My PC seems to be ****.

[Square]

I've got a major problem. I installed Unreal 2k4 last night, but I can't play it for more than about 30 seconds before it crashes the PC with a 'General Protection Fault'. Sometimes it crashes to the desktop, and sometimes it forces a restart, or goes to the BIOS. I have reinstalled the latest DirectX (9c), and still nothing. It crashes whether I play online or offline.

This is just the latest in a line of problems I've had since buying this machine:

? Battlefield Nam crashes to the desktop in Offline mode only, as does Star Wars Battlefront.
? iTunes will crash the PC completely if I try and batch process more than 40 mp3 files.
? And other minor, but nevertheless annoying, problems.

I've only recently bought this machine, and my knowledge of Windows operating systems is very limited (I'm using Windows 2000 Pro, btw). Anyone have any ideas what might be causing my troubles? Right now I feel like gently pushing it off the side of the desk.

[Sarkster]

if its a timed thing, maybe its a heat issue? perhaps theres a fan not working or something?

[Square]

When you say 'timed thing', do you mean like, does it crash after 5 minutes or whatever? It varies all the time, although Doom 3 runs like a dream for hours!

[Sarkster]

oh, ive no idea then. I just thought it seemed to be like it was working for a bit until it had to do something intensive, then crashed out from the heat.

sowwy

[Tom Salter]

Can you post your PC specs? Especially graphics card, motherboard make/model and CPU?

[Square]

I will when I get home. Is there an easy way to do this from Windows?

[Inertia_]

I'd get that Win2k operating system replaced with XP, if I were you. To say that 2k drivers, especially gaming-related ones, get 'overlooked' in the testing department is an understatement.

Rather than run around in endless circles trying to diagnose a software fault, you'd be better off opening up that little bugger and writing down the details for all the components in the case. Make sure your network drivers are on a floppy or cd from where they can be installed and do a fresh XP install, then just hop around the net picking up all the latest drivers for your hardware.

A bios flash is also recommended if there's a newer version.

Once you're running XP you can check your games for stability with every new thing you install, making System Restore points with each step. Once you have a 'complete' and working setup, run Norton Ghost and make an image of your OS partition that you can restore if everything goes kerplunk.

That's what I'd do anyway.

EDIT: I'd have suggested checking your memory brand had you been getting BSOD's, but as it's crash-to-desktops I'd imagine it's an OS/driver issue.

[Tom Salter]

Device Manager will get you your graphics card. Motherboard is a pain, you'll have to open the case and look at the thing, or read the specs of your make/model of PC (if you bought a commercial one).

[Square]

Well, according to EA's BFNam site, there was a patch to fix the Crash to Desktop bug. If that's the case, is it likely that a similar patch will be released for SW Battlefront? Are they built using the same/similar engine?

And thanks for all the replys so far, guys

[Square]

Inertia_ : Which version of XP should I be looking at for Games etc? Home? Professional?

[csuzw]

Inertia_ : Which version of XP should I be looking at for Games etc? Home? Professional?

Doesn't make any difference as far as I know. I'm using Home and have no problems. Pro only really adds more network/security stuf I think.

[Inertia_]

You want Pro (even Pro Corporate if you can get it) simply for, at the very least, gpedit.msc. This gives you more direct control over the Group Policies that affect all manner of Windows components and services. Very useful app, though without you can still affect the same changes using registry hacks.

[Lyris]

I found Home was slower, especially when copying stuff over my Network...

Although this was preinstalled on my PC when I got it last year and might simply have been configured badly... whatever it was, I found Pro a lot faster.

[Ciaran]

I don't think there should be any speed difference between Home and Pro.

[Square]

Update: All the games now work just as they should, on and offline. It seems that my CPU was slightly overclocked. Resetting it to default has solved all these problems! Thanks to everyone who replied here, btw