What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

[[USAC]S|Cpl.TinFoil]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

That's what I meant, yeah. Go and run Memtest before you look at other stuff; I have a bad feeling about the results.

[flanker1121]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

That's what I meant, yeah. Go and run Memtest before you look at other stuff; I have a bad feeling about the results.

Fair enough I'll do that overnight tonight - it's just a bit weird that it happens with 2 OCZ sets!

[=98=]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Sometimes you get a bad batch. You return a kit and get another set from the same batch.

[flanker1121]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Sometimes you get a bad batch. You return a kit and get another set from the same batch.

This is a year apart with completely different types of RAM though lol...I'll get back to you tomorrow morning with memtest results :)

[Warhawk]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

This used to happen to me. the only difference was the sound and video would just completely freeze. Updating the BIOS to the latest version fixed it for me.

I have a feeling your memory is most likely going to fail the memtest. If it doesn't I would double check your temperatures. If its only happening while gaming, thats when your computer is hottest.

[flanker1121]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Well after 11 hours in memtest, (5 passes), it's found no errors!

I could try updating the BIOS i guess...how 'risky' is it? (BIOS updates are uncharted territory for me!)

I would double check your temperatures. If its only happening while gaming, thats when your computer is hottest.

The thing about that is that it runs fine on other games...world in conflict for example - it'll purr along happily for hours when its being pushed pretty hard. That's whats confusing! I really wouldn't blame the game though since it happens on a few!

[[USAC]S|Cpl.TinFoil]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Updating the BIOS isn't as daunting as the manufacturers make it sound. Just make sure you aren't in a lightning storm or anything and just follow the instructions for using a floppy disc to update the BIOS.

Strange, strange problem you have there.

[flanker1121]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

using a floppy disc

Ohhhh no you dont...is there any other way to do it? I don't have a floppy drive in my PC, and it shouldnt be a problem stuffing one in, but when I tried it a couple of weeks ago to get RAID drivers on, the PC would turn on, but then neither the power or the reset buttons would work! And yes the cables were plugged in the right way around :laugh:

Is there any other way to do it?


EDIT :: Just found this:

http://www.asus.com/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=11&l3=397&model=1459&modelmenu=1

If you scroll down, apparently you can do it from a USB flash drive..I might give that a go!

[Hellsent 2.0]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Yes a USB flash drive is perfectly fine too...

[Warhawk]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Gigabyte and BIOSTAR boards have a wizard in the BIOS to update the BIOS that makes it pretty much idiot proof. My friend tried to update the BIOS on his ASUS board (he had to type in a filename in a DOS window) and it stopped posting afterwards. He went out and bought a gigabyte lol.

[flanker1121]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

I've now updated the BIOS to the most recent version (1404 - April this year).

STILL having the problem!

I've tried running with only 1 stick of RAM in the PC, and it 'seems' to hold out for longer..

Any suggestions?

[=98=]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Could be a dodgy Northbridge chip, the thing that handles memory.

[flanker1121]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

Could be a dodgy Northbridge chip, the thing that handles memory.

That's a motherboard part I'd assume? Any way to test it?

Also, take a look at my PSU:

https://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Power+Supplies/500w+%2B/Thermaltake+W0144RB+600W+Modular+PSU+?productId=27046

I've got some people saying it's not good enough, and that it might not be providing enough power to everything? What do you guys think?

[=98=]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

No, that PSU should be fine.

Northbridge is that small chip underneath the CPU with a heatsink. It is located under the memory as well, but above the graphics and sound card.

[Warhawk]

Re: What could cause games to 'freeze' completely?

No, that PSU should be fine.

Northbridge is that small chip underneath the CPU with a heatsink. It is located under the memory as well, but above the graphics and sound card.

It is below the cpu and memory, not underneath lol