Moved: Misc tasks, screen freezes, video driver unloads, BSOD atikmpag

Things are starting to make more sense now.

World of Warcraft will run for 5 hours - runs off Primary SATA HD, no disk required
Starcraft II will run for 5 hours - runs off Primary SATA HD, no disk required

Movies and Music can cause the system to crash, they are all stored on a separate Western Digital HD. ISO Images are also stored on a separate HD from games and such, so when playing RCT, I would have been actively using all 3 hard drives (OS, Game files, ISO Image).

RCT3 was installed on a separate Western Digital HD, and that causes the system to crash. I just installed from the factory disk, and played for 5 minutes or less before a crash occured, and the CD is required to play RCT3, so CD-Rom drive is working.

I am taking the system with me to my local computer store, and if my system crashes with a 1000W Power Supply, then we will have to look into something else, but I have a feeling that everything is going to work just fine...

Well ... just when I thought things were making sense, the more the problem starts puzzling me.

I bought a Cooler Master 1000W Single-Rail Power Supply, and the system is still acting the same way. I opened RCT3 and played for a while, and then the usual crash occurred. I thought for a moment that maybe the issue was in the power in my computer room (the APC Battery Backup, or the power outlet, or the supply line). So I brought my computer out into my front room to see if the crash would occur in this new location within the house. I did also run the game at the computer shop, and I suppose that I just didn't leave it running long enough.

I can take the power supply back to my local computer shop, but I am at a loss for what is going on at this point. I tried the computer with the new power supply at the computer store, and it appeared to be fine.

I am going to download the Western Digital and Seagate Hard Drive utilities and let those do a physical, non-distructive scan (as that was one of the items that we mentioned in the previous posts.

This is what we do at work:
- run the hardware diagnostics (hard drive, memory, PCCheck from Eurosoft)
- check for/remove malware
- try to fix Windows issues
- reinstall Windows "clean"

Clean Windows Installation:
No 3rd party software installed
You can install antivirus - but not Internet Security
You check Device Manager for missing drivers - and only install 3rd party drivers from the chipset manufacturer's web page. Do not install drivers from Windows Update.
You install all critical Windows Updates.
If you still get BSOD's, we analyze them
We check any hardware that gives "bad vibes" to us - for any reason (we replace w/known good hardware).
If it's still giving problems, then we get the motherboard replaced (we have a CPU tester that's fairly accurate - it's about $400 to $800)

All hard drive diagnostics came back clean. No issues there.
I have returned the 1000W power supply and in trade I picked up a Seagate 320GB 7200 RPM 2.5" Drive and an external SATA enclosure for it. I am currently installing Windows 7 Ultimate x64 cleanly. Once finished, I will install the chipset and video drivers, and I should be able to test the system. If I install RCT3 to this new drive and everything works alright, then I will know that the issue lies somewhere within my current installation or Windows.

If I still have issues, I will try Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit. If I still have issues in that version, then I will install Windows XP Pro SP3. I will keep posting when I get any type of meaningful results.

Thank you again for all the assistance.

Good luck! I'll keep my fingers crossed!

Windows 7 RTM x64 (Technet) - Clean Install off fresh media, all important and recommended MS Patches, ATI 10.5 Video Drivers (Drivers only, no Catalyst), RCT3 fresh install on the same drive ...

RCT3 still crashed ... but it was a matter of doing something, because while I was cooking dinner, the game was running the entire time, when I got back it was fine, then I started building pre-made coasters and the game crashed.

I am going to try Windows XP Mode Virtual PC. I doubt this will work, as I believe the Windows XP Mode doesn't allow me full use of the video card, but I am uncertain as yet. I will try this anyway.

Then, I am going to install Windows XP Pro SP3 on my external drive and see how that works. I will keep posting updates.

Scratch that, I will test Windows 7 Ultimate RTM 32-Bit first instead ...

We'll be holding our breath for you!
Good luck!

Well, the solution for me was not as glamorous as one would expect. It currently appears that RCT3 has an internal code issue with 64-bit operating systems\drivers. My initial guess would be that something in the ATI 64-bit Graphics Driver, specifically, is the real culprit.

I installed Windows 7 Ultimate RTM 32-bit on my new external hard disk, then Avast, then all Windows Updates that were available, and finally the 32-bit ATI Driver. I was able to load up RCT3 for at least two hours or so last night without a crash (actually completed two entire scenarios, which would not have been possible under my 64-bit OS). At this point, I plan to do a little more testing, but I believe the issue was just 64-bit.


Sketchii, sorry to hear you are also having issues. Believe me, the amount of frustration I went through was insane, so I know how much it sucks for you. If you look back a couple posts, specifically https://www.sevenforums.com/782801-post22.html, you may be able to get a good idea of what to do from usasma.

Make sure to read both his post and my subsequent posts, as there is good information in there about the diagnostic process that I went through, which was more intense and invasive to my system than I had ever done. If you have further questions, please don't hesitate to post, and I will try to help you through it. Some of these tests took many many hours, so I recommend starting them when you are about to leave the system for a while. MemTestx86 ran on my machine for 9 hours, if that gives you an indication of how much time this process can take.

Thanks for the information.
i just got off from playing NFS: undercover for 1 hour which requires less memory/graphics then BC2, and no BSOD.

at this point im thinking about bringing the card back for replacement tomorrow, but for tonight im going to go over your older post's and also that link.:) cheers.

Also, when playing BC2 on a map thats got alot of Fog/smoke/effects etc happening at 1 time, thats when the fog etc starts flickering lightly then i get a full grey screen>black screen> BSOD. im going to lower the graphics maybe underclock the card and see what happens.
Might be a faulty card, might be a faulty PSU(850watt)... not sure, ill reply later on and let you and everyone else know.

EDIT: about to try this.
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles...rruptions.aspx