Random freezing & restarts when gaming and with TV Tuner.

drewsta22 · 04-01-2008, 03:55 PM

First problem is one with the most consistency. When I'm using my PCI Digital tuner through the PVR software I am experiencing unbreakable freezes with the very last bit of whatever audio was on rapidly repeating. This happens on average 3 times a week sometimes more.

Next issue is the occasional reboot whilst 3D gaming mostly although not always. I have checked both CPU and GPU temps and they are average or below. I am running a Pentium 4 630, 768MB RAM, 6600 256MB AGP, Coolermaster eXtremePower 380W PSU on Win XP Pro-SP2.

I'm within sight of an upgrade but far enough away that I need my current PC to function better. I have used the Powermeter site to get a figure of my power usage and I come in at least 60-80 watts below max PSU rating.I have latest drivers for everything I can think of and regularly perform maintenance of PC,cleaning junk,clean registry,defrag etc.

If anybody has any suggestions or answers I would be very appreciative. I guess many will tell me to get a beefier PSU and/or system but I have had this PC working with same set up for over 12 mths before these issues.

Thanks

**Deleted090308** · 04-01-2008, 04:33 PM

Hi

Yes, the first impression is - dying PSU.

We need some clues (error messages) instead of reboots.
Disable Automatic restart:
Control panel > System > Click the "Advanced" tab > click Startup and recovery - Settings > Untick "Automatically restart" > Click OK.

The next time your computer crashes >> write the error message down.

Monitor the voltages and temperatures with Speedfan.

drewsta22 · 04-01-2008, 04:59 PM

Thanks for reply. I tend to agree that it may be a sign of dying or faulty PSU. It is not an old PSU and a reputable brand, but still. I was doing some backtracking and realised that these issues coincide with a swap of a memory module. Sort of an upgrade, a used Corsair DDR400 512MB stick went in for a DDR266 256MB stick. Although I increased my total RAM I now remember the problems more or less started then or at least became much more frequent and serious. Meaning I had the very rare reboot but not the seize ups.

I will take your advice and then post back with the relevant information.
Again Thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Andrew

**Deleted090308** · 04-01-2008, 05:08 PM

If you think there may be a problem with the RAM - use MemTest.

Run MemTest with 1 stick of RAM at a time for 4-5 cycles.

drewsta22 · 04-01-2008, 09:39 PM

Good excuse to get latest version of Memtest. Just d/l it and I'm going to stress test my newest stick of RAM first.
Thanks for the advice.

04-01-2008, 03:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
drewsta22 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney,Australia Posts: 6 OS: XP My System	Random freezing & restarts when gaming and with TV Tuner. First problem is one with the most consistency. When I'm using my PCI Digital tuner through the PVR software I am experiencing unbreakable freezes with the very last bit of whatever audio was on rapidly repeating. This happens on average 3 times a week sometimes more. Next issue is the occasional reboot whilst 3D gaming mostly although not always. I have checked both CPU and GPU temps and they are average or below. I am running a Pentium 4 630, 768MB RAM, 6600 256MB AGP, Coolermaster eXtremePower 380W PSU on Win XP Pro-SP2. I'm within sight of an upgrade but far enough away that I need my current PC to function better. I have used the Powermeter site to get a figure of my power usage and I come in at least 60-80 watts below max PSU rating.I have latest drivers for everything I can think of and regularly perform maintenance of PC,cleaning junk,clean registry,defrag etc. If anybody has any suggestions or answers I would be very appreciative. I guess many will tell me to get a beefier PSU and/or system but I have had this PC working with same set up for over 12 mths before these issues. Thanks

04-01-2008, 04:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Random freezing & restarts when gaming and with TV Tuner. Hi Yes, the first impression is - dying PSU. We need some clues (error messages) instead of reboots. Disable Automatic restart: Control panel > System > Click the "Advanced" tab > click Startup and recovery - Settings > Untick "Automatically restart" > Click OK. The next time your computer crashes >> write the error message down. Monitor the voltages and temperatures with Speedfan.

04-01-2008, 04:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
drewsta22 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney,Australia Posts: 6 OS: XP My System	Re: Random freezing & restarts when gaming and with TV Tuner. Thanks for reply. I tend to agree that it may be a sign of dying or faulty PSU. It is not an old PSU and a reputable brand, but still. I was doing some backtracking and realised that these issues coincide with a swap of a memory module. Sort of an upgrade, a used Corsair DDR400 512MB stick went in for a DDR266 256MB stick. Although I increased my total RAM I now remember the problems more or less started then or at least became much more frequent and serious. Meaning I had the very rare reboot but not the seize ups. I will take your advice and then post back with the relevant information. Again Thanks for your help, much appreciated. Andrew

04-01-2008, 05:08 PM	#4 (permalink)
Deleted090308 Not... Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 22,277 OS: Xp	Re: Random freezing & restarts when gaming and with TV Tuner. If you think there may be a problem with the RAM - use MemTest. Run MemTest with 1 stick of RAM at a time for 4-5 cycles. Last edited by Deleted090308; 04-01-2008 at 05:09 PM.

04-01-2008, 09:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
drewsta22 Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sydney,Australia Posts: 6 OS: XP My System	Re: Random freezing & restarts when gaming and with TV Tuner. Good excuse to get latest version of Memtest. Just d/l it and I'm going to stress test my newest stick of RAM first. Thanks for the advice.