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Random crashes

post #1 of 7
5/3/04 at 9:53pm
Thread Starter 
i've noticed a few posts on here but not any solutions, so wondering if anyone has found one and not told us about it

In several games i have problems of just randomly crashing back to the destop, the game just completly quits running.

So far its happened with the black zero demo, morrowind, half life, deus ex invisible war, and those are just the ones i remember off the top of my head.

i have tried both the omegas and the alienware drivers for my video card and am not overclocking.
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post #2 of 7
5/3/04 at 10:10pm
Well that can be caused by any myriad of things.

I'd probably do this:

1. Go to the homepage of each game you're having issues with. Check to see if there are forums and see if anyone is having the same issues as you. Look for the same hardware configs or any other consistencies you both may share. Also look to see if they have an updated patch.

2. Check your hardware drivers. Make sure they're current.

3. Be sure you're machine is not overheating. This sounds to me like the classic case of overheating=dropping you back to desktop. Same thing happens to me if the room gets too toasty during the afternoon hours and I'm not using my Antec Cool Pad.

Let us know...

-Craig
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post #3 of 7
5/3/04 at 10:46pm
Thread Starter 
I am using a Targus notebook cooler so I really hope its not overheating. i live in california and its only like 87 degrees, its going to get MUCH warmer pertty soon.
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post #4 of 7
5/4/04 at 4:54am
Which BIOS version are you running?
I had the same issues (IRQL errors -> BSOD) with nearly every 3D Game (except Q3 - just my luck).
I tried everything (RAM checks, WIFI disabling, 20+ reinstalling WIN, different driver sets). I had to ship it in... They told me it was the BIOS (v1.05) all along - they've updated it to (v1.08) - funny thing was that the 1.08 version was just released when my baby was in the repair dock (never had a chance).
As far as I could tell they didn't exchange any of the hardware components, except one RAM stick which failed the MATS+ test of the Memory Diagnostics prog
(no - it was not the cause of the BSODs - was one of the first things I checked)

Now I'm running smooth and fast with 1.14.
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post #5 of 7
5/4/04 at 6:06pm
Thread Starter 
I'm running version 1.13, alienware now has 1.16 on the website so i guess i'll be calling them to update..I've never done this before but i think i need a CD with the bios info burned on it for reboot right?
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post #6 of 7
5/5/04 at 8:12am
japp - but if you are a US citizen you should have an AW representative on the phone while you do it if you don't want to void your warranty.
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post #7 of 7
5/5/04 at 10:53pm
Thread Starter 
I will definetly have alienware on the phone when i do it...I just wanted to be prepared!
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