Could I get some computer help?

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Hi, so I'm having some computer crashes with this blasted machine.
Whenever I play HL2, Psyconauts, Painkiller, World of Goo, or even Portal my computer will randomly crash. I've checked and to my knowledge my computer meets the minimum requirements for all of these.

Computer Specs:
Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2200 2.20 GHz
2.19 GHz, 2.00 GB of RAM
Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT


I'm just a bit flabbergasted that my computer will crash while playing games, and yet I can run 3D Animation programs with hardly a hitch.

[small]I wasn't too sure where to put this thread since it was about comp support & games, so please don't hurt me.[/small]

Update
There was a heating issue that was FIXED.
Issue involving crashes still persists.

Update 2
There was an issue with ZoneAlarm that is now fixed.
The only problem now is that Half Life 2: Episode 2 still crashes.

 

[hotdogoctopus]

I assume you're playing via steam. I'd check their support for the exact error that your pc gives you. I found out on my old laptop that I had to go to msconfig and shut some useless stuff off to allow steam to work properly. Like I said, just go to steam support if that's how you're playing it. Otherwise, google it.

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Actually I'm not playing all of these via Steam, and my computer isn't giving me an error message. When it crashes the screen shuts off and the fan starts ot wig out.

I tried Google earlier today and came up with no results.

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[Icecoldcynic]

Actually I'm not playing all of these via Steam, and my computer isn't giving me an error message. When it crashes the screen shuts off and the fan starts wot wig out.

I tried Google earlier today and cam up with no results.

How are you playing them without steam? As far as i know, even if you buy them on disc, you still have to activate them on steam to play them.

 

[Shru1kan]

Id like to help... its it the nvlddmkm error?

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Actually I'm not playing all of these via Steam, and my computer isn't giving me an error message. When it crashes the screen shuts off and the fan starts wot wig out.

I tried Google earlier today and cam up with no results.

How are you playing them without steam? As far as i know, even if you buy them on disc, you still have to activate them on steam to play them.

Bought Psyconauts through gog.com, and World of Goo through their sale they had a while ago on their main website.

EDIT: Just read the 3rd post, so nevermind

Also, try reinstalling your OS, it works for me and my Oblivion

Please excuse my denseness, but how would I go about this, and would I have to re-install any of my programs?

 

[TheNamlessGuy]

DELETED

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

You should clean your system, hardware and software. Clean the heatsinks and ensure that all the fans are working, to keep the CPU's and GPU cool. Then backup your files and do a wipe (DBAN google it) and reinstall the OS, make sure that you have an up to date virus and ad/spyware checker. That sounds like alot, but really its a days work at most. If all that fails however come back, 'cus you have a real problem!

The computer is clean, so now just to reinstall the OS... Great...

Id like to help... its it the nvlddmkm error?

No it's not.

(I assume you run Windows, so) Just put the Windows disk in the diskholder, and boot up the computer.
Everything on the C-hard drive will be erased though

Okay thanks. Damnit... Need to back it all up then, since some of it was 'acquired.'

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Its not too much work, asuming that you have two hard drives... which you do right?

*sheepishly looks at floor*
... No. I'm sure my boss could lend me one though.

 

[duckfi8]

did you check to put the settings on the lowest?

 

[Valiance]

Go download speedfan or coretemp, and tell me if your CPU or GPU temperatures go above 70 degrees Celsius while you're playing these games.

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

did you check to put the settings on the lowest?

Yes I have, and my computer still crashes. I'm gonna try the previous posts ideas.

 

[koriantor]

First thing anyone tells someone with video game problems is update your vid card drivers. Then google you're specific error, see what you can find.

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Go download speedfan or coretemp, and tell me if your CPU or GPU temperatures go above 70 degrees Celsius while you're playing these games.

Fuck... I'm not even playing a game and the temp is at 73 Celsius

First thing anyone tells someone with video game problems is update your vid card drivers. Then google you're specific error, see what you can find.

I don't get an error message, my entire screen goes blank until I shut the computer off.

 

[hotdogoctopus]

Its not too much work, asuming that you have two hard drives... which you do right?

*sheepishly looks at floor*
... No. I'm sure my boss could lend me one though.

You might want to make sure that you're computer isn't filled with milk and tiny bengal tigers. I had that problem once.

 

[capacollo]

Go download speedfan or coretemp, and tell me if your CPU or GPU temperatures go above 70 degrees Celsius while you're playing these games.

Fuck... I'm not even playing a game and the temp is at 73 Celsius

First thing anyone tells someone with video game problems is update your vid card drivers. Then google you're specific error, see what you can find.

I don't get an error message, my entire screen goes blank until I shut the computer off.

Could be a feature of the BIOS motherboard to auto shutoff the computer if the temperature gets to high. You can try looking at the bios. At the very least open your computer case and see if its dusty. If so get clean it out.

Just to add try keeping the tower in a ventilated area or place a fan by it and see if it still happens...

 

[Valiance]

Fuck... I'm not even playing a game and the temp is at 73 Celsius

That is terrible.

You should idle around 34 C, game load around 50-55 C. 70 and above is for overclockers who are pushing their machine to the limit.

Most computers instantly stop processes once they start running hot. That's most likely what's happening to you.

Tell me, do you have any previous experience with the inside of a computer, looking at your CPU heatsink and such?

 

[Frank_Sinatra_]

Fuck... I'm not even playing a game and the temp is at 73 Celsius

That is terrible.

You should idle around 34 C, game load around 50-55 C. 70 and above is for overclockers who are pushing their machine to the limit.

Most computers instantly stop processes once they start running hot. That's most likely what's happening to you.

Tell me, do you have any previous experience with the inside of a computer, looking at your CPU heatsink and such?

I usually don't work with my computer, I have my boss do most, if not all of my computer stuff.

 

[Valiance]

I usually don't work with my computer, I have my boss do most, if not all of my computer stuff.

No computer should run that hot, I have a feeling your CPU heatsink is loose;
If it's not, your case probably has no room for airflow, and maybe you should try running your computer with the side panel of the case off, and a giant fan blowing on it, lol.