Crashes while playing any game, ie Far Cry 2

The computer has worked great for years with 2x1 GB of OCZ PC 500 memory. I added 2 more sticks for 4x1 GB of OCZ PC 500 memory, all are matched sticks. The computer crashes to the desktop while gaming. Memory passes MemTest86, several passes with Hardware/Software memory hole enabled. What could be causing this problem? One other thing, at this time I am using Windows XP 32 and what started this upgrade to 4 GB is I'm getting ready to install Windows 7 Home 64.

System Specs: K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI
Opteron 185
4 x1 GB PC500 Memory
Creative X-Fi Gamer
ATI HD 4850
2 x 500 GB Seagate SATA 300 Raid 0

radman3d said:

The computer has worked great for years with 2x1 GB of OCZ PC 500 memory. I added 2 more sticks for 4x1 GB of OCZ PC 500 memory, all are matched sticks. The computer crashes to the desktop while gaming. Memory passes MemTest86, several passes with Hardware/Software memory hole enabled. What could be causing this problem? One other thing, at this time I am using Windows XP 32 and what started this upgrade to 4 GB is I'm getting ready to install Windows 7 Home 64.

System Specs: K8N Neo4 Platinum SLI
Opteron 185
4 x1 GB PC500 Memory
Creative X-Fi Gamer
ATI HD 4850
2 x 500 GB Seagate SATA 300 Raid 0

No DMP files included in upload please try this method

We do need the DMP file as it contains the only record of the sequence of events leading up to the crash, what drivers were loaded, and what was responsible.

You may be able to get the DMP files without crashing by booting into safe mode (F8) with networking.

To enable us to assist you with your computer's BSOD symptoms, upload the contents of your "\Windows\Minidump" folder.

The procedure:

* Copy the contents of \Windows\Minidump to another (temporary) location somewhere on your machine.
* Zip up the copy.
* Attach the ZIP archive to your post using the "paperclip" (file attachments) button.
*If the files are too large please upload them to a file sharing service like "Rapidshare" and put a link to them in your reply.

To ensure minidumps are enabled:

* Go to Start, in the Search Box type: sysdm.cpl, press Enter.
* Under the Advanced tab, click on the Startup and Recovery Settings... button.
* Ensure that Automatically restart is unchecked.
* Under the Write Debugging Information header select Small memory dump (256 kB) in the dropdown box (the 256kb varies).
* Ensure that the Small Dump Directory is listed as %systemroot%\Minidump.
* OK your way out.
* Reboot if changes have been made.

This method will work with Windows XP too?

radman3d said:

This method will work with Windows XP too?

It should.

I think I figured out the issue. With all memory slots full this puts a heavy load on the motherboard and memory system. I had tried several ways to prove what the issue was: low voltage, power supply not up to the task etc. and finally decided the problem must be the memory and lowered the memory freq a bit and see if this fixed the problem, even though the memory ran at 270 MHz with 2 sticks. It seemed to work because I was able to play Far Cry 2 for over an hour last night. Did this while lowering the memory freq, but at the same time raising the CPU freq (246 x 12 = 2952 MHz). This seems to be working well and only time will tell. Trying to get another year or two out of this old machine and adding Windows 7 Home 64 will be great now that I have 4 GB of memory with the dual core Opteron running at 2.95 GHz. I'm going to do a dual boot for now and see how it goes. If all goes well I will probably do a reinstall later of Win 7. Thanks for the help, I may need more help in the future.