Freezing / locking problems

[Ughmahedhurtz]

It isn't critical to test that but if you run the overnight torture test and end up with no errors and your CPU doesn't melt, you're guarandamnteed not to have any RAM or CPU-related problems. Then it's down to disc/graphics/network/etc.

[MiRai]

Intel Burn Test is an amazing torture program that tests your system for stability. That post is from 2008 but it
was last updated Aug 2011. AgentGod is the author of the program. If your system passes the Maximum
stress level with just the default 5 passes... you should most definitely be good on CPU/RAM. To further test
your RAM you want Memtest86 and you'll need to put that on a bootable USB stick or burn the ISO so that you
can test your memory for hours on end. I tend to skip Memtest unless I'm really out of all other options
because Memtest takes hours and hours and hours to run. Finally, move onto Unigine Heaven which is a free
benchmark to stress test your video card. I recommend on every benchmark to let it run for multiple passes.

If all of these pass then it's time to start looking at your config of the game or ISBoxer.

[dancook]

I left Prime95 running overnight, with no errors.

I'll try the graphics benchmark tonight.

[Ughmahedhurtz]

Cool. Having to diagnose memory/CPU/ICH issues is a pure PITA.

[Tsumi]

I recently had a similar issue and tried everything to fix it. It ended up being directX 11 crashing my wows. All I did was enable 9 and problems went away. I also have as similar computer setup as you so this may be your problem.

[dancook]

I recently had a similar issue and tried everything to fix it. It ended up being directX 11 crashing my wows. All I did was enable 9 and problems went away. I also have as similar computer setup as you so this may be your problem.

Thanks, is that a setting in ISBoxer?

[MiRai]

Thanks, is that a setting in ISBoxer?

It's a setting in the game.

For some reason I thought you had a GTX 580, not a 480. The 480's run real hot and are notorious for
overheating. If you have inadequate cooling for that card or bad airflow in your case you might be pushing the
thermal limits. Also, depending on your video settings you might be on the border of your 1.5GB VRAM usage
while in DX11. Switching to DX9 might actually fix your problem (if you're not already in DX9).

[dancook]

I just this moment took my pc apart to fit a different graphics card - and older ATI - but still good.

Actually I was going to have both vcards at once but it didn't come to that, my realisations after last time I did that - the only place for my sound card was in between them!.. and so it was still right next to my GTX480...

I THINK.. the GTX480 - being only millimetres from the sound card was overheating it .... time for the test.

[dancook]

argh.....i wish that was the fix. maybe it's still hot - i'll continue this line of enquiry.

ok not only did i blow out my nvidia - i put the ati in to take some load off the card.. will see what happens.

[dancook]

Ok what has happened now.

Before - Single Nvidia card - periodic freezing of active WOW clients - ie. if I'm running 4 dks in BG and the Paladin is standing stormwind - the Paladin doesn't freeze - until I switch and try to do something significant (like open the map!).

Now - Nvidia Card primary and ATI card secondary. The primary screen goes blank periodically, I can still control the character and the slaves are still moving.

The first time the screen went blank it came back after 40 seconds or so. The second time it didn't come back, after a couple of minutes I forced wow to quit, and when on the desktop the screen came back in about 20 seconds.


The Nvidia graphics card was sitting at 76 Celsius at this time... the ATI runs constant at 78 C.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm any thoughts?