Windows 7 crashes while playing games

[racing4him7]

Hello,

I have a computer that will crash while playing games. More specifically, when I am playing a game, the audio and video will completely freeze (freeze displaying what was on the screen as it freezes; no blue screen). The computer will not respond to any windows commands (IE Ctrl Alt Delete). The only recourse I have at that point is to power cycle it.

Here is some of what I've done thus far (even though I have done the following if it really sounds like it could be something I already did please tell me.)

Memory check: no bad memory
Video card: Swapped to another brand new card' same issue
Windows 7: Reinstalled OS, installed most updated drivers; same issue...
Logs: I found nothing of interest in them around the time of crash.
Temperature: everything around 70-80 never (even around the time of crash above 100)

Here are the basic specs:
AMD Phenom(tm) II X6 1090T Processor
Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate
8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 1333MHz DIMM PC3-10666
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 550 Ti
MSI MS-7642 Motherboard
Corsair CMPSU-650TX 650-Watt Power Supply
2TB SATA 6.0Gb/s HDD

Thanks so much in advance.

 

[Raiddinn]

Try taking the side off of your case and playing games for a while and see if it still happens.

For that matter take off both sides.

 

[racing4him7]

I did that and incresed fan speed about two weeks ago. Same symptoms.

 

[Raiddinn]

Do you have a big fat AC fan you can aim at it from a few feet away from the case?

I would try to start working my way backwards in version numbers for drivers too. Perhaps older drivers may give you more stability.

 

[racing4him7]

As I stated in my original post, all the temps are at or below 70-80. In regards to the drivers, I have tried all currently available and known stable drivers.

Adding another symptom, when I try to use my hdmi out for video I get a few spots on the screen with a weird pixellation. Again, I know it sounds like a video card issue but I have swapped video cards and have the same symptoms. When i get home I will try to switch the video card to my other PCI Express ×16 slot... Hopefully that makes a difference. If it doesn't... Am I wrong in feeling it may be a motherboard issue?

 

[Raiddinn]

I was hoping to get all your temps at or below 50, but if you are willing to rule out problems at 80 then I guess I will go with that.

Anyway, the motherboard would probably be the next logical choice. At least I couldn't fault you for going with that next anyway.

Before you go replacing the motherboard, though, is there someone else who can try using these cards in their computers, just to double check?

 

[racing4him7]

Raiddinn, thanks for your help thus far. I wasn't intending to discount your statement about the fan. I've been in IT for too long to have my own computer defeat me. I have been a bit testy about it.

I did get a fan and after about an hour temperatures (idle) are: CPU: 68 GPU: 72-82 MB:66

I already "know" that the memory is good per memtests but... I took half the ram out. (I will swap the other half later just to more so isolate whats going on)

I switched the video card to the other slot. I experience slight screen tearing when viewing the windows GUI over HDMI.

I don't have another computer to swap out cards but I did previously buy a brand new non overclocked card and had the same issue.

After I game for a bit I will get the under load temperatures. Also, once we isolate stuff a bit more I'd like to ask you if there are any utilities I can use to try and narrow my problem.

edit: If you want to see what I would describe as screen tearing let me know I'll send it to you.

 

[Raiddinn]

Try reapplying the thermal paste on the CPU if you get some time. Just to rule that out.

 

[Odd_one_in]

For the longest time (over a year) my PC would crash with no indication or consistency, just mainly due to increasing load (games, productivity etc) once every 30 mins in extreme cases, though rarely with just average load.

All the temp monitors looked fine though, and memory tests were fine. For so long this went on and I just grudginly put up with it, not knowing what to fix short of a whole new pc since it seemed to be so random, each blue screen message different.

Then one day it dawned on me, I rather foolishly put my hand in whilst powered up and felt the memory, and it was ferociously hot. Of course memory temperature never shows up on the temp monitors (not mine anyway).

Just bad air flow. I perched a little fan blowing on the sticks and it never crashed again.

So my advice is stick your hand into your machine and feel around to see whats hot, preferably just after stepping out of the bath and holding the copper pipe on a radiator with the other hand.

James.

 

[racing4him7]

Clarification, I'm using Fahrenheit... That is mainly why I initially dismissed the temperature statement. I work for the United States Marine Corps... I don't think most of us can spell Celsius...

temperatures (load) are: CPU: 71 GPU: 140 MB:76

I will try and get time to play more tonight. Is there anything I should/could be doing to help figure out whats going on?

 

[Raiddinn]

Believe it or not, I got my start in IT the same way.

Did you go to MCAGCC?

In any event, there are many things that matter a lot that they didn't really have time to teach me when I was in the Corps. I supported mostly DELLs when I was in, so things of extreme importance flew quite under the radar.

I don't know if you were ever on Quantico or not, but our G6 was responsible for busting holes in the barracks wall on nearly all the rooms on the lower floor on the left wing and running networking equipment inside the walls. We had many computers on the LAN and played LAN games pre 2000 on them. The command couldn't really do anything about it since essentially all the e3s in the company were involved.

Good times.

Anyway, check the logs around the time of the crashes and past any error logs in here so I can have a look at them.

 

[racing4him7]

... Well, lets put it like this; I'm writing this response from my apartment in Q-town. I work for the G6... Talk about ironic...

As far as the logs here is an overview table to text that shows it was an unexpected shutdown (I know you said error but this is all I have):

Information 12/26/2011 8:16:27 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:26 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:19 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:15 PM Winlogon 7001 (1101)
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:13 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:13 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:13 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:13 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:13 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:12 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:12 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:12 PM WLAN-AutoConfig 4000 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:12 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM DHCPv6-Client 51046 Service State Event
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Dhcp-Client 50036 Service State Event
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:11 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:10 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:09 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:09 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:09 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:09 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Error 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM EventLog 6008 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM EventLog 6009 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM EventLog 6005 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:08 PM EventLog 6013 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:07 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:05 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:05 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:05 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:03 PM FilterManager 6 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:03 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:01 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:16:01 PM UserPnp 20010 (7010)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Processor-Power 26 (4)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Processor-Power 26 (4)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Processor-Power 26 (4)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Processor-Power 26 (4)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Processor-Power 26 (4)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Processor-Power 26 (4)
Critical 12/26/2011 8:15:48 PM Kernel-Power 41 (63)
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:43 PM FilterManager 6 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:33 PM FilterManager 6 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:15:33 PM Kernel-General 12 None
Information 12/26/2011 8:07:22 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None
Information 12/26/2011 7:19:30 PM Service Control Manager 7036 None


And more detailed for the events immediently before the crash:

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-General
Date: 12/26/2011 8:15:33 PM
Event ID: 12
Task Category: None
Level: Information
Keywords:
User: SYSTEM
Computer: Dudeman-PC
Description:
The operating system started at system time ‎2011‎-‎12‎-‎27T01:15:32.860398900Z.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-General" Guid="{A68CA8B7-004F-D7B6-A698-07E2DE0F1F5D}" />
<EventID>12</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>4</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2011-12-27T01:15:33.687200300Z" />
<EventRecordID>3767</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="4" ThreadID="8" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Dudeman-PC</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="MajorVersion">6</Data>
<Data Name="MinorVersion">1</Data>
<Data Name="BuildVersion">7601</Data>
<Data Name="QfeVersion">17640</Data>
<Data Name="ServiceVersion">1</Data>
<Data Name="BootMode">0</Data>
<Data Name="StartTime">2011-12-27T01:15:32.860398900Z</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 12/26/2011 8:07:22 PM
Event ID: 7036
Task Category: None
Level: Information
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Dudeman-PC
Description:
The DNS Client service entered the stopped state.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908d1-a6d7-4695-8e1e-26931d2012f4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />
<EventID Qualifiers="16384">7036</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>4</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8080000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2011-12-27T01:07:22.632564500Z" />
<EventRecordID>3766</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="960" ThreadID="2164" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Dudeman-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">DNS Client</Data>
<Data Name="param2">stopped</Data>
<Binary>44006E007300630061006300680065002F0031000000</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 12/26/2011 7:19:30 PM
Event ID: 7036
Task Category: None
Level: Information
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Dudeman-PC
Description:
The Multimedia Class Scheduler service entered the running state.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908d1-a6d7-4695-8e1e-26931d2012f4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />
<EventID Qualifiers="16384">7036</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>4</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8080000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2011-12-27T00:19:30.329278100Z" />
<EventRecordID>3765</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="960" ThreadID="1280" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Dudeman-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">Multimedia Class Scheduler</Data>
<Data Name="param2">running</Data>
<Binary>4D004D004300530053002F0034000000</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>

I could zip up the full logs if you wish.

Also, is there a way to post files on this forum? I dont really ever do forums...

O' and by the way, I've been in Quantico my entire enlistment...

 

[racing4him7]

@Odd_one_in

Thanks for the idea, I will check next time it crashes and let you know. It is however a very open case with no wiring near the RAM and two case fans within about 6 inches.

 

[Raiddinn]

I thought that NMCI was supposed to take over the Quantico network after I EASd in 02.

You should see if you can go in the 2006 barracks in the left wing and ask the people in room 101 if they will let you in. It is just in the corner where the 4 halls come together. That was my room. My rack was right by the door in that corner.

The hole we busted in the wall was on the opposite wall outside the bathroom door. toward the bottom of the wall kinda in the middle-ish It might still be there.

Every other room on that floor had similar holes busted in the wall, but others handled most of those so I don't know where to look for the hole in the wall on those.

Back to business...

I looked up the Critical error Kernel Power 41 on Microsoft's website, a quote from it:

If event 41 is logged because power to the computer was interrupted, you may want to consider obtaining an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) such as a battery backup power supply. Maybe an underpowered or failing power supply caused this behavior. For example, if you added RAM or additional devices or hard disks when this problem began, the power supply may be a cause of the problem.

The error clearly does mention an underpowered PSU as a potential cause.

You can go into the event reaction area by Right Clicking My computer, Properties, System Protection, Advanced Tab, Startup & Recovery, Settings, and uncheck the box for "Automatically Restart". This will prevent your computer from restarting and give you a BSOD with an associated error message. That message would help to 10x+ verify the potential cause of the problem.

BTW, if you do indeed work in the G6 building that was in Newlin Hall across from the headquarters building like I used to, I would be interested to know if there is a little green handwritten troubleshooting book still on the premises. I wrote troubleshooting steps in it when I was in and gave it to people once in a while when they were going to troubleshoot some problems that whatever office happened to be having.

I entrusted this thing to another Marine there when I EASd, and I have really no idea where it went from there. It likely would have ended up in the trash can in the last decade at some point, but it could potentially still be laying around somewhere too.

That was our high tech knowledge base back then. By that I mean that I was the high tech knowledge base.

The Staff NCOs there put me on the help desk and the 3 ladies from the civ div were let go and the number of tickets entered dropped by 75% on day 1. I just fixed most everything over the phone with people. The only thing I couldn't do from the office was reinstall windows pretty much.

We had like 30 people on site who all of a sudden had half the workload and the NCOs had to find interesting ways to waste their time.

I hated every minute of that too. I always liked to walk to people's offices SLOWLY and fix their stuff and then SLOWLY walk my way back to the office. Everyone else had cars, I figured if I got there 30 min faster then an NCO would have to find something to do with me for 30 min. I would rather be strolling around outside. Then they put me on the helpdesk where I was both in and out of my element, and well I eventually got out at some point later after plenty of mind numbing boredom had set in.

You know, we might just be able to get along RL. I am only up by the mall in Woodbridge well, when I am not travelling internationally that is.

Anyway, lets see what the BSOD says shortly.

 

[Raiddinn]

BTW, just to verify, you do keep your computer with all the critical and recommended updates installed, and you have newish stable drivers for pretty much everything?

 

[racing4him7]

I should have stated that better... I was pretty much stuck on the fact that we both worked for the G6... in Quantico.

Looking back at the logs; At about 2014 and some seconds I was playing a game. The computer did the normal freeze. I caused the unexpected loss of power by power cycling as I had no recourse. Then I turned the computer back on manually.

And yes, brand new install as of the 25th, with all the most current stable drivers and all those wonderful microsoft updates.

How long ago did you get out?

 

[Raiddinn]

02

 

[racing4him7]

Well, I believe I may have figured out what happened. Apparently, The issue was my graphics card. However, all the temps were always fine when I checked them during normal use and any time after a crash. Also, I replaced the graphics card and had the same issue....

Well, I am and was (for the swap) using EVGA Nvidia cards. Apparently, no matter how hot the cards get, stock they will not increase fan speed. I downloaded a performance add on to the Nvidia suite and manually tweaked the fan. Since then no crashes.

However, at the same time as I tweaked the fan speed I also took out half my ram. I just now reinserted my ram and going to see if it somehow crashes (I HIGHLY doubt it). I also am looking forward to see if I finally am going to be able to use the HDMI out on my card now.

 

[Leadfoot77]

Hi, I think I am having similar issues... I may have posted in the wrong forum about it:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/304247-30-memtest-crashed-think-mean

I ran memtest overnight and when I woke up it had crashed... which seems to indicate it would NOT be my video card.

However, your symptoms sound similar to mine - the game will freeze and I will have to hard power the computer off. However, other times it just resets suddenly back to bootup and starts back up again - as if I lost power.

I am using an EVGA 560TI so your comment about the fan caught my interest, could you provide more information about the addon you mentioned and what exactly you used it for?

THanks, and good luck with your PC.

 

[racing4him7]

Have you ever been excited that your computer crashed? I was...

Last night after I posted that I thought it ultimately was my graphics card I felt like a complete retard. I had been monitoring the temperatures and they were good but when I sped up the fan my computer worked like a charm for a week. Not one single crash.

Well, I also had removed half my ram. As soon as I reinstalled my ram, it crashed about 20 minutes later and again this morning. The first time it crashed I felt so relieved.... I wasn't a complete retard; it wasn't heat.

What I don't understand is that I ran memtest on my computer overnight with no errors; But I still had a bad stick of memory. I am RMA'ing the ram now.


@Leadfoot77: NVIDIA System Tools. It is available from Nvidia.com you can adjust the fan speed, clock speed, and make profiles.