Unusual PING/LAG during Online Play

[brock12555]

Ugg...I dont really know where to start this, its such a long story...

Ok, i like to play older online games. Such as Diablo, Black Hawk Down, and so on.
Ive never had a problem with them until just recently.

Now, for some reason, seemingly out of no where, problems arose.

I started getting nvist4.dll ,or something, errors, my computer takes multiple tries to boot up, my screen will go black and say no signal randomly in the middle of computer use, all the games i used to play are "extremely" laggy, and causes my PING to skyrocket into the 11,000's sometimes. (Im on dsl internet, 3mb+, fast)

I dont know what caused this, it cant be viruses, im protected by Windows Defender and AVG FREE 8.0 and im not a idiot...
My computer savy cousin thinks its my graphics card, that i should get a new one. (Nvidia Geforce 5200 FX) old i know, but i like the old games.

Im thinking it may be my RAM or processor (510 MB Ram) (Intel Pentium 4 2.8Ghz processor)

Nothing else is really effected with these problems, its just when i try to play those games i used to always play everything goes to crap.
I can surf the web normally, download normally, pretty much anything BUT games.

Sorry if my thoughts are rambled, kinda just threw myself at this. Feel free to ask for any info on my computer (yea i know, its old)

[Laurie52]

By the way, Black Hawk Down asks for 256RAM to run it....so you have plenty with 512.

However, if you did not have problems before playing the games, it just could be your graphics card is dying.

I had an older computer that was going the same way. Similar problems, error messages and, eventually, all I got was a series of beeps but it would not boot up. Later using another computer to do a search, I found out meant my video card was not working right. All computers use a "power on self test" beep code. If everything is working fine, you will hear one beep telling you everything is ok and up it comes. Cleaning out my "insides" of dustbunnies and accumulated, brought it back to life. (later another set of problems arose .....and finally my computer died but that is another story)

If there is anything wrong then beeps and their "morse like" code will tell you (or the tech) what is preventing your computer from booting up.

By my son's P3 also went through similar actions. Turned out a corner of his Geforce 2 card fan cracked and collapsed onto the card...and fried it. Card was replaced and so he was able to keep it as a backup.

As for lag and high pings, it could be the reason too. DSL is made to handle large Download and Upload packets over long distances just like Cable and even, Dialup. (Satellite has a high Download but much lower Upload because of the long distance signal between you and the satellite and back. Why my son prefers to play WoW with dialup instead of his satellite connection (no DSL option or cable)

But losing your signal in the middle of a game? Modem, router, or any number of reasons. You can go to DSL Reports.com forums and to the Tech Support DSL/Cable/Satellite forums here for any help there.

But if your graphics card is slowly dying, it can't handle the transfer load anymore. One leads into other problems. You will get a black screen, and/or problems booting up.

You might try looking for another 5200 FX card to replace it or a slightly higher one that will run the older games. However, online games like Diablo/Diablo 2 dont seem to have any problems with new cards. My son has a 7000 series Nvidia gaming card (can't remember its number at the moment) and plays Diablo, Diablo 2, WoW, StarCraft, Freelancer, Homeworld and a host of other games, online and off. But he uses his Dialup as the satellite connecton causes too much of a lag/high ping.

[brock12555]

Yea, my cousin said the same thing. That my graphic card is just dieing and that i should replace it.
I cleaned out all the dust i had in there after my computer was overheating all the time. (By the way, why would my processors heatsink, along with my graphics cards, be hot enough to actually burn my hand upon contact? They both run super hot. and all my fans are working)
After about 4-5 tries on turning on my computer, i hear a loud beep and a message that says "Previous start up attempts have failed"....well no duh...
I dont think my internet connection has anything to do with the game issues, ive read that graphic cards that cant handle the game can cause serious lag, idk about the ping though.

My cousin, who is going to build a new computer, is going to sell me his for around $250 and boy is it awesome, so i guess these computer troubles wont trouble me for to much longer.

Thank you though for confirming that its most likely my graphics card. I bet when i get my new computer, ill end up giving it to someone i know, and ill tell them the problems.

[Laurie52]

(By the way, why would my processors heatsink, along with my graphics cards, be hot enough to actually burn my hand upon contact? They both run super hot. and all my fans are working)

Law of Thermodynamics basically.

All electronic components generate heat while in operation from the amount of voltage used and frequency it operates at. In turn, the air/space is heated around them. How much, or little, is from design efficiency and the technology involved. After while, an equilibrium results. The trick is making sure this equilibrium is low enough for reliable computer circuit operation and to survive.

In an enclosed space without any outlet for the rising hot air to escape, it eventually heats up everything. But the closer you are to the source of the heat, the hotter it will feel.

The function of the intake fans is moving air over the components to help cool surface. Like any breeze on a hot day, you will feel cooler as the heat is blown away. The exhaust fans pull the rising heat waves out of the case. So you have to have a constant air flow to help lower the temps inside the case and for the circuits to survive. The heatsinks are one way to cool the processor. Why some graphics cards have fans over them too.

Outside ambient temps are important too. Why the cooler it is inside your room, the better your computer "inside" runs. Why I cannot run my computer during my 110+ (F) Summer days and my evaporative cooler only brings my office temp down to 85-95 daytime. (desert dweller) The heat index of both would kill it. So I run it at night when it is cooler both inside and outside. Only during the late Fall into mid Spring, can I run it at all hours.

But if you let Dust accumulate too much....the covering acts as an heat insulating "coat" and prevents airflow from cooling the circuits properly.

Poor airflow overall or turbulence due to friction. If the draw is not right, you could have "sitting" whirlpools of hot air in certain areas. going nowhere and ...just keep "perking along". Eventually "cooking" your computer circuitry.

If the thermal paste or other compound is misapplied....

I have seen custom cases showcased online where the heat is carried out and re routed (in various methods) to boil water to make tea with. Or a cup of hot chocolate. Or connected to a "heating pad" to keep your coffee warm.