All games freeze my just built PC

CrowsofFritz · Jan 4, 2014

I'm using this PC to type, actually. Only games freeze the computer and it happens immediately.

I can get to the main screen just fine, and I can configure video settings all I want without a problem. Once the actual graphics starts, however, it's an immediate freeze (with an audio loop), which leads to BSOD.

L4D2: Loading screen completes. Not even one frame plays. Freeze (with audio loop). BSOD. Computer restarts.

Skyrim: Loading screen completes. A couple seconds in the prisoner carriage. Freeze (audio loop, too). BSOD. Computer restarts.

Starforge Alpha: Can't even get into a game. Freezes at loading screen (music still plays, strangely). BSOD. Computer restarts.

What are all the possible explanations for this?

Specs:

GT 640
Core 2 Duo e6750
Gigabyte G41MT-S2PT
300w Rosewill (I was told this would be more than enough for the GPU. Would this definitely be the problem?)

Best

xxvolwarexx · Jan 4, 2014

If the system freezes RIGHT away as you try to load the games, I would try driver updates (GPU). Also, how good is your HDD?

Bean007 · Jan 4, 2014

Well the min. for a 640 is 350w or at least the one I saw which was a EVGA. Now I'm not saying that might be the issue but that could be it. Do you have the latest drivers for your video card installed and do you have the latest patches for those games. I think it's the power supply myself. Take the video card out and try it on a different computer or a friends computer and see if you get the BSOD. Same for the PS, however you can just get a different one and one that's over 300w and try it out in your computer.

xxvolwarexx · Jan 4, 2014

Bean007 :

I'm thinking Bean007 is correct. That PSU isn't from the most reliable psu maker and the wattage of the gpu is higher than that of the psu

CrowsofFritz · Jan 4, 2014

I have the latest Nvidia driver installed and the latest patch installed.
I do have an external HDD. I will put a game there and see if I can play it then?

Also, I can put the GPU in another computer but I don't have another PSU with me. The PSU form factor is a mini ATX, but with both the CPU and GPU having a TDP of 65w, that leaves me with 170w to spare on everything else. If I find that it's the PSU that's too weak, I can certainly order another one.

xxvolwarexx · Jan 4, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

I also think that any overclock, whether it be ram, cpu, gpu, etc might be messing with you as well. Also, check device manager and make sure there isnt anything that isn't messed up...

Bean007 · Jan 4, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

HardDrive isn't gonna cause a BSOD, don't bother with it. Don't use the same PS cause I think it's the problem. You need to put it in another machine with a different PS that's over 300w. Being a form factor has nothing to do with it cause you don't need to install it in a case. Just connect the cables to the pieces that need power. Mobo, harddrive, and gpu if your card needs a external power source.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 4, 2014

I should also mention that I can play a game on the internet CS: Portable and I can turn on everything: Deepen Shadows, Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, Motion blur, and I will get near 100 fps and there is no problem. This leads me to believe that it might indeed be a hard drive problem.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 4, 2014

Alright, then I'll forget the HDD and put my GPU in a computer with a better PSU and test it then and come back.

xxvolwarexx · Jan 4, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

it most likely isn't the HDD, as HDD issues don't USUALLY result in BSOD errors (I have had 1 though). Anyway, those online games such as CS

ortable are very light on the system and usually don't strain the system very much. I think the problem is the PSU. If you can, try to test each part. That's just my two cents.

Bean007 · Jan 4, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

If you have a PS that's better then the 300 w then take it out and put it in your current system. One reason is you won't have to install any of those games you're having problems with. 2nd is that if you still have the same problems then we'll know it's something else in that computer. All you need to do is just unplug the connections from your 300w but you can still leave it plugged in. And then put the other PS on the side somewhere and plug the cables needed for your system to that PS and plug it in. Make sure to put the fan side upwards and not downwards on a flat surface.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 4, 2014

Okay guys, turns out the PSU in my desktop downstairs is also only a 300w. I'll have to order one tomorrow. But I was messing around and got some very interesting results.

First (against your statements [I know, I know

]) I took a very small game (Starforge Alpha) and put it on a flash drive. I also turned off firewall. I ran the game in Windowed mode.

Here's what happened: Instead of getting stuck at the loading screen, I got put in a game! But about a second after I got put in the game. I got a pop-up. It said Windows Firewall was blocking some features of Starforge Alpha. Instead of clicking allow features, I was an idiot and clicked cancel. This immediately froze everything and I restarted the computer. Could Firewall be a problem? I'm going to try and repeat that process.

Bean007 · Jan 4, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

No, firewalls only job is to stop or allow traffic thru your computer to the internet to where it's going and that's it. That will NOT cause your computer to freeze up. Being that you played in Window Mode which would have been a smaller resolution might have allowed you to get just a little further in the game but I still feel the PS is the problem. Don't you know anybody with a computer that has a bigger PS? Try a local computer repair shop. Not BestBuy or some big place. Just a small computer shop and ask em if he could test a bigger PS on your computer to see if that's the problem.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 4, 2014

Lol Gotcha. As you can tell, I don't really know much.

I live in the middle of nowhere, so it's a huge hassle to drive maybe an hour and a half to the nearest computer store. I checked again the model of my PC downstairs, and the PSU is actually 400w not 300w. I'll definitely be using that PSU soon and post back here with the results.

Bean007 · Jan 4, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

Hopefully all goes well. Remember to hook it up to the system you're having the problems with. Well off to bed for me.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 5, 2014

So the PC downstairs has a voided warranty if I open the case, and I don't want to do that. I'll order a PSU even if it's not the problem because I should have more power anyway. Because of my case, I am sorta limited to TFX supplies, but can I get an ATX and have it outside the case? It won't look pretty, sure, but will it be bad for the PSU?

Bean007 · Jan 5, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

You can run it outside the case if you wish to as long as the cables that are needed can reach there spots. Also now that the side panel will be either fully open or somewhat open you have more dust and things to get inside. As well as pets if you have a dog or a cat or something else. Be best if you're gonna have the PS on the outside is to put the computer somewhere higher up off the floor. You also have to make sure that with the PS turned with the fan facing upwards that the cables can reach. Or you can do a search for a replacement that fits that model. I did that for a person that I knew and we found one for his HP desktop. Only problem was 1 out of the 4 screws didn't have the whole in the right space which was no biggy.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 5, 2014

Cool, thanks. Got a CX430, which should definitely fit my needs. One day shipping, because I've been waiting a while to get this thing to work. I'll be back to mention if it's the PSU. I'm thinking I can remove the PSU I have now and have the new PSU cables go through the hole where the current PSU is. That way I won't have to have the case open. What do you think?

Bean007 · Jan 5, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

It's your case and you know what it looks like. Just make sure the hole in the back will match up. At least 3 of them before you start cutting into your case.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 6, 2014

Okay, I bought the CX430 and it's in. The games now run, but it still freezes immediately. The difference here is that the games will unfreeze play for 10 seconds and freeze again, and the computer never shuts down. I can finally use ctrl+alt+del, but there is still a freezing. No more BSOD so that's good.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 6, 2014

Just tried messing around in Nvidia control panel and the game froze again. BSOD!

What the FUCK! I'm getting mad, and I don't have any more money to spend.

Trustdesa · Jan 6, 2014

I don't see fault in the build

1) You damaged something when building
2) Windows had some issue when installing, try to re-install the whole thing

What kind of hard disk are you using? I had BSOD with an OCZ which controller was not compatible (well actually with anything was a sh**t SSD)

Bean007 · Jan 6, 2014

CrowsofFritz :

Have you uninstalled and reinstalled your games? BTW I'm assuming you have a premade machine like a HP or Dell and such. What do you have. Redo you video drivers and make sure you do a clean install. In the driver program you can tell it to do a clean install which will uninstall the old drivers and then install the new ones. Do that and also uninstall at least 1 of your games and then reinstall. You might have to a fresh install of windows. I still think the PS upgrade was needed as 300w is just to low. Are there any other games you have installed that you play that DON'T have a issue. Not some weak graphics games. If not try getting a demo or something of a quality game with good graphics and see if you get the same problem.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 6, 2014

I think the PSU was necessary, too. No games work, though all of these games are running through steam.

I got three notable errors from the last blue screen.

One was the 0x0000007a

One was the 0x000000F4

And the last was volmgrx.sys

That last one is a crucial windows volume driver, right? Also, those first two lead me to believe it could be a HDD problem or a memory problem.

CrowsofFritz · Jan 6, 2014

The hard drive is a WD250ABYS, and I've already re-installed Windows. This is my own build.

All games freeze my just built PC

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