graphics problem..?

Question

I seem to be having the same problem with every game i have.  In every game, while im playing, it will just suddenly slow down heavily......like, it will start going frame by frame......not quite frozen, but super slow......it usually takes about 3 or 4 minutes to recover, and everything is good again, but then usually about 10 mins or so later, the whole game slows down again. I HATE THIS!! And the thing is, a lot of these games were previously installed on my comp. and i had NO problems!!! Now all of a sudden, this happens. I mean, i kno my computer isnt GREAT but it should be able to run games like call of duty and even counter strike ok. I put counter strike on the lowest setting and the slow down problems still happen just as much. I bought half life 2 and put every setting to the lowest, yet, it takes about 20 mins just to make it to the main menu!!! because its going so slow......is my graphics card messed up?......is it something else?........wats going on????     Inspiron 8500 2.2 Ghz 512 mb ram Geforce 4 GO 4200

cd_goldberg · Answer

I have the exact same problem, with the exact same game. I cannot run Counter Strike: Source even under the minimum settings despite being well within the system requirements.

rocknskadude · Answer

unfortunately, its not just with counter strike......its with every game i have. But, i think i just noticed something......the games only start to mess up and slow down when the fan goes on!!! hmm.....maybe this has something to do with it......any ideas?

MaT_MeTaL · Answer

Hahaha ! Hey I have exactly the same problems as yours. You're in luck buddy ! Basically, you're experiencing a system overheat problem. But no worries, help is on the way !   Here's the solution: Simply remove your keyboard and the EMI shield and get to the cpu fans. Don't be surprised if you see monstrous dusts the size of a marble in there ! Use a toothpick or anything thin to carefully pick out the dusts. A torchlight will help alot. After that, use a compress air can and blow out all the dusts sticking at the cooling copper fins. Download the appropriate documentations for your laptop if you're not sure how to open it. You can get them here:   http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins5100/en/index.htm   This is guaranteed to solve your problems with games ! Provided you perform a regular maintenance of removing dusts from your laptop. It should be simple and routine task.   P.S. It isn't a problem with your graphics card or the drivers. It's just overheating due to dusts blocking the airflow. The Speedstep technology in the processor actually automatically reduces performance as the heat rises to prevent frying, hence the slowdowns occurs. Message Edited by MaT_MeTaL on 11-17-2004 12:27 PM

rocknskadude · Answer

Thanx man!!.....I bet thats the problem.....and to think, i was on dell tech support for 4 hours until they told me it was a user-caused hardware problem........but anyway, i removed the keyboard, and and didnt know what to do after that!! lol......theres a big fan on the left corner and a smaller fan on the top middle......im kinda confused on what to remove and stuff, so i just used dust off on what i saw......but, it didnt work, probably because i didnt go deep enough........do u happen to have a link for the 8500, instead of the 5100.....or, what do ya think??/ Thanx

MaT_MeTaL · Answer

Hey no problems. Check it out here: http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/ins8500/ Good luck !

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