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Computer seems to "crash" when playing games. Any ideas why?

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  • Games
  • Computers
  • Crash
  • Graphics
Last response: in Graphics & Displays
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October 8, 2014 11:47:32 AM

Hey everyone.

So I've had this computer for just over a year. It's been fine for a very long time, runs most games on 120 fps.

But within recent weeks, it's been acting strange. While playing games, it seems to just crash. The screen goes black, and all the sound cuts out from the game. But background programs such as Skype will continue to make noise for just a moment.

The screen then says "No Signal", and a buzzing is heard through the speakers, and the computer becomes unresponsive. The only way to turn it off is by hard reset. The weird thing is, once I turn it off like that, any USB items with LED lights continue to glow. It's really starting to bug me as it's interrupting my gameplay for competitive sides of things.

Does anyone have any ideas what the problem is?

More about : computer crash playing games ideas

October 8, 2014 11:52:23 AM

Please provide your complete system specifications, including the brand and model (not just wattage) of the PSU.
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October 8, 2014 12:17:44 PM

Can I ask what parts you need? Sorry, I'm a little bit dumb when it comes to this stuff and I have barely any idea how to show PC specs.
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October 8, 2014 12:27:56 PM

Is it a storebought PC? If so, the brand and model number of the whole thing may be sufficient. If it is one you built yourself, or had someone build for you, the motherboard, CPU, RAM, PSU, graphics card, and type and number of fans should suffice.
How old is it, and have you used a pressurized duster (never a vacuum-cleaner) to clean dust out of it within the last few months?
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October 8, 2014 12:33:11 PM

It's custom built. I can't really remember what parts I put into it.

What I do know is that my graphics card is an nVidia 240, I have 4 GB RAM (3 usable), Processor is an Intel Celeron CPU (E3200 @ 2.40GHz 2.40GHz), I run 32-bit.

I'm sure I have one fan. I haven't cleaned it out before because I don't have anything to do so with.

It's roughly a year and a half old.
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October 8, 2014 12:37:37 PM

Zip the dmp files / upload them somewhere then post the link.
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October 8, 2014 12:38:42 PM

Paul NZ said:
Zip the dmp files / upload them somewhere then post the link.


How do I get them?
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October 8, 2014 12:39:44 PM

See if theyre in C:\windows\minidump folder
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October 8, 2014 12:57:07 PM

One possible cause of crashes is overheating. If any of the fans or heatsinks are clogged with dust, that may be your problem. Make sure all the fans are still running. One year is not a long time, but some fans may fail in that time period.
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October 8, 2014 12:58:27 PM

They seem to be currently running fine from what I can tell, but I'll open up the case in a few moments and take a look.

But I don't see how it could be overheating...
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October 8, 2014 1:05:50 PM

All 3 crashes point to the video drivers nvlddmkm.sys and the stop error 0x116 can mean its faulty

dxgkrnl.sys and dxgmms1.sys may also be crashing. These belong to Directx

e1k6032.sys is pretty old from 2008. This belongs to your Intel LAN drivers. See if there are updates for this on the Intel site

watchdog.sys may also be crashing

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October 8, 2014 1:19:13 PM

If I'm totally honest I have no idea what any of that stuff is.

And if that Watch Dog file is anything to do with the game, I don't own it. Sorry if I'm being dumb here, but.
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October 8, 2014 1:20:48 PM

Well that stop error why its crashing maybe because that videocard is faulty. And your video drivers are crashing
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October 8, 2014 1:23:54 PM

Huh...
I'm really confused.
I don't see why it'd just give up on me like that, it's not had any problems before. And I've tried doing updates before, I have the latest versions of everything apparently...
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October 8, 2014 1:25:31 PM

It can happen, and updates have nothing to do with it if its faulty
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October 8, 2014 1:31:13 PM

Mm. Well that's made me feel like total crap. I guess I'll have to pull out money for a new card or something then, if the graphics card is the problem. ._.;;; I have a 720 behind me, but I don't have the right power supply for it, I don't think.

You sure it's the card being the problem? And is there any possible explanation for how it died?
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October 8, 2014 1:37:21 PM

Like I said that stop error can mean its faulty, it maybe overheating
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October 8, 2014 1:38:54 PM

So it's not broken, but is having minor faults?

I checked the inside of my computer. It is in fact rather dusty around the fan. Could that be a problem?
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October 8, 2014 1:41:16 PM

Clean it find out if it crashes again
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October 8, 2014 1:53:54 PM

Is there any way to clean it without the use of those air-can things? I don't have any of those at this current moment in time, and I've been wanting to play CS:GO all day long. Are there any safe ways of doing it?
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October 8, 2014 1:56:14 PM

You can blow on it, if you're careful. Also, don't keep at it for so long without pausing that you hyperventilate. Close your eyes too unless you want them full of dust.
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October 8, 2014 1:59:58 PM

Question - My computer is sat on my floor instead of my desk. The floor is a carpet, but it's not too thick... Do you think that could also be why it's overheating?
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October 8, 2014 2:25:55 PM

If the PSU draws its air from beneath the case, then yes. Get a piece of plywood or fiberboard and put your PC on that so the PSU can breath.
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October 8, 2014 2:53:09 PM

Hi the Computer specs your describing are at least 3~5 years old.

Hopefully its just a bad driver or update which can also cause this issue. - Update drivers, or Roll Back drivers.
Is Black Screen Freezing/crashing becoming more frequent?

Most likely causes are: Drivers or Hardware Failure

The problems your describing are Pointing to hardware failure - particularity your motherboard considering Black screen and total freezing - thus why it appears GFX Card one Crash, Lan Another, Sound another etc..

The Typical Causes that fit a PC this age are Expanded Capacitors... google images on Expanded Capacitors to see what your looking for.

If you find expanded capacitors on your Motherboard, back up your important data, bookmarks,etc asap. replacement is really the only option, a repair is only 30% success to last up to 6 months at best.
If you find expanded capacitors on your GFX card - Time for replacement GFX card


As for sitting on the Carpet Floor it should not be an real issue unless you in a particularly hot location ideally it should be on a flat surface for better air flow especially if the Power supply is located on the bottom of your case (mostly on newer cases)

Cleaning: Compressed Air in a Can is the Only Recommended way to clean PC's - Clean Dry Air

Other Methods and why they are BAD

Air Compressor - Moisture = corrosion
Vacuum Cleaner - Bulky easy to break sensitive components and suck up pin jumpers
Brushes / Dust Brushes - Static Energy = instant pc death
Cloths - get caught on everything - static and ineffective, easy to imbalance fans

Although people still use these NOT Recommended methods its playing Russian roulette with your PC

there are other tools that blow Dry air - Ball pumps, Air bed foot pumps that can give you a blast of dry air but not as easy to use and can be clumsy.
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October 8, 2014 3:22:14 PM

My computer isn't 3~5 years old, however, Markkk. It was built over a year ago, but just with old, cheap parts. I highly doubt it's... done such a thing like that in a short amount of time.
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October 10, 2014 4:02:39 PM

Nothing's working... This is starting to really get to me. Updates for my favourite games are coming out and I'm missing out on it. :/ 

In desperation I tried to play games, again... It crashed, again. And I got this:

---

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 116
BCP1: 86D9E1A0
BCP2: 93031720
BCP3: C000000D
BCP4: 00000003
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 256_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\101014-35849-01.dmp

---

It describes the problem as being a blue screen, but I never even get one...
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October 10, 2014 4:14:01 PM

BCCode: 116

Is a Video Card issue with Driver or the Way programs are using the Video Settings

Fresh Install Your Video Card Driver - Uninstall it the re install it
Update Direct X
Windows Update

The Reason you don't see a Blue screen is because it a Video Crash so it doesn't get displayed...
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October 10, 2014 4:15:01 PM

How do I do all of that? If it works I'll be forever thankful to you. I swear down on my life.
I need my computer back. :'( 
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October 10, 2014 4:26:54 PM

It won't reset all my memory, right? I really don't want to lose over a year and a half worth of stuff I have on here, and I have no way to back it up either.
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October 10, 2014 4:27:52 PM

memory isnt the hard drive
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October 10, 2014 4:54:14 PM

Memory... easily confused when talking about Ram, ram drives, Hdd Storage in Gigs when Ram is also listed in Gigs...

Ram Memory - is the Temporary Work space used when your PC is turned on - Like a Actual Work desk the bigger it is the more space you have to Open programs and use files.

Hard Drives - Like a Storage Filing Cabinet it holds all your files and operating system which is loaded into ram every time you do stuff. When your computer is off they are all safe and stored

Computers needs - Programs and Drivers which are stored on The HDD (Hard Disk Drive your filing cabinet ) they are then loaded into Ram (work desk) for use

Your Current Video Drivers (Files or Settings) your using are not working correctly - They are stored on your HDD and Loaded into Ram where they are supplying bad commands and your PC Black screens

These Driver need to be updated/Replaced with a clean install which will remove the Drivers from you HDD and Install New Ones - Same with Direct X and Windows Updates.

Hopefully this process will resolve your issues of black screen

Your Other Files and Documents are Not touched.
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October 10, 2014 5:03:48 PM

Alright... I'm trying to do all of it now. It crashed just now as well, which really annoyed me...
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October 10, 2014 5:48:34 PM

It hasn't done anything.

I found out my GPU temperature reaches 110 C - 120 C before it crashes.
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October 10, 2014 5:50:09 PM

I would replace the card
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October 10, 2014 5:53:10 PM

Information is power

That would certainly be number 1 reason for crashing

Is the Fan Dead in the GFX Card?
Is the Card Over Clocked?

And my last Question how the hell does a GT240 get that hot...?

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October 10, 2014 5:53:11 PM

http://snag.gy/67Fkq.jpg
Could this be the source of all the problems?

I can't exactly afford to replace my card, so...
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October 10, 2014 5:55:13 PM

According to FurMark, it's normally at 64 C.
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October 10, 2014 5:55:30 PM

Well is it spinning if its got a fan. If it isnt replace the fan
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October 10, 2014 5:56:02 PM

It does spin, and currently is.
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October 10, 2014 5:56:05 PM

YES the Cooling Fan has Fallen off the GPU

The GPU is the Big Black Square a couple inches higher from where the fan is located
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October 10, 2014 5:56:58 PM

That's... where it normally is, Markkk. It's still spinning right now.
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October 10, 2014 6:01:15 PM

I don't see anything Markkk.
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October 10, 2014 6:03:52 PM

It should be attached to the video card....

That pick looks like it has fall off and resting on the Motherboard

Meaning its is not cooling your GFX Card - that will eventualyl just die due to overheating to many times
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October 10, 2014 6:07:42 PM

Google video Card - look at images
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October 10, 2014 6:14:25 PM

I don't see a problem.
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October 10, 2014 6:15:46 PM

Well if its getting that high obviously there's something wrong with it
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October 10, 2014 6:19:16 PM

But the card has been sat there ever since I got the PC. There's no reason it would start damaging it now, instead of the day it was built.
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