Computer Keeps Crashing While Running SH3

[Subnuts]

I seem to be having the worst luck with SH3 these last couple days...

I'm running SH3 v 1.4 with GWX and no other mods. I can start a new mission or campaign or mission just fine for up to 20 minutes, and BAM, it happens. My computer just shuts completely down, and I'm staring at a "no signal" message on my monitor. I uninstalled SH3 and GWX and reinstalled both, making sure all traces of the original were removed from my PC. Same problem again. I'm not getting this problem with any other programs on my machine, so I'm assuming it just hates SH3. Anyone have any ideas of what might be going on here?

I swear, when I get a new computer, it's not going to have Vista installed. It's as gamer-friendly as a kick in the crotch.

[L_DOG]

maby your cooling fans need cleaning ?

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Subnuts

I seem to be having the worst luck with SH3 these last couple days...

I'm running SH3 v 1.4 with GWX and no other mods. I can start a new mission or campaign or mission just fine for up to 20 minutes, and BAM, it happens. My computer just shuts completely down, and I'm staring at a "no signal" message on my monitor. I uninstalled SH3 and GWX and reinstalled both, making sure all traces of the original were removed from my PC. Same problem again. I'm not getting this problem with any other programs on my machine, so I'm assuming it just hates SH3. Anyone have any ideas of what might be going on here?

I swear, when I get a new computer, it's not going to have Vista installed. It's as gamer-friendly as a kick in the crotch.

and you should make an upgrade, I would choose Windows 7 before Vista.What has occurred can be memory related, what are your other PC spec.

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by L_DOG

maby your cooling fans need cleaning ?

I think so too. It must be a power issue or temperature fail-safe.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by Pisces

I think so too. It must be a power issue or temperature fail-safe.

Agreed...especially when considering the time aspect

[HW3]

Yes it is definitely a heat/cooling related issue.

[pickinthebanjo]

Processor hit it's max thermal limit and shut itself down to prevent the cores from burning. If your running an Intel chip download this -http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1691/mirrors.php if it's AMD use this one instead - http://www.alcpu.com/CoreTemp/Core-Temp-setup.exe

Run those while running prime95 and watch your temperatures climb. If they go above 80 degrees you have to either get a better heatsink/air cooler or clean your old one and apply some new thermal compound.

It's a simple process really, shouldn't take more than an hour

[Subnuts]

I installed the CoreTemp program that pickinthebanjo recommended and decided to go for a trial run. I was at 45 degrees when the main menu loaded, 46 degrees when the U-505 mission started, 47 degrees when I came under attack by one of the DDs, and 49 degrees after the first depth charge run. My computer konked out shortly after a second spread a couple minutes later.

I'm running a 2.33 GHz Intel Q8200 Quad Core, 8 Gb of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics card. I used to be able to play SH3+GWX for hours on end without my PC SCRAMing itself. I've never had this problem with any other program. I think my machine is just trying to detoxify myself from my naval warfare addiction!

Edit: Just found out that my machine is notorious for overheating/shutdown problems that can be remedied by installing proper fans. Go figure!

Another Edit: Checked Real Temp a few minutes ago, and my GPU temperature was hovering around 70! Eight minutes later, and it's still hovering around 65-67, and I'm just running Firefox with two tabs open. I think my graphics card is the issue, not my CPU. Either way, I'm going to call up my Brother In Law and see if he wants to do some computer surgery next week. If I don't get some proper ventilation going in this thing, my Nvidia card is going to go belly up.

[timmy41]

yup, heating issue.
clean it out, then clean it again. then take off the side and have a fan blowing in while you play like i do :P

[Svendog]

Hi Subnuts, If the cooling upgrades don't fix things have a look at the power supply. I had a similar problem while running the psu that came with my case, I upgraded it for a decent quality 600 watt unit and it solved the problem. Best of luck, Sven.

[Gerald]

Originally Posted by Subnuts

I installed the CoreTemp program that pickinthebanjo recommended and decided to go for a trial run. I was at 45 degrees when the main menu loaded, 46 degrees when the U-505 mission started, 47 degrees when I came under attack by one of the DDs, and 49 degrees after the first depth charge run. My computer konked out shortly after a second spread a couple minutes later.

I'm running a 2.33 GHz Intel Q8200 Quad Core, 8 Gb of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 graphics card. I used to be able to play SH3+GWX for hours on end without my PC SCRAMing itself. I've never had this problem with any other program. I think my machine is just trying to detoxify myself from my naval warfare addiction!

Edit: Just found out that my machine is notorious for overheating/shutdown problems that can be remedied by installing proper fans. Go figure!

Another Edit: Checked Real Temp a few minutes ago, and my GPU temperature was hovering around 70! Eight minutes later, and it's still hovering around 65-67, and I'm just running Firefox with two tabs open. I think my graphics card is the issue, not my CPU. Either way, I'm going to call up my Brother In Law and see if he wants to do some computer surgery next week. If I don't get some proper ventilation going in this thing, my Nvidia card is going to go belly up.

which I replied that it could be memory or similar,although it is now a heat problem with cooling, so is the temperature of the environment Also important.

[stoneys-nutz]

Try reseating the CPU with new thermal paste before buying more fans or getting too involved, its an easy quick fix to do.

[pickinthebanjo]

Originally Posted by stoneys-nutz

Try reseating the CPU with new thermal paste before buying more fans or getting too involved, its an easy quick fix to do.

usually a sure fire way to drop 10 degrees

[Pisces]

Originally Posted by pickinthebanjo

usually a sure fire way to drop 10 degrees

If you don't make the thermal paste layer too thick. It really should be only to fill up scratches and grinding patterns. Try to make it more of a thin film rather than a layer

is a video of one of the methods for applying thermal compound.