Unexplained Computer Crashes! HELP!!!

Question

Hello.  I purchased a Dell 4600c about 1 year ago.  During this entire time I've had unexplained computer crashes.  It just stops with no error message.  I know what your thinking, 'Why didn't I ask then?'  Well during this year I've just tried everything I could to fix it.  The problem usually occurs when I'm playing a high-graphics video game, but my computer always meets the game's specs!  It's not the games because I've tried multiple games, (they all froze, except for the old ones) I've tried them on a different computer, (they worked perfectly) and they all are SUPPOSED to be compatible with my computer.  I have 256mb RAM, Windows XP, a 56x cd-rw drive, (external, my internal is only 4x and seldom used) a 64 mb NVidea GForce graphics card, (i thought maybe this was the problem, but all the games are 64mb or less!).  All of the computer came from dell, except the cd-drive (which i didn't get until after the crashes).  Please help.  Thanks!

rschmitt · Answer

Could be a lot of things but that isn't enough ram for windows xp and playing games at the same time. You need to purchase some more ram and at least get it up to 512.

There are a lot of power supply issues with the 4600 and 4600c. You may want to do a search on your problem on here.

Thomas Hein · Answer

Alright.  Well thanks!  one more thing though, does anyone know where I can get cheap reliable RAM that will compatible with my computer?  Also how easy is it to install more RAM?  Furthermore, because the 4600c is so small, do I have to buy a special type of RAM?

shesagordie · Answer

Thomas Hein.

You can buy memory, that's guaranteed to work in your system and has a lifetime warranty, from here

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Dell%2BDimension&mfr=Dell&cat=RAM&model=Dimension+4600C&submit=Go

How to install memory in the D4600c

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4600c/sm/memory.htm

Bev.

fireberd · Answer

Some other things to consider, although you do need at least 512Mb of memory for Windows XP, and gamers even go to 1Gb.

However, the 4600's are not really "gaming" computers. Gaming is video and CPU intensive and can heat up the PC relatively quickly. Overheating can cause many hardware problems and prolonged overheating can even damage components. If you can go a short time with a program, e.g. 10 or 15 minutes and it doesn't crash then it's probably related to the intensive gaming.

Does the PC crash just using it for surfing the internet, e-mail, etc? That's more along the lines of what that line of PC's was really designed for. An occasional game or non "intensive" games.

You may also want to consider a complete "clean" install. I know this is a hassle but it may be a step to take if the additional memory and limiting the length of intensive gaming doesn't help.

Thomas Hein · Answer

Thanks for the help everyone. But no, the computer does not freeze when surfing the web or other simple tasks, but it has frozen without playing it for more than 15 minutes. If the RAM upgrade doesn't work I'll start a new forum. Thanks everyone!

Canonwren · Answer

If you scan message boards you will note I am having similar problems but not only when I play games.  Note I haven't been playing any high powered games (unless you call MSN zone Scrabble blast or Zuma a high powered game).  I do have DSL so my machine is mostly on.  My error messages indicate n4.dll or n4-disp is the problem.  I now must come up in safe mode most times.  I've reloaded graphics drivers several times and it crashes just during normal operations or if It goes to sleep mode it crashes and won't reactivate.   When I startup the Dell insignia is missing chunks and there are parenthesis in colomns throughout start up.  My system should have no RAM problem (I think) its a Dimension 8200 series 2.4 GHz 256 MB PC 800 RDRAM.  Right now I am stymied as to a fix.  System restore doesn't fix the problem as it comes up still showing corrupted display driver.  May end up calling computer whiz nephew to help me reload from my original disks or just bite it and look at buying a new computer.  I will watch this thread as well as mine to see if anyone has a bright idea about nvidia GeForce4 TI 4200 graphics driver failure.  Good luck to you.

The_Namek · Answer

Canonwren,
When you have uninstalled and reinstalled your video card driver have you been using the same driver revision each time you reinstalled or have you tried a number of different Detonator driver versions? Have you ever run diagnostics on the video card? Based on your description of the corruption during startup it seems your video card may actually be failing.

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Unexplained Computer Crashes! HELP!!!

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