Nvidia GT9600 Crashes often!

[Niv]

Yeah so I've just fully reformatted my computer and hoped to get rid fo a whole bunch of my graphic card related crashes. No luck.

The problem started when I've started playing an online MMORPG called Voyage Century Online where occasionally once a week or so the game would crash with blue screen stating that a problem with the video card has occured.

The problem progresses into sometimes watching a film or a movie. This is quite rare however, only 3 times this has happened so far.

The current problem is quite bad. Everytime when I play the newly purchased game Empire Total War, the game would run smoothly, going through the intro and everything, but would crash randomly within 10~20min in game to blue screen. Same problem was stated. I've read some posts about this but the methods methioned I don't quite understand how to follow them. If anyone can shed some light on this that would be great. Thanks so much for your help!

My full comptuer speck:
OS: Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) updates installed
System Manufacturer:
Gigabyte Technology
Mobo:
GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3L LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX Intel Motherboard
BIOS:
Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor:
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.4GHz (4CPUs)
RAM:
2046MB
DirectX Version:
DirectX 9.0C
VideoCard:
NVIDIA GeForce 9600 GT
VideoCard driver:
6.14.0011.8250
PSU:
SeaSonic SS-500ES 500W ATX12V 2.2 / EPS12V 2.91 Power Supply

 

[newtekie1]

Try running a program like GPU-z or Rivatuner to check your temps on the card. If the card is overheating, it could be causing the driver to crash, which causes Windows to Blue Screen.

 

[Niv]

Try running a program like GPU-z or Rivatuner to check your temps on the card. If the card is overheating, it could be causing the driver to crash, which causes Windows to Blue Screen.

Not sure how I can get the videocard's temperature as I play the game. Let me know please.

Information as requested is posted.

 

[newtekie1]

Just leave the window open in the background while you play a game, then close the game and it will have the graph showing you temps. You can also have it log to a file, and make sure you check the box to keep GPU-z monitoring while in the background.

 

[DrPepper]

What is the exact error with the bluescreen should be something like 0x0000023 or something similar. This could help us figure out whats up.

Like newtekie1 says check your temperatures etc. Make sure everything is fully plugged in, sometimes (I find) taking everything out and rebuilding the pc can fix wierd issue's like this. Assuming it isn't temperature related of course.

 

[Error 404]

You can set GPU-Z to log temps; it keeps a TXT file and updates the list every second. Just scroll down and look for the highest temp reading.

 

[Niv]

yeah sorry for the slow reply

I had to basically run the game 3 times and let it crash 3 times to get the whole crash code

this is it:
0x000000D1 (0x0000003C, 0x00000002, 0x00000000, 0xB08E3649)
DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL
portcls.sys
Address B08E3649 base at B08DC000

I've also go the temperature log. It goes from 37~49 or 48 all three times before crashing.

I got the graphs here.

the last time the computer crashed to blue screen from the game, the computer froze at the blue screen. I had to restart.

 

[RadeonX2]

that's a memory problem. Is your PC overclocked? specially the memory

 

[Niv]

that's a memory problem. Is your PC overclocked? specially the memory

No... idea how can I find out? Don't think CPU is... but donno about memory.

 

[RadeonX2]

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL is a memory problem could be one of your memory module is dieing. Try increasing the memory voltage and timing to 5-5-5-15 if its set to 4-4-4-12.

 

[Niv]

this desktop is less than a year old... but tell me how I can do what you've just suggested?

 

[johnspack]

I'd have to bet his ram is running at stock 5-5-5-18 settings. To test your ram, shut down your computer and pull out one stick of ram. Boot up and try the game again. Same problem?, shut down and swap in the other stick of ram, and try again. If you get the same issue with both single sticks, then you may have to consider the video card. I had a $500 gtx280 video card die on me in 6 months, it happens!

 

[RadeonX2]

restart your PC press DEL key it will lead to the bios screen

now find the DDR2/Memory Voltage and add .10V
set the Memory timing to 5-5-5-18 if its already set to 5-5-5-18 then leave it.

lets wait for others suggestion

 

[Niv]

k I've just done what you suggested... I do notice however that a lot of our settings are different... is this normal? it was 5 5 5 15 to begin with and the DDR2 OverVoltage Cotnrol was normal

 

[Niv]

The... crash was not as often as before... but it still happens. I've done all the changes... and no I don't think there's a problem with my RAM chip since I've swapped them as suggested. I've also cleaned out the dust from the fans... help?

 

[Error 404]

5-5-5-15 is normal for DDR2-800. You might need to test a different graphics card if you can, or different RAM.

 

[newtekie1]

Try running OCCT Linpack test to check for stability, also post screen shots of CPU-z both the CPU tab and the Memory tab.

 

[Niv]

Try running OCCT Linpack test to check for stability, also post screen shots of CPU-z both the CPU tab and the Memory tab.

I... installed the OCCT but I don't know how to use the Linpack. Some advice on how to set it up and use it? Do I use this while the game is running? CPU-Z result is here. Thanks.

 

[newtekie1]

Just run OCCT, and on the left there will be different tabs, click on the one that says LinPack. Then select then just hit the big green On button and let it run. Do not do anything else with the computer while this test is running, it tests the computer for stability.

 

[Niv]

k here's the rest of the results from the OCCT test.

and just wondering... is my desktop over clocked in anyway?

 

[DrPepper]

No its not overclocked and you would know if it was because you would have done it yourself.

 

[Darren]

Niv,

The very first generation of 9600 GT' were faulty and suffered from stability issues which caused the graphics card to crash or generate blue screens of death. The problem stemmed from a conflict with certain motherboard chipsets.

It is a well known issue and has no cure. Your only remedy is to replace the card or motherboard. Sorry.

http://www.techsupportforum.com/har...-9600-gt-black-screen-crash-during-games.html

http://forums.ebuyer.com/showthread.php?t=20773

http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-252184_15_0.html

http://techreport.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=57660&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

http://www.overclock.net/intel-general/339025-new-pc-crashes-lockups-9600-gt.html

http://www.evga.com/forums/printable.asp?m=272011

http://www.warhammeralliance.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1487245

Edit:

K... I appreciate the help. I'll try underclocking with RivaTurner since it's suggested couple times to make the problem less severe. If I'm to underclock the Graphic Card, would it be the core clock or the RAM clock that I'm under clocking or would it be both?

Don’t waste your time.

I had a friend with one of those defective cards and we went through numerous methods to fix the issue and underclocking does not help. Sure it makes it less severe but eventually the card will crash and lock up. If you buy a card it shouldn't have any problems, you are better off RMA'ing it and cutting your losses and trade it in for a ATI 4830 or 4770 which is less than $90 instead of fighting with Nvidia's broken card.

 

[Niv]

K... I appreciate the help. I'll try underclocking with RivaTurner since it's suggested couple times to make the problem less severe. If I'm to underclock the Graphic Card, would it be the core clock or the RAM clock that I'm under clocking or would it be both?

 

[DaedalusHelios]

Its a 9600gt sonic by Palit. Just RMA the card to Palit and they will send you a new one unless its a simple fix and then they will fix it. If you have questions about the RMA process I will help you with it.

I OC'ed the computer to just 3Ghz before sending it to him in canada. The memory was DDR2 800 4-4-4-12. Apparently with all the restarts it lost its overclock. I don't believe the gpu was OC'ed when I sent it but I left rivatuner with an increased fan speed profile on the gpu.

Of course the reformat removed rivatuner etc.

I believe its clearly the Graphics card is dead or not seated properly from the shipping.

 

[Niv]

Its a 9600gt sonic by Palit. Just RMA the card to Palit and they will send you a new one unless its a simple fix and then they will fix it. If you have questions about the RMA process I will help you with it.

I OC'ed the computer to just 3Ghz before sending it to him in canada. The memory was DDR2 800 4-4-4-12. Apparently with all the restarts it lost its overclock. I don't believe the gpu was OC'ed when I sent it but I left rivatuner with an increased fan speed profile on the gpu.

Of course the reformat removed rivatuner etc.

I believe its clearly the Graphics card is dead or not seated properly from the shipping.

Thanks for helping!

I'll look into the retun, if I ran into any problem I'll let you know.