Computers Suck.

[AloneInTheDark]

AHHHHH...I really really hate my computer. I spent so much money getting this thing to be what I want it to be, and now it just starts bugging out on me. Heres the story:

For the past few months I've been dealing with constant reboots, at random. Someone said it might be a driver, so I was advised to reformat. That didn't help. Then I heard it might be a power supply, so I bought a new one, and that didn't help. No I'm told I have a faulty HDD, and I don't have the money or time to replace mine and reinstall everything. However, I can live with the shutdowns.

Now...I decided to buy myself a videogame, since I haven't done so in forever. I opted on Roller Coaster Tycoon 3, because it's summer...and I love rollercoasters, and I won't be riding any this summer...I love this game. BUT, I guess my videocard (Radeon 9600 XT) can't handle it??? What the hell, this game isn't nearly as powerful as HL2 and I could handle that.

I think it's my vid-card at least, because when I'm playing it, the game will either shut itself down, or the monitor will say "power saver enabled, check wires and connection" which is what happens when there is no signal to the computer.

I'm royally pissed off, any idea how to fix this?

[Motoko]

Have a Trivial Pursuit night and invite your computer. Just don't get wasted on Malibu and start hitting on your computer's girlfriend, because he just might throw you out, wreck your guitar, and tell his co-worker, Tina, about your penis size.

[AloneInTheDark]

Uhh...Thanks?

[Jafo]

Just out of curiosity, have you considered that it could be the powerswitch on the PC, the outlet or powerbar that it is plugged into, the PC's AC power cord? You may also try plugging it into a different outlet in the house that is not on the same line. Check the fuse inside the PC (in the power supply?). Check the temperature of your CPU right after it reboots, see if this might also be an issue.

[Motoko]

Uhh...Thanks?
Yeah, anytime. :)

[AloneInTheDark]

Just out of curiosity, have you considered that it could be the powerswitch on the PC, the outlet or powerbar that it is plugged into, the PC's AC power cord? You may also try plugging it into a different outlet in the house that is not on the same line. Check the fuse inside the PC (in the power supply?). Check the temperature of your CPU right after it reboots, see if this might also be an issue.

Thanks for the advice, I'm going to try a new outlet and try a new power cord (if I can find one around here). Any idea about the videocard and why games just exit out abruptly? Also, I think the HDD may be an issue (I installed the game on a new HDD) because it often clicks louder than it should be clicking...very loudly.

[JJaX]

WHen you PC shuts down, do you get a 60 second timer? If so, thats the Sasser Virus.

[AloneInTheDark]

Nope..it just shuts down and boots up all in about 10 seconds..no timer, no pause, it just happens really rapidly. I have it set to a blue screen now, because someone told me it might tell me what's wrong there. Nope.

[Jafo]

Hmm, I am not a video expert, perhaps Casper can help on that one. Harddrive could be the problem if it is clicking. I had one that did that and I had to junk it.

[rpgreligion]

My 9600xt is shot. Any 3d intensive games I play totally lock down, and I even have artifacts at bootup. Occasionally my computer will get a critical blue screen and shut down. Never will I buy a refurb again..getting a 6600gt next week.

[Ford Mustang]

Spend a little more and get a 6800, way better performance.

[rpgreligion]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202

So I should definetly go with that over this 6600gt?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127150

Only a 3 dollar difference without rebate, so I don't know if I'm missing something or not.

Oh..sorry for hijacking the thread by the way :D

[MixMasta]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814130202

So I should definetly go with that over this 6600gt?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814127150

Only a 3 dollar difference without rebate, so I don't know if I'm missing something or not.

Oh..sorry for hijacking the thread by the way :D

Spend $400 more and get an nVidia 7 series. They are sweet, I have 5 already.

[Sheeyt]

My 9600xt runs like a champ, plays MXO, HL2, BF2 and RC3 all with highest settings.

[OBEYgiant]

Have you tried upgrading the driver for your vid card? I have an ATI Mobility in my laptop and it wouldn't play some games. I went to http://www.omegadrivers.net/ and the ATI drivers there kick A. Give it a shot and tell me how it goes.

[Casper]

When did you buy the card? Because it sounds like it's shot. That's exactly what was happening to my nVidia 6600GT - during games, it'd completely reboot the system. Sometimes it would lock the game up completely, but most of the time - system reboot, uncontrollably.

Open the system up and make sure that the fan is spinning when your PC starts up. If the fan is facing downwards, so it's odd for you to see, borrow your mother's makeup mirror (I know it's not the first time, Sean) and place it on the bottom so you can watch it at a normal angle - weird IT tip I learned. Anyways, if it's starting, I'd still contact ATI, or whomever you bought it from, and request an RMA. If it's too old, it's time to look into getting a new one. If you have a friend that has a video card that you can borrow for a week, maybe, and is of the same power - or greater- do so to eliminate any possibility that it's the PSU or board.

Good luck.

Have you tried upgrading the driver for your vid card? I have an ATI Mobility in my laptop and it wouldn't play some games. I went to http://www.omegadrivers.net/ and the ATI drivers there kick A. Give it a shot and tell me how it goes.

Bad drivers don't cause the system to reboot. A card that's malfunctioning (either due to lack of power, or overheating) is what's causing his problems.

[AloneInTheDark]

The cards about 7-8 months old, I guess it doesn't seem like it's been that long. I have an old 9200 sitting around here, maybe I should run with that for a few days and see if I have the same problem? I actually contacted ATI, and they said the videocard may be the problem with the reboots too, because any faulty hardware can cause a reboot to keep the computer from harming itself, at least thats what they said. I think I'll get a new one then. :huh:


The fans are alright too, I just bought that a little over 2 months ago. I checked it out though (no it's not the first time I borrowed my mothers make up mirror), all is fine there. I replaced the RAM not too long ago too, so I think it's either the HDD or the VideoCard.

Thanks for the help guys, preciate it. :hail:

[Casper]

If it's still 7-8 months old, RMA the thing. ATI should be giving you at least a one year warranty. Call them back and say you want to RMA the card - mine was gone for about 3 weeks, so good thing you have a backup.