PC help needed!!

Achm3d · Post by **Achm3d** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:40 am

I need some PC help from someone here...

Everytime I load up NWN one of two things will happen:

1) As soon as I click the "Play" button from the main menu the PC will reboot itself.

2) A few minutes after loading up a game (single or multiplayer) the PC will reboot itself, or lock up forcing me to reboot it manually. In the case of a lock up no amount of waiting or CTRL-ALT-DEL has an effect.

All of my drivers are up to date, NWN is up to date (SoU 1.31) and I have fully reinstalled it twice. Every other application / game works fine, this problem is isolated to NWN. Below are my system specs, if anyone here can offer some advice it would be VERY appreciated.

OS: Windows XP Home
CPU: Athlon XP 2.0
Memory: 256 SDRAM
Vid-card: Geforce FX 5200

If you need anymore info just let me know. Thanks!!!

-A

Jordicus · Post by **Jordicus** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:42 am

virus protection up to date?

Vergilius · Post by **Vergilius** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:42 am

step 1

if you haven't already, completely uninstall and reinstall NWN. sometimes this does the trick.

step 2.

wait for someone else to post on this matter.

Achm3d · Post by **Achm3d** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:47 am

Jordicus wrote:virus protection up to date?

Yes, Norton Antivirus w/ current virus definitions.

Flakey · Post by **Flakey** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:47 am

If you are sure you have not picked up a virus, I would say the main problem could be the fact that you only have 128 SDRAM.

I used to have that amount of memory(but run win2000), and would have to reboot every 30 minutes otherwise I would run out of virtual memory. Tried Hala, and with its bigger maps, would lock up when I went to the first area.

maxinion · Post by **maxinion** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 1:52 am

Jesus Mary and Joseph! Running 3D games on XP with only 128 megs of RAM! Wow! Yeah, that's *not* a good idea... the minimum for XP is 128... read, Windows XP will gobble 128 megs like tomorrow, leaving almost nothing for your other programs.... especially 3D games...

Sickocrow · Post by **Sickocrow** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 2:46 am

I agree with Maxguy. That sounds like your machine shits itself from lack of RAM. But yeah, try Vergs' idea first. Can't hurt.

Sicko

Jeffi0 · Post by **Jeffi0** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 3:28 am

Just buy some more RAM... Another 128 megs should be sufficient to run NWN decently, and ram is quite cheap. I bought 192 megs for about 25 bucks IIRC.

Achm3d · Post by **Achm3d** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:00 am

Sorry everyone, but I'm a dumbass...I meant to say 256 megs, 128 is my vid card. So yes, 256 megs of SDRAM.

-A

madhatter · Post by **madhatter** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:15 am

You try checkin the error logs in windows? I know xp likes to just shut down when it encounters some errors. (used to happen to me in BG2).

Go to start/run, then type in mmc. When the console comes up, go to file/add remove snap in. Add the event viewer snap in and click on ok. Go back to the console and click on event viewer. It might at least give you a hint as to whats causing your problem. Try this right after the computer shuts down on you.

By the way, I would take an extra look at that card. The fx5200s are pretty shady.

Brannor · Post by **Brannor** » Tue Sep 30, 2003 8:24 am

1) disable the reboot of windows on system errors.
I have a win2k at work so don't aks me where to find it.

2) then wait for the next crash.

also check the win logs
rightclick on system -> 4th entry from the top -> event..something

look for stuff with the red *X*.
they might be crashing your system.

About your sys:
It may be running hot.
Install the motherboard monitor
http://mbm.livewiredev.com/
and log your cpu heat.

Next crash go back and see what temps it had.
AMD spec states you should have at least 2 extra fans
one intake (lower front) and one exhaust (high rear).

Achm3d · Post by **Achm3d** » Fri Oct 03, 2003 2:15 am

Woo hoo!!!

Thanks for the help everyone, I was able to determine that it was the CPU overheating, a $20 heatsink/fan combo took care of the problem and now everything is running nice and smooth. Gracias, danke, arigato, hvala, and thanks!

-A