Computer Freezing With Graphics Card

[deeloughran]

My computer has been set aside a while as my tests have been ongoing but here's the problem with it;
A company put all the parts together and guaranteed it for me (without a graphics card in it at the time though) so the computer runs fine on onboard graphics but really need a graphics card as it hurts the eyes after a while.
When a graphics card is put in and turned on the monitor will flash white and need to be restarted a few times before loading. When on the computer will run no problem for around an hour or so then just freeze on what it is doing.
Spec;
AMD X2 4600
2 x 1gb G Skill
250GB Maxtor
Inno 3D 7600GT
ASUS A8V-VM SE

I finally got ahold of another graphics card (another 7600GT but this time a Geforce one) but the problem persisted. Have also tried another hard drive but it still continues.
Would a change to a graphics card like an Ati make any difference or would it just most likely be a distaste for this 7600GT range?

Cheers

[Lucio]

Two reasons stand out as the most likely

1) The PSU used isn't up to it, whilst a 7600GT isn't a massively demanding card power wise, they might have used a VERY cheap PSU

2) Driver issues due to the onboard GFx.

[deeloughran]

Yeh there's a cheapo PSU in it though it is 480W? I've downloaded all the newest drivers for the graphics card but still didn't work. So just need an upgraded PSU or downgraded graphics card?

[Noxvayl]

How long have you had the computer?

What is the rated amps on the 12v rails(for the PSU)?

What lucio means for the driver issue is that you need to turn off the onboard GFX and uninstall its drivers because it could be causing conflicts with the discrete GFX.

With the PSU the most important thing is the amount of amps it is able to supply on the 12v rail. Also age can have an effect on those figures so if its more than 2 years old you could find its degraded too much to handle the GFX.

[deeloughran]

The computer is only around 6 months.
+12V = 20.0A / -12V = 0.5A
I'll try disabling the onboard graphics now and see how it goes.

[Koolpc]

Memory? Try one stick at a time.

[deeloughran]

Computers up and running stable over an hour now and it didn't blink white screen when first turned on so think it definately was the onboard graphics was the problem.
Cheers for all the help guys!

[Noxvayl]

No problem m8... glad to hear its working so far

[Lucio]

What lucio means for the driver issue is that you need to turn off the onboard GFX and uninstall its drivers because it could be causing conflicts with the discrete GFX.

Thanks for reading my mind

One day, I'll learn who to articulate my cognitions in a more comprehensible fashion

[deeloughran]

lol! Think i just spoke too soon, froze twice in a row

o and KoolPC i've tried the memory suggestion but nope, bought the RAM from in here and was no problems with it so i don't think it's that. Also as i said the whole system bar the graphics card was guaranteed and works no problem just the graphics card causes the problem.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers

[Noxvayl]

Thanks for reading my mind

One day, I'll learn who to articulate my cognitions in a more comprehensible fashion

No problem m8. I do the exact same thing 80% of the time tbh

lol! Think i just spoke too soon, froze twice in a row

o and KoolPC i've tried the memory suggestion but nope, bought the RAM from in here and was no problems with it so i don't think it's that. Also as i said the whole system bar the graphics card was guaranteed and works no problem just the graphics card causes the problem.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Which drivers are you using?

Do you clear your registry often?

When installing a new driver do you uninstall first?

The latest tested drivers from nVidia are 175.16WHQL. Best to go to the nvidia site and download the them. Sometimes installing a driver can be as easy as just installing it over the old one but on some occasions that can cause errors and then you need to remove the old set, clean your registry and then install a new set.

Your problem could be driver related so I'd suggest to download the latest drivers linked above and then start windows in safe mode(press F8 while booting) and run this tool: Driver Sweeper and run it to uninstall your drivers so that you know everything gets removed.

After that run a registry cleaner if you have one, unfortunately you have to purchase one. I have registry mechanic myself. Its not necessary just helpful to run a registry cleaner afterwards.

Then install the new driver and then see how it goes. Hopefully its just a driver issue as it does seem to have gotten better since removing the on board software.

[Lucio]

lol! Think i just spoke too soon, froze twice in a row

o and KoolPC i've tried the memory suggestion but nope, bought the RAM from in here and was no problems with it so i don't think it's that. Also as i said the whole system bar the graphics card was guaranteed and works no problem just the graphics card causes the problem.

Any other suggestions?

Cheers

Check your event log, there should be some clues there. In XP or Vista it's Control Panel -> Administration Tools -> Event viewer

Since the 7600GT doesn't use an external connector (just checked the one in my other half's PC), I think we're now looking for a fault elsewhere.

At a guess, I'd say it could be a heat issue with the motherboard. The reason it only appears when you have a graphics card in place is because it'd alter the airflow inside the case. Try leaving the side of your case off for a couple of hours and see how that goes.

[deeloughran]

Think it is most definately a driver issue as the PC won't let me boot up in safe mode, it produces a list in command prompt of something like...
Windows/Partition0(1)/System32/Drivers....(a big list of drivers)
Though i did follow the instructions in a normal boot and will see how it gets on.

I have the pc probe installed and although it doesn't show the motherboard temperature the CPU is fine with the only problem being the +3.3V jumps from fine to danger every few seconds?

Edit : Still freezing with newest drivers and noticed i can't enter safe mode either with the graphics card out, should i take a note of the list of the drivers it is listing for you to be able to tell me more maybe?

Alot of errors within the event viewer seem to be :

The device, \Device\Ide\IdePort3, did not respond within the timeout period.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at .

and this;

An error was detected on device \Device\Harddisk1\D during a paging operation.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at .

[Noxvayl]

That's strange that it won't boot in safe mode, it sounds like you might have yourself a virus or bug. Do you have an anti-virus program?

I use NOD32 and it works marvellously I suggest you get the trial if you don't have an anti-virus and do an in-depth analysis. You might find a few bugs/viruses and NOD32 shouldn't have a problem removing them for you.

[deeloughran]

Downloaded NOD32 did a deep scan and it found nothing The last time i brought the PC down it had a virus within the registry but the problem is only when i put the graphics card in (graphics card has been out now and the PC running stable for around 4hrs) would it be easier to just do a re-format of the whole PC and install everything from new?

EDIT : Sorry for the confusion but Safe Mode actually does work though takes quite a lengthy time after producing the list of drivers, so think this rules out a virus? (Haven't even been on the internet much on that PC - been using my brother's)

[Noxvayl]

Yeah probably not a virus since the scan was clean. This is rather odd as I could swear its software related seeing though 2 GFX cards produce the same fault.

Is it possible to test the GFX card in a different setup? That would just help rule out hardware fault with the GFX.

I think a format and reload of windows might have to be done, I remember not too long ago doing the same because of a beta driver. When formatting I like to use DBAN as its comprehensive and guarantee's any possible issues to be completely removed.