PC crashes with video rendering

[Manolito Mystiq]

Whenever I render large files, my computer crashes. When I look at task manager CPU usage fluctuates between 80–90%. No more than 4 GB is used, though, even though I have 12 GB installed.

I have this problem with Windows Movie Maker, even tried Sony Vegas Pro Demo, which seemed more stable, but eventually crashed as well. I don’t get a BSOD, by the way.

Also, the RAM works fine when I use VST instruments.

I have two modules of 2GB (which came with the laptop) and two of 4GB. I tried the same with only 2 x 2GB and 2 x 4GB, but both attempts failed as well. Are all my modules defective?

I even made a clean install. It seemed to improve, because once I could edit a big file (+15 minutes), which would normally crash. But that’s like a hit and miss.

Am I missing something? The one thing that could be the problem is the PC getting too hot? I tried memtest (the one from Windows) and it crashed...


SPECS:
OS Name: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional
Version: 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601
System Model: HP EliteBook 8540w
System Type: x64-based PC
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz, 1600 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 8 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date: Hewlett-Packard 68CVD Ver. F.0A, 22-6-2010
SMBIOS Version: 2.6
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.1.7601.17514"
Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 12,0 GB
Total Physical Memory: 11,9 GB
Available Physical Memory: 9,05 GB
Total Virtual Memory: 23,9 GB
Available Virtual Memory: 20,9 GB
Page File Space: 11,9 GB
Page File: C:\pagefile.sys

 

[MilesAhead]

Does the video software use the GPU to do the conversion? Or is it all in software? If it's GPU assisted try disabling the GPU usage.