Computer crashing a lot :(

Hofflerand · 01-25-2007, 10:09 AM

Hi all, I'm not great with computers. The computer I have has given me many problems over the past few years so I know how to tinker around a bit, but nothing special.

My problem is that I keep getting the Blue Screen of Death, usually when I alt-tab out and then back into a somewhat demanding game (for my computer, at least). It also happens while I'm simply playing it, but not as often.

The BSoD passes so fast that I can't really read what it says, but I think it's got something to do with my processor overheating (I checked in the BIOS and my processor was running at 58 degrees Celsius, so I assume it's a lot higher while Counter-Strike Source is up + music is playing). I remember when talking to tech support on the phone, one of the employees told me to turn off AMD Cool 'n' Quiet, so I just tried turning that back on.

Does anyone have any advice? My computer can use a bit of a clean-up,which I intend to do soon.

My specs are as follows:
Processor-AMD Athlon 2.0 64 3200+ 2.0 GHz
Videocard-GeForce 5950 Ultra 256mb
RAM-Corsair 1b
Harddrive-Maxtor 90gb (basic speed, forgot exactly)

I forgot what PSU I have and I can't think of anything else that matters.

Thank you in advance for your help,
Stephen

cconner6156 · 01-25-2007, 10:20 AM

I would try a fresh install of windows.

dai · 01-25-2007, 02:16 PM

you need to post any bsod errors in full

floydfan · 01-25-2007, 02:26 PM

turn off automatic restart on bsod, that way you could see what it says. go to start, right click my computer, go to properties, advanced, in startup and recovery click on settings, and uncheck automatically restart. that way, the bsod will stay up until you reboot.

Hofflerand · 01-25-2007, 02:46 PM

Thanks a lot. I don't want to reformat just yet, sometimes my computer dies when I do it (yes, I reformat correctly. It's not exactly hard :P).

I unchecked restart automatically. I'll tell you guys what it says when it happens again.

JorisS · 01-25-2007, 03:35 PM

58 degrees in Idle is way too hot.

Clean the fans out from all dust and get a tube of Arctic Silver 5, remove the fan from the CPU and clean away all old cooling paste and replace with the Arctic Silver 5. Might help a lot!

01-25-2007, 10:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
Hofflerand Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Computer crashing a lot :( Hi all, I'm not great with computers. The computer I have has given me many problems over the past few years so I know how to tinker around a bit, but nothing special. My problem is that I keep getting the Blue Screen of Death, usually when I alt-tab out and then back into a somewhat demanding game (for my computer, at least). It also happens while I'm simply playing it, but not as often. The BSoD passes so fast that I can't really read what it says, but I think it's got something to do with my processor overheating (I checked in the BIOS and my processor was running at 58 degrees Celsius, so I assume it's a lot higher while Counter-Strike Source is up + music is playing). I remember when talking to tech support on the phone, one of the employees told me to turn off AMD Cool 'n' Quiet, so I just tried turning that back on. Does anyone have any advice? My computer can use a bit of a clean-up,which I intend to do soon. My specs are as follows: Processor-AMD Athlon 2.0 64 3200+ 2.0 GHz Videocard-GeForce 5950 Ultra 256mb RAM-Corsair 1b Harddrive-Maxtor 90gb (basic speed, forgot exactly) I forgot what PSU I have and I can't think of anything else that matters. Thank you in advance for your help, Stephen

01-25-2007, 02:16 PM	#3 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 53,565 OS: vista 32x 64x ultimate retail	you need to post any bsod errors in full __________________

01-25-2007, 10:20 AM	#2 (permalink)
cconner6156 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 312 OS: Winxp	I would try a fresh install of windows.

01-25-2007, 02:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
floydfan Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 388 OS: win 7 rc My System	turn off automatic restart on bsod, that way you could see what it says. go to start, right click my computer, go to properties, advanced, in startup and recovery click on settings, and uncheck automatically restart. that way, the bsod will stay up until you reboot.

01-25-2007, 02:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Hofflerand Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2 OS: XP	Thanks a lot. I don't want to reformat just yet, sometimes my computer dies when I do it (yes, I reformat correctly. It's not exactly hard :P). I unchecked restart automatically. I'll tell you guys what it says when it happens again.

01-25-2007, 03:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
JorisS Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 120 OS: Windows Vista Ultimate My System	58 degrees in Idle is way too hot. Clean the fans out from all dust and get a tube of Arctic Silver 5, remove the fan from the CPU and clean away all old cooling paste and replace with the Arctic Silver 5. Might help a lot!