Nvidia blue screen issue (now asking for advice)

[Jessica]

I don't mind at all! But... I don't know! It comes in a simple white box, no brand name or anything?

Is that what you were asking? I might be wrong.

[CharlieChomper]

I was mostly thinking of the brand name, but if it's still in a plain white box, it's not a big deal and can wait. Regardless, congratulations again!

[Jessica]

Thank you, CC. I will tell you about any improvements as soon as I've got it installed.

[Jessica]

Got the power supply instaled today...

The game remains the same. I may as well give up now. I have physically upgraded the computer and it hasn't helped. I don't know what to do anymore...

[CharlieChomper]

I believe this may have been asked before, but is it as bad as that without any downloads, "hacks", "mods", or fan-made add-ons in the game whatsoever (ie a completely "clean"/"vanilla" game)?

Also, what's listed amongst your background tasks (when do you a control-alt-delete, what comes up, specifically, listed in the processes with your user/account name on the computer)?

[Jessica]

Thank you, CC.

I haven't experimented as much with/without downloads since the new power supply because I also have a problem with a fan that needs replacing and my computer shuts down when it gets too warm. But back with the old one, having or not having downloads didn't make much difference.

I use a program (FSAutostart) to close most of the background programs as I start playing but I'll tell you what are the processes with my name next to them that I have now.

PCWizard.exe (that's the program I'm using to check temperature)
firefox.exe
taskmgr.exe
pcwizard.dll
rundll32.exe
explorer.exe
mirc32.exe (chat program)

That's it. The rest are system processes and network ones.

This is all so frustrating.

Thank you again.

[CharlieChomper]

What version of Firefox are you using? The reason I ask is that the 2.x "branch" has periodically gone through bouts of memory leaks that do not affect the 3.x branch.

Also, you may want to try and keep that along with the chat program shut down if you're playing since they tend to use up system resources (if you do any alt-tabs in between that especially eats into your resources and can cause some lagging).

Hopefully, as you appear to be online as you play, you keep a firewall running.

[Jessica]

I use version 3.0.3 of Firefox, so that shouldn't be an issue.

I don't usually alt-tab to the desktop when playing, except when doing so in a window, and that's not frequent. (Besides, when I play in a window, sometimes it's for decorating and luckily that doesn't give me lag).

I do have McAfee Security Center running in the background, but why do you ask, CC? What could happen by playing while connected to the Internet?

Thank you very much for the tips.

[CharlieChomper]

FF3 does use up significantly less system resources than 2.x did (it was partly by design, partly by finding different ways of doing things, but also had to do with things that were going on internal to the project which I won't get into even if I could disclose it), however, it still does use up resources regardless. With things that are as resource intensive as games of this nature can be, it's always a good idea not to be running anything else in the background that isn't absolutely necessary.

The firewall question came in not because of anything specifically happening whilst playing the game and being online, but more out of a general concern for online safety.

However, as you mention McAfee, when you play, do you disable the anti-viral part of that program or do you just continue to let it run?

[Jessica]

I disable it using the program I mentioned before.

Thanks for all your help. I got a new fan installed today so I shouldn't experience more problems. I'll be testing the game to see if there really is an improvement or not. From what I saw, it didn't look like it.

EDITED: I'm still getting trouble with my computer heating up, even with the fan working, so I can't test my game as well as I'd like. Man, this thing hates me.

[CharlieChomper]

What type of fan is it and what size is it (ie is it a "standard"/"normal"-sized and type of fan?)? Also, where was it placed? Was it set up as an "output" (meaning, is it set up to release the hot air out from inside the case) fan or was it set up as an "input" (meaning is it allowing "fresh" air into the case) fan?

The reason I ask is because it's not just adding an "extra" fan that makes a difference in cooling or alleviating problems with overheating as it is partly to do with placement (and making sure as well that it isn't in such a way as to disrupt the proper airflow inside the case) and especially in whether it's an output versus input fan.

On that note, what are the temperature readings and where are they taken from? On that note, is it just system temperatures or component temperatures that are indicating high temperatures/overheating?

Also, I am assuming all the fans (both component as well as case fans and even heatsinks) were cleaned out with canned air?

[Jessica]

I found out that the main problem is that my cooler isn't working properly so it isn't giving fresh air to the processor, which makes its temperature go as far as 86ºC (*gasps*). I've been told that my processor wouldn't be functioning correctly because of this and that it might be one of the causes for my game not running well. Do you agree, CC?

I'm having it replaced on Monday. Hopefully nothing else will break after that.

Thanks for all your help, again.

[CharlieChomper]

Yikes! Your poor processor!

That would probably be contributing toward the performance issue as processors tend not to deal with heat very well, to put it mildly (they especially hate the heat and put out a considerable amount of it at the same time--albeit, not as much as they used to).

Although, depending upon how long this has been going on, you may want to have them actually check the processor, itself, as if the heatsink (the cooling unit) for the processor is malfunctioning, it can also potentially lead to physical damage to the processor, itself.

That's actually amongst the reasons as to why whenever a processor is sent back to Intel and AMD because of problems, they always make a point of asking for the heatsink as well. With AMD (and I can't confirm/deny whether this is true with Intel or not--at least, not publicly. With AMD, I can disclose this as the information is hardly a secret.), I know they investigate the processors sent back to inspect for damages as well as in looking into what may have caused the failure and/or to see if there is something in the design that may be improved or may have led or whether it would be what's known as "external factors" at work (ie water damager or lightning strike, overheating--which would also require an inspection of the heatsink and why both Intel and especially AMD are so "uptight" (although, that word just barely begins to describe both companies' attitude on this) over the not allowing of a heatsink that they, themselves, did not manufacture or authorize used with one of their processors in cases of where the processor is under warranty still and was purchased directly in some form from them (such as through retail), etc..) or whether it was something the user did they should not have done (such as the highly frowned upon "practice" of "overclocking") and which may void the warranty (and, in turn, cause that person not to receive their replacement).

On that note, you may want to check to see if they'll be using a thermal pad to adhere the new heatsink onto the processor or if they'll be using a thermal compound (and what brand of it) and definitely make sure that they don't use both the thermal compound and thermal pad (which is a surprisingly common mistake people make--I've even known some professional engineers and techs who have been guilty of it). Using both can actually lead to some overheating issues as well as it can also be just as bad to use too much thermal compound as that can also lead to the overheating issues.

Another important thing is to make sure when removing the old adhesive (regardless of whether it's the remnants of a thermal pad or thermal compound/paste), not to use rubbing alcohol or especially acetone (the main ingredient often found in nail polish remover nor use nail polish remover, itself). While Intel processors tend to be more "tolerant" of things than AMDs in this respect, at the same time, both of those things can strip the surface off the chip.

[Jessica]

I'll keep what you told me in mind, CC. Thank you so much, I'm learning a lot of things about computers because of this!

They told me they are going to look at the processor as well to see if it's burnt or not, so let's hope for the best (in the worst case scenario I'd end up with a new processor I guess. ).

Thanks again.

[CharlieChomper]

With your processor, I'm really hoping that there isn't too extensive of damage to it due to overheating.

[Jessica]

Got my cooler replaced today, luckily the processor was fine.

And... my game RUNS FINE!!! I'm so happy! It was the processor's fault after all. (Or rather, the cooler's) It runs very smoothly, more than before! It still lags a bit at busy/big lots like my Legacy's but it seems fine otherwise.

Thank you SO SO SO much for all your help and advice, CC!

[Whitnerd]

That's wonderful to hear Jess! I hope we'll get to see pictures of your beautiful Sims soon.

[Jessica]

Thank you Whitney. That means a lot to me.

[CharlieChomper]

I'm very happy to hear that the processor is fine and wasn't damaged and that the new heatsink (the cooling unit) is working out for you--and especially that you're able to play your game again without any issues related to performance.

[Jessica]

Thank you again, CC!