BleepingComputer.com: freezing/lockups/usb dropouts during games

Hey guys, about a month ago I started noticing frequent locks-ups/freezing/restarting/BSOD when my pc runs any game, plays HD vids, and anything that requires the Graphic card to do some work.
Something else that happens is that my USB ports all of a sudden would drop out, like my keybaord would freeze up, then my USB modem disconnects 1 min later, then just a frozen PC.

It only happens when I use something that the FX card needs to run on heavily. If im just browsing the net or working in a document, nothing happens.

I dont think its a heating problem because i just removed all the dust and such from my PC about 2 weeks ago, and temp's of the processors look ok.

I noticed something else, if i touch the case of my PC at specific spots, i get a bit of a shock from the electricity, i dont know if that has anything to do with it, but it could be PSU related? Im not so sure. Just giving u all the details.

Ive attached some Temp Readings of my PC when im just browsing the net. I played a bit and my GPU Temp was maxed around 85 degrees.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

This post has been edited by hamluis: 17 July 2011 - 04:14 PM
Reason for edit: Moved from Win 7 to Internal Hardware.

85 degrees celsius? That is a bit high. Does the GPU have distance between the fan and the surrounding components? Have you made sure you have all of your updated drivers for your video card? Also is this a custom build PC or a name brand? Also any particular games? what game does it seem to happen the most on?

This post has been edited by computerxpds: 17 July 2011 - 04:22 PM

Hey mate, thanks for the reply.

Firstly, this is a custom build i put together about 1.5 years ago. 400W PSU, Intel i5 750, Nvidia 8800 GT, Intel Motherboard, 4 GB 1333mhz RAM, nothing extremely fancy but a standard gaming PC. Up until 1 month ago it was running fine and never used to do this.

To answer the rest of your questions, the GPU is fairly alone,only other component is a PCI Sound Card and thats at the bottom of the motherboard. All my drivers are up to date, i even tried rolling back to a previous driver, same problem. The main game this happens too is World of Warcraft. I play this the most and it can range anywhere between 5 minutes to 1 hour. For example yesterday I played like 2 hours straight, nothing happened, later that day i played 20 min and it happened.

Theres one thing thats concerning me, I don't think its a heating problem for one reason, and correct me if Im wrong, 1) I cleaned out the dust from the fans/cpu/gpu a month ago. 2) the fact that USB Keyboard turns off, then my USB modem turns off, then my mouse, all minutes apart tells me its more likely to be a power issue rather than a heating problem. Am i wrong?

Thanks for the help guys. All experts welcome!

Updated your chipset drivers?

Good idea killerx, I would do that first then check all of the electrical connections inside the computer. Although you are on the right path I am not sure if it is the PSU or something else.

Ill update the chipset driver when I get home and let you know how it goes.

Hey guys, sorry for the late reply. My chipset is up-to-date and Ive run Multiple Registry cleaning software in safe mode but the problem remains.

Bleeping Computer DOES NOT recommend the use of registry cleaners/optimizers for several reasons:

• Registry cleaners are extremely powerful applications that can damage the registry by using aggressive cleaning routines and cause your computer to become unbootable.
  
  The Windows registry is a central repository (database) for storing configuration data, user settings and machine-dependent settings, and options for the operating system. It contains information and settings for all hardware, software, users, and preferences. Whenever a user makes changes to settings, file associations, system policies, or installed software, the changes are reflected and stored in this repository. The registry is a crucial component because it is where Windows "remembers" all this information, how it works together, how Windows boots the system and what files it uses when it does. The registry is also a vulnerable subsystem, in that relatively small changes done incorrectly can render the system inoperable. For a more detailed explanation, read Understanding The Registry.
  
  
• Not all registry cleaners are created equal. There are a number of them available but they do not all work entirely the same way. Each vendor uses different criteria as to what constitutes a "bad entry". One cleaner may find entries on your system that will not cause problems when removed, another may not find the same entries, and still another may want to remove entries required for a program to work.
  
  
• Not all registry cleaners create a backup of the registry before making changes. If the changes prevent the system from booting up, then there is no backup available to restore it in order to regain functionality. A backup of the registry is essential BEFORE making any changes to the registry.
  
  
• Improperly removing registry entries can hamper malware disinfection and make the removal process more difficult if your computer becomes infected. For example, removing malware related registry entries before the infection is properly identified can contribute to system instability and even make the malware undetectable to removal tools.
  
  
• The usefulness of cleaning the registry is highly overrated and can be dangerous. In most cases, using a cleaner to remove obsolete, invalid, and erroneous entries does not affect system performance but it can result in "unpredictable results".

Unless you have a particular problem that requires a registry edit to correct it, I would suggest you leave the registry alone. Using registry cleaning tools unnecessarily or incorrectly could lead to disastrous effects on your operating system such as preventing it from ever starting again. For routine use, the benefits to your computer are negligible while the potential risks are great.

• Ed Bott's Webog: Why I don't use registry cleaners
  
• Do I need a Registry Cleaner?

Louis

I only did registry cleaner based on other ppls opinions. this is driving me insane. I cant figure this out. SOMEONE HELP!

Let us go back to this point:

Quote

That would lead me to believe that it could possibly be a power issue such as low amps on the 12V rail. What is the exact model of your motherboard and exact make and model of your PSU? The powering down of things might be the psu being over drawn and shutting down..

This post has been edited by computerxpds: 26 July 2011 - 03:20 PM

Based from the information given, the power supply is 400W and you might be right computerxpds on the amps.

I want the make and model because maybe the manufacture lists the amps on the 12V rail. If not then maybe I can have him test it if he has a multi-meter.

This post has been edited by computerxpds: 26 July 2011 - 08:12 PM

Hey guys, here are the specs you asked for.

1) Intel® Desktop Board DG31PR
2) Enligh 400W PSU

Can a PSU's wear & tear cause such a situation?

I would assume you have this power supply. If it is, this only has 25 amps.

Which is exactly what the GPU consumes at medium load as I have read. Which is somewhat ok but it is defiantly under-powered in reality which isn't good for the mobo or the GPU. I'm going to suggest that you get a new power supply. Killerx can recommend one far better than I can I would think.

This post has been edited by computerxpds: 27 July 2011 - 07:04 AM