computer restarts when trying to play games

ollecram · 05-28-2009, 09:19 PM

every time i try to play a game with good graphics, my computer shuts off and promptly turns back on. but i can still play games that don't have high graphic requirements, like ragnarok and phantasy star online blue burst. when i try to play call of duty 4 or WoW my computer restarts. i have more than minimum requirements for these games.

my comp

-Windows XP service pack 2 64 bit.
-AMD phenom 920 2.8 quad
-4 gigs RAM
-radeon hd 3870
-and this power supply. APEVIA ATX-AS680W-BL 680W ATX12V
-MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+

can you guys tell me whats wrong?
also, whenever i look at my system information, it seems that my computer doesn't recognize my processor. it says unknown model.

**RockmasteR** · 05-29-2009, 02:21 AM

hello,
first of all, I don't think your PSU is high quality and can handle the Quad CPU and the HD 3870 maybe you should get this:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...sair%20650%20W
you said that the PC is not recognizing the CPU, try to remove your motherboard chipset drivers and install the newest ones from the board's manufacturer's site, also download CPUz from my sig and see if it can recognize the CPU
now for the restarts, let's see if there is any Blue Screens (BSOD) appearing before the restart, do this:
Right Click on "My Computer" -> Properties, select the "Advanced" Tab, under setup and recovery, choose Settings, under system failure uncheck "automatically restart"
now if there are any errors the PC will shut down with a Blue Screen, if any appears than Report it back

ollecram · 05-29-2009, 08:01 PM

ok. i downloaded cpuz from your sig and it shows my processor and the model and such. its fine. but now, about updating. is it the BIOS that i have the update? how do i update? i set my comp to not auto restart. im gonna try to play a game now and look for a blue screen.

**RockmasteR** · 05-30-2009, 03:40 AM

I don't recommend to update the BIOS, cause any wrong version could take out the hole motherboard.
I'm saying you need to get a good power supply
open up the side case of your PC and look at the stickers on the PSU
and write down what you can see under the +12V (the Amps)

Mcninjaguy · 05-30-2009, 10:42 PM

Get the a new Corsair 650w PSU.

The current PSU you have is about as strong as a Corsair 400w PSU.

ollecram · 05-31-2009, 08:31 PM

i bought the power supply you guys recommended. now about my computer not recognizing my processor. the CPUid program that i got from your sig recognizes my processor but my computer doesn't. if i go to my computer, right click it and press properties, it shows my processor as AMD Processor model unknown. how do i get it to recognize it?

Mcninjaguy · 05-31-2009, 09:07 PM

This is your bios
http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=do...9476&type=bios

It has instruction on how to flash the bios in the zip folder

05-28-2009, 09:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
ollecram Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: win xp service pack 2	computer restarts when trying to play games every time i try to play a game with good graphics, my computer shuts off and promptly turns back on. but i can still play games that don't have high graphic requirements, like ragnarok and phantasy star online blue burst. when i try to play call of duty 4 or WoW my computer restarts. i have more than minimum requirements for these games. my comp -Windows XP service pack 2 64 bit. -AMD phenom 920 2.8 quad -4 gigs RAM -radeon hd 3870 -and this power supply. APEVIA ATX-AS680W-BL 680W ATX12V -MSI K9A2 Platinum AM2+ can you guys tell me whats wrong? also, whenever i look at my system information, it seems that my computer doesn't recognize my processor. it says unknown model. Last edited by ollecram; 05-28-2009 at 09:20 PM.

05-29-2009, 02:21 AM	#2 (permalink)
RockmasteR Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lebanon Posts: 3,161 OS: Vista Ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: computer restarts when trying to play games hello, first of all, I don't think your PSU is high quality and can handle the Quad CPU and the HD 3870 maybe you should get this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...sair%20650%20W you said that the PC is not recognizing the CPU, try to remove your motherboard chipset drivers and install the newest ones from the board's manufacturer's site, also download CPUz from my sig and see if it can recognize the CPU now for the restarts, let's see if there is any Blue Screens (BSOD) appearing before the restart, do this: Right Click on "My Computer" -> Properties, select the "Advanced" Tab, under setup and recovery, choose Settings, under system failure uncheck "automatically restart" now if there are any errors the PC will shut down with a Blue Screen, if any appears than Report it back __________________ CPUz GPUz Nvidia Drivers ATI Drivers System Information for Windows (SIW) Revo Uninstaller RivaTuner ATITOOL Directx 9.0C !!Please don't PM me for Tech Support!!

05-29-2009, 08:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
ollecram Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: win xp service pack 2	Re: computer restarts when trying to play games ok. i downloaded cpuz from your sig and it shows my processor and the model and such. its fine. but now, about updating. is it the BIOS that i have the update? how do i update? i set my comp to not auto restart. im gonna try to play a game now and look for a blue screen.

05-30-2009, 03:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
RockmasteR Moderator, Games Team Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Lebanon Posts: 3,161 OS: Vista Ultimate 32bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: computer restarts when trying to play games I don't recommend to update the BIOS, cause any wrong version could take out the hole motherboard. I'm saying you need to get a good power supply open up the side case of your PC and look at the stickers on the PSU and write down what you can see under the +12V (the Amps) __________________ CPUz GPUz Nvidia Drivers ATI Drivers System Information for Windows (SIW) Revo Uninstaller RivaTuner ATITOOL Directx 9.0C !!Please don't PM me for Tech Support!!

05-30-2009, 10:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: computer restarts when trying to play games Get the a new Corsair 650w PSU. The current PSU you have is about as strong as a Corsair 400w PSU.

05-31-2009, 08:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
ollecram Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 11 OS: win xp service pack 2	Re: computer restarts when trying to play games i bought the power supply you guys recommended. now about my computer not recognizing my processor. the CPUid program that i got from your sig recognizes my processor but my computer doesn't. if i go to my computer, right click it and press properties, it shows my processor as AMD Processor model unknown. how do i get it to recognize it?

05-31-2009, 09:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Mcninjaguy Temporarily Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 10,422 OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit My System Blog Entries: 1	Re: computer restarts when trying to play games This is your bios http://www.msi.com/index.php?func=do...9476&type=bios It has instruction on how to flash the bios in the zip folder