Major SL Problem

SL has always run fine for me and it did all day and night yesterday.

This morning when I woke up and tried to log into SL, the following happened and continues to happen:

I arrive on my parcel of land and wait for it to rez. For the first 15-20 seconds my screen blinks or flickers every so slightly. Then it freezes altogether and I cannot do anything. I can still hear my music playing.

The after another 15-20 second my monitor says it has lost singal and turns itself off. I still hear music playing.

My computer shuts itself off and restarts.

Actions Taken: Complete uninstall and reinstall of SL.
Complete uninstall and reinstall of Video Card Drivers
Made sure video card was seated securely as well as all connections.

The exact same thing happens when I tried to play The Sims 2. (Hey had to try SOMETHING if I couldn't get into SL.)

I have a nVidia GeForce 600 GT for PIC-Express using the June 22 most recent updated drivers. I bought the card on Tuesday and have had no problems up until this point.

That was happening to me, exactly, check your video card drivers. Something might have been messed up or there might be an update that you need to work with something changed in SL.

Make sure the monitor cable is tight and the video card is seated properly. Update the drivers if you haven't already, video, motherboard etc. What kind of card do you have? How old is it?

To add to the update I already posted above, I just got off the phone with Tech Support for my video card. They had me uninstall the 77.22 drivers and install the 71.89 version. Still crashing.

They assured me that everything on my system is absotely fine and they can see no reason for not being able to access SL or The Sims 2. They said they could offer no more help.

Rick - it may end up being futile - but I'd try calling SL Support at 1-800-860-6990.

I know you just recently got a new card - possibly there is an issue they're already aware of that they can guide you through.

Also, If I'm understanding correctly - you got this card well before 1.6.8 was released - and worked fine up until. If this is true, this is something I'd relate to support on the phone.

Hope this helps!

Well I have phoned tech support for my video card, my computer and Linden Labs. My video card company swears everything is fine with the card and it must be SL. My computer maker says everything is fine with my system and swears it must be the video card. And LL said everthing is fine with the game and they say it has to be my system (power supply.)

LL said I should have AT LEAST a power supply of 350 watts. My computer maker said, "You have 350 watts." My video card maker says, "Good news, because you have PCI-Express slots the card does not need it's own power supply.:

Now having taken out the new video card and tried running SL as I did before, all seems to be fine. So does that point to the video card or does it just go to show it was the power supply? Does this rule out SL as being the problem?

I am so close to doing a full system restore and just wiping my damn computer clean...

You have the Geforce 6600GT PCI-e card right? You have tried using a driver cleaner utility to remove any traces of the old drivers perhaps?

The support guy did ask about your power supply and did they say it was big enough right? (These cards require hefty power supplies) The powersupply may say 350W but it may not actually be 350w, the important number on the power supply is the 12v amp rating and it should be 15 amps or better (I think, I don't have the specs in front of me atm) Also look at the card's fan while cranking up the game and make sure it isn't cutting off or slowing down also check to see if the card is overheating.

Yeah, Kath is right. You need to be completely sure your PSU is putting out at least 15 amps (Max, not peak!) on the +12V rail. Do you know what brand and model of power supply you're running? Is this a prefab computer like a Dell or HP?

Does the power cable run directly from your power supply to your video card only, or are there drives or other devices plugged into it? If so, swap the cables around so that there's nothing else on the same cable.

No clue what brand and model my power supply is but it came with a prefab Gateway computer. The video card is running on a PCI-e so it does not need its own little power supply.

I did the whole full system restore thing and that didn't solve the problem. So I took the brand new video card and put it back in the box and threw it in my closet.

I'll miss the shiny stuff and the 100 FPS. Thanks all for your help but I am not going to worry about it anymore and just play on my old intergrated video card.

What model of Gateway computer do you have? I can look up the power supply specs for you.

The other possibility is that the card is just defective. It's less likely, but it certainly does happen.

Edit: Wait, does your card actually have a power connector on it? If so, it most definitely does need its own power supply, PCIe or not.

I have a Gateway 556 GE... and they told me over the phone it was only 300 WATTS. I am not even going to bother with finding where the heck to get a new power supply or killing myself putting it in. *shrug*

Yeah, that's way too low. If you decide you do want to replace it, you can find a standard ATX power supply (preferably made by a higher-end manufacturer like Antec or Enermax) at any computer store for around $40-$50 for a quality brand. As long as the +12v rail has at least 15 amps in the "Max" column, you should be fine.

There are step-by-step instructions and photos on how to replace it at this page on Gateway's site. The process is fairly simple, there's no danger from the power supply, and the only tool you'll need is a Phillips screwdriver.