Random Crashing

[Galaxice]

Right, bought my comp 3 days ago, its running on Vista 32bit, when i play games (Crysis + CoD is all Ive tried so far) it randomly crashes,

One way it crashes is just freezing, only way to restart it is turning it off at the plug of the on/off button on the front of the tower.

The other way shows a blue screen for a slight moment (with writing on, only up for 2 seconds so i cant read it) then once Its restarted and im up my desktop, a Problem signature comes up and reads:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6002.2.2.0.768.3
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 1a
BCP1: 00041201
BCP2: C0222BA8
BCP3: 94EE6867
BCP4: 884F3008
OS Version: 6_0_6002
Service Pack: 2_0
Product: 768_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini091909-03.dmp
C:\Users\****\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-32609-0.sysdata.xml
C:\Users\****\AppData\Local\Temp\WERAECE.tmp.version.txt

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I dont understand most of this, and I'm posting in this gaming part as im 70% sure it only happens while playing a game, if this is the wrong section, please move it to the right one,

Many Thanks

[RockmasteR]

Hello and welcome to TSF
could you please post your full PC Specs:
CPU
Video Card
RAM
Motherboard
PSU brand, Wattage, and amps under +12V

to be able to see the bluescreen when it appears, follow these instructions:
Right click on "Computer" and choose properties
on the left side, choose "Advanced System Settings"
under startup and recovery choose Settings
under "System Failure" uncheck "Automatically Restart"
Restart your PC
now when a Blue Screen appears your PC won't restart

[Galaxice]

Thanks for the reply but I've just managed to fix the blue screen problem, yet, It still freezes up randomly and I'm needed to restart it by power button. It can be fine for a few hours then freeze....and other times it can freeze 3 times an hour.

System: (Note: I dont do overclocking)
AMD Phenom (tm) II X4 945 Processor 3.00 GHz
4G Ram
32bit
Windows Vista
1G ATI HD 4890 Graphics card
640Watt

One time when it froze, it managed to un-freeze its self quickly after, it said it was a Display drive error, all my drivers are up to date, and if I'l be honest, I'm not the worlds best computer expert :)

[Lord Sirian]

Hi.

Just to make sure you are up to date, download the latest drivers for your graphics card from here. Uninstall the old ones via control panel. Then install the new drivers.

Another thing, that PSU is too small for the 4890. I suggest you get a minimum of something like this Corsair 750W.

[Mcninjaguy]

I've got to agree with Lord Sirian that you should have a better PSU. A low quality 650w PSU is equal to around a 500w or 450w high quality PSU.

Can you upload the minidumps?

[Horusrogue]

Originally Posted by Mcninjaguy

I've got to agree with Lord Sirian that you should have a better PSU. A low quality 650w PSU is equal to around a 500w or 450w high quality PSU.

Can you upload the minidumps?

A low quality NON 80-plus (any level) 650W, yes. Always read up on the parts that are soldered inside the PSU model you get. Sometimes the product names can be misleading with such identifiers as XXX500 or XXX450, when in reality the side chart on the device says "410 peak" or whatnot.

If the user wants to keep the current card under a certain power requirement without purchasing a new PSU (as a student I realize how LITTLE money people have), UNDER CLOCKING is not a bad idea. It would have to be a trial and error process and you may not be able to get the same frame rates/performance...but in the SHORT term you could keep the current setup as is. Upgrading the PSU is still encouraged.

[Mcninjaguy]

A PSU that is low quality may have multiple rails at a low efficiency. The amps on each may be low but they usually add up to a high score. Sadly there are things that will make it seem very weak compared to "nicer" PSU's.

Lets say you have a 750w PSU with 4 rails at 19 amps each. That would be 76 amps altogether. With each rail not lending full efficiency to other rails you take away 20%, leaving you with 60.8 amps. Sadly though even if it was at 80% efficiency it would equal to another low at 48.64 amps.

Most low quality PSU's do not have 80+ efficiency and are usually around 70% - 60% efficient causing extra heat from the high amount of power wasted causing even further power loss and will usually end up with around 42 amps with 70% efficiency.

The formula for calculating wattage is amps x 12 = wattage. 42 x 12 = 504w PSU at the max ouput.
Here is the formulas page.

[Galaxice]

Sorry for the late reply, I've managed to fix the blue screen problem yet my computer still crashes, if it was a power problem wouldn't the computer just restart? I mean, when it crashes now it just freezes and I'll have to manually restart it. I've also just reinstalled my graphics card, thought it had fixed the problem but once again after a few hours it crashes, then again 30mins later.

[Lord Sirian]

No, inadequate power supplys can manifest problems in a number of ways. Regardless, a 640W PSU is not enough to be running a 4890 on. If you allow it to continue, you run the risk of permanent damage to your system. You might find it helpful to read through this thread.