Updated Driver Problems

I have had my computer for around 5 months, along with my graphics card (GeForce 7600 GT). In that time I have been playing Counter Strike: Source without any problems.

About 3 or so weeks ago, a strange lag started occurring every so often. When my ping shoots up I usually get a skipping type lag, but for some reason, this was a slow motion lag, ruling out high ping as being the problem.

With no idea about anything, I started investigating. I done everything possible; Un-installed then re-installed CS:S and Steam, opened up my computer and cleaned out the dust, cleaned out my computer and so on. This didn't fix the problem. I soon found out about FPS (Frames Per Second) and how when it drops, the game lags up a lot. Keeping an eye on my FPS throughout the game, I noticed in about the 3rd round of playing, it would drop dramatically drop from about 80 to 10, which caused the lag.

I got some advice to update my drivers. I tried a few different types, but because of my lack of knowledge of my computer and graphics card, I wasn't exactly sure which one would be right for me. A few I tried did fix the problem, but, it caused my desktop resolution to go wide, blurry, and made the text unreadable. I tried every different resolution in Properties > Settings > Resolutions, but it either made it worse, or no difference at all.

My question is, is there an alternative way to tweak your screen resolution? Or, is there a specific driver that would work best for my card? If you've noticed me doing something wrong with the information I've stated.. help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Edit: I was playing CS:S for quite some time with the new driver and the FPS randomly dropped to 10, as it usually does. Although this time it took a lot longer. So as you can see I've got a problem. If anyone has a solution it'd be great.

 

Pwnosaurus, Here's a past BBS posting that might also help:

http://www.windowsbbs.com/showthread.php?t=39100

 

Based on what you're saying, I'd definitely recommend you get your hands on a copy of Driver Cleaner Pro. Until you run DC, you'll never know if you have a mess in your registry or not and any attempts to fix it could be futile until you start with a clean slate (by running DC).

 

If there was a problem with my driver you'd think it'd be happening as soon as I started the game, but it seems to do it at random points.. Could my graphics card or system be overheating? If so, is there some way I can fix it?

 

You raise a very good question and the answer is yes, that could be a contributor to your problem. You could also have a power supply that is fluctuating under load. There are several potential causes and it may require your going through a process of elimination to get to the actual culprit or culprits as the case may be. I'd still recommend following the advice you've already been given re: Driver Cleaner Pro followed by the most recent NVidia Drivers. This is the best starting point for you to pursue.

 

Hi,

Every time I play, I open up my computer to give it some air, and turned on my aircon in hopes that it will cool my computer down/graphics card/whatever makes it work.

Ever since, the problem hasn't been occurring and it has been staying at a nice 50+ FPS. (Occasionally dropping to 40, only for about 5 seconds though.)

Is there a fan that cools down the internals of computers? Because I'm thinking mine might have failed, causing everything to overheat.

Also, will having my computer open whilst playing affect it in anyway?

If none of this makes sense, or anything I'm saying isn't possible, then I apologize. But it seems to be helping.

Thanks.

 

If the fan failed on your video card, you'll need to replace it. If it's simply clogged with dust, you'll need to blow it out with compressed air.

Also, check and see that your case fans have not failed.

 

I would add not to overlook the power supply fan.

You can reduce the load on the computer during games by lowering the graphics resolution in the games options. That will give you increased FPS. Turn off extras like shadows.

Matt

 

My FPS is great at the start of the game, but after done a few rounds it completely dies. If it was a consistent low FPS from the get-go then the cause of the problem could be different things. But playing with my computer open and the air-con has seemed to help, as I haven't experienced that low FPS since.

I don't know anything about the internals of a computer, so I wouldn't know where to look to see if the fan had failed or not. I can hear it whining away as usual, but maybe it's full of dust?

 

Pwnosaurus, time for Hardware 101 . When I had my very first hardware problem with a computer, I wondered if I could fix it myself. I looked around on the internet for information and started investigating.

If you look inside the case when it is open and running you will see some of the fans easily. There will be quite a large fan on the main circuit board (motherboard/mainboard) that is the fan for the Central Processing Unit (CPU). It sits on a heatsink where the heat is dissipated to the air current. Dust gets trapped in the fins of the heatsink.

The main fan that removes heated air from the case is the Power Supply Unit (PSU) fan. It is inside the PSU but you can see or feel it from the back of the computer. It will be next to where the main power is connected.

"Small" computers may only need the PSU fan to remove heat from inside the case. If much additional hardware is added, more fans are required to remove the heat. There may be additional fans blowing in from the front of the case or out from the back...and maybe not enough fans were included originally and you need to add one or two extras (they are inexpensive).

The fan that was mentioned which cools the graphics chip/chips will be on an add-in card. The graphics card is the one that you plug the monitor lead into. The fan on the graphics card may be on the underside of the card.
If the monitor connects to the motherboard and not a card, it is built into motherboard (onboard graphics) and does not have a fan.

I would agree that you should be careful to check the grahics card fan if it has one. It sounds like the problem to me. Replacement fans may be able to be purchased separately.

SO...
First step is to look carefully around inside and from the back of the case while it is running and check all the fans are spinning freely.

Next, power the computer off and loosen any dust with a soft brush (or a straightened paperclip). Check intake and exhaust vents. Take the case outside and blow the dust out (a lady we were helping had a long haired cat, when she did this she used a hair dryer to blow the dust out, otherwise you can buy compressed air in cans).

The dust is going to build up inside the computer and needs to be cleaned out regularly. If you are careful, you won't break anything.

[If you are wondering, the only high voltage in the computer is inside the PSU, which is completely sealed...but...processing chips are susceptible to electrostatic discharge, so avoid touching the electronic components. There will be information about it at the start of the computer's manual/user guide.]

Matt
Edit: just one other point, you need to have reasonable clearance at the back of the computer for the heated air to escape, 6-8" at least.
Edit2: in case you were wondering, you can set the computer up on a bechtop and run it in the "horizontal" position, if that makes it easier to see inside. You should not move them while they are running though.

 

Thanks ALOT for all your help. Today after work I'll go through what you have told me here and see how it goes. I'll give feedback to see if it helps the game or not.

Thanks again.