Comp locks up when starting 3D games/apps/dia

[jm9239]

Like the topic says, my computer locks up temporarily when trying to run anything that involves 3d (games, apps, diag, etc). After freezing for a bit I'm finally able to task out and get back to the desktop, where it appears to be ok doing anything that's 2D. This started suddenly without any recent changes to the system, I've tried reinstalling det drivers and directx, I've re-seated the vid card, have run updated virus scan software and windows is up to date. Basically I've tried everything short of reinstalling windows or trying another vid card in the system. Any ideas of what it might be?

See sig for specs

 

[Slappy00]

DO you have DX 9.0 installed?

It seems to me like a Direct X problem or a driver problem or somewhere in between the two.

What games are you running and at what settings do you attempt to run them at (remember GF3 is a DX 8.1 part DX 9.x is bad JuJu)

 

[CVNet1]

DX9.0 works fine being installed with a directX 8.1 card, it simply doesn't enable the DX9.0 features that the GF3 can't do. Just like you can install DirectX 8.1 on a TNT2 card which is only DX6 if I recall correctly. Sure it installs fine and won't mess up gaming at all if the games you play can be run in a Compatability mode which disables most of the DX stuff that a graphics card won't support. So DX 9.0 is not the issue.

Now I'm thinking more along the lines of your PSU, what is its wattage rating? Have you used it as long as you've run that system? Do you think there is a possibility it might be degrading slowly?
I was thinking if you happen to be running some OEM (non-major brand) PSU that was just barely (ie borderline) able to handle the power requirements of your rig (say 250 or 300 watts) for an extended period of time, it might be an issue of degrading power from your supply. Now if you are using something that is 400 watts or greater and isn't some bargain basement PSU, then you can throw this suggestion out the window, but I would try borrowing another PSU that is known to be good from another computer of yours or maybe a friend if you can get them to let you and see if the problem goes away.
Hope that helps
--John

 

[BFG10K]

Do you have the latest BIOS and chipset drivers for your system?
Any overclocks?
Any background programs running?

 

[cobra77]

What version of windows are you running and what version Via 4in1 drivers are you running?
Win 98 should use 4.35, All others should use the latest 4.48.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

How about heat? TBirds aren't known for being cool running chips.

- M4H

 

[jm9239]

Thanks for the help everyone

It's a Falcon Northwest computer with a 300 watt PSU. The only real change that I've made to the system is swapping out the power hungry v5 5500 for the gf3, which has run flawlessly in the system for quite some time now (1 yr+). The OS is windows xp pro. I'm running the latest A7V bios and Via 4-in-1's. Other CPU intensive tasks seem to run fine, but it's just the 3D stuff that gets it. Nothing has ever been overclocked and the OS is tweaked and doesn't have unnecessary progs running in the background. Again, this problem started happening out of the clear blue without any hardware/software changes.

 

[Slappy00]

YOu know come to think of it I had a GF3 that did the same exact thing (I got a R9700pro b/c of that). It was a GAinward GF3 but I never got around to attempting to fix it. It seemed to work fine under DX 8.1 when i sold it to another dude who needed it for some light gaming.