Interesting Problem try and solve!

[AEB]

ok so here is the run down. I have had my computer for a while with relatively no problems(i built it my self)

p4 2.26 533mhz
Abit bd7II
2x256 ddr pc 2700
nvidia geforce 4ti4200
wd 100 gig HD and 30 GIG
turtle beach sound card

OK so any way i had this config working perfectly for who knows how long. Then i started playing max payne, noticed sporaddic freezing while palying. no biggie. But one day it froze and took longer to unfreeze, so i took a break.
Now when i try to run anything useing 3d my computer locks up, then unfreezes and then locks up. The lock-ups range from 5to 15 secs.

So i tried seeing if i had component conflicts took everything but video card out. Still nothing. I thought it might be heat so i too the sink of put some silver based thermal compound on it and tried agian. I tested it on HL, it didnt lock up right away but the video was REALLY messed up. colors crazy and the like.
Now its doing what it used to and locking up. Its really driving me crazy

I know thats a lot to read but i am stumped!
Thanks in advance and let me know if yo uneed mroe info

 

[PCHPlayer]

Sounds like your video card is going bad. Do you have a spare you can test with?

 

[AEB]

yeah ill have to give it a try when i have more time. worse comes to worse i have an excuse to buy a new one now

 

[crisp82]

Do you overclock the card?

What Drivers are you using?

What version of DX are you using?

 

[AEB]

dx 9.x i did overclock (not by much) but i turned that off before the problem occured and ive tried some pre detenator xp drivers ive tried 42.x ive tried 52.x or waht ever they are, but same problems

 

[pilot006]

It sounds like a heating issue on the video card. Normally you can tell as you start to see artifacts on your screen during graphics-intensive usage. The locking up is the dead ringer. Just like with a normal CPU, it's a corruption in the data-flow to the processor (the GPU). If another card works, then return your video card, it's heating up or the GPU is about to crap out on you. If another card gives you similar troubles, I'd take a look at you mobo's AGP slot. My bet would be if you put a PCI card in at that point no graphics problems would arise. Keep us updated.

 

[AEB]

i think its more than likely almost broken, becuase it locks up pretty much right away even when i have teh settings to the lowest quality oh well time for my 9600pro. i am going to reformatt first to see whats up when i get time. thansk tho guys!