*scratches head* Crashing before log in..

I was exploring SL..having a good 'ol time checkin' out Channel Asylum and poof..I crash..tried to log back in...crashed as soon as everything rezzed....tried to log in again..crashed before downloading clothing...and it's been the same ever since..

My question is this..because I know nothing of such things...if this is a graphics card issue..can it it conk out all of a sudden like? I am aware that my computer isn't up to par..and could seriously use an upgrade..but I was JUST fine 'till I hit Channel Island..I had the run of the mill freezing and lag issues..but never really crashing..and NEVER this bad the few times I have..and wouldn't all graphics like in my browser and photoshop be messed up as well?

I browse through the forums often and ya'll seem all educated on such issues Could this simply be SL messing up? Or does it sound like I need to get off my arse and upgrade my computer?

Thank you for your time=D

Yes a graphics card could die suddenly like that. Though I would not be ready to toss it yet. A good starting point is a good blowing out of dust in you computer.........just take off the side and get a can of comptressed air and clean out all the dust. Makre sure you hit all the tiny nicks and crannies (but be careful about getting that straw too close to components........not only is there great force coming out of the can but it's extremely cold and will freeze the moisure in the air at the point of contact of any solid surface. Moisture is not a good thing inside a computer). Blow air through your fans (including the power supply fan)..........the blades should turn freely when you do that. While you have your case open make sure your video card, memory cards, CPU are all seated securely in their respective places.

If that does not help you, at least, know your computer is cleaned. But, your driver for your video card could have gotten damaged in a crash. Check your cards manufacturers website for the most current driver. Download it and save it to your disk. Then uninstall your old driver before installing the new one.

In most cases those couple things will get you back up and running SL. If not, then come back here with your computer specs and see if anyone else has some more ideas for you.

Good luck.

have you tried running any other 3d programs

if not do so

ie

http://dee.cz/lightsmark/

which is a 3d benchmark that under 30mb to download and is based around open gl, like sl

Thank you both! I will try all of these suggestions=D *crosses fingers*