Windows Vista "Windows must now restart" message when playing games

G'day BBS,

I recieve the following message "Windows must now restart because the plug & play service terminated unexpectedly" while playing Transformers: Revenge of the fallen.

I also have gotten once "Windows must now restart because DCOM server process launcher service terminated unexpectedly" while playing Assassins Creed.

From what i have read elsewhere these two seem to be related.

i tried to run DDS and i get an error saying "This tool does not support your OS ". i am running Vista 64 bit.

I originally asked the malware part of the forum but Broni could not find any security problems.

Thank you in advance.

 

"Plug and Play" says to me that basic drivers have been installed for some piece of hardware, where specific/manufacturer's drivers should be installed.

Have you installed 64bit drivers from the motherboard drivers disk and the graphics adapter drivers disk?

If you have any "ancillary" hardware attached, like printers, external drives, etc, disconnect those.

Is this a stand-alone game or online? Look at reinstalling drivers for networking if it is online. Also look at the "carrier" that connects you to the server. (I expect you know that using a wireless connection would not be fast enough, connect with a cable.)

Those are some thoughts.

Matt
PS You should include the Vista Service Pack level in your "My System" profile. A maybe.

 

I don't think I have any non-manufacturer drivers installed, this is the first time I have actually explored Vista's control panel so i will see what i can find.

Transformers 2:Revenge of the fallen is both I guess but it is failing as the Activision logo (the first part when the game loads) appears on the screen. So I wouldn't think that would matter. I am using the teaming feature of the Gigabyte mobo to the wireless router i use to connect to Telstra, but I don't usually game online.
The thing is the one time it did it with Assassin's Creed which is a stand-alone game, so i thought i could rule that out.

I will see what drivers i can update and then see how i go.

 

Ok I tried unplugging everything (including LAN connection) other than my monitor keyboard, mouse and speakers and still no good.
How do I check to make certain that my drivers are 64bit?

 

Look in Device Manager. Check that any major hardware is listed with it's model number. If it has only happened in games, concentrate on graphics and maybe audio.

Check in the ATI program that everything appears to be set correctly (and maybe concentrate on Crossfire settings which will be important for games).

Look on the XFX and ATI websites for information/FAQs. XFX don't supply much troubleshooting, last time I looked. If you have a manual for the graphics cards check in that.

Check what DirectX version the games run on. Vista has DirectX 10.

Is this a recent occurrence? Have the games ever run correctly? Has it started since say, going to SP2?

Matt

 

No worries I will give that a go tonight.

I am running DirectX 10, I will check for updates.

It is a recent occurence as I only just recieved the game about 2 weeks ago and built my system about 4 weeks ago, so it could be either.
Not sure if its a SP2 combatibility issue as I updated Vista before installing the games.
I do remember reading somewhere that someone had a problem with crossfire and certain games (normally addressed with new driver updates) and they had to phsyically take a card out but this only delayed the problem a little. I might give it a try though, see what happens.

 

Check if the system requirements for the game are for DirectX 9 (Transformers is). You can install DirectX 9.0c
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...E5-5CE1-4032-A207-C693D210F616&displaylang=en
(as it says, create a Restore Point before installing).

Windows Updates will offer driver updates, check if you may have gotten any, especially regarding graphics. If I find problems, I often uninstall completely (Control Panel -> Programs and Features) and go back to the drivers supplied with the adapter.

You haven't had the system very long, I always consider doing a format if the system is still only fresh, if that may rule out a lot of causes, rather than running many hours of testing and troubleshooting.

Be careful what you install. Many programs that aren't termed malware are badly written and act the same way.

Matt