Crashing to black screen

[dman51]

Here are my specs:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+
1GB DDR400 SDRAM
ATI Radeon 9800 Pro
Samsung SyncMaster 710N

After playing BF2 for around half an hour I would experience a sudden crash to a black screen. It's like my computer turns off, the monitor turns black (like turning off after being idle). But my computer is still running, it's just that nothing responds. At this point I have to reset my computer. Before I thought it was because of my CPU overheating. But now I fixed the overheating problem but I still get the crashes. Can someone help me?

[ThoughtForm]

Re: Crashing to black screen

In the ATI driver control panel, do you have the option for VPU recover enabled?

[dman51]

Re: Crashing to black screen

I've tried both settings, it doesn't make a difference.
What could be wrong with my computer?

[Shamus]

Re: Crashing to black screen

That sounds typical of a failing Power Supply Unit (PSU). Check your voltages while the PC is under load, like gaming, to ensure the readings are within +/- 5%.

[dman51]

Re: Crashing to black screen

Sorry for sounding stupid but how do you check voltage while playing a game?

[Shamus]

Re: Crashing to black screen

There are several methods. If you have an ASUS mobo, you can use ASUSProbe to record your voltages while you play. Motherboard Monitor will do the same thing for all motherboards as well. If all else fails, download and install Everest Home Edition system information tool and Alt. Tab out of the game and check the sensor readings in Everest.

EDIT
I almost forgot my favorite way to monitor voltages. Take a multi-meter and attach the probes at the 20/24 pin power header's +5 and + 12 volt lines and watch the meter, record the reading over an hour and average.

[dman51]

Re: Crashing to black screen

OK this is really starting to scare me now.
Lately I've been getting the crashes even on the desktop so I thought it must be the PSU. The last time it crashed I managed to get a screenshot of the error after the black screen (surprisingly it came back after it blacked out) and it says it's my display driver. Here's a screenshot of the error http://img350.imageshack.us/img350/797/untitled9ki.jpg . Someone please help me what should I do?!

[brendanmc6]

Re: Crashing to black screen

i have something very similar and by the looks of your screenshot almost exactly cept for i have diff system specs, and no error message but the retarded coloration is there.. view my thread we can solve this together!

http://www.totalbf2.com/forums/showthread.php?t=60457

[dman51]

Re: Crashing to black screen

bump?