BleepingComputer.com: pc freezes/black screen: stop error?

Hello,

I'm having a problem that only happens when running a MMORPG, but think the game itself is not the cause. My pc is older (~almost 6 years, I know I should upgrade asap): dell XPS gen 3 pentium 4 extreme HT 3.4 ghz/ 3 GB RAM / win XP professional service pack 3. The vid card I am using is RADEON X800 XT.

The problem is when I often start the PC, there is a noticeably rattling sound which I assume is the fan. After a few minutes it usually goes away or becomes a lot more quiet. Is the fan going out or is this just a case of overheating perhaps? When I'm browsing or playing music/watching videos, the PC never freezes. However when I run the game it will completely freeze and after a few seconds the monitor turns completely black and the green light on the monitor becomes yellow. Sometimes I'll hear a slight screetch noise that accompanies the freeze. Before it freezees sometimes I will see a yellow triangle with exclamation mark that appears in the desktop tray, but when i move the pointer over it or try to right click it it disappears. I did google what this could be and saw it might be a driver issue under hidden devices??

I don't think it's a case of spyware/malware/virus, since I do have AVG / malware bytes / spybot / ad-aware installed and run scans regularly. I have also used combofix to get rid of one problem I did have in the past, that was completely unrelated to this current problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I will post a hijackthis if necessary or anything, this problem is very annoying Thank you

Well...I find your post confusing .

<<I'm having a problem that only happens when running a MMORPG, but think the game itself is not the cause.>>

<<The problem is when I often start the PC, there is a noticeably rattling sound which I assume is the fan. After a few minutes it usually goes away or becomes a lot more quiet.>>

Noises...generally indicate hardware problems, with a fan being the logical candidate, IMO. This statement appears to contradict your statement that it "only happens when running...".

<<Before it freezees sometimes I will see a yellow triangle with exclamation mark that appears in the desktop tray, but when i move the pointer over it or try to right click it it disappears.>>

I have no clue why anything would cause disappearing icons.

<<I don't think it's a case of spyware/malware/virus....I will post a hijackthis if necessary...>>

If it's not a malware problem, a HJT log should not even be considered...and it would not be posted in this forum, since this forum does not deal with malware.

It's possible, IMO, that you have multiple problems...a failing fan can lead to overheating...I suppose that malware could be responsible for your phantom icon.

Do you have any Symantec/Norton products installed?

Louis

Thanks for reply, sorry if the post was confusing. No I don't have any symantec installed atm, I did have norton internet security for about 4 years but let it expire since I was told it takes a lot of system resources/slows down pc and with AVG as long as you show caution, isn't necessary.

I did do the show hidden device in device manager, it shows some a yellow question mark "Driver Interface" and when you expand it shows "Logitech Driver Interface" with yellow question marks x 5. I have tried updating all these and uninstalling and re-detecting but they still don't go away. Is it possible driver problems are causing overheating or related to the monitor turning black?

This post has been edited by fizzles: 07 April 2011 - 05:54 PM

Do you have any Logitech devices currently installed?

When you uninstalled your Norton product...did you use the uninstaller, Norton Removal Tool - http://service1.symantec.com/Support/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039?Open&docid=2006032009205413&nsf=sharedtech.nsf&view=docid&pid=2006032009205413&pkb=sharedtech ?

If not, I suggest that you try running it now.

As for hidden devices and unused drivers...take a read and try the following: Remove Unused Drivers - http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-6017628.html?tag=nl.e101 .

Louis