Computer problem driving me nuts!

[Stormtropper]

Ok...

Everytime I fire up a system hog, and after a certain amount of time, my computer screen either goes completely blank (my monitor gives me a 'no input signal' message), or my screen looks kind of like this:



I am forced to rip out the power plug if either happens, does anyone know whats up with this thing?

Thanks,
Jeff

[chomp_rock]

Looks like (and fits the description of) a VGA problem, you may need to replace it (the VGA).

It could be caused by heat or may just be a bum VGA.

[Stormtropper]

Thats what I thought it was at first (wait...VGA is the Video Graphic Array right...?), but the rest of the system is affected by it too...

The power button stops working, and the speakers emit a static noise...

Jeff

[Stormtropper]

Ok..this is weird...I just updated my BIOS, and my CPU temperture dropped by 30oC...

...could've it just been that the motherboard was giving my CPU too much power, and as a result, my computer shut down the CPU to prevent damage?

[chomp_rock]

(wait...VGA is the Video Graphic Array right...?)

Aye, and that term encompasses the graphics card too, so that is what I meant.

Could also be a mobo problem...

[4_Series_Scania]

http://www.pcpitstop.com/

Helped me trace a faulty motherboard on a friends pc.

[GunnerMan]

Well VGA is a big cause of problems system wide. If you ave nowhere to start troubleshooting start there.

[Stormtropper]

Okeeeeeeeeey.....it just happened again, while playing SWAT 4...

and I can't seem to figure out what the problem is...

any computer geeks out there, PLEASE HELP!!!

[GunnerMan]

Try a different video card...

[Weather_Man]

Check that all your fans are working (on the graphics card, CPU, and case) and all vents/fans are free of dust. Overheating can cause system failure. Also, a PSU can fail and create instabilty. That would result in lockups as well.

[congo]

Well done Stormtrooper!

That's a typical CBA event, the likes of which I've never seen..... v e r y  i n t e r e s t i n g

(Could Be Anything?)  

[Ivan]

Open the case and look if there are things on the motherboard leaking brown stuff

[GunnerMan]

Yeah I uguess if ya see leaky brown stuff thats a bad sign

[Stormtropper]

All right, I think I finally figured out the problem, its the whole damn system overheating...

My motherboard is designed for overclocking, and everytime I fire up a sexy beast, the mobo try to creat new resources by automatically overclocking my stuff, causing everytrhing to overheat...

So my best guess is to just get watercooling...but I'm too poor ...

...I'll grab a VGA cooler this weekend...and try to keep everything cool until I get over my cheapness and get some water cooling

[GunnerMan]

There MUST be an option to disable Auto OC in BIOS especially if its doing such a bad job at temp monitoring. If you cant find that option update BIOS, may save ya some money and time.