Problem with computer reading game

[Starman]

Hi.

I have a original of a particular game and it's sequel, and using Blindwrite suite and insektor program, I made a back-up copy.

The copy AND the originals will play for anywhere between 5 minutes and 1 hour and then the game freezes up. The mouse still moves but when ctrl, alt del... the game is "not responding" and when I exit to desktop, can still use the computer but some things are not working properly and I have to hard boot the computer. Other games work fine using backup copies, it is just with these 2 games by the same company.
Also the copies and originals both work on my laptop so I am convinced it is a hardware problem on the desktop or a conflict somwhere with other software, but I am not sure what.

Using amd 700mhz 192mb ram 52x reader 4 x writer.

Tried running program with all but systray and explorer and still it froze.

I'm considering formatting the hard drive, but would prefer to try and find an alternative solution if at all possible.

Thanks

Starman
:(

[BipolarBill]

The original CD is probably either scratched or defective. You're getting to a point in the game where it's accessing a file that it hadn't accessed before and the file is likely corrupted. These are usually PAK files.

[Starman]

Hi Bill.

If only it were that simple.

Firstly, they are both new games and one of them ran for a couple of months with no problems.
Secondly, they both, (and the backups), run perfectly on the laptop.

Could a program on the hd be corrupting the game files? The hd holds a great bulk of the games files.

Starman

[BipolarBill]

There's one way to find out - do a complete surface scan of the drive.

[Starman]

Did that and came back no errors.
Also did defrag.

This is driving me crazy!!!

Sometimes they play for minutes, other times they play for an hour or so!

Question?

system has blindwrite suite, clonecd and nero on it. Do any of these programs clash or conflict?

Thanks

[BipolarBill]

Have you tried a simple heat test? Remove the side cover and direct asmall fan at it. If the game runs, you're overheating.

[Starman]

No I havn't tried that.

I will have to get a small fan to try it.
Would the cpu temp readout in bios tell me if that is the prob or does game have to be running? What exactly would be overheating? There is a fan on the chip and this has not been a problem previuosly. (Saying that though, the fan could be clogged up or not running properly).
If I check the temp in bios, what sort of reading would I be looking for?

Thanks again for your help, Bill.

[BipolarBill]

By the time you reboot, the temperature will drop. Besides, it might not be the CPU temp - it may be the video card.

[BipolarBill]

Oh - another possibility is drivers. I would uninstall both the video and sound drivers and update with the latest.

[Starman]

Supposing it is the fact that something is overheating, especially if it is the video card, what can I do to rectify it. Can a fan be bought to cool it all down?

[BipolarBill]

Yes, but it's more likely that your case needs better overall ventilation.

[Starman]

Thanks for your time, Bill.

I will look into the case and check out all the points you have mentioned tomorrow.

Appreciate the help.

Cheers:)

[Starman]

Hi, back again!

Moved the comp to a better position, cleaned the insides of the case, checked all connections and cables, changed ide cables to cd rom and it still freezes!!!

Sooo...did a full format and re-installed windows and programs I want in.

Still froze. On top of that, every time I turn computer on, I get general protetion faults and have to re boot. After reboot the computer works but those games still froze.
Took out one of the other games and it doesn't freeze as early now, lasts about 2 hours or more???

Could all this be happening due to:-

a) CPU going faulty
b) motherboard going faulty
c) cd-rom fault
d) Me going faulty:x

cheers

[BipolarBill]

You have the right idea - reinstall. Protect yourself from viruses and spyware always.

[Starman]

All the anti virus and spyware programs are in place.
Is it possible that the other game that I took out had something that caused the 2 games to crash/freeze?
Also cd-rom is sometimes seeing disc other times it reports that no disc is there, but i don't know if that is cd-rom or connection or motherboard or cpu?

[BipolarBill]

How much longer are you willing to play with this? A month? You could have Windows reinstalled in hours.

[Starman]

:confused:

I have reinstalled windows...and programs...and still have some problems with the system.

I'm just trying to find out what may be wrong with it before going to the expense of having to pay some one to try and find the problem with it.

[BipolarBill]

If it's not a heat problem, it could only be video drivers or the motherboard (or compatiblilty between them).

Update your BIOS and try.

It will cost you lots of bux to have someone play a game for 2 hours for you. :p

[fishybawb]

Check your RAM out with Memtest86:

http://www.memtest86.com/

Bad RAM does all kinds of funny stuff.