Computer Locking Up - Graphics Related

[AndrewBird]

I'm normally pretty tech savy, but I've been having a problem with my computer I can't seem to figure out. I first noticed it when using the new Google maps. It locks my computer up every time. Then today, while watching an HD video on Vimeo, it locked up again. Sometimes the screen flickers/flashes, other times it just freezes. Some times I am able to move the cursor around, albeit with a pretty substantial lag, other times it won't move at all.

Already tried updating my graphics driver. Currently running the most update stable version from Nvidia. Also tried installing DirectX End-User Runtime thinking it may be a problem with DirectX, but it is still happening. I built this computer almost 2 years ago and haven't had any problems until recently.

Not really sure where to go from here. Computer spec are below.

Windows 7 Ultimate
3.2Ghz AMD Phenom II 555 Black Edition - Unlocked to 3 cores and OC to 3.82Ghz
4GB G.SKILL Ripjaws DDR3
Nvidia GeForce 8800 GTS (512mb)

[kickinindian]

TBH just buy a new GPU that one is pretty old now

my old Nvidia was doing the same thing when i was starting to commit suicide

[AndrewBird]

Yes, I realize it is old, but it has (and is) served me fine. I don't game and frankly don't have the money to buy a new graphics card. Trying to find the problem and fix it, not just throw parts at it.

[kickinindian]

yea they sell older GPUs on newegg that are pretty cheap though. this is only
$40 and has the same cores but a little more Video ram
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814133458

also worth a shot have u cleaned the inside in the last 6mo to a year? dust can do weird shit sometimes.

[AndrewBird]

Not interested in a different GPU unless I find this one is bad.

Recently cleaned everything out.

[kickinindian]

does your CPU have integrated graphics by an chance? you could try using that and not use the gpu and see if the GPU or something else is the problem

[AndrewBird]

No onboard video.

[kickinindian]

well since it looks like vimeo and google maps both use java it might be that?

[E30_Pare]

i have a feeling your hard drive is about to die. call me crazy. or maybe BIOS needs a update/ old NVIDIA drivers remnants. CCleaner/Defrag

[MJCRO]

Doubt it's the hard drive.

Have you tested the system with another GPU? Check your temp's on the video card, it could be overheating. If that's the case, replacing the thermal paste on the heatsink and a thorough cleaning of the fan could solve that.

If not, it could be the card itself. G92 8800GTS's are pretty old cards by now. I've heard of a few people baking their cards in the oven to re-heat cracked solder on older video card PCB's.

[AndrewBird]

Have not tried another GPU yet, don't have one on hand. Temp is currently at 64ºC and I just had it lock up. I replaced all the thermal paste back when I built the computer.

I realize the card is old, but what I don't understand is how it will work perfectly fine everywhere but Google Maps and Vimeo. I use AutoCAD, Photoshop and other graphics programs all the time when I make stickers, so if the card were failing, I would think it would lock up during these times as well.

Right now I am leaning towards a problem with Java. Going to look into that more.

[kickinindian]

Yes I have Java I wish more people used silver light I seems to work a lot better

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk

[AndrewBird]

I think I might have fixed it. I disabled "GPU compositing" and "Threaded compositing" in Chrome and so far have not been able to make it lock up. Read about it where someone else was having problems with Chrome freezing in general.

[kickinindian]

Ahhh yes that would do it i love chrome but sometimes it does not like to play nice with other things

Sent from my VS930 4G using Tapatalk

[squidmaster]

performance monitor is your friend.
(super + R > "perfmon" > enter)
you can configure logging options in that-- it's all pretty straight forward


also run HWmonitor to keep an eye on temps
(http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmon...s-history.html)

find out what's causing the issue first before running off to buy anything. I am willing to bet that it's your CPU OC however. How did you go about underclocking your ram? Are you using 1t or 2t row timing? Did you just bump the multiplier? What're your over voltage settings?
Or better yet just post up a full listing of your CPU-Z.