Random lock ups and restarts while gaming

[M@$t3r_N30]

bumpp

 

[Ste]

Get a DMM and check the PSU Rails and amperage..

Get a cheap video card @ whatever slot you have just in case u have to test it out. There are many good options on newegg now...

Let me throw a couple out there that could run some higher end games least on low to mediumish settings. ( I am going to assume AGP 8x)
X1650
7600GS
9600Pro

 

[M@$t3r_N30]

Whats a DMM and how do I check the rails and amperage? I've got a Geforce 6800XT PCIe.

 

[Ste]

DMM is a digital multimeter.

There is a thread on these forums that demonstrates.

Ill look for it.

 

[macdawg]

temps? drivers up to date? any programs running in the background that might cause a conflict (norton, etc)???

 

[M@$t3r_N30]

I have had WoW running all day and I haven't yet had a problem. I just reinstalled XP, and am using the latest NVidia drivers. Seems to help, but I will keep an eye on it.

The other day I took the machine outside and cleaned it with an air compressor. Could have solved some heat problems.

The CPU temperature is never above 36-38C. I don't know about the video card. Is there something I can use to monitor it?

Would stress testing the machine say anything. (3dmark or something)

Thanks for all the input.

 

[macdawg]

you can check your graphics card temps by:

right clicking on your desktop - select properties - settings tab - click advanced - 6800 tab on the top - click temperature settings on the left and it will show you the temps

 

[M@$t3r_N30]

It has been almost a week, without any problems, until today. It crashed twice while playing WoW.

While checking inside the case, I realised the +12v (I think) 4 pin connector was not plugged into the motherboard. I plugged it in and booted back up.

Could this have been causing problems? Will having it plugged in verses not change anything?

Thanks.

 

[apdrummer]

What are your temps? My old computer did something like that and it's CPU was hitting 80+C.

 

[M@$t3r_N30]

Never above 40C.