System crashes when playing any game. 1

[Matty247]

Hi yall, first time user here. I hope someone can offer some insight into this.

I built this machine today and of course, something came up.

Windows XP Pro (SP1)
AMD 64 Athlon 3000+
1GB (2x512) PC32000 (Not sure of the manufacturer.)
Asus K8N-E Deluxe
Aopen GeForce FX5700 LE 256MB
DirectX 9.0c
All drivers current

This machine runs beautifully...except the games.
About 1 minute into any game play, (even 3DMark crashes it) the machine simply crashes, starts to reboot, and then right after it gets past the video card info screen, it shuts down.

I have tried everything I could think of to correct this problem:
Updated BIOS
Updated Chipset Drivers
Updated Video Drivers

What is also strange is that the event viewer is not seeing any problems when the system crashes. There is no prompt to safe mode when I reboot as well.

Tomorrow a friend is bringing over his video card so we can see if perhaps this is just a case of bad hardware.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

 

[Matty247]

I forgot:
Power supply=430w

 

[paparazi]

A few ideas:
Have you plugged in the P4 (extra power connector) into the motherboard?
Are the memory timings set too high for this generic memory? try setting low performance defaults in the bios.
Poor memory is the most obvious culprit (try just one stick to see if one or the other is faulty)
Have you applied heatsink paste correctly (what are your CPU temps)
Weak power supply? causing reboots under load OK I know 430watts is enough but is this a quality unit?
Martin



We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[ski]

Overheating can also cause the problem.
Check your CPU and system temps either with a MB monitoring program, or in BIOS.
If the CPU is over 60 C, then its cooler may not be up to the task. Or there may be a CPU shut down temp in BIOS that's set too low.
If the system is over 40 C, then remove the computer cover, and run an external fan. If this works, then the system needs additional or higher capacity fans. Recommended locations are lower front and upper rear(or top) of the case.
Also, make sure the video card's cooling fan is running and is securely and correctly mounted(no gaps between the heatsink and the chipset), and the video card is not being obstructed by wires, cables, other cards, etc.

 

[Matty247]

Thanks for the input guys.
ski you nailed the problem in the last paragraph of your comment. It was the heatsink on the video card that had come loose!
Thanks

 

[ski]

You're welcome.
Glad to hear that you solved the problem, and thanks for posting back with the fix.