[pcheck51]

My computer has been slowly developing a problem which is causing it to lock up and require a hard restart. The screen turns a solid color (which seems to be random) and won't respond to anything including the restart button. It started while running certain higher end games, and now occurs when I try to open almost any program except Chrome, and even in Chrome it occurs when loading any videos. I have tried virus scanners and even done a reformat when it first started with the games. I'm not 100% certain it is a hardware issue but I have to assume it is if the reformat did not fix it. If anyone can give me some insight to what may be causing it, or any good way to run some tests to figure it out I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you for your time.

[Advertisements]

pcheck51

You need to provide information about your computer, is it a custom build or brand name such as Dell or HP, if it is provide the model name or series number (not serial) providing these details will enable others to better assist you.

Possible causes may include a failing PSU or video card, overheating or as an outside chance bad video drivers.

[phillpower2]

pcheck51

You need to provide information about your computer, is it a custom build or brand name such as Dell or HP, if it is provide the model name or series number (not serial) providing these details will enable others to better assist you.

Possible causes may include a failing PSU or video card, overheating or as an outside chance bad video drivers.

[pcheck51]

It is custom built. I have an Intel Core i7 CPU, an NVidia GeForce GTX 280 GPU,and am currently running Windows Vista (not out of choice).

[phillpower2]

Thanks, do you happen to know the brand and model of the PSU?

Couple of tests for you to run and screenshots to provide so that your temps and voltages can be checked;

Download Speedfan and install it. Once it's installed, run the program and post here the information it shows. The information I want you to post is the stuff that is circled in the example picture I have attached.
If you are running on a vista machine, please go to where you installed the program and run the program as administrator.


(this is a screenshot from a vista machine)

Do the same with HWMonitor please http://www.cpuid.com.../hwmonitor.html

To capture and post a screenshot;

Click on the ALT key + PRT SCR key..its on the top row..right hand side..now click on start...all programs...accessories...paint....left click in the white area ...press CTRL + V...click on file...click on save...save it to your desktop...name it something related to the screen your capturing... BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS A .JPG ...otherwise it may be to big to upload...
then after typing in any response you have... click on browse...desktop...find the screenshot..select it and click on the upload button...then on the lower left...after it says upload successful...click on add reply like you normally would.

Screenshot instructions courtesy of happyrock

[pcheck51]

My power supply is a Corsair HX 1000W. Hope this other information helps. Thank you for your time.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[phillpower2]

Thanks for the readings, they both show stable temps and voltages which is a start.

Please Run the PCPitstop.com OverDrive Full Tests

Here's how:

You must use your Internet Explorer for this procedure. (doesn't work so well in Firefox or others). If your machine is running Vista or Windows 7, you must Select IE to “Run as Administrator”. After completing PCPitstop OverDrive you can close your IE browser and re-open it Normally so that you are no longer running as administrator.

Go to: http://www.pcpitstop...pit/default.asp
Click on "Free Computer Check-up" listed below PC Pitstop OverDrive
In the User Login - Click on "Sign up FREE!"
You'll need to submit a valid email address and create your own password, then click - Create Account(button)

Now enter your email address and password to Log in, Select - Scan this system Now!(button)
You will then be asked to download an ActiveX component and allow it to install.
It is safe and does not compromise your privacy.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install the ActiveX and to allow the Full Tests to be run on your machine.

The Full Tests take about 2 1/2 - 3 minutes on most machines.
When complete, a Results - Summary - Recommended Fixes will be displayed.

Please post the URL internet address, from your Results, back here into this Topic Thread so that we can review the configuration and present performance levels of your machine.

Note: During the graphics 2D and graphics 3D testing, your screen will display some rapidly moving objects.
If you are sensitive to visual flashing, it may cause dizziness. Therefore, look away from the screen during that portion of the testing.

After reviewing the results we will be more informed and may be able to provide better recommendations for you to work towards improving your machine's performance.

While PCPitstop does offer a variety of Paid Products, the PCPitstop OverDrive testing is FREE. Please ignore the references to Paid Products. We prefer to provide manual solution instructions that you can apply directly to your machine.

Thanks to rshaffer61 for the PCPitstop instructions

[pcheck51]

I finally found someone with a PCI-e graphics card I could trade out in my system. Switching it out seems to have fixed the issue. Thanks for your time helping me out.

[phillpower2]

Glad you got it sorted and thanks for letting us know the solution