How I got my machine to stop crashing constantly

[Lummoxx]

For a while there, no matter what 3d game I was playing, after about an hour, max, it would crash to desktop. Sometimes, it would reboot. I thought for sure, my video card was going bad.

So, I pulled the machine apart recently, and yanked the video card. Was about to plop it in the corner, and go buy a new GF2, when I took a close look at it...or more accurately, the HSF on the chip.

I lean in close...take a deep breath, and BLOW. On my next deep breath, I literally choke on the dust I've just blasted into the air around my head.

Once I recovered, I grabbed my compressed air, and cleaned it thoroughly.

Yesterday, Everquest went from crashing hourly to running from 8am to 4pm flawlessly.

If you haven't tore your machine down lately and cleaned the dust out of it, I'd recommend it.

 

[CSaddict]

Sorry to hear you played EQ for 8 hours!

 

[Starfoxer]

Sorry to hear you played EQ for 8 hours!

LOL

i wish i had a can of compressed air. i always end up turning
it upside down and spraying everyone with it and its gone
before i know it.

 

[Lummoxx]

Hehe...well, it regained a lot of it's fun factor when I quit worrying so much about raiding, equipment, and xp grinding.

Now, I do what feels good, hang out with the great friends I've made over the last 3 years, and I once again enjoy the game as much as I did 3 years ago.

 

[It_The_Cow]

Is Everquest really that addictive? I know someone who's missed about 3 out of 5 school days since he stays up at odd hours playing Everquest.

As for cleaning your parts, use a leaf blower. It's a lot quicker and cheaper

 

[Lummoxx]

Not *that* addictive to me, but to plenty of other people, yes.

Heh..I don't own a leaf blower, so I have to settle for compressed air. Not a big deal, going to splurge one day soon and get the refillable one.

 

[slim_lim]

In my experience dust isn't usually a problem. I have a 486 that's been sitting there for 8 years never cleaned once, half-filled with dust. Still working just fine.
However iunder some conditions thick dust layers can cause some hot-running compnents, i.e. videocards to overheat. It's pretty rare though. Still, good job fixing your problem. I always say, if you don't know what's wrong, try everything.