Computer Application Related Issue - Resolved

[keonesan]

Specs:

Graphics Card: Nvidia 9400GT
Processor: Dual Core 2.73 GHZ
Motherboard: (Too Lazy To Look Up)
OS: Windows 7
RAM: 4Gig (Gaming ram with the extra speed and all that)
Moniter: A samsung widescreen moniter 1680 x 1050 with a ratio of 16:10
PSI: Not sure but I know it has more than enough power to run my computer
Other notes: It's a self built computer and I'm using a generic case that was made decades ago.

Issue:

After playing a game for about 10 minutes the screen goes black and the last 3 seconds of audio is repeated and the computer requires a force shut down. After each session of a crash that 10 minute delay becomes lower and lower to the point where I can only play a game for 10 seconds before it crashes. This issue occurred yesterday after I got back from vacation and I believe that some of my computer's hardware might be fried because the house was 90 degrees due to our air condioner breaking. It's also not a virus or malware issue because I scanned my computer which picked up a few trojans but the issue still occurs. Like I said I've never had an issue like this until I got back from vacation. The only thing similiar to this was on my old moniter that certain games that the screen would black out but the computer didn't crash because you could tell by the audio still playing perfectly.

I would appreciate it if you could lend suggestions or offer advice into fixing this issue. And no it's not my PSI...

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[Chrono]

I have a feeling it's a problem with the RAM.
Is all of it the same speed?

[keonesan]

I have a feeling it's a problem with the RAM.
Is all of it the same speed?

Define all of it?

[Marcem]

I have a feeling it's a problem with the RAM.
Is all of it the same speed?

I'm thinking it's the gpu, since it's blacking out.  Also because it's only when gaming.

[keonesan]

I'm thinking it's the gpu, since it's blacking out.  Also because it's only when gaming.

Like I said, this computer has been good to me unless the heat fried my vid card.

[Miga]

Update your drivers for the video card first, I've had this issue with my GTS 250 (before my motherboard decided to forget itself over) and I had to update.

[keonesan]

Update your drivers for the video card first, I've had this issue with my GTS 250 (before my motherboard decided to forget itself over) and I had to update.

I'm pretty sure I'm up to date on my vid card driver. I'll go update it when I decide to stop being lazy and I'll let you know what happens.

[darkhunter88]

I'm pretty sure I'm up to date on my vid card driver. I'll go update it when I decide to stop being lazy and I'll let you know what happens.

Do you actually go to the Nvidia site and download the latest video drivers, or do you let windows update handle everything for you?

Edit : While I'm trying to get the most recent driver for this guy, I'm getting a 404 each time, even If I try Windows Vista 64-bit.

[Talent74]

I scanned my computer which picked up a few trojans but the issue still occurs.

Did you delete them?

[keonesan]

Do you actually go to the Nvidia site and download the latest video drivers, or do you let windows update handle everything for you?

Edit : While I'm trying to get the most recent driver for this guy, I'm getting a 404 each time, even If I try Windows Vista 64-bit.

Yes I get them from the website. Windows 7 likes to install wrong drivers. :P

Did you delete them?

No duh?

[darkhunter88]

What's your anti-virus?

[keonesan]

What's your anti-virus?

I use ad-aware for malware and anti-spyware which is the program that picked up the torjans.

And I use avast as my anti-virus which doesn't really find anything and just rapes my cpu.

[General Nick]

I would say your GPU heatsink fan is out. When it does that 10 minute to 10 second shutdown decay, does it last longer if you stop gaming/using the computer? Try this out and see if it goes back to even 5 minutes.

If it does then most likely your GPU fan just died and cant cool off your GPU, although some low end cards dont even have fans on their heatsinks so if your GPU doesnt have a fan then I'd say your CPU heatsink fan is dead.

[keonesan]

I would say your GPU heatsink fan is out. When it does that 10 minute to 10 second shutdown decay, does it last longer if you stop gaming/using the computer? Try this out and see if it goes back to even 5 minutes.

If it does then most likely your GPU fan just died and cant cool off your GPU, although some low end cards dont even have fans on their heatsinks so if your GPU doesnt have a fan then I'd say your CPU heatsink fan is dead.

Late pass. I think I solved the issue. I popped the case open and the gpu was burning. The fault was mine since my computer was filled with dust. I cleaned it out and I'm going to see if it overheats again.

[General Nick]

Late pass. I think I solved the issue. I popped the case open and the gpu was burning. The fault was mine since my computer was filled with dust. I cleaned it out and I'm going to see if it overheats again.

Dust can very easily affect performance. Good call.

I hope you used a handheld vacuum for that not a regular vacuum as they generate static and can screw over parts.