Resetting when runing a game

Sasso · 25 Jul 2009 at 14:43

hey just a quick query, my mate has gotten an old pc off another friend:
P4 2.66GHz(i think)
1gb ram
ati x1600
300w psu

the pc runs find when doing normal tasks, internet music playing etc etc...

but when he tried to run anything graphical like games the pc resets the moment it starts to load. i.e. double clicks on the icon, screen goes blank and resets...

initial thoughts is that maybe need a new psu as they are all old bits so it might have deteriorated, and 300w for a P4... thought they were really power hungry....

what ya think ocuk?

VortX · 25 Jul 2009 at 14:45

Before doing anything drastic like going out and spending money has he tired simply updating graphics/sound/directx/OS drivers? They can in many cases cause a system ro restart/BSOD.

Sasso · 25 Jul 2009 at 14:46

ay i did suggest that and he hasnt updated anything. ive only had a brief look at it last night as we were round then getting drunk before we went out xP shall have a tinker later

VortX · 25 Jul 2009 at 14:53

Sasso said:
ay i did suggest that and he hasnt updated anything. ive only had a brief look at it last night as we were round then getting drunk before we went out xP shall have a tinker later

Do that first. A P4 draws about 80-120W I think, it could be your PSU, but first things first. Update all the drivers even patch the game to the latest patch.

If that doesn't work, then download and run 3D Caps viewer, and run some of the benchmarks, like Furmark.: http://www.ozone3d.net/gpu_caps_viewer/

If the system crashes, its either your PSU or graphics card I'm guessing.

You could also test your memory, run memtest: http://www.memtest86.com/

Download, burn to CD and run at boot (remember you may have to change boot priority in BIOS).

However, due to the fact it is doing it when you press a button, and doesn't slowly degrade/randomly shut down. I'm pretty sure its a software/graphics card problem.