Weird Screen Freeze and Video Signal Issue

grim.

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2013
3
0
0
Hey guys. I'm getting desperate here and hoping someone in the forums might be able to figure out what the hell is going on with my PC.

Here is my system information exported from the programs Speccy and SpeedFan:

SystemInfo_zps859977c7.jpg

SpeedFan_zps6151e9df.jpg


Here is the short version of what my problem is:

I get a screen freeze while playing games (black/red/blue screens) and one time while web browsing. Yesterday the reset button on PC responded slowly or not at all and even starting up was a problem (I was getting no video even during post screen). I don't have that problem now (although it could return), the only thing that is still bothering me are the screen freezes during gameplay.

Now in long form, and with key facts underlined, here are the major developments since it began last night:

- Im playing a game (Planetside 2) and suddenly the screen freezes up. I still hear sound effects and the computer looks like its running normally (fans, lights, etc.) but my monitor is showing a black screen with red lines going down the screen (like vertical scanlines). Ive never seen such a thing. My first response is to Alt+Tab+Delete out of this but the screen stays the same. The next thing I do is hit the Reset button my my computer case. To my SHOCK, there is no immediate response when I press it. I press it again and after staring at the screen in confusion the reset command seems to register a few seconds later. However, my PC doesnt perform an ordinary restart. It looks as if it powers down first before starting back up again and the I hear the sound of a computer fan(s) going real fast and super loud during startup...another unusual thing.

- Early this morning Im playing another game (Team Fortress 2) and 3 minutes into it I get the same visual problem. This time the PC is taking too long to respond to the reset button pressing so I just hold the power button till it goes off, flip the power supply switch in the back off and on, and turn the PC back on. To my surprise, I get NO video signal now. Not even the post/bios screen. I repeat the power off steps I just mentioned and this time I wait for anything. After a minute I HEAR the windows login jingle. So I guess my PC is running fine now except for the video issue.

- After another restart the computer and windows start up normally, YAY!!! Then while web browsing Im hit with another screen freeze (I dont remember the color of this one).

- So far my attempts at fixing the problem have been: (1) disconnecting and video card, sound card, and RAM sticks from my motherboard and reattaching them tightly to ensure that they are not loose if they were before. I also made sure all connections to motherboard are tight; (2) dusting the case and everything in it. I did some extra dusting on the small CPU and GPU fans. (3) switching the video card connection from one DVI output to the second; (4) uninstalling the latest ATI Radeon drivers and installing the disc drivers; and (5) reinstalling the latest ATI Radeon drivers because Im getting desperate. I still have the problem.

- Last night, I woke the computer up from Sleep Mode and found the Aero theme disabled (you know, it goes to ugly mode when video issues occur). 2 minutes later I get this screen:

IMG_20130127_012142_zpsdce8cfdb.jpg


- Id like to think this is a software problem (graphics drivers) but having no video signal during post and loud fan noise before windows starts makes me think its a hardware issue Ive got. My greatest concern is not being able to figure out which hardware needs to be replaced. Im ready to upgrade my graphics card to a Geforce 660 Ti and ditch ATI for good if its a graphics card issue. Just say the word guys and Ill buy it now.

- After getting that blue screen I restarted and it worked fine for 4 hours.

- Today I get this screen after 3 minutes playing Planetside 2:

2013-01-27153431_zpsb82570cf.jpg


- Edit: Just some important info about my GPU temperature. I immediately checked the GPU temperature after exiting Planetside 2 last night and found it at 80 degrees and cooling down to 70. It's important to know that I did have the case open for the last few hours so that was definitely a factor, but It definitely goes up during gaming. However, according to my video card manufacturer, XFX, "The normal temperature range of a video card is up to 95C under load. We expect that in most cases a card will not break the high 80s but large cards under high load can get as hot as 95C. This temperature will not damage your video card and is considered normal."

Please help me out guys. If I don't figure out exactly what's wrong soon I'm just gonna go ahead and buy a new graphics card and hope that solves my problem.
 
Last edited:

Puppies04

Diamond Member
Apr 25, 2011
5,909
17
76
Get HW monitor and let it run while you game for 15 minutes on something intensive. Report back with max temps or post a screen shot of the GPU temps.
 

grim.

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2013
3
0
0
Here's my result after 20 minutes of playing Team Fortress 2 (not very demanding but it's something).

Capture_zpsb4ea698d.jpg


I've tested the GPU with FurMark for 30 minutes and it was fine. I'm going to do a Prime95 stress test now as recommended by someone else. However, I will be checking the forums once in a while in case you or anyone else want me to stop and try something else.

Thanks.
 

grim.

Junior Member
Jan 28, 2013
3
0
0
Alright, I got up this morning and stopped the Prime95 test after 10 hours of stress testing and not one error was found. I did notice 1-2 CPU cores were displaying results a few seconds later than the others though but I guess that’s not an issue. Here’s the result:

primeresult_zps872a894e.jpg



Now, what is interesting is that after this I ran 3DMark and launched a full test in 1920x1200 under Performance settings and near the end of the 2nd graphics test my computer CRASHED and restarted without a video signal.

I’m hoping these details are enough for something to figure out what’s going on with my PC. Clearly the computer passed the stress test with flying colors but it crumbles 3 minutes into 3DMark.