There is an point where computer life expectacy and performace are balanced. Bottom line, however, in this case, worse case scenario, we are talking about fan damage and the possiblity that it needs repair. I would suggest that it could be done if necessary. Based upon your heat readings, I do not think that any adjusment is warranted or needed. Furthermore, it does not look like heat was the cause of the problem.

 

[AlexProdigy]

Alright so first off my driver version is 10.8 but when I go to the site, the date it was posted says 8/25/2010. Not sure if were looking at the same driver so I will quickly list my driver search from the ATI site.

Select the type of system that you have:
Desktop Graphics

Select the product family your product belongs to:
Radeon HD series

Select your product:
Radeon HD 5xxx Series PCIe

Select the supported operating system that you have:
Windows Vista - 32 Bit

Above is what I put into the search boxes to find my driver if you see anything that is incorrect please let me know.

Secondly, if heat isn't the issue here than what should we start looking at? Would those dump files tell you the issue of the crash or just what happened before the crash? If they are my only chance of finding out what's going on with my computer than I keep trying to get them to you.

 

[richc46]

Me Bad, I had a typo, 8/25 is correct. Good catch.

Of course you can continue to get those files to me, I would be very happy to try and analze them for you.

The dump reports are like a map that stops just short of the destination. It shows everything that was loaded at the time of the crash and what did not load etc. The cause is subjective and up the the reader.

My guess would be driver, then maybe memory. Try this
Manual is good for Vista, too
Download memtest86 and test RAM
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html