Random Crashes

[Demios]

I've been experiencing random crashes with my PC. I've narrowed the crashes down to two places. The first is when I'm browsing the web. I've had it happen with firefox, internet explorer and opera. I browse just fine for a while, then randomly when I click a link It crashes. Nothing special about the links. My comuter just crashes and reboots. I get back in and get on the same links, jsut fine, then it happens again randomly. The other time I have it happen is whenever I'm playing a game. Sometimes it crashes as soon as the game itself begins, and sometimes I goes on for a bit, then crashes. For example. I tried to play oblivion today. I got to screen where you crate your character and it worked for a while, then just crashed. I tried it with ffxi same thing. I assumed it was a graphics card problem, but I have not been able to find any issues with it. I went ahead and popped it open to make sure it was seated correctly, then I updated the drivers. I still get the same two random crashes though. I can post my dxdiag if anyone who decides to help wishes to see it.

 

[lansalot]

Download and run memtest86, let it run overnight to see if there's any bad memory about. Usually the best place to start when investigating random crashes.

System specs would be useful, including the brand, make and wattage of the power supply. Extra juice needed for the gfx card perhaps ?

 

[Atheus]

Most likely cause of crashes given no information about the system involved:

1) Viruses
2) Overheating
3) Power Supply

Originally posted by: lansalot
System specs would be useful, including the brand, make and wattage of the power supply. Extra juice needed for the gfx card perhaps ?

:thumbsup:

 

[Demios]

Originally posted by: Atheus
Most likely cause of crashes given no information about the system involved:

1) Viruses
2) Overheating
3) Power Supply

I've checked for viruses. None according to AVG.
I've always run SpeedFan and I never got anywhere near over heating, plus if I get anywhere near overheating, my PC would stay off and when I turn it back on it would give me the warning beep and shortly thereafter text confimation that my computer was shutdown to prevent it from overheating.

Originally posted by: lansalot
Download and run memtest86, let it run overnight to see if there's any bad memory about. Usually the best place to start when investigating random crashes.

System specs would be useful, including the brand, make and wattage of the power supply. Extra juice needed for the gfx card perhaps ?

I used the official microsoft memtest, but I'll give memtest86 a shot. After that I'm going to give 3dmark06 a whirl and test the video card memory and the card itself. I'll get to power supply and voltage information after that.

 

[Demios]

I have run memtest86 with no issues found. I opened up and check to make sure

everything was dust free and seated right, and they all where.
I then tried to run 3dmark06, but the system crashed as soon as I loaded it

up, just like it does with my games now. I've updated all the drivers for my

motherboard (Intel D945GNT) and my graphics card (NX6600-TD256E). I have

installed the latest DirectX and still have the same issue.

I got the information on my PSU. It's an AL-C300ATX: http://www.apextechusa.com/products.asp?pID=39

My graphics card: http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p_spec.asp?model=NX6600-TD256E&class=vga

I have tried documenting my PSU's stats
voltage current frequency
AC Input 115/230v 8A/4A 60/50Hz
MAX DC +3.3/+5 +12V/-12V +5VSB/BLK/GRN/GRY
OUTPUT 27A/26A 18A/0.8A 2A/COM/PS-ON/F.G
COMBINED POWER 195W 9.6W 10W/REURN/REMOTE/POK
28W

That is what I managed to quickly glean off the PSU. On the back there is a switch that says 115 and when flipped says 230. I assume flipping it over so I can see the 115 means It's running on 230. I assume this because when I flipped it so the 230 was showing, and attepmted to power up. I got nothing but a blank screen.

Any further help would be appreciated.

 

[savvy]

Reinstalling the OS might help as a last resort.

 

[Demios]

Originally posted by: savvy
Reinstalling the OS might help as a last resort.

That is possible without losing any files right? I have no way to backup is why I'm asking.

 

[Lord Evermore]

Perform a Repair install and all your data and applications will be safe, you'll just have to reinstall drivers and Windows updates. Unless of course you foul up and format your hard drive during setup.

While you're waiting for the file to copy, go to the nearest computer sales place and buy some sort of device with enough storage that you can at least backup your personal files, if not a complete system backup.