Game starts, freezes computer. Hard reset needed

[xbread]

I've been having issues over the past few days when I was playing Borderlands 2 or other games. Last week, the games ran perfectly without a problem. Now, when I start Borderlands 2, my computer either shuts off after the Nvidia splash screen, or freezes needing a hard reset. I've encountered the same problem trying to play Saints Row the Third. I hit "continue" from the main menu, and the same thing happened while loading: freezes or shuts off randomly.

I don't experience this problem while playing non-3D games like Cave Story+.

My computer would also freeze at random times when browsing the web, watching YouTube videos.

The problem started occuring today. I tried to reinstall drivers, reseat the GPU, and none of it works.

My specs are as follows:

CPU: AMD Phenom II x4 970 3.5ghz
Mobo: Asus M5A87
Cooler: Hyper 212 EVO
GPU: EVGA 9800GT 1GB Green Edition
RAM: 4GB x2 (8GB total) Corsair XMS3 1600mhz
Case: thermaltake v4 black edition
PSU: Corsair CX600
OS: Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit

Is there a way to fix this issue? Do I have to reinstall the OS at all?

PS: I had this system for a little over a year, and installed the hyper 212 evo a couple months ago

Thanks!

 

[bigshootr8]

What an odd issue. I had a similar issue with another NVIDIA game a few months back but with Batman Arkham City I had to uninstall the game and its registry components. I backed up the saves of course. I've never had this issue with Borderlands 2 however there are downloads out there that take out the intro to the game which you could also try.
http://www.gamecopyworld.com/games/pc_borderlands_2.shtml#Borderlands 2 NO INTRO FIX

 

[bigshootr8]

dangit the link isn't working exactly as its supposed to when you click that link control+f and type in no intro and it should bring you there

 

[Rockdpm]

Sounds like your 9800 gt is worked to death

 

[bigshootr8]

No, borderlands 2 is a dx9 game his 9800gt is fine with borderlands 2

 

[xbread]

Borderlands 2 and other games were running really well for me until recently when the freezes and crashes happened.

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea maybe try that intro fix and see if it pushes past it shrugs. I had to do a fresh install of the game with the registery cleared of the game before it started working for me. Happens with the intro normally idk weird stuff. Idk worth a try just be sure to backup your stuff.

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\Documents\My Games\Borderlands 2\WillowGame\SaveData\(Random Numbers)

 

[Rockdpm]

Um Borderlands being Dirext X 9 has nothing to do with the fact that his card is 6 years old

 

[bigshootr8]

It absolutely does. Do you know how old dx9 is. Its 11 years old now (2002) that is freaking ancient in computer terms. You could run a 8800gt and still be able to play borderlands 2 maybe not maxed out but damn you could play it. You should take a look at the system requirements



Minimum:
OS: Windows XP SP3
Processor: 2.4 GHz Dual Core Processor
Memory: 2 GB(XP)/ 2 GB(Vista)
Hard Disk Space: 13 GB free
Video Memory: 256 MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce 8500 /ATI Radeon HD 2600
Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible
Other Requirements:Initial installation requires one-time internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, DirectX 9, Microsoft .NET 4 Framework, Visual C++ Redistributable 2005, Visual C++ Redistributable 2008, Visual C++ Redistributable 2010, and AMD CPU Drivers (XP Only/AMD Only)

Recommended:
OS: Windows XP SP3/Vista/Win 7
Processor: 2.3 GHz Quad Core processor
Memory: 2 GB
Hard Disk Space: 20 GB free
Video Memory: 512MB
Video Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 / ATI Radeon HD 5850
Sound: DirectX 9.0c Compatible
Other Requirements:Initial installation requires one-time internet connection for Steam authentication; software installations required (included with the game) include Steam Client, DirectX 9, Microsoft .NET 4 Framework, Visual C++ Redistributable 2005, Visual C++ Redistributable 2008, Visual C++ Redistributable 2010, and AMD CPU Drivers (XP Only/AMD Only)

 

[Rockdpm]

exactly 11 years old... I know there are still 8800GT living but that doesn't mean his 9800GT isn't on its death bed

 

[bigshootr8]

possibly, however I wouldn't assume the card is on its death bed it may not be as old as you would think. Without knowing how long said person has used a card one can only assume because of the age of the series.

 

[xbread]

Took out one of my sticks of ram, reinstalled the gpu, and games started to work well again.

Will be running memtest86 on both just in case.

 

[bigshootr8]

Hmm very odd indeed so no issues thus far then?

 

[xbread]

No errors so far (first pass)
I'm gonna let it run for another 5 passes, and do the same for the other stick just to be safe.

I'll update once I finish this.

 

[xbread]

No errors on both sticks of ram after ~3 passes.

Seems like reseating the gpu, and memory fixed it. I also did a startup repair on my HDD.

I'll see how my system holds up over the coming week. Thanks anyway you guys.

 

[bigshootr8]

Yea certainly could of been how it was seated or dust or something shrugs either way its good to know your system is doing okay at least at the present moment.

 

[xbread]

Hey everyone.

After a couple of days, the problem happened again. After attempting to load sanctuary, borderlands 2 froze and i had to reset. Funny because I was able to go on a 7 hour run with Civ V earlier. I'll be reinstalling Windows 7 and see if it fixes anything.

 

[bigshootr8]

Maybe more then likely it wont but never know windows always performs great under a fresh install with the open space

 

[xbread]

Just realized this out of my own stupidity, lol. After going through and reseating everything again (especially the ram), and redoing some of the cable management, my system is stable again. Haha...

Thanks for the help anyways, you guys.

 

[Rockdpm]

no problem. keep up posted

 

[xbread]

Okay, now this is starting to really annoy me. After about a week, my computer froze again. Reseated the ram, power cables, gpu, and HDDs, and the system was working well for a day. Now, after keeping it on for ~5-6 hours (played a bit of Saints Row the Third, watched YouTube videos, then 2 1-hour sessions of Civ V and BL2) and after leaving BL2, my system randomly shut off. I suspect it's either the motherboard or psu, but still I'm not sure. I'll try doing a BIOS update and see if that fixes anything. I'll also see if dusting my system would help at all.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

 

[Rockdpm]

Its either over heating..or bad PSU

 

[xbread]

So it's a possibility that my CX600 is failing after ~1 year of use? You think it's possible I can RMA it?

 

[Rockdpm]

To be honest. I can't really pin point what your issue is. I still think its the 9800GT.. but everyone else here seems to think they are smarter than me and that their logic is better than real logic

 

[xbread]

If I can find another graphics card laying around, I'll put that in and see if that changes anything. Don't know if I do though. + the fact that my mobo doesn't have integrated graphics makes it a bit hard :c