Do I need OS reinstall or BIOS?

[Crockett12]

[FONT=&quot]All my games have suddenly started to crash my computer – which are IL-2 Sturmovik BOS, Rise of Flight, Far Cry 3 & Far Cry 2. I built the computer and am more of a hardware guy rather than a software guy – so I’ve got questions.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]The crashes are either to a total reboot – or to a black screen where I have to manually turn the computer off and then back on. I don’t think it’s a heat problem because I use “MSI Afterburner” software to speed up my case fans and then monitor the heat with the Nzxt Sentry LX LCD Display fan controller. Nothing is overclocked.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I first sent a dxdiag.exe (DirectX Diagnostic Tools) report to the game support people that started to crash my computer -- then I discovered all my games crashed the computer! Once the game company learned all my games crashed the computer and not only their game, they said “[/FONT][FONT=&quot]This suggests that your computer has problems in their work. You need to fix them yourself or turn to computer repair specialists”.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I’ve updated my Track IR-5 drivers but haven’t researched updating all of my drivers – figuring a single driver issue wouldn’t start crashing the computer all at once with any game I played.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Rather than call in a computer nerd:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 [/FONT][FONT=&quot]- Would a bios update possibly fix the problem?[/FONT][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I’d assume a complete OS reinstall might also fix the problem and rather than reinstall my current Windows 7 Professional, would an OS update to Windows 10 fix the problem instead?[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thanks for any help,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Crockett[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Computer specs:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Windows 7 Professional[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Cooler Master HAF 932 case[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]MSI P55-GD65 motherboard[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Intel Core i5 750 processor [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Primary HD -- Samsung SSD 840 EVO 150 GB (OS - Windows 7 64-bit -- making it a dual boot system) [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Secondary HD -- Western Digital Caviar Black 1 TB hard Drive (OS - Windows 7 64-bit)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Gigabyte Radeon R9 280x graphics card[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8GB Corsair XMS3 Dual Channel DDR 3 memory @ 742 Mhz (9-9-9-24)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Creative X-Fi Fatality Sound Card[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Thermaltake TR2 RX 850Watt PSU[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Lite On 24x internal DVD/CD Writer[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Sony MRW620-U1 internal multi card reader[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Nzxt Sentry LX LCD Display fan controller[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Monotor -- Samsung SyncMasrer BX2450[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]KlipschTHX 4/1 speakers (with sub woofer)[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Logitech G-110 keyboard[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Track IR-5[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]CH 568 Combatstick USB[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]CH Pro Throttle USB[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]CH Pro Peddals USB[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][/FONT]

 

[UsandThem]

How long have your system? Did the crashes and reboots just appear out of nowhere, or did you apply any major Windows or program updates?

Unless you changed something or installed a Windows 7 update that borked your computer, my money is something hardware related is getting flaky. Could you list how old your power supply is?

You could reinstall Windows 7 and then try to play a game on it that is crashing right now to see eliminate the software side. If it crashes after a clean install, then you will have to start testing individual parts until you find the culprit.

My guess since your system crashes when you have a higher load (power), would be to start with PSU (middle-of-the-road reviews on Amazon and Newegg), and when they start to get towards the end of their life, they can cause issues like you describe. Then I would test the graphic card and ram if trying a new PSU doesn't fix the problem.

 

[Crockett12]

>How long have your system? Did the crashes and reboots just appear out of nowhere, or did you apply any major Windows or program updates?

I built the computer in Dec of 2009 -- so it's a little over 6 years old. And -- yes -- my IL-2 Sturmovic BOD undated shortly before the crashes. However the game ran fine for a day before the crashes started.

The thought about the power supply is interesting! Is there any software that can test the PSU?

Thanks,
Crockett

 

[UsandThem]

>How long have your system? Did the crashes and reboots just appear out of nowhere, or did you apply any major Windows or program updates?

I built the computer in Dec of 2009 -- so it's a little over 6 years old. And -- yes -- my IL-2 Sturmovic BOD undated shortly before the crashes. However the game ran fine for a day before the crashes started.

The thought about the power supply is interesting! Is there any software that can test the PSU?

Thanks,
Crockett

Basically you just want to put a load on it. You could use:

http://www.ocbase.com/

or

https://unigine.com/products/benchmarks/valley/

I also found a review of your power supply, although this is the 750w version:

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/thermaltake-tr2-rx-750-w-power-supply-review/9/

Thermaltake TR2 RX 750 W is, according to our methodology, a flawed product that must be avoided at all costs. It can’t deliver its labeled wattage at high temperatures, but this is not the worst of it: ripple and noise level are way above the maximum allowed when you pull 80% or more from the unit’s labeled capacity (i.e., 600 W and above), overloading your components (especially electrolytic capacitors from the motherboard and video cards), which can cause your PC to present an erratic behavior (crashes and random resets) and, under extreme conditions, damage components.

 

[Ketchup]

If there is nothing recent in your Windows\Minidump folder, it is probably hardware. From what you are describing, it sounds like the power supply.

You could run the Intel burn test, but it isn't going to stress your video card, which is where a majority of your power draw would be coming from.

The 280x was released in 2013, so it looks like you have done at least a little upgrading over the past 6 years.

Thermaltake lists the MTBF of your power supply right around 10 years. Generally, if you keep the power supply in a cool environment without a lot of dust, it should last that long. But Thermaltake puts their name on many different brands of power supplies, some good, some not so much, so it's honestly hard to tell if your specific model could be expected to last that long. More info can be found here:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/power-supply-oem-manufacturer,2913-9.html

 

[UsandThem]

Oh, and one last thing.

I believe your problems are most likely PSU related. Those programs I recommended will strain your power supply by putting a load on it.

One of the risks of a lower-end power supply can be when it goes, it can take out other components with it. I just wanted to let you know the risk going in case it fully goes out on you.

It doesn't happen often, but some have lost hard drives, motherboards, ram, etc. when it goes.

 

[Crockett12]

Assuming it's the power supply, what is a good quality one in the 850+ watt area to purchase?

Thanks,
Crockett12

 

[UsandThem]

Assuming it's the power supply, what is a good quality one in the 850+ watt area to purchase?

Thanks,
Crockett12

I recommend reading the power suupply reviews at http://www.jonnyguru.com/

But of the top of my head a couple his site really liked:

EVGA Supernova P2 series (10 year warranty)
EVGA Supernova G2 series (7 year warranty)
EVGA Supernova GQ series (5 year warranty)
FSP Hydro G 750w (5 year warranty)

There are more recommended models on his site from Seasonic, Corsair, Thermaltake, etc. I usually just stay with EVGA out of personal preference.

With your system, you can get a 650w and have a good amount of overhead left. 850w is overkill for your system.

Even if you upgraded your entire system tomorrow to include a 980ti, you still would have plenty of overhead left. I would get a solid 650w - 750w unit tops. If you are planning to run cards in SLI or Crossfire in the future, you could go higher.

 

[Crockett12]

With all your suggestions, it certainly makes sense that it's a PSU issue -- so I'm looking into replacing it.

It looks like I can get an EVGA Supernova G2 series 850Watt from NewEgg for $109.99 with a $20.00 rebate. I want to anticipate a possible SLI in the future -- so will go with the 850 Watt -- and it has a 10 year warranty.

Thanks for all the brain power -- I'll let you know how it works out.

Crockett12

 

[JimKiler]

I too think it is your PSU but since you have an AMD card confirm you do not have their gaming evolved app installed. That app was causing my Diablo 3 games to crash into a BSOD for a while.

 

[UsandThem]

With all your suggestions, it certainly makes sense that it's a PSU issue -- so I'm looking into replacing it.

It looks like I can get an EVGA Supernova G2 series 850Watt from NewEgg for $109.99 with a $20.00 rebate. I want to anticipate a possible SLI in the future -- so will go with the 850 Watt -- and it has a 10 year warranty.

Thanks for all the brain power -- I'll let you know how it works out.

Crockett12

The G2 is a great choice. Good luck!

Edit: I just double-checked the warranty, and it does seem EVGA G2 now has a 10 year warranty, instead of 7 years.

They might want update their main product page to show that.

Final edit: It seems that it still comes with a 7 year warranty, but if you register it in the first 30 days, they extend it to 10 years.

 

[bruceb]

A few things comes to mind some of which already mentioned,

Bad power supply -- either it is not adequate or one of it's outputs is going bad

Bad capacitors on the motherboard (they will be bulging if bad)

Bad Video card or video card drivers

Bad Memory -- you can runt Memtet86 to check the RAM

 

[Crockett12]

OK -- I bought the new EVGA Supernova G2 series 850Watt from NewEgg and installed it. It won't boot -- as if I have no power to the PSU. I checked the power from the battery back-up and it's fine -- so I figured the new EVGA was dead on arrival. Just to make sure I reinstalled the old PSU and got the same thing -- no boot as if I have no power to the PSU.

So what am I missing? How do I check that the new PSU isn't dead?

Crockett

 

[bononos]

Since both psu's cannot boot, you probably screwed up your installation.
You didn't mention your temps which could be the problem with games crashing.

 

[Ketchup]

OK -- I bought the new EVGA Supernova G2 series 850Watt from NewEgg and installed it. It won't boot -- as if I have no power to the PSU. I checked the power from the battery back-up and it's fine -- so I figured the new EVGA was dead on arrival. Just to make sure I reinstalled the old PSU and got the same thing -- no boot as if I have no power to the PSU.

So what am I missing? How do I check that the new PSU isn't dead?

Crockett

Make sure you aren't missing something, such as the extra 4-8 pin montherboard power connector, or the extra video card power connector. Make sure the 24-pin connection is seated properly. Did you unscrew anything while installing? Did you check the case power button connection? Bypass the battery backup and see if it will boot when plugged into the wall.

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Make sure all those PSU cables are properly plugged into the motherboard and graphics card, but don't overlook the other wires, specifically the power switch connection. It's possible you knocked something loose. If it is plugged in but still doesn't work you can short those pins with a screwdriver to see if it will power on. Finally, don't forget to check the on/off switch on the back of the PSU.

 

[Crockett12]

OK -- I finally got things up and running -- with a little egg on my face! I was using the wrong cables ie. VGA instead of CPU etc. Once I got that sorted out, the computer booted just fine.

However, I'm still having the original problem with my games crashing the computer. First the screen tears then if I don't do the Ctl-Alt-Del soon enough to bring up Task Manager to shut the game off -- it does a hard crash.

Any chance it could be the video card? I still have my old AMD 5770 I can try and plan to try it next -- maybe tomorrow!

Crockett

 

[AnonymouseUser]

Any chance it could be the video card?

Yes, but it could also be heat related. Pull the side off the case and place a box fan or table fan next to it blowing into the case and play some games. If it still crashes it's not a heat issue. In that case I would inspect the motherboard for bulging or leaking capacitors.

 

[Crockett12]

I reinstalled my old AMD 5770 and now my games don't crash the computer! So it was the video card! I've had to set the graphics on low and even then IL-2 BoS runs pretty slow with occasional jerks but is still playable.
On the negative -- it's a hell of a way to have to upgrade to a new video card. But on the positive the new nVidia cards are coming out. I've been lusting after the GTX 970 for some quite time but now the new nVidia GTX 1070 is looking pretty good!
I don't have the money for it yet but apparently it's not out yet -- so the timing might be perfect!
Thanks for all the suggestions!
Crockett