Thread: Random signal loss to monitor, game crashes.

Hi everyone! Thanks for trying to help, firstly!

So, I just bought L4D and my computer is more than equipped to play it. Here are my specs very quickly:

Dell XPS late 2007 (about 1 year old)
Windows Vista 32 Bit Home Premium
NVidia Geforce 8600 GTS running drivers 178.24
RAM 2.00 GB
Pentium dual core CPU 2.4 GhZ

Problem: While running L4D, the game runs flawless at all max settings. Perfect gameplay, graphics, etc......out of the blue, the game will do a quick chug and signal will be lost to the monitor; For instance, "grab that shotgu-gu-gu-gu-gu---------" BLANK SCREEN NO SIGNAL....No sound, just dead stop. Computer itself doesn't even seem to make any strange noises.

So far I have uninstalled, and reinstalled the drivers for my card over 3 times. Using Drive Sweeper to do full unistalls each time. Testing older drivers, as well as the latest drivers. The game still runs fine either way, but the signal drop out is still consistent. Usually happens within 10-15 minutes each time. Sometimes the game may last a litter longer, or a little shorter.

Other things I've tried: Increased my VRAM manually to double my RAM, tested a different monitor, tested two different, lower, resolutions...the problem still persists perfectly in the same exact way, no significant change.


Can anyone help with this problem or share a similair story?

Thanks in advance for any help on this topic, hopefuly I can get this sorted out soon and start playing this great game for real!

Thanks guys!

Originally Posted by vidgamer77

Mytheral, thanks for the help!

It ONLY happens in L4D though, so would that be the plug or the card? The signal never drops anywhere else, is it possible it could still be the plug? I just can't find a reason why!

Thanks for the help. i can't seem to fix the problem, maybe I will make a thread on this now...

Could be either, I'd be inclined to say the connector on the card if you can wiggle it, the could also have an internal break somewhere which is why I suggested swapping it out but if the sound cuts out (as your lower post says) it's neither of these.

Originally Posted by vidgamer77

Hi everyone! Thanks for trying to help, firstly!

So, I just bought L4D and my computer is more than equipped to play it. Here are my specs very quickly:

Dell XPS late 2007 (about 1 year old)
Windows Vista 32 Bit Home Premium
NVidia Geforce 8600 GTS running drivers 178.24
RAM 2.00 GB
Pentium dual core CPU 2.4 GhZ

Problem: While running L4D, the game runs flawless at all max settings. Perfect gameplay, graphics, etc......out of the blue, the game will do a quick chug and signal will be lost to the monitor; For instance, "grab that shotgu-gu-gu-gu-gu---------" BLANK SCREEN NO SIGNAL....No sound, just dead stop. Computer itself doesn't even seem to make any strange noises.

So far I have uninstalled, and reinstalled the drivers for my card over 3 times. Using Drive Sweeper to do full unistalls each time. Testing older drivers, as well as the latest drivers. The game still runs fine either way, but the signal drop out is still consistent. Usually happens within 10-15 minutes each time. Sometimes the game may last a litter longer, or a little shorter.

Other things I've tried: Increased my VRAM manually to double my RAM, tested a different monitor, tested two different, lower, resolutions...the problem still persists perfectly in the same exact way, no significant change.


Can anyone help with this problem or share a similair story?

Thanks in advance for any help on this topic, hopefuly I can get this sorted out soon and start playing this great game for real!

Thanks guys!

you tried two different monitors? with 2 different cables? and the connection to your video card isn't loose?

hmmm doesn't sound like a heat issue with no artifacts...

sounds like a power issue tbh

either you're power supply isn't putting out enough power to power you're video card, or the motherboard isn't supplying enough power to the CPU.

This game puts the hurt on both video cards and CPUs when most games only really use the video card... And Dell is notorious for using sub-par power supplies in their computers (any major manufacturer does to cut costs).

I'd try unplugging any un-nessary usb devices, if you added extra fans I'd unplug them and try plugging the computer straight into the wall.

Looks that way, the power issue.

I just basically checked all my connections firmly, and tested plugging the PC into another wall jack directly. Even took the monitor and put it into a different jack so as the PC power was direct and solo.

The game actually ran just about the same length, but ended up crashing again. I was getting very excited because indeed it had lasted a good 3 or 4 minutes longer than usual...I actually managed to beat 3 sections! usually it would freeze mid 2


So...how can I get more power? Can I just buy a different plug, or is this a full installation issue?

Also, is there a way we can test my power consumption or is there a way for me to check extactly what wattage my PC uses? Just to see if indeed it is a garbage powr supply.

Thanks again for all this help man you are a great help!
--
BTW, my PSU model number is L375P-00

It is a Dell official 375 watt power supply. Supposedly Left 4 Dead requires at least 400 Watt?

Hmmm...
--
Mytheral, is it possible it isn't a power issue if the PC remains "on"?

My signal goes out, but my PC is always powered up...just no signal. So is that still a PSU issue?

My PSU is L375P-00

375 Watt Dell PSU

Any more help on that?