Curse

ExeAlpha · Aug 14, 2007, 12:04 AM // 00:04

Hello, I've been having a recent problem with my computer. When playing, especially in HA and TA, I get frequent and random computer stutters, where the whole screen freezes for about 45 seconds. If there is any sound, the sound is stuck in a loop, playing the same 2 seconds of sound over and over again. Then, the screen unfreezes, and I hear all the 45 seconds worth of missed conversation missed on Ventrilo compacted in 10 seconds. After freezing up like that for about 5 or 6 times, the next freeze would bring me to a Windows blue screen, which states that I have an error in my nv4_disp.dll file. It also stated that it was stuck in an infinite loop.

I have called Dell Tech Support for a combined total of about 40 hours now, and they still haven't fixed it yet. All the fixes they suggested were software problems, so I'm starting to believe that there is a problem with my GFX card. I have probably tried every fix proposed on the Internet, including updating my Graphics driver to the newest version and rolling back the driver to an old one.

I have been running Guild Wars (including HA) perfectly fine for a year, and this problem popped up around 3 months ago. Nothing significant happened when the problem started occurring.

I just reformatted my computer a week ago, and all the drivers and software was on default. I tried running the game, and 10 minutes into HA, the problem happened. After this, I was convinced that this was a hardware problem.

As I am a very competitive HA'er, any freezing at all is unacceptable. Because of this problem, I am only able to do Midline-Support, and I frequently need to restart because of the blue screen in the middle of runs.

Any help or suggestions at all would be welcome. Here are my computer specs:

Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition (5.1, Build 2600)
Dell Computer Corporation
System Model: Dimension 4600i
BIOS: Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A12
Processor: Inter(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz (2CPUs)
Memory: 510 RAM
DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

GFX Card
Name: NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
DAC Type: Integrated RAMDAC
Approx. Total Memory: 128.0 MB
Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Thanks.

ExeAlpha · Dec 28, 2007, 07:59 PM // 19:59

Anyone mind if I bump this?

zamial · Dec 28, 2007, 10:14 PM // 22:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExeAlpha

Memory: 510 RAM

..........................

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200

Current Display Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)

This is the problem. you have barley enough ram to function and when your *vid card* runs out of memory, it goes to the system for more, where there is no more to get.

a easy way to think of this is: you have a semi-truck (18 wheeler) with a 3 cylinder geo metro engine)

you need more ram and a better vid card.

Miss Eisei · Dec 28, 2007, 11:14 PM // 23:14

my tip to you is download Powerstrip
in there u can change ur AGP rate, ur card most likely runs at 8x AGP
you should try and set it to 4x AGP and see if that helps any
i know it has helped a few of my freinds
and NO u will not lose performance ingame , due to the fact that ur HW doesnt realy need 8x AGP to max out

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm

Pickletron · Dec 30, 2007, 07:36 AM // 07:36

You said you were using default drivers. Go to nvidia.com and download the latest one for your video card.
Also, I don't think that card can take 1680x1050.

ExeAlpha · Dec 30, 2007, 06:52 PM // 18:52

Yeah, it can't, so I've been playing on a MUCH lower resolution starting a month ago.

And after changing it to x4 AGP, and it hasn't really solved the problem. In fact, the problem even cost my team a few Halls holds yesterday night.

I'll try downloading the newest drivers, but it looks like the only solution is to get more RAM.

Thanks for all the help.

lundis · Dec 30, 2007, 08:33 PM // 20:33

You could try nv4loopfix. It fixes an error where the geforce card creates an infinite loop.. And your case sounds like a loop.

http://www.pcreview.co.uk/forums/sho...55&postcount=4

I've had similar problems.. that fixed it. One of my guildies got blue screens all the time as well, that fixed it for her too.

ExeAlpha · Jan 01, 2008, 09:11 PM // 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by zamial

This is the problem. you have barley enough ram to function and when your *vid card* runs out of memory, it goes to the system for more, where there is no more to get.

a easy way to think of this is: you have a semi-truck (18 wheeler) with a 3 cylinder geo metro engine)

you need more ram and a better vid card.

I just checked out the website for the system requirements, and I thought that my system not only meets the minimum requirements, but also the recommended requirements. Is there something I'm not getting?

And I no longer get the Blue Screen, but it still freezes up frequently.

Kazamafury · Jan 01, 2008, 10:06 PM // 22:06

Nice to know other GW'ers have this problem as well.

I've tried over 10 different versions of the driver.
Updated the bios.
Changed various settings in the bios.
Changed power supply.
Changed ram, added more ram, removed ram, etc.
Cleaned up the dust in the case to improve better ventilation thinking it was maybe a heating issue. Added new silicon compound between the fan and the CPU and GPU.

I've formated twice already.

I do notice that every time I format, the blue screens happen rarely, but once they kick in, they become more and more frequent to the point where I need to format again. But never truly solved the problem.

I even tried installing Vista. Had a blue screen the first day.

Tried the nv4loop fix, doesn't seem to have helped, except sometimes, the game freezes up and I have to turn off the power supply to actually restart the computer. Sometimes, the game freezes for a few minutes and returns, most of the time, I have to do the former.

I am out of ideas.

edit: It may or may not have anything to do with the amount of ram and low end video card.
To be honest, I think I highly doubt that's the issue. I have a decent video card for the game (Geforce 6800GT) and 1GB of ram. I have tried 500MB-2GB and it has not helped a bit except performance wise (fps), I still get the blue screens nevertheless.

Before that, I ran NF and factions with a pretty crappy video card (64MB ATI Radeon 9800). Never had issues. And I am sure most of the people playing the game will attest to it as well. We are the minority with the blue screens and the problem originated since 2001. MS and Nvidia tried / trying to find a solution but it has not solved it for everyone unfortunately.

ExeAlpha · Jan 05, 2008, 05:43 AM // 05:43

The newest drivers not only didn't solve the problem, but they also slowed down my normal FPS by about 10.

Kazamafury · Jan 05, 2008, 06:23 AM // 06:23

I can't say I've had a FPS decrease for GW with various drivers though but it wouldn't surprise me.

I did however had FPS issues with Day of Defeat: Source. I updated my drivers and FPS was fine again. Though, in the new driver notes, you can see that they specifically improved the driver to help the Source engine, so it might a different story.

OK, I've been playing around with RAM again, and I switched back to 512MB. I have 2 memory slots, I blue screened with one, I am now using the other and so far so good. I may have missed that try last time when I was tweaking around with RAM. I have a real noticeable FPS difference between 512 and 1GB but I think I can live with it considering I don't blue screen.

Just I probably can't Infuse or do any serious PvP until I get a new comp but at least it won't be as frustrating as blue screening in mid game.

Again, temporary fix though. I hope you're having better luck, ExeAlpha.

ExeAlpha · Jan 05, 2008, 08:42 AM // 08:42

Unfortunately, not really. I don't blue screen anymore, but I freeze up constantly, especially today in the past few hours, where I probably friezed up at least twice every 2 minutes. My icons and text would change and have new colors, textures would deform, etc. It was unbearable and unplayable.

MetalMan · Jan 05, 2008, 09:14 AM // 09:14

Hmm... this may not help, but i was having a similar problem a week ago.

I'd got a brand new computer, basically maxes out everything, but i was suffering from blue screens and computer restarts, and logging on to find some of my settings had been changed. After a lot of toggling around, i found that a chip on my computer (Northfield, i think its called?) was WAY overheating, and even though every fix was putting the problems down to a bad driver, it was down to that...

I did also suffer from bad crashes, looping etc, but its stopped now...

Its not much, but it might help.

Quick_Prodigy · Jan 05, 2008, 10:42 AM // 10:42

I also had a problem like this for a while, I will save you the details of a long story and just say my graphics card was just sucking up to much power for my mobo to handle (at least what the tech guy I took it to said) I didn't understand because I was playing gw for a few months by that time and it worked fine (This was a 3 year old comp btw). I had some money saved up and decided to just salvage what I could and ended up building my own comp.

Imo I would take it to some "Geek" you know or trust that can just tell you whats wrong. But it could be your mobo or graphics card to save you some trouble.

combatchuck · Jan 05, 2008, 02:31 PM // 14:31

Here's a little trick that seems to help with random video card crashes. You'll need a regular pencil and a can of air. Turn your computer off but don't unplug it. You need to discharge yourself first. All you have to do is touch any bare metal part on the case, preferably the power supply. Static electricity is so damaging to computers, you don't even have to feel a shock to destroy a chip. Now you can unplug the computer. Take your video card out, and rub both sides of the connector on it with the eraser on the pencil. This gets rid of any corrosion that's built up on there. Then, take the canned air and clean out the slot that the video card goes in. If you're feeling frisky, do the same with your memory and any other expansion cards in your computer.

While you're in there, blow the dust off any heatsinks, especially your video card and processor. Put the computer back together, and that should fix your random freezes. This is by far the easiest and fastest way to fix older computer freezes, and for me has given the best results. Dust will kill a computer.

If that doesn't fix your problem, you have a few more troubleshooting steps.

Run a video burn-in tool. SiSoft Sandra Lite has some excellent burn-in tools, along with built-in temperature monitors. You'll want to run a burn-in for at least 4 hours, or until the computer crashes, whichever comes first.

Run a memory test like memtest86. You may have failing memory. This will take quite a few hours, so my advice is to start it running before you go to bed or work.