Solved System crash when running Minecraft & Server

[Norrab56]

Hello everyone and thank you for letting me join this community.

I've been having issues with my custom build PC lately. The problem occurs exclusively when I run Minecraft and it's server. I'm not exactly worried about the stress on resources as I've played other games that are more resource intensive and have never had an issue. I'm fairly certain it's something in the way that my system and Minecraft or perhaps java interact.

I have one .dmp file that was generated during one of these events but I notice they are not generated every time this occurs. Furthermore I've never actually gotten a blue screen rather my monitor goes black as if I've unplugged the dvi. I've waited several minutes to see if my computer catches up or does something on it's own but it never does. It doesn't even restart on it's own. In order to get my computer back up again I have to hold the power button until I choke it to death. It hurts me every time I have to do this :/

I've attached the .zip using the DMlog collector. Admittedly I don't know what information was even gathered though I assume it's helpful. If there is anything else I can provide that would be of assistance please let me know. Unfortunately I've never come across a problem so elusive and I really don't even know where to begin. I'm not as tech savvy as I once thought myself to be and I could really use a hand here.

Thanks again to everyone that took the time to read this

 

[essenbe]

Norrab56, I'll try to help here. The dump file shows that it is a Video TDR Error. That typically means the video driver crashed but failed to recover within the allotted time so the CPU assumes it is a failed video card.

 lmvm nvlddmkm
start             end                 module name
fffff880`0f44c000 fffff880`100da000   nvlddmkm T (no symbols)           
    Loaded symbol image file: nvlddmkm.sys
    Image path: nvlddmkm.sys
    Image name: nvlddmkm.sys
    Timestamp:        Wed Jul 02 12:42:02 2014 (53B4446A)
    CheckSum:         00C4C7C9
    ImageSize:        00C8E000
    Translations:     0000.04b0 0000.04e4 0409.04b0 0409.04e4

There is a newer video card driver out and you may want to try it, using this method:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/327414-nvidia-drivers-avoid-problems.html

The symptoms you described sound much like a PSU does when failing, except you have to turn off or unplug the PSU to get it to start. With you holding the start button down, you are forcing a hard shutdown, pretty much what the reset button does. When you do start it back on, the video drivers load again, which almost sounds like the card. Are you sure it is not overheating?

 

[Norrab56]

It could be overheating. The stock fan seemed rather small for all the components I put in there. I will install a utility to help me monitor the temperature as well as maybe move the computer to a location with more airflow.

I seem to recall reading somewhere that video card drivers may create these sorts of issues so I'll definitely follow the instructions you provided and see if that helps.

Thank you so much for providing your input. I will do this all tonight and hopefully be able to update this thread as solved.

 

[essenbe]

Another thing you may try, is removing the side of the case and placing a house fan to blow inside rge case. If your problem stops, you will know what it is.

 

[Norrab56]

The issue is resolved as far as I'm aware. I installed a CPU thermometer and noticed that once I moved my tower the average temperature went from about 50°c to about 28°c while idling. Playing minecraft doesn't ever take it past 60°c though to be honest I'm not really sure where the dangerous level is.

I also re installed my graphics card driver using the instructions you provided. The version number was the same as the one I was using before but perhaps the old drivers were causing issue.

Thank you so much essenbe, I believe you've just relieved a massive headache I was having.

 

[essenbe]

I hope your good fortune continues. When you say moving the case, How far do you move it and what is the difference? I don't really understand why that would make that much of a difference. I do hope your issue is resolved. Let us know if you have further problems.