Random reboot when playing games

[diablo900t]

I've had an on-going problem with my machine when playing games. It happens often in some games, like NFL Head Coach demo and Heroes of Might and Magic V. Basically the PC will freeze, the sound will continue to loop in the background and about a minute later I will get a BSOD referring to the nvidia driver (nv4_disp).

I've tried different drivers from Nvidia, but the problem seems to remain. My system specs are below:

Athlon 3500+
1 GB PC3200 OCZ Plat.
Neo 2 Plat Mobo
Albatron Geforce 6800 GT
Sound Blaster Audigy

Anybody else ever ran into this before? I don't think the machine is getting hot, nothing is overclocked. And again, this ONLY happens when playing games.

 

[SlitheryDee]

What PSU are you using? Also you might try memtest86 to make sure your memory isn't faulty. Or try some gaming with only one stick, then the other to see if you still get the crashes. Without any more info I'm leaning towards an underpowered, faulty, or low quality PSU as being your culprit.

 

[diablo900t]

I've got a 500 W power supply, its a name brand model (I forget without looking at the box). I actually researched it here before purchasing, i'll note the model when i get home.

 

[nervegrind3r]

Originally posted by: diablo900t
BSOD referring to the nvidia driver (nv4_disp).

Your video card is the problem. I had the same problem with my nvidia card. google the nv4_disp message that you get. try reinstalling the drivers in safe mode (I didnt work for me, but it may work for you).

 

[diablo900t]

Originally posted by: nervegrind3r

Originally posted by: diablo900t
BSOD referring to the nvidia driver (nv4_disp).

Your video card is the problem. I had the same problem with my nvidia card. google the nv4_disp message that you get. try reinstalling the drivers in safe mode (I didnt work for me, but it may work for you).

Thats what I thought. I read online about some bug in the Nvidia driver that has given a lot of people trouble. I've owned Nvidia cards before, but never had this issue. I'll try installing the drivers in safe mode and see what happens.

 

[twinturbovenom80]

Well I've had this problem before many times. My issue was overheating, so I went out and got 4 80mm fans, and never had the problem again. Could be just as simple as that.

 

[Slugbait]

Check the GPU fan, numerous people over the last year or two have discovered their fans have either gotten sticky or completely frozen up.