Strange Glitch

[DJGamer]

Seems to happen with games using the Source Engine-I believe I've had similar problems with Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. Anyway, my screen goes like this:

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n54/DJGamer/hl2glitch.jpg

The screenshot also shows my PC's specs. Yes, it's running Windows Vista and no I don't think downgrading to XP will be a viable option for me. Is there some kind of patch, settings adjustment, or anything that will prevent this from happening or is this just a "fact of life" when running a Source Engine game on Vista?

This issue basically causes the PC to crash every time it happens, I think maybe the first time it was a full-blown BSOD crash, the rest of the times the computer just froze up so I had to unplug it and restart the thing.

I'd really like to keep playing Half-Life 2 without having to worry about this thing happening.

 

[Iliketobenaked]

bad video card ,go and RMA it.

 

[DJGamer]

bad video card ,go and RMA it.

RMA it?

That's a video card I bought and had installed just earlier this year. According to the box, it's the second best of the NVIDIA cards available.

If "RMAing it" simply involves some kind of software thing, then I can probably deal with it, but if it involves replacing or otherwise doing something that involves opening up the computer-well I'll definitely have some trouble.

A few more details on the card.

It's manufactured by PNY, it's 512MB and uses Overclocked technology or something like that.

Wait, are you referring to this: http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/R/RMA.htm

You mean my video card is defective?

I haven't encountered this issue with any other game, including Morrowind and Oblivion. Although I do have a few issues with Oblivion when I'm not running from a clean boot since it's very picky about codecs for some crazy reason. I can also play Quake 4 and a good number of other games just fine.

 

[Iliketobenaked]

RMA'ing would to call the Manufacture like EVGA or BFG telling them the card is broken.They will send you an e-mail with Instructions and a RMA number then you send it to the Company.Then they send you a new one.Make sure you find who made that card first.


if it only Half Life2 then write down the BSOD code and post it here.

 

[DJGamer]

RMA'ing would to call the Manufacture like EVGA or BFG telling them the card is broken.They will send you an e-mail with Instructions and a RMA number then you send it to the Company.Then they send you a new one.Make sure you find who made that card first.


if it only Half Life2 then write down the BSOD code and post it here.

I guess next time I play and that happens I'll just wait for the BSOD to show up, if at all.

As I said in the op, it seems to be an issue with games running off the same engine as Half Life 2, such as Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. Right now, since I've been playing Half-Life 2, that's really my main concern. Odd thing is, I can sometimes play for some time before the thing happens, and other times it's been just a few minutes.

The manufacturer is PNY, and I had it installed by Geek Squad, even if I were to get a free replacement, I'd still have to pay money for the replacement to be installed-either that or learn how to install it myself.

A little off-topic, but would you happen to know how to get past that area of "Water Hazzard" where you throw a washing machine into this thing and a ramp raises, only without having an airboat? I left mine behind several loading areas ago because I couldn't figure out how to get it to go any further.

Maybe nm, I found a cheat that makes an airboat. I have a feeling that using God Mode has made me able to get as far as I have without the air boat. lol

 

[PimpinPenguin]

Avoid cheating if you can, using God mode really takes a lot out of the game.

 

[DJGamer]

Avoid cheating if you can, using God mode really takes a lot out of the game.

Well, yeah-but cheat codes are kinda my thing. Personal preference, really. Dying can take a lot of the game, too.

Anyway, since I installed the Vista Service Pack 1, the issue has occurred less often, I've played the game twice just now and haven't had the problem-of course, I've always gotten to a point where I need to consult GameFAQs.

Well, anyway this thread is about my hardware/software issues, not about the "ethics" of using cheat codes.

 

[giant384]

RMA it?

That's a video card I bought and had installed just earlier this year. According to the box, it's the second best of the NVIDIA cards available.

ROFL

you sir have fallen into the power of marketing. im not saying a 8600 is bad, and its great for source games but its no where near 2nd best.

also you need to RMA, does geeksquad have any warranty about hardware they have installed? you might be able to get a free replacement and free install. i wouldn't know if they do or not. geeksquad is extremely overpriced for what they do.

 

[Iliketobenaked]

Well Nvidia are changing the way they give names now anyway.but I still think it hardware related.

I can't blame him for not understanding this shitty scheme they had up til now.Thankfully this all changes with 200/260 etc....

 

[DJGamer]

Didn't Exactly get a BSOD, but the check for solution thing came up this time, and this is what it gave me:

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6001.2.1.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: 117
BCP1: 8520B510
BCP2: 8AE09E40
BCP3: 00000000
BCP4: 00000000
OS Version: 6_0_6001
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 768_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\Mini051908-01.dmp
C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-64724-0.sysdata.xml
C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Temp\WER24AF.tmp.version.txt

I think the issue might be from large open areas. During the Raven-whatever level, my computer didn't crash ONCE, but once I got to the Highway level, it started crashing significantly more often. Amazing how a video card I bought back in January can't handle a game that's, what? About five years old now?

 

[Krynn72]

Its probably because your video card is broken like the second poster said. A non-broken version of that card wouldnt have these problems. Have it replaced, and dont have geek squad ever install a video card again. Its retardedly easy. Open the case, push card into the only slot it can fit in, plug in one wire, done.

 

[giant384]

Open the case, push card into the only slot it can fit in, plug in one wire, done.

dont force it in if you know it doesnt fit, and the wire doesnt apply to every card.

 

[DJGamer]

Its probably because your video card is broken like the second poster said. A non-broken version of that card wouldnt have these problems. Have it replaced, and dont have geek squad ever install a video card again. Its retardedly easy. Open the case, push card into the only slot it can fit in, plug in one wire, done.

But why has this issue only presented itself in Source Engine games? I was able to play all the way through Bioshock, a MUCH newer game without any of these problems.