System Freezing and "square" artifacts

m4trix · Sep 29, 2008, 10:08 PM

I just built a new system a couple weeks ago (specs at the bottom of this post). It runs Vista x64 Ultimate, and I havn't had any problems at all while in the windows GUI. However, when I play games fullscreen (havn't tried windowed yet), they often freeze my computer - some moreso than others. Either it freezes, and I hit CTRL+ALT+DEL and the sound goes into a loop and square artifacts appear, or it goes straight to that step without the C+A+D intervention. From there, I either have to hard reboot, or I get a BSOD and Vista takes care of the reboot for me.

Ironically enough, the most stable game I've found is Crysis (ironic because it also seems to be hardest on my system). I can play for hours and not have a single crash, although it's happened once or twice.

I can't get through a full round of TF2, and Gears of War crashes even more rapidly. The worst so far has been Spore, which crashes every single time within 30 mins of starting (usually less).

I'm not sure if this is the same error as the TDR one mentioned in the pinned thread, as I have never actually had a balloon pop up or anything, but the crash dump files mention "atikmdag.sys"

I'm currently using Catalyst 8.9 Drivers. I tried removing them (and cleaning) then re-installing without CCC, but the freezes continue.

The following links are 2 of the dump files (converted to .txt), as well as a photo of the "artifacts" (I guess technically that's not what they are) I see. This happens the same way every time:

http://www.rage-board.com/files/crash1.txt
http://www.rage-board.com/files/crash2.txt
http://www.rage-board.com/files/fubar.jpg

Let me know if there's anything else I can provide that might help.

I'd really appreciate it if anyone can help.
Thanks!

Computer Specs:
Vista Ultimate x64 SP1
Intel Core2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale
512MB Sapphire Radeon HD 4870
Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3R Intel P45 ATX Mobo
4GB (2x2GB) OCZ Platinum DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel SDRAM
Antec BP550 Plus 550W PSU
640GB WD Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS
Asus Xonar DX Sound Card

m4trix · Sep 30, 2008, 12:11 AM

UPDATE:

I normally run at 1920x1200, though I tried running in windowed mode at 1280x800 and spore ran fine for 2 hours... I wonder if this is tied to fullscreen or not. I'll try 1920x1200 in windowed mode next and see what happens

Dyre Straits · Sep 30, 2008, 02:28 AM

The video card you have installed is designed to kick into 3D mode whenever you start a 3D app. That includes the games. So, when you do start up a game, the card increases in speed and, therefore, also its power requirements and the result is more heat.

You don't state what your card's temperatures are during these lockups and crashes. But, after checking out the image you posted, I'd say there are one of two things at the source of your problem:

1. Underpowered or faulty PSU. Although it's a 550W, I'd be sure to check that the 12V rail is supplying the proper Wattage to the card in 3D mode.

2. Fan on the video card not speeding up during 3D mode. This actually is the more likely culprit. Many others have posted about fan control problems on these cards. I'd advise downloading RivaTuner or ATI Tray Tools and set a manual speed control for the fan in order to determine if the fan is actually working properly or not.

Good luck!

m4trix · Sep 30, 2008, 07:05 AM

I didn't think it was a temperature issue because it's happened shortly after a fresh reboot.. although, it's possible. I will experiment with higher fan speeds.

As for the PSU, I certainly hope that's not the culprit, because that'd be a huge (and relatively expensive) pain in the ass. Is there any way to check rail voltages without literally attaching a multimeter to it?

Dyre Straits · Sep 30, 2008, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4trix

I didn't think it was a temperature issue because it's happened shortly after a fresh reboot.. although, it's possible. I will experiment with higher fan speeds.

As for the PSU, I certainly hope that's not the culprit, because that'd be a huge (and relatively expensive) pain in the ass. Is there any way to check rail voltages without literally attaching a multimeter to it?

As I said, that PSU is probably not the real cause of the problem. It's a good brand and should be doing just fine. However, one other consideration on this is to make sure that nothing else is being powered by that particular 12V rail. You want the video card isolated so that it's not sharing power with another device.

Temperature and low fan speed are the big suspects at this point.

m4trix · Oct 2, 2008, 07:21 AM

Well, I updated the card's BIOS a couple days ago and havn't had a crash yet. I may have just solved the problem!

Sep 29, 2008, 10:08 PM	#1
m4trix DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	System Freezing and "square" artifacts I just built a new system a couple weeks ago (specs at the bottom of this post). It runs Vista x64 Ultimate, and I havn't had any problems at all while in the windows GUI. However, when I play games fullscreen (havn't tried windowed yet), they often freeze my computer - some moreso than others. Either it freezes, and I hit CTRL+ALT+DEL and the sound goes into a loop and square artifacts appear, or it goes straight to that step without the C+A+D intervention. From there, I either have to hard reboot, or I get a BSOD and Vista takes care of the reboot for me. Ironically enough, the most stable game I've found is Crysis (ironic because it also seems to be hardest on my system). I can play for hours and not have a single crash, although it's happened once or twice. I can't get through a full round of TF2, and Gears of War crashes even more rapidly. The worst so far has been Spore, which crashes every single time within 30 mins of starting (usually less). I'm not sure if this is the same error as the TDR one mentioned in the pinned thread, as I have never actually had a balloon pop up or anything, but the crash dump files mention "atikmdag.sys" I'm currently using Catalyst 8.9 Drivers. I tried removing them (and cleaning) then re-installing without CCC, but the freezes continue. The following links are 2 of the dump files (converted to .txt), as well as a photo of the "artifacts" (I guess technically that's not what they are) I see. This happens the same way every time: http://www.rage-board.com/files/crash1.txt http://www.rage-board.com/files/crash2.txt http://www.rage-board.com/files/fubar.jpg Let me know if there's anything else I can provide that might help. I'd really appreciate it if anyone can help. Thanks! Computer Specs: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 Intel Core2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 512MB Sapphire Radeon HD 4870 Gigabyte GA-EP45C-DS3R Intel P45 ATX Mobo 4GB (2x2GB) OCZ Platinum DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel SDRAM Antec BP550 Plus 550W PSU 640GB WD Caviar SE16 WD6400AAKS Asus Xonar DX Sound Card Last edited by m4trix; Sep 29, 2008 at 10:23 PM.

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Sep 30, 2008, 12:11 AM	#2
m4trix DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	UPDATE: I normally run at 1920x1200, though I tried running in windowed mode at 1280x800 and spore ran fine for 2 hours... I wonder if this is tied to fullscreen or not. I'll try 1920x1200 in windowed mode next and see what happens

Sep 30, 2008, 07:05 AM	#4
m4trix DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	I didn't think it was a temperature issue because it's happened shortly after a fresh reboot.. although, it's possible. I will experiment with higher fan speeds. As for the PSU, I certainly hope that's not the culprit, because that'd be a huge (and relatively expensive) pain in the ass. Is there any way to check rail voltages without literally attaching a multimeter to it?

Oct 2, 2008, 07:21 AM	#6
m4trix DriverHeaven Newbie Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 4 Rep Power: 0	Well, I updated the card's BIOS a couple days ago and havn't had a crash yet. I may have just solved the problem!