Constant Crashes - please help!

My system keeps crashing when I run Second Life (Requiem Bloodymare also locks up).

I sometimes get zig-zag lines across the screen, often screens lock up and I can't move mouse for long periods, usually one of my monitors goes completely blank (I have a 2 monitor set up).

I have a Nvidia Geforce 8800GT graphics card.

I often clear the Cache
I have the same problem regardless of which viewer I use: Linden, Greenlife, Cool...
I have reinstalled graphics card and up/downgraded drivers

...any ideas gratefully recieved.

I assume it is a problem relating to the graphics card and my last resort will be to get a new higher spec one - any suggestions?

Thanks

Ricci

Check your temperature on your graphics card. I use the same card and had to add extra fans to my case to keep the card cool. I keep a temp monitor running all the time -- that particular card is known for running hot during intense graphics.

Here is a freebie app that doesn't use much in resources: http://hwmonitor.en.softonic.com/

Also, I have gone into the Nvidia Control Panel -- Performance -- Adjust GPU Settings and manually up'd the speed of the fan -- the "automatic" runs at 30% and I changed mine to "manual" at 80%.

Thankyou LittleMe - I have downloaded the utility you suggested and will keep one eye on that while running SL...

When I run Nvidia Control Panel I see no 'Performance' option and no way to 'Adjust GPU Settings' or alter Fan speed!? Please explain...

Thanks again

Ricci

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Ignore the questions - I discovered that I need to install nTune from the Nvidia site to enable these optiions


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There is a Performance add-on that gives you that -- I had forgotten it was extra until you said you did not have it. I'll go see if I can find where I got it -- pretty sure it was on one of the nvidia sites.


ETA -- you can download the nTune add-on here:
http://sg.nvidia.com/object/ntune_5.05.54.00_sg.html
.

These are very definite signs of graphics card failure - either an impending hardware fault or a faulty graphics driver.

Although this problem primarily affected nVidia 8400- and 8600-series GPU's, it would not be much of a reach to believe it might affect the 8800-series GPU's as well. The problem is a flaw in the materials used to package the chip, where internal solder points break down under the stress of heating/cooling cycles, resulting in complete failure of the chip. I don't think the 8800 was implicated in that mess, but LittleMe's advice is prudent. Additionally, if you can, install a PCI slot fan alongside your video card to provide extra cooling.

Thanks Katheryne - still getting problems but it seems a bit better with the side of the case off the computer and I'm waiting to see if it's any better now after doing some serious dust blowing... no crash yet...

Thinking of getting the 9800GT card with 1GB - any comments?

Been on for 5 hours or so and no crash! Removing the side of the computer didn't solve the problem, it was just taking a little longer to crash, but getting rid of that pesky dust does seem to have done it...

Thanks both

Ricci x

Dust has brought many a computer to their early grave. This is especially true with laptops, but desktops are not immune either. I make it a point to blow out/vacuum out my desktop systems monthly, and blow out my laptop vents weekly. Even a thin layer of dust can reduce the effectiveness of a heatsink by a significant amount.

Glad you got it all working for you!

Oh, and that 9800GT will handle SL without breaking much of a sweat.