Need help with computer restarting when playing

TheHolygoat · Post by **TheHolygoat** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:01 am

I have read through the other threads, but it didn't seem as if there was anyone, who had experienced the same problem as i have.

The thing is, that mycomputer keeps restarting when i play BG2:SoA (i haven't installed ToB on my computer). I only get to play for some 20 minutes, and then i hear a *click*, and the machine restarts. If i try to start BG2 again, it restarts after about 5 minutes of play.

I have the newest patch installed, and i have also added the two extra merchants, but i only added them after the whole thing started.

I have already tried reinstalling the game several times, and i have also tried checking the computer for vira, but there where none. I wondered if anyone could help me with this problem, 'cause it's REALLY annoying (!), to have to wait for the computer to restart after just 20 minutes of playing...

Do anyone have a clue to what the cause of this problem is, 'cause i can't figure it out...

dragon wench · Post by **dragon wench** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:19 am

If you haven't already, you might try updating all of your drivers, sometimes that helps.

Mazeh · Post by **Mazeh** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:39 pm

[QUOTE=dragon wench]If you haven't already, you might try updating all of your drivers, sometimes that helps.[/QUOTE]

Especially DirectX

By the way, next time someone encounters such machinery problem, it would ease the helping alot, by submitting your computer cpu, driver, graficcard, etc. etc. etc.

Help us in helping you, sounds worth it, doesn't it?

TheHolygoat · Post by **TheHolygoat** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:27 pm

I knew i forgot something...

Here it is then:

AMD Athlon(tm) XP 2000+ 1,67 GHz
228 MB RAM
Nvidia NForce onboard graphic card 32 MB (can't remember more from that..)
Onboard sound, don't know the type

Anything else you need?

By the way, i have Direct X version 4.08.01.0810.00 (or so it said in a log file...) I'm downloading the newest version from the site you had a link to in your post.

Arch_Angel · Post by **Arch_Angel** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:00 am

I had problems with my onboard sound doing that, updating the drivers for it worked perfectly

kams · Post by **kams** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 4:18 am

This may be not driver problem. In fact I am pretty sure that the drivers are allright - if they were wrong you would probably not be able to play at all.

The problem is in cooler on you processor. Change the cooler or add some more termopaste (sor, I don't know the right word in English) on your old one.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:30 am

It sounds like a memory conflict. Are you running XP? On XP, when a lockup would normally occur, the computer usually reboots to clear the memory.

I suggest removing everything you can from memory safely before playing: antivirus programs, screensavers, picture capturing utilities, antipopup utilities, etc. Don't just turn them off; remove them from memory until the next time you reboot. Once they're out of your memory, then try running the game. If it works fine, you'll know the conflict occurs with one of those programs you've left out.

TheHolygoat · Post by **TheHolygoat** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 1:56 pm

[QUOTE=fable]It sounds like a memory conflict. Are you running XP? On XP, when a lockup would normally occur, the computer usually reboots to clear the memory.[/QUOTE]

Yes, i'm running XP. But do you mean completely shutting off the programs, and in that case, would that include the firewall?

Coconut_Crab · Post by **Coconut_Crab** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 10:39 pm

Do a complete virus scan. You might find something. It happened to my computer before.

Also if you just want to play a game, you can temporary remove the internet connection and see what comes out.

fable · Post by **fable** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:04 pm

[QUOTE=TheHolygoat]Yes, i'm running XP. But do you mean completely shutting off the programs, and in that case, would that include the firewall?[/QUOTE]

No. Never remove your firewall.

kams · Post by **kams** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 2:05 am

Yo! Check your cooler, man!!!

Although Baldur's Gate is a very old game, it draws a lot of resources from the processor. The processesor works hard and if your cooler is not good enough - there will be troubles. The processor will become hot very soon and your computer will restart (this is done specially for you - otherwise your processor could burn out).

If you don't have good cooler - don't play this game until you have one, or you can "bid farewell to your system".

Firewall and other programs that you have running on your comp while playing the game will NOT lead to restart! They can only slow down your game (longer loading and stuff).

TheHolygoat · Post by **TheHolygoat** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 2:31 am

I have already tried virus-scanning my computer, but i didn't find anything...

I have tried vacuum-cleaning the cooler and i found a lot af dust in there, but it didn't help out the problem.

What troubles me is, that it's not the first time i've got Baldur's Gate II installed on my computer, and last time there weren't any trouble. So it can't really be, that my cooler isn't good enough, right?

Might it be spyware or something like that?

Mazeh · Post by **Mazeh** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 6:20 am

Don't think so, but if you want to be sure; then try out Ad-Aware, if you don't already got that.

kams · Post by **kams** » Sat Apr 16, 2005 12:35 pm

Well, this actually could be NOT a cooler problem - it is rather difficult to realize the truth only by the discription, not seeing the problem by yourself. But all your description points out to the cooler (imho, of course).

So:
It is not the dust in cooler, which makes your processor go hot (or it is not only the dust).

You see, between cooler and processor there is a layer of "termopaste", which protects your processor. In time, this paste burnes out and you need more of it.

All new coolers come with this paste "by the default". But if you have an old one - when you installed it you were supposed to put this paste by yourself. And you could put not enough.

So better buy yourself a new one - they are pretty cheap.

This is in case nothing else helps. But do NOT play Baldur before this problem is removed, or could withstand dire consequences later.

Coconut_Crab · Post by **Coconut_Crab** » Sun Apr 17, 2005 7:29 pm

Make a copy of all your important things on your computer, then format your hard drive and reinstall Windows. I think your problem is caused by some changes in the operating system by other software intentionally or unintentionally. If reformatting and reinstalling doesn't help, then it's the problem with the hardware.

Long time ago my computer often restarted automatically without me doing anything and it drove me mad. I didn't know how to fix it so I formatted my hard drive and reinstall Windows, then everything has been fine all the way to today. It's just backing up things that's painful, but I think it's worth it if I want to enjoy playing BG2.

TheHolygoat · Post by **TheHolygoat** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 5:31 am

I think i'll try the termopaste first.

[QUOTE=Coconut_Crab]Make a copy of all your important things on your computer, then format your hard drive and reinstall Windows. I think your problem is caused by some changes in the operating system by other software intentionally or unintentionally. If reformatting and reinstalling doesn't help, then it's the problem with the hardware.[/QUOTE]

I've got a socalled "ghost" of my harddisc - a program, designed to make the contents of the harddisc completely the same as they where when the program was made. Do you think it will do it, or do i have do reformate and reinstall it all manually?

Natalya · Post by **Natalya** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:09 am

If you took a 'ghost' of the hard disk some time ago, then it will be returned to how it was then. YOU WILL LOSE ANY DATA / PROGRAMS ADDED SINCE THEN! Make sure you back everything up (it's amazing how much you can miss!!). But yes, if your computer was working OK then, doing a ghost will probably cure the problems if they are caused by an operating system type error. A reinstall of Windows will also cure it but at the same time is the most drastic (especially if you have lots of things installed, etc.).

Look in the Event Log (at the run prompt, type 'eventvwr') and check for any errors. As a couple of people have suggested already, the prime suspects are memory or over-heating problems. However, if it is a hardware type problem, then you would expect it from normal Windows use; does it happen while you are doing other things than playing the game?

Another option would be to update your BIOS/Firmware on your motherboard. Go to your PC/motherboard manufacturer's website for this. There may also be a utility on the motherboard itself for recording errors that have occured but this is usually only on high-end systems.

fable · Post by **fable** » Mon Apr 18, 2005 6:26 am

Try the easiest solutions, first.

If it hasn't been mentioned above, you can always try to copy your saved game directory elsewhere, then uninstall and reinstall BG2. Then copy your saved game directory back.

TheHolygoat · Post by **TheHolygoat** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 12:33 pm

[QUOTE=Natalya]However, if it is a hardware type problem, then you would expect it from normal Windows use; does it happen while you are doing other things than playing the game?[/QUOTE]

Yes and no - it happens in all the games i play, but it doesn't ever happen when i'm not playing a game.

How do i find out, which company made my motherboard, so that i can find their homepage and update my BIOS/Firmware?

And lastly, i've had problems with my RAM before, might they be the core of the problem?

Phantom Lord · Post by **Phantom Lord** » Tue Apr 19, 2005 1:42 pm

My first guess would be a too high CPU temperature - since games consume a lot of resources and, as a result, heat up the CPU. In case your computer features monitoring of parameters such as voltages and temperatures you could check them while playing. Constant rise would indicate a problem. Unintended shutdown is quite typical for overheat.

Try too cool the system down somehow (for example, remove case, clean the cooler and cooler fan, i. e. blow off dust etc - but don't remove it - and then leave the case open for a test and play the game for some time). If it gets better, add a fan that blows air out of the case for a long term solution. From my experience this can decrease CPU temperature up to 20° C in an off-the-shelf system.