Tangent 21 - Need Techie Help!

Posted by
head2head

Posted on
13:39
Jun 29 2004

Need Techie Help!

I've just come home from Uni, and am now using the home PC rather than my laptop...although since I've been away, the computer seems to have gone off me a bit!

When I'm logged into my profile (running XP home), the system seems to be fine, but then, if I leave it for any amount of time, I come back, and the comp seems tohave turned itself off, although the power light on the front of the machine is still on...

Pushing the power button once switches it on again, although sometimes it takes several goes to get it booted up again. I don't think it does this with anyone elses profile, and I've run all kinds of virus checks on it.

On top of that, it did it again a few minutes ago while I was sitting at the computer - I was playing a game and it just crashed and it took me several goes to get it to boot again. When I finally got into windows, it told me that they system has recovered from a serious error...

I'm seriously worried now cos my Dad seems to think that I have a tendency of wrecking the computer! Anyone have any ideas what I might have done? Sorry if all of that was a bit vague!

Any help greatly appreciated!

7 Replies and 3642 Views in Total.

Chambler A computer without Microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard.

Well let me ensure you that you didn't break the computer at all

This is a standard feature of windows. If you leave it alone for a little while your profile it set to switch to Stand By mode.

Most applications have very little problems with this however most games aren't too keen on it. So the serious error most likely was your videocard drivers.

Easiest way to solve this is to go to power management and make sure it doesn't go to standby mode again.

You should have power options on your control panel (if you are in category view it's under Performance and Maintenance) in classic view it's just there.

Make sure that the machine doesn't go to standby mode in there......

If you want to save some harddisk space on your windows os drive disable hibernation there too

Posted: 14:20 Jun 29 2004

head2head 'Rene Descartes was a drunken fart, I drink, therefore I am. '

Right, thanks for that - I've switched off hibernation (that was enabled!) and I've had a look at the other profiles on the computer and they didn't have it enabled - that may well explain it!

Thanks a lot for the help - I'm just going to do some more gaming and see if it crashes again.

*so* glad I haven't busted anything

Posted: 14:55 Jun 29 2004

head2head 'Rene Descartes was a drunken fart, I drink, therefore I am. '

It just did it again - I don't think it liked the fact that I told it never to switch the monitor off...

Lets see how it goes now...

EDIT - Still doing it...any other ideas?!

(Edited by head2head 29/06/2004 16:14)

Posted: 15:44 Jun 29 2004

Milky "Busted - Now that you're gone, I'm sleeping with the light on..." Pof, 2005

Okay couple of things you could try.

First off as Chambler mentioned, go to the Control Panel, Power Options and change the scheme to 'Always On'.

Next check that no connections have been knocked out between your monitor and the PC.

If thats alright then try logging in on someone else's profile and recreate the conditions when your computer starts to hibernate...if it doesn't do it with them then it's obviously something to do with your settings.

If it does do it in another profile check that your graphichs drivers are up-to-date and that you have the latest release of Direct X.

After that I'm at a loss..ask a geek *looks @ Stoo*

Posted: 17:45 Jun 29 2004

head2head 'Rene Descartes was a drunken fart, I drink, therefore I am. '

Thanks for that - I'm just dowbloading the latest DirextX version, seeing as it just crashed while playing a game. I changed my screen saver, and that seemed to help for a bit - thought I had fixed it, and then the damn thing did it again

.

I'm thinking there's something dodgy with my settings, although as far as I can see they are the same as everyone elses!

I'm contemplating deleting my profile and creating a new one!

Posted: 19:00 Jun 29 2004

Chambler A computer without Microsoft is like a chocolate cake without mustard.

As Milky said don't only update your directx version also update your videocard drivers as they normally avoid a lot of crashes / lock ups / weird behaviour.

Posted: 07:46 Jun 30 2004

Havoc Taryon > I think hackjack just stays here to teach new players how to use block

Also you should set the power profile to "Presentation", "Always on" will go into standby, "Presentation" won't. One question, is this happening in other profiles? If it is, it could be that something inside is overheating, most probably the power supply or the mobo. If that is the case, most likely you'll just have to replace the fan.

Posted: 13:16 Jun 30 2004

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