Need help!!

[OMGPacifist]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum and I basically joined so I could seek help from you. I am on a 4 year old Toshiba Qosmio with the following specs:

Dual Core 2.0Ghz Processor
4.0Gb RAM
175gb HDD
Nvidia GeForce 9700M GTS with 512mb of dedicated VRAM.

I recently cleaned out the fans and heat sink due to high amounts of dust in it, thus ridding my old problem of overheating. Previously, when playing games it would overheat to the point that it would shut off spontaneously. Now, I'm having a more irritating problem.

I started trying out a game called Guild Wars. It was all fine and dandy until I got the first sign of error. When walking, my computer would suddenly spazz out. The audio would lag and repeat itself over and over, distorting itself worse and worse and the screen would be black. The only solution would be powering down via power button. I fixed it on Guild Wars by updating my Nvidia drivers with a clean install.

After being able to try out Guild Wars I realized I didn't like the game so I tried The Witcher Enhanced Edition. It is up to date with patches, but in the opening cut scene, BAM. Same problem as before. Help?

Thanks. Sorry if I rambled on a bit, I just want to fix this.


Moved from PC Gaming

Anandtech Moderator
KeithTalent

 

[Nik]

It sounds like you need to format / reinstall windows.

 

[Craig234]

Might try the 'computer help' forum.

 

[OMGPacifist]

Might try the 'computer help' forum.

Sorry lol. I don't really do a lot of forums. I figured since it is game related I should post here.

 

[bntran02]

Sounds VERY familiar with a problem I had with a creative sound card several years back. Any change you also have an older audigy sound card?

 

[OMGPacifist]

Sounds VERY familiar with a problem I had with a creative sound card several years back. Any change you also have an older audigy sound card?

It's a possibility I suppose. The laptop is about 4 years old and I haven't done much to modify it except for a motherboard repair done about a year ago that had to be done due to a lightning strike.

 

[OMGPacifist]

It sounds like you need to format / reinstall windows.

Why would I have to do that?

 

[Helllearner]

Why would I have to do that?

It will get rid of any virus, if it may be causing the problem. Try using a antivirus program to see if you have any viruses causing the problem.



It will also reset all your settings to default and clean all the junk in the system.

 

[OMGPacifist]

It will get rid of any virus, if it may be causing the problem. Try using a antivirus program to see if you have any viruses causing the problem.



It will also reset all your settings to default and clean all the junk in the system.

I've done multiple scans with my antivirus and it's only found little things like cookies. Starting yesterday I have been getting pop-ups though and it is rather annoying. Could I have a virus?


Update 1: I just did a different scan with Malwarebytes instead of Norton and found 35 infected items.


Update 2: No effect on the error I'm receiving.