Computer Freezes (Graphics Driver Problem?)

[Spottyfriend]

Over the past week my computer has been freezing and restarting without warning. This does not seem to be a BSOD, as I've had trouble with one before and that used to stay on the screen until I restarted: this automatically restarts.

First I thought it was random, but all of 4 times have been whilst playing various games on Steam. Each time also seemed to be in response to an action within the game: I click on something in the menu - freeze and restart; I get killed in-game - freeze and restart.

My computer is powerful enough to run all the games I have on full graphics setting and I have never had any trouble like this before; it is recent and has only started within the last week or so.

What on earth is going on?

 

[Tmagic650]

Could be a failing power supply

 

[Spottyfriend]

Could you be a little more specific? And are there any tests I can do?

 

[DelJo63]

IMO, you're stressing the video system (ie graphics driver). Go online and search for an update to your graphics card.

 

[Tmagic650]

After you look for an updated video driver, and if it doesn't help, is this a laptop or desktop computer?

 

[Spottyfriend]

My video driver is fully updated and yet this still happens, though last time it happened there was a quick error message that popped up that mentioned NVIDIA so its definitely something to do with that. This is a desktop we're talking about.

 

[Spottyfriend]

I think this might be getting worse - even on the smallest windowed mode this happens... I can't really play any games right now.

 

[Tmagic650]

What version of Windows are you running?

 

[Spottyfriend]

I'm running Windows 7 Home Premium - Service Pack 1

 

[Tmagic650]

Have you scanned for a virus or other malware? What antivirus program are you using?

 

[Spottyfriend]

I have, within the last month, done a full scan with Microsoft Security Essentials.

 

[Tmagic650]

Could be a failing power supply

Back to this?

 

[Spottyfriend]

Are there any diagnostic tests I can do to see if this is the case?

 

[Spottyfriend]

I may have fixed it - or at least it seems that way from my quick test. I'll post back if this problem reoccurs but for those with a similar problem, see this.

 

[Spottyfriend]

Well that didn't work for long - any more suggestions are much appreciated.

 

[Tmagic650]

Power supply?

 

[Spottyfriend]

Okay - any suggestions as to what I could actually do? Diagnostic tests to see whether this is actually the case?

 

[bazz2004]

I think that you'd have to swap the power supply out to check but it could also be the graphics card. I've had a few of those die on me and I play few games. Look to see if the fan is spinning properly and download a free program to check the temperatures of the cpu and gpu eg Speedfan.