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GTX 285 - Lockups

J

JmZrlz

n00b
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Messages
34
Hey,

So I've been having this problem for a long, long time now and figured i'd post for advice.

Problem:
Basically, some games will cause a complete lockup after some time of playing.
By some games, I mean specifically GTA4 and borderlands DLC (only DLC, dont think its happened on the regular game).
I used to have a similar problem, which I solved by manually turning up the fan speed on the card everytime I play a game (from auto to 60%).
Games that work fine for long periods of time include TF2, Crysis, Mirror's Edge and various other modern games (COD, etc).
It seems to only be specific ones which cause this issue.
When it does happen, often the reset button won't work and I have to hold the power down instead to reboot.
There doesn't seem to be anything of relevance in the windows event logs.
When it happens, the screen goes a solid colour (usually grey) and sound loops occur.

What I've tried:
- old drivers
- new drivers
- complete removal of drivers and reinstallation
- complete reinstallation of problematic games
- many, many games, to reproduce the problem, but only BL & GTA so far
- if i remember correctly, i've had a clean OS install after this problem began

Notes:
- System is an i7 920, 6GB DDR3, GTX285, nothing overclocked really
- Latest drivers currently installed
- All game updates applied

I've had this problem quite some time now and never found a solution so any help will be useful (besides instantly insisting that I RMA my card -_-, surely the fact that its only specific games shows it isnt a hardware issue).
 
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Are you getting the "Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered." error when you view the logs under Event Viewer?
 
No, like I said, there's nothing of relevance in the event logs.

If it was that common error, it wouldn't have locked up would it (see 'successfully recovered').
This is a complete grey-screen lock up with sound looping, it does not make an entry in the event viewer.
 
JmZrlz said:
No, like I said, there's nothing of relevance in the event logs.

If it was that common error, it wouldn't have locked up would it (see 'successfully recovered').
This is a complete grey-screen lock up with sound looping, it does not make an entry in the event viewer.
Click to expand...

Different loads (games) will produce different reactions, so don't rule out hardware problem yet.

You mentioned you had a similar problem, but solved it by increasing your fan speed. This kind of feels like the GPU was reaching its threshold temp, where the GPU throttles down in frequency, to lower its temperature faster. This threshold is usually 105º or 115º. However, upon reaching this threshold, it rarely causes a lock-up, but it does make any game unbearably slower. Just to be sure, and since you probably can't check your GPU temps before the lock-ups, check how dusty your card is. If it's quite dusty, dust it off carefully or with a can of compressed air. Then try out the affected games again. Also try running those games with the fan set to 100%.

It could be a driver bug, but you already tried older drivers too, with no apparent success and if it's something that is yet to be fixed, then you'll need to wait for a new driver.

Also, try enabling the Windows option that reboots automatically upon detecting a serious problem. Once it does that it will create a core dump and be more specific about the problem that occurred.
 
Having the fan at 70% has the same issue, ill try 100.

The card isn't dusty at all, I recently cleaned the system.
I assumed driver bug but i've had it in every driver ever installed on here, so it seems unlikely, and nobody else seems to have the exact same problem.

EDIT:
Playing GTA4 for 30 mins, 100% fan, crashed eventually. Temperature was 70-75 throughout.
 
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So this is still happening.

On the new test drive unlimited 2 too, within the first 10 mins (this time windowed-mode because it defaulted to that retardedly).
 
JmZrlz said:
Notes:
- System is an i7 920, 6GB DDR3, GTX285, nothing overclocked really
- Latest drivers currently installed
- All game updates applied

I've had this problem quite some time now and never found a solution so any help will be useful (besides instantly insisting that I RMA my card -_-, surely the fact that its only specific games shows it isnt a hardware issue).
Click to expand...

It sounds like you are running your machine overclocked. I'm not sure why you assume that it is the video card. I've even had an unstable overclock (due to the mch) cause artifacts. I would start with some Linpack, Intel Burn test will do the trick. Next up is a little Memtest. If those two run without error try a little OCCT gpu test with error checking. Make sure that your fan speed is nice and high with this test and keep an eye on your temps. This test will make your card rum obscenely hot and I don't run it for too long at all. Using GPUtool to scan for artifacts for a half hour is another good option.
 
I haven't had an unstable MCH cause artifacts but I have had an overheating MCH cause white screen flashes.
 
The OCCT gpu test caused the exact crash roughly 6 mins in at 90 degrees temp.

Intel burn test ran fine, so yeah you see why I assume it is the video card.

I also noticed just before the crash/hang, some sort of tearing/ripping began.
 
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A problem like this occurring in specific titles, especially when also occurring in stress tests, can actually be a hardware issue. I have seen faulty cards only crash/artifact in crysis, and no other titles.
 
I've got the same issue. It seems like the auto fan settings don't work, or don't ramp up the fan fast enough. Depending on the game, 2560x1600 must have the fan cranked to 75-100%.

I ended up swapping in one of these when my 9800gx2s died (only one covered, however). Can't wait for the 595s to get here.
 
Yeah the auto setting does increase it gradually but crashes occur faster and more often.
If I set it to 70% manually, most games i didnt mention work fine.

Although i think this is a separate issue maybe.
 
You could try reseating and cleaning the stock cooler. If you have a warranty an RMA might be your best bet.
 
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