Crashing games on new laptop

Hi there!

I just got my new custom built laptop. The first thing I noticed was that win xp applications open too slowly. Then I installed few programs like Photoshop, Illustrator, Aphophysis (fractal rendering) ect. Everything seem ok, rendering fractals is fast enough and Photoshop is running ok. Then I installed SimCity 4 (it ran ok on my old pc) and found that it crashes randomly. I can load the game and start to play with maximum graphics (its all so smooth and nice) and then it crashes just to the desktop with no error messages or another issue is when it just freezes. I can move the cursor and music is playing but only solution is to boot to get the freeze away. Once i got message after boot:
-system has recovered from critical error-
Then i installed caesar 4 demo to see what about that. Again graphics look good and its running smoothly until it just suddenly freezes - again boot is only solution, freeze similar to Simcity freeze.

I assume the problem is not in the games but in something else. I have updated graphics card and video cards. Here is a short overview how my system looks like (some pesonal data I cuted):

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!

----EASy System Summary--------------------------------------

Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX
Video Driver : nv4_disp.dll
Driver Version : 6.14.10.8614

Sound Card : FlyDVB-T Hybrid mini
Sound Driver : LVHybrid.SYS
Driver Version : 2.11.02.0001

DirectX : DirectX 9
Operating System Windows XP Service Pack 2 5.1.2600

----EASy System Output---------------------------------------

Computer Name :

CPU Info

CPU Count : 2
CPU Type : 2591 MHz GenuineIntel Pentium Model 15 Step 6
6 15 6

RAM : 2046 MB Total
1528 MB Free
Virtual RAM : 0 MB Total
0 MB Free

Operating System : Windows XP Service Pack 2 5.1.2600


Default Browser : c:\progra~1\mozill~1\firefox.exe -url "%1"
Version : 2.0.0.1

Temp Directory :
Size : 570 MB

------------------------------------------------------------

----Display Info--------------------------------------------

Number of Displays : 1

Current Mode (Primary) : 1680x1050 32

Primary display device

Description : NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX
Manufacturer : NVIDIA
Video Memory : 512 MB

Main Driver : nv4_disp.dll
Version : 6.14.10.8614
-----------------------------------------------------------

----Sound, Video and Game Controllers-----------------------

Description : FlyDVB-T Hybrid mini
Manufacturer : Lifeview

Main Driver : LVHybrid.SYS
Version : 2.11.02.0001

------------------------------------------------------------

----Direct X------------------------------------------------

DirectX Info
Version : DirectX 9

DirectDraw Info
Version : 5.03.2600.2180
Certified : Not certified

DirectSound Info
Version : 5.03.2600.2180
Certified : Certified

DirectPlay Info
Version : 5.00.2134.0001

DirectInput Info
Version : 5.03.2600.2180

------------------------------------------------------------

----Drive Information---------------------------------------

----CDRom Info----------------------------------------------


Drive Letter C
Volume Name :
Type : Fixed
File System : NTFS
Total Space : 14.65 GB
Free Space : 3.65 GB

Drive Letter D
Volume Name : SC4DELUXE2
Type : CDRom
File System : CDFS
Total Space : 641.28 MB
Free Space : 0.00 KB

Drive Letter E
Volume Name : P -------> (for virtual memory)
Type : Fixed
File System : NTFS
Total Space : 2.93 GB
Free Space : 1.44 GB

Drive Letter F
Volume Name : Data
Type : Fixed
File System : NTFS
Total Space : 75.58 GB
Free Space : 68.60 GB

Drive Letter G
Volume Name :
Type : CDRom
File System :
Total Space : 0.00 KB
Free Space : 0.00 KB

------------------------------------------------------------

----Monitor Information-------------------------------------

Primary monitor

Description : Default Monitor
Manufacturer : Microsoft
Max. Resolution :

------------------------------------------------------------

----Network Information-------------------------------------

Description : Realtek RTL8169/8110 Family Gigabit Ethernet NIC
Manufacturer : Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver : system32\DRIVERS\Rtlnicxp.sys
Bound Protocols
TCP/IP
Gateway: :


Description : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Manufacturer : Intel Corporation
Driver : system32\DRIVERS\w39n51.sys
Bound Protocols
TCP/IP
IP Address: Obtained from provider
IP Mask: Obtained from provider


------------------------------------------------------------

----Input Device Information--------------------------------

Mouse Information

Description : HID-compliant mouse


Keyboard Information

Description : IBM enhanced (101- or 102-key)

------------------------------------------------------------

----Modem Information---------------------------------------

Description : Bluetooth Fax Modem
Driver : 1.00.06.00

------------------------------------------------------------

 

Your graphics card driver is very out of date. Grab the latest drivers and see if that makes any difference.

 

Yes, install the latest drivers for your graphics card.

 

Thanks, but can anyone help with the link? I have been searching around like a madwoman and nothing...
Is this really so old?
http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/0cacaedeec.jpg

 

Please refer to this excellent guide.

 

Yay, this info didn't came out from googling. Thanks I managed to update. But it seem not to resolve my problem with crashing. After update i reinstalled the game, and it has same old problems.

----Display Info--------------------------------------------

Number of Displays : 1

Current Mode (Primary) : 1680x1050 32

Primary display device

Description : NVIDIA GeForce Go 7950 GTX
Manufacturer : NVIDIA
Video Memory : 512 MB

Main Driver : nv4_disp.dll
Version : 6.14.10.9792

 

In that case, your laptop is defective. Sorry. You'll have to return it.

 

Sad to get the assertion to what I was afraid of, but atleast I know what I'll do next.

 

Did you try the Windows XP Multi Core Config guide? Maybe it's a processor issue:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=60416

 

Thanks I'll look into it tomorrow, have to check.

 

what mobile dual core CPU runs at 2.6GHz? I am thinking overheating issues

 

The Intel Core 2 Extreme for notebooks will run at 2.6GHz. There is even a model that will run at 2.8GHz. (!):
http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=3488

 

Im running different tests now before installing XP core config. Then the testing after installing and let's see if that makes the change. I'll post here my results or do we have a thread for that?

 

Since we're discussing your laptop, might as well post them here. You can comment in the guide too if you want, always nice to hear feedback.

 

3D Mark 05 8931- before 9066- after
PC Mark 05 5073- before 5292- after

Good, thanks a lot for that CPU update hint. What else should I look for?

 

also update all of ur codecs and dx9.

 

its not released yet, so I say its still could be heat issues. have you monitored your CPU and GPU temps while you have played games?

 

Yes, I have. My CPU is around 49*F while at full load (on a cooling pad while undervolted, with Arctic Silver 5 thermal compound applied); if I use max fans, 43*F. Without those items it is about 58*F. My GPU lacks a temperature sensor so there is no way to tell what it is. I've never had any video card-related heat problems though.

 

My bad Chaz, guess I could have worded it a little different. I was referring to VirtualFX.

 

OK, I have Hardware sensor monitor trial version. It says:
When I just opened comp and started to read mail, browse net HDD temp 32C CPU1 and CPU0 both 18c. When I start to play hdd raises to 38C and CPU1 39C and CPU2 42C.

 

New freeze report:
When I tried to connect my mobile phone with laptop the poor thing freaked out and laptop totally freezed. This time I could not push any key, no caps-lock on off no task manager - again only boot. I had ipod already connected tho and there was no space for second memory but again the mobile device wasn't even installed yet to recognize what it is. Weird isnt it?
(I'm collecting arguments if I'm really going to return this laptop)