New, non-overclocked computer freezing up

[ThreeDollarBill]

Just got a brand new XP 1700+ with a GeForce 3 Ti 200......nothing is overclocked....

When I play games the computer freezes after about 30 minutes of playing....
I'm thinking it's a heat related problem...I tried opening the window to let some cold air in and opening up the case to improve air flow....same problem....

Probably the CPU or the video card or both are overheating.....how can I tell which one is the culprit? Maybe I should download Motherboard Monitor to check the CPU temp? Speaking of which, what's the normal operating temp for an Athlon XP 1700+?

Thanks

Update: I discovered that one of the RAMsinks on the video card has become partially unglued :Q. Could this be the cause behind the freezings or are the RAMsinks just cosmetic?

 

[HappyPuppy]

Yes, ramsinks on the vid card are pretty much cosmetic.

Get MBM and post back with temps and voltages.

 

[ThreeDollarBill]

I'm in the process of getting MBM....until then I'm using PC Alert III which came with my mobo....

Here's what it says:

CPU temp: 37C
Chassis: 36C
Vcore: 1.71v

Do these sound reasonable?

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Those temps aren't terrible by any means. Are those temps with the case open and the window open? How cold is the "cold air"?

To get it even cooler, try an oscillating or box fan, point it at the case (at a distance of several feet) and let her rip. What games are you playing that lock up? What version of the detonator drivers are you using?

 

[ThreeDollarBill]

Those temps are with the case open...
The window is closed right now because I'm the only person in the room. It's a small room, and as more people come in, it heats up. That's when I open the window. It's winter right now, so the air outside is around -15C.

The games that have caused lockups: NHL 2002, C&C Renegade, and Aliens vs. Predator 2
I just played MoHAA for about 30 minutes and had no problems.

Using Detonator 21.83. When I got the computer I upgraded to 23.11 and had the lockups. I decided to go back to 21.83 to see if that would solve it. Renegade locked up on me (after a very short time) but MoHAA has played OK so far.

Perhaps this is a driver issue and not a heat issue?

 

[Greatwolf]

Do you get the same thing when you benchmark your computer say with using programs like 3dmarks2001 and the like?

 

[Hossenfeffer]

Driver issue is highly possible. A good idea to drop down a version or two in the Detonator Drivers. Might want to be a bit anal and completely remove a given driverset before adding the new one, just to make sure there are no lingering files.

 

[nagger]

Is your board have VIA chipset?

If it has try and install the 4.37 4in1 driver has it solves a lot of problems...

 

[LostHiWay]

Although MBM may be reporting it wrong your VCore is a little low (1.71). Try going into the BIOS and raising the voltage to the CPU to 1.8 or 1.85. See if that helps.

 

[ThreeDollarBill]

Since switching back to the 21.83 Detonators I haven't had another freeze happen....😎
Hopefully this is the solution although I will do more testing...