PC lock ups.

Doorman · May 22, 2009, 07:20:39 PM

Doctor help me. Of late I've suffered screen lockups in games. At first I thought it was just rFactor but I since experienced it in CoD4 and L4D. What happens is a sudden and unheralded STOP accompanied by a sound loop. I cannot return to desktop by ALT+TABing or Windows or the three finger salute. It has to be a hard shutdown. In the case of L4D I got a black screen and a scream as opposed to a picture lock. Same results though.
To date I have monitored the GPU temps (8800GTX 768mb) which I am informed are within 'normal' range of 63c idle and 85c working. CPU temps (Intel E6850 3.0ghz dual core) are 44c idling and 61-2c working. I've also run a memtest although not for long. I have 2gig OCZ something or other (wasn't cheap!) and ran two simultaneous instances and returned 0 errors.
Anything else I can do?
There is no particular set of circumstances that set this off, and no time scale i.e. OK for 2 hours then... :g::g::g:

Anonymous · May 22, 2009, 07:30:28 PM

Install the latest DirectX 9 AND DirectX 10 from Microsofts site - don't rely on windows update.

If that doesnt work update audio drivers (is it a Creative Card?)

T-Bag · May 22, 2009, 07:37:22 PM

CPU and GPU temps are fine. I'd put on new graphics drivers and see if that helps.

GhostMjr · May 22, 2009, 07:44:53 PM

Agree with BB probably a soundcard issue. update or reinstall or insstall a clean fresh copy.

Doorman · May 22, 2009, 09:05:04 PM

Quote from: BlueBall;277056Install the latest DirectX 9 AND DirectX 10 from Microsofts site - don't rely on windows update.

OK. Will do

QuoteIf that doesnt work update audio drivers (is it a Creative Card?)

Creative Audigy 2ZS A bit long in the tooth I know. And roger that. Thanks Mike.

Graphics drivers are the latest 185.85

Penfold · May 22, 2009, 10:49:07 PM

Coincidentally I've had that crash&Sound loop a few times when playing L4D.

I too have a 8800GTX so wonder if it's connected.

Doorman · May 22, 2009, 11:37:37 PM

Update: The whole evening and good as gold.
Updated DirectX. There didn't seem to be a specific DX10 though. I'm on XP would that explain it?
Audigy drivers up to date.

Pen, is that a black screen? If it is I don't know where that takes us but it's good not to be alone!

Anonymous · May 23, 2009, 10:17:51 AM

Quote from: Doorman;277070Update: The whole evening and good as gold.
Updated DirectX. There didn't seem to be a specific DX10 though. I'm on XP would that explain it?
Audigy drivers up to date.

Pen, is that a black screen? If it is I don't know where that takes us but it's good not to be alone!

Glad you're sorted. Sorry, didn't realise you were XP :blush:

KKND · May 23, 2009, 11:05:53 AM

Quote from: Penfold;277068Coincidentally I've had that crash&Sound loop a few times when playing L4D.

I too have a 8800GTX so wonder if it's connected.

If you use the latest drivers from Nividia you can have some probs in L4D.
One solution for that is try in options L4D into borderless windowed mode.

Doorman · May 23, 2009, 12:06:23 PM

Quote from: BlueBall;277084Glad you're sorted. Sorry, didn't realise you were XP :blush:

There's still some of us left y'know
Sorted isn't quite how I'd describe it because the problem is intermittent and unpredictable. I wait with bated breath to see if anything untoward happens tonight.

Doorman · May 23, 2009, 03:53:44 PM

Quote from: KKND;277089One solution for that is try in options L4D into borderless windowed mode.

That sounded like a good idea, but when I checked it was already in borderless windowed mode.

Penfold · May 25, 2009, 06:41:14 PM

No, vista here.

It's strange because, as you say, it can be fine one night and fubared the next.

Doorman · May 25, 2009, 06:50:51 PM

Shhhh! It was fine last night and there was some pretty intense usage. :whistling2:

Doorman · June 03, 2009, 09:39:58 AM

I think it's safe to report, no further lock ups since installing the latest DirectX. One has to be aware of not installing DirectX that comes bundled with games (e.g. rFactor) as they are usually being the times. Thanks BB. :thumbsup2: