Curse

Count Feanor · Sep 10, 2007, 06:20 PM // 18:20

This is my set up:

Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 (build 2600)
ASUSTeK Computer INC. A7N8X-X REV 2.xx
Processor a
Main Circuit Board b
1.05 gigahertz AMD Athlon
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memorycache

Board: ASUSTeK Computer INC. A7N8X-X REV 2.xx
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD ASUS A7N8X-X ACPI BIOS Rev 1011 08/04/2004

I have a 128MB Radeon 9800 SE video card and 1GB of RAM.

I was playing GW and it would shut off (Guild Wars not my computer) saying that there was a hardware failure "could be due to a processor or memory chip overheating". Well, I was reading up on my motherboard and I read that it had problems with memory if it's not exactly right. I used this memory for over 2 years and never had a problem before. But I decided to take the 512MB card out to see what would happen. My computer was running much better (the computer used to freeze and shut down as well) and I was fine with GW. Well, I was doing a primary quest in GW:EN, and after the cutscene, GW crashes saying "send and error report to support". But I didn't get the hardware issue popup. I tried doing another of the primary missions and like before, GW crashed after the cutscene. I can do other quests and stuff, but it seems that it only crashes after cutscenes. My computer still freezes at times as well. Is it my CPU? It's weird because I play Counterstrike Source with no problems at all. Any help would be very nice. Thanks.

Count Feanor · Sep 11, 2007, 01:55 PM // 13:55

Well, I brought my warrior over to the Eye of the North and went through all the cut scenes through the scrying pool without any problems. But when I tried to do the primary quest, "Against the Charr" it shut down again. It also froze when I was typing in chat and shut down. Any insights?

KZaske · Sep 11, 2007, 11:18 PM // 23:18

As a wild guess, any idea what CPU, Video and Memory temps are? It is possible that dust may have reduced the cooling capability of your CPU fan, video GPU and or memory chips.
Other than that, there is not enough information to make any real progress.

Count Feanor · Sep 12, 2007, 02:00 PM // 14:00

I'm not sure what the temps are, but I supposed I should check them. I just recently dusted the inside to make sure the fans were working. Thanks.

Elrodien · Sep 12, 2007, 02:48 PM // 14:48

I think your processor is the problem. It probably just about coped with Prophecies, Factions and Nightfall but with all the improved gfx in GWEN your CPU is probably having a heart attack each time you play it.

Time to upgrade I think.

Count Feanor · Sep 12, 2007, 02:54 PM // 14:54

I'm thinking the same thing. I didn't have a problem before this expansion came out, and I'm able to play the other campaigns without it shutting down (not to mention other games such as Counterstrike Source). I'm just going to buy a new computer; I better start saving.

lordpwn · Sep 12, 2007, 06:16 PM // 18:16

Having a slow processor does NOT cause crashes. That old Athlon should execute the game's code just as correctly as any decent processor would... if a little slowly.

If the game crashes it's likely because the old hardware's drivers haven't been updated to properly support whatever the game tries to do with them.

Count Feanor · Sep 12, 2007, 07:42 PM // 19:42

I just updated my Radeon 9800 SE driver. What other drivers should I look to update?

lordpwn · Sep 12, 2007, 09:54 PM // 21:54

The sound card drivers at least. Have you run a memory test (like memtest86) on your computer yet? It could reveal any stability problems with your motherboard and/or the RAM.

Also, your motherboard's old enough that it was probably made when the motherboard manufacturers were still using those cheap Chinese electrolytic capacitors that would degrade over time when exposed to heat. The Asus A7V motherboard in one of my previous computers got unstable and eventually died of capacitor failure so you might want to check if any of the capacitors on your motherboard are showing the usual signs of the crappy electrolyte they used; bulging capacitor cases and a brownish goo leaking out of them. Google "capacitor plague" for additional information and pics.

Killboyy777 · Sep 13, 2007, 05:25 AM // 05:25

I just dont see how this could be an overheating issue.

My g/f computer is getting the same error.

i just put in a fx5200 agp card, to help run guild wars on her machine. (main use of this pc is home business). these cards do not have onboard cooling. But this card would run WoW in a AV match with lot's of people running around.

my main concern with what NCsofts error says is that a cpu or memory may be over heating.

I find this highly unlikely, gw would crash when it downloads new areas / updates. the main reason i dont believe this to be a plausible explanation is.

1) the memory chips, north bridge chip dont have temp sensors on her mother board.

2) have you ever over heated a cpu? either your system turns off or the cpu fries and you get a new one. i never had a game decide it was running a cpu to hot and shut down? unlikely

3) i took the side of the case off and ran a fan into the open case. still crashing.

i'm sure this is a software/hardware/driver conflict. but she has updated everything.

HELP!

Count Feanor · Sep 13, 2007, 02:57 PM // 14:57

Well, I downloaded Driver Detective and updated all of my drivers. I went onto GW to do the primary quest "Against the Charr", again, and it still crashed. It's those damn primary quests! I've just about given up hope for this thing. I haven't gotten that "over heating" error since I removed my 512MB RAM card. Why would memory be a factor if I can run other campaigns without a problem (granted I haven't done extensive testing here). I can do other non-primary quests (even in Eye of the North), missions with cutscenes in other campaigns, and play other games without a problem. I had 12 drivers I needed to be updated and restarted my computer after they were all finished installing. I was so hoping that was the issue. I'll take a screen shot of what it says when GW crashes. I get no error message like before, just the box that lets you send and error message to GW support. I just don't get it. If there is any other information I could give you that may help, please feel free to ask.

Killboyy777 · Sep 14, 2007, 05:16 AM // 05:16

are both your sticks of memory the same speed?

i've had different brands of ram not like each other as well.

Count Feanor · Sep 14, 2007, 03:27 PM // 15:27

I'm not sure, I took one out. Would it still be affected?

Killboyy777 · Sep 15, 2007, 05:13 AM // 05:13

no

try running gw twice, each time with a different stick of ram.

I believe i have narrowed my problem down to a faulty cpu fan. this morning it could it herd grinding quickly and then running smooth.

hopefully, this is the problem. Fans don't last and they wear down over time. Replacement is not uncommon.

Killboyy777 · Sep 18, 2007, 03:58 AM // 03:58

so after all the problems. it turns out it was a faulty stick of ram.

We replaced it with an old parts computer i had laying around and everything runs fine!

fingers crossed

Killboyy777 · Sep 18, 2007, 04:59 AM // 04:59

ok so get this.

now with the new ram installed. GW is giving us another error!!

however, this time the error had a little details button.

For some reason windows is showing the computer as having 2 CPU's

weird, I know. clearly the system has one, pentium 4 3ghz. why would windows show this?

so now to correct this problem i have set GW to run on only one cpu and so far so good.

god i hate computers

Foe · Sep 18, 2007, 05:42 AM // 05:42

...i cant remember if a 4.3 prescot chip was made as im amd guy but hyper threading would show a single chip as two. Not sure about the crashes, not really enough info. Many cpu fans increase rpm with need..its probaly a case of your noticing every lil sound now. You mentioned you installed new vid card..is your psu compatible with the new card...the chip and the card may need 300w+? not sure..gl