Windows 7 - Crash to black screen during gaming.

greetings over the last 2 days I have crashed to black screen 3 or 4 times. no blue. almost seems like it tries to reboot but it doesnt. how can i figure out whats up. I suspect video drivers but I have updated them due to this machine only being 2 days old.

what does it say in event viewer? Type eventvwr in search. go to the windows log>application tab first.

Look for critical errors (they have red i the left column) that say app hang, app crash, or anything that describes the problem.

When you fond them note the Event ID and source codes and tell us what they are.


Let us know if you need help

Ken

first time..

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Power
Date: 5/24/2010 4:05:31 AM
Event ID: 41
Task Category: (63)
Level: Critical
Keywords: (2)
User: SYSTEM
Computer: Dave-PC
Description:
The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Power" Guid="{331C3B3A-2005-44C2-AC5E-77220C37D6B4}" />
<EventID>41</EventID>
<Version>2</Version>
<Level>1</Level>
<Task>63</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000000002</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-05-24T08:05:31.984375000Z" />
<EventRecordID>1474</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="4" ThreadID="8" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Dave-PC</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="BugcheckCode">0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter1">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter2">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter3">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter4">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="SleepInProgress">false</Data>
<Data Name="PowerButtonTimestamp">0</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

2nd time...
Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Power
Date: 5/25/2010 9:24:46 PM
Event ID: 41
Task Category: (63)
Level: Critical
Keywords: (2)
User: SYSTEM
Computer: Dave-PC
Description:
The system has rebooted without cleanly shutting down first. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, crashed, or lost power unexpectedly.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-Kernel-Power" Guid="{331C3B3A-2005-44C2-AC5E-77220C37D6B4}" />
<EventID>41</EventID>
<Version>2</Version>
<Level>1</Level>
<Task>63</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x8000000000000002</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2010-05-26T01:24:46.421875000Z" />
<EventRecordID>4418</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="4" ThreadID="8" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Dave-PC</Computer>
<Security UserID="S-1-5-18" />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="BugcheckCode">0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter1">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter2">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter3">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="BugcheckParameter4">0x0</Data>
<Data Name="SleepInProgress">false</Data>
<Data Name="PowerButtonTimestamp">0</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

hope that helps. I loaded a new vid driver last night that nVidia had out for beta to see if it helps, hoping that was it.

well it wasnt just crashed again while playing CoD4.

YOu may have to experiment with the Nvidia drivers to get the one that works the best for you. I ended up using the third one down the list to get my system running properly. The newest or the beta is not always the best with Nvidia apparently.

ok I've tried almost everything imaginable.. no luck. It is crashing in BF:BC2. I think its video but who knows. someone please explain how to tell.