Please help. Something dying?

Hi everyone, sorry to bother you all..

I've been having a frequent and disgusting problem recently.. During certain games, my computer will freeze to the point of no return. The screen will flicker, and all the colors will distort... Sort of like if you were to shoot the screen with a BB gun, if you understand what I mean....

This problem only happens with certain games... Such as World in Conflict, Killing floor, Left 4 Dead.... but never occurs in games like Bioshock and Operation Flashpoint.

This occured with the current version of Forceware, and with beta drivers. A friend recommended rolling back to 180 series of forceware, but I'd like to ask here before doing that. I've asked this question on the Steam forums, and received no help whatsoever.

The problem started occuring when I went to Dual monitors, but I just disconnected my 2nd monitor today, and the problem still happens.

My theory is that the Power Supply unit is dying, i've had it for years now. does anyone have ANY idea what to do? I'm stuck here... My favourite games are practically worthless because I cant play them for longer than 5 minutes anymore....

Intel Core 2 Quad - Q6600
Windows XP 32 bit
4 gb ram (yes I know, I only get 3.3 gb of real memory....)
Nvidia GTX 260
Ultra 600 Watt PSU.

Download speedfan and check your temps.

Make sure you have the newest drivers from Nvidia.

I don't think the monitor cable would be the problem. It only transmits the signal to the monitor. Since you say the PC is freezing, it would likely rule out the cable or monitor.

PC Power & Cooling is one of the best PSUs you could get. It's not out of the realm of possibility, but I doubt it's the PSU.

Update:

I bought a Kilowatt PSU last night. I figure if it doesnt solve my problem, I'll at least be ready for a major upgrade down the line.

RIP current PSU. you served me well for these past 6 years.

Agreed, sir. I just got it in case i plan to get an i7 in the future. At any rate, the new PSU didn't Help. I'm going to have to get BFG to replace my card <_<. is there anything else that might be killing the games?

lol whatever. i like overkill.

CPU or GPU?

Which program are you using?

If that's the case, try reinstalling the newest drivers from Nvidia's website.

It seems suspicious that it only happens on a few games. If it was the card, it should be flaking out more. But, I guess there's no harm in using that warranty to find out.

Are they the ones that were working before the freezing started?

What version are you on now?

Is this the version you're on?
http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_191.07_whql.html

If not, I'd try those.....if they don't work, I'd roll back to the 180 drivers

K... It was going well... Until the problem happened outside of a game, when i was listening to music....

Apart from the screen going 'blank', it also made that... choppy loud noise, and with headphones on... that wasn't cool.

Ok, i dont understand, all the temps were fine.

Try running in safe mode to see if it happens there. If it doesn't happen in safe mode, it's likely a driver. If it does happen in safe mode, it's likely hardware.

It's no problem...I'm as curious as you are now.

Well I took the 'easy' way out. Reformatted... The error was software related, and my conclusion was a virus attack caused a registry error.

Thanks for all your help.

Sigh... The problem is still happening, although this time.. I believe it's the CPU overheating. I replaced the CPU with a Q9550, cause i had the money, and its reaching temps of 90 - 100 degrees. Im going to assume thats bad, Im about to install a new heatsink.

Also not overheating. Just replaced the heatsink, temp never exceeds 55 according to coretemp.

Why god, why... Guess i need a new motherboard

Just ran Memtest, no errors...

Western Digital Diagnostic found no errors...

Ran Furmark Stability test, ran for 1200 seconds, 1920 x 1080, 16 x AA, Max temperature = 78 degrees.

I don't think this is a GPU or CPU error. I believe it is motherboard related, as the computer once crashed while listening to music. Hardly computer intensive.

Thats the problem though... whether or not it's the motherboard... I've tested everything extensively.....

My dad said he would give me a loan for the mobo if thats the problem, and i work... but I still dont want to buy something if thats not the problem. As far as im concerned, its down to the motherboard or the GPU..... ive tested the gpu using furmark.. but still.. is there another way to test the gpu?

You know that you're supposed to run stability tests for a long time right? By that I mean overnight at least - for each kind. 20 minutes hardly qualifies.

Ok, now I'm just completely confused. COMPLETELY.

I went and bought a crappy 9500 GT (with the intention of returning it to best buy lol) and the computer functioned PERFECTLY, no crashes, nothing. So I figured it was a GPU issue, seems pretty obvious.

So I went out and bought a GTX 275 to replace the GTX 260, and the CRASH IS STILL OCCURING!!! OVER AND OVER!!! and this time it actually gives me a driver_irql BSOD.

I'm so confused!!!

Did you get rid of the old video drivers? Try uninstalling all your video drivers. Use something like revo uninstaller. Then install your new video drivers.