green screen - crash

leoncuprar · 26 Nov 2010 at 18:01

HI

I'm having intermittent crashes where the system freezes mid game. It can happen after 30 minutes playing BFBC2 or after 2+ hours. If I turn off and on it can then be ok again for a while.

When it freezes the screen looks like something from space invaders with green squiggles all over the screen, hard to explain. Is there a way to attach a photo to this post?

I'm thinking it could be one of my 8800gt's on the way out (got 2 in SLI) or maybe a memory problem. NOthing useful is reported in the event logs.

Anyone seen something like this before and can point me in the right direction?

Running Win 7 Ultimate
Nvidia drivers 8.17.12.5896 (thats what it shows in device manager) 258.96 was the install file from nvidia

Thanks (sorry for the vague description)

Blue160 · 26 Nov 2010 at 19:25

That's got to be a graphics card problem surely. What temperatures are they running at?

Harvey616 · 26 Nov 2010 at 21:27

Sounds like they are creating artifacts, maybe they're too hot as a result of being in SLI?

Tried OC'ing them recently?

leoncuprar · 27 Nov 2010 at 09:52

HI

I've not touched the settings on the cards since I bought them about 3 years ago. Whats the best way to log the temperatures on the cards whilst playing BFBC2 for example?

I've upgraded to the latest nvidia driver last night to see if that helps.

Cheers

Harvey616 · 27 Nov 2010 at 10:21

I use HWMonitor to monitor my temps, a quick google should find it for you

Blue160 · 27 Nov 2010 at 10:33

Might be worth checking if they are clogged up with dust if they've been in there 3 years.

leoncuprar · 30 Nov 2010 at 13:07

Hi

installed rivatuner and according to that after an hour of bfbc2 the graphics cards were running at 79 and 75 degrees which I think is ok. I only played for an hour and it didn't freeze, but it has been intermittent.
I need a good 4-5 hours session to see if the new drivers have helped..

Not checked the dust situation yet but will do ...

cheers

leoncuprar · 23 Dec 2010 at 20:59

Hi again

Well using Riva tuner to set the fan speeds the gpu core temp doesn't get above 68 on either card but still the crashes occur. I've tried both cards on their own and the system still crashes in the same manner.. so either both cards are now faulty or something else is not right.

Think I am going to take the cards apart, clean them up and try the oven bake method to see if I can get better stability. If that doesn't work I'm sorely tempted by

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-103-MS

Cheers

Orcvader · 23 Dec 2010 at 21:18

I would try relaxing the overclock on the CPU too, it might help. What temperatures does the CPU each during gaming?

spleenharvester · 23 Dec 2010 at 21:42

Revert all OC's, check temps, run ATiTool artifact scanner. I suspect one of your cards is FUBAR.

leoncuprar · 23 Dec 2010 at 23:50

Hi ,

Thanks for the replies.

I uninstalled my driver and ran DriverCleaner and reinstalled driver. Now running the ATiTool artifact scanner. How long is long enough for a reliable test ?

I've also downloaded furmark so might try that as well.

CPU: I havn't checked temps for a long time. I will next time I have a good gaming session and let you know.

Cheers