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SC2 broke my computer?

Forum Index > Tech Support
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NrG.NeverExpo
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2114 Posts
August 11 2010 15:21 GMT
#1
Hey guys, I felt I should make a seperate thread for this issue because i didn't seem to find any close enough to mine in the existing tech support forums.

This morning I woke up and tried to do some shit on sc2. I left sc2 running all night, just in the b.net interface, like i have some other nights. When i tabbed into sc2, i messaged a friend, and set a broadcast. After about 1 minute of activity my computer just shut off. Nothing happened other than that, no warning, just loss of power. I thought that was really weird, so i started it up again. Same thing happened. Everything was running smooth, but when i logged into sc2 my computer shut completely off after about 1 minute. I got really pissed here, so i booted back up, waited a while while doing other stuff online, then started sc2 again. This time i got a blue screen of death and the computer died. I tried to restart my computer after this and it won't happen. Everytime i boot up, it would say i have to run system recovery, so i did. The other option, run windows normally, would cause another blue screen and bring me right back to where i started from.

So i ran the system recovery, and it didnt notify me of any problems. I did some system checks, all tests passed. I then did something pretty drastic. I believe what i did was reformat my computer, althought ive never done it before and im very noob when it comes to this kinda thing so I dont know what i did It said run system recovery, and that it would re-install the factory default software on the computer or w/e, and that i would lose all my personal files. So i thought I should try it, its a relatively new computer (2-3 months old) and I dont have too much shit on there that I need. So I ran that, and after everything seemed complete, I went to restart the computer again and AGAIN im seeing the blue screen. This time I have a message saying "Setup is Starting Services" and a loading screen. Then an error message pops up that reads "the computer restarted unexpectedly or encountered an unexpected error. Windows installation cannot proceed. To install windows, click OK or restart the computer, then restart the installation"

It keeps looping to that, because i keep restarting and keep getting that message. I dont know at ALL what i should do from here. Note that i took my newer graphics card out in hopes that that would solve the problem, but it still does the exact same thing. I don't think i got any windows install discs with my computer so i cant really run them. I would really appreciate some help on this guys, im fucking stranded here O_O Thanks a lot to anyone who takes the time to read this and help me out~
TwitteR: @NeverExpo follow me, i'll follow back :)
StayFrosty
Profile Joined February 2010
Canada743 Posts
August 11 2010 16:12 GMT
#2
Hmmm... I think the problem lies in your video card despite you taking it out and it still giving the same problem. The overheating BS bug in the SC2 user interface has fried plenty of cards. Those user recovery discs that come from PCs are totally shit, so I wouldn't even bother with them. If you can't get into windows at all right now, your files are probably lost (unless you detach the hard drive and plug it into another computer and use a HD retrieval program).

Other than that, I would suggest a full reformat. It's really not as hard as some people make it seem. A quick google search should give you a step by step guide. If you don't have a legit copy of windows, you may be out of luck... Unless you want to pirate it (hope I don't get banned for that).

Hope this helps.
shinigami
Profile Blog Joined June 2004
Canada423 Posts
August 11 2010 16:17 GMT
#3
Process of elimination is always the best way to start, but since you already reformatted...

If you know how to install Windows, then skip the rest of this post.

1. Insert Windows CD into drive, boot up the computer.
2a. Press a key to enter setup.
2b. If the above step is not an option, go into your BIOS and manually add the CD drive to the front of the boot order.
3. At this point, you can tweak your partitions or just install Windows.
4. After installing Windows, install any drivers you need (video card/networking), then SC2.

Post in your thread if you run into additional problems.
I was thinking about joining a debate club, but I was talked out of it.
NrG.NeverExpo
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2114 Posts
August 11 2010 16:23 GMT
#4
hmm im not sure if it was the problem but i took my graphics card out and did another system restore and this time it worked. Is there any way of checking to see if my graphics card is shot? If i plug it in again will it just give me the same hassle that it did last time?

Thanks for helping me out guys
TwitteR: @NeverExpo follow me, i'll follow back :)
StayFrosty
Profile Joined February 2010
Canada743 Posts
August 11 2010 16:26 GMT
#5
Based on your last reply I'm convinced your GPU is fried. If you are on XP, go to device manager and check if your GPU is being recognized. If it is, right click it and go to properties. There should be a little notifier saying whether or not the device is working properly.
Ryps
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
Romania2740 Posts
August 11 2010 16:29 GMT
#6
Did you do this before it happened ?

If your computer is getting really hot while you play StarCraft II, it’s not because you’re blazing up Battle.net – it’s because the game is roasting your machine alive.

Blizzard has confirmed the game has an overheating bug. Apparently, the game doesn’t cap the frame rate it uses when rendering its menus. So basically, the system goes crazy, overworking itself on rendering the menu, and that causes a big increase in heat.

So much so that if the problem isn’t dealt with, it can damage your computer.

There’s an easy fix, however.

Pop open this file: “Documents\StarCraft II\variables.txt.” Then drop the following two lines onto the bottom of the file:

frameratecapglue=30
frameratecap=60

Save the file and you’re done. According to Blizzard customer support, this change is only a temporary workaround, but it’s probably a fair assumption that there will be a patch to fix the program permanently pretty soon.

Until then, your best defense against StarCraft II-related spontaneous combustion is to remember the advice of Master Miller from Metal Gear Solid: “Take a break.” Your computer (and your bladder) will thank you.
NrG.NeverExpo
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2114 Posts
August 11 2010 16:47 GMT
#7
i fucked up on the first sytem restore, not unplugging my graphics card caused it to not run properly. PaD no i didnt do that but i will now, i never saw it/thought it was a problem for me cuz i never play on anything but low setting and my gfx card shud be able to handle that. You think its too late to try that now? I got everything working again thank god, just no graphics card plugged in.

StayFrosty is GPU Graphics processing unit? (video card?) SOrry im noob. Thanks!
TwitteR: @NeverExpo follow me, i'll follow back :)
RebirthOfLeGenD
Profile Blog Joined November 2008
USA5860 Posts
August 11 2010 16:54 GMT
#8
On August 12 2010 01:47 NrG.NeverExpo wrote:
i fucked up on the first sytem restore, not unplugging my graphics card caused it to not run properly. PaD no i didnt do that but i will now, i never saw it/thought it was a problem for me cuz i never play on anything but low setting and my gfx card shud be able to handle that. You think its too late to try that now? I got everything working again thank god, just no graphics card plugged in.

StayFrosty is GPU Graphics processing unit? (video card?) SOrry im noob. Thanks!

yes it is!
Be a man, Become a Legend. TL Mafia Forum Ask for access!!
JunZ
Profile Joined June 2010
United States314 Posts
August 11 2010 17:14 GMT
#9
So they didn't fix the menu bug? Good thing I read about it before it did any real damage.
NrG.NeverExpo
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2114 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-11 18:25:39
August 11 2010 18:14 GMT
#10
after my re-installation of sc2 i reinstalled the graphics card and it seems to be running fine. Windows is working properly and the devices are installing for the card as they did when i first installed it. I have my monitor plugged into the v card and everything looks fine. I have yet to try sc2 with the graphics card in tho, do you think its safe to try? I took the precautionary steps listed by PaD Above O-o

EDIT: I couldnt wait, so i had to try to run SC2 again. This time it didnt freeze or crash my comp after i have been on for 5+ minutes :D I Reinstalled the graphics card, and set frameratecap etc. Thanks so much to everyone who helped me.

Are there any other safety procedures i can take to help save my graphics card from dying?
TwitteR: @NeverExpo follow me, i'll follow back :)
Shauni
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
4077 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-11 18:35:28
August 11 2010 18:34 GMT
#11
On August 12 2010 03:14 NrG.NeverExpo wrote:
after my re-installation of sc2 i reinstalled the graphics card and it seems to be running fine. Windows is working properly and the devices are installing for the card as they did when i first installed it. I have my monitor plugged into the v card and everything looks fine. I have yet to try sc2 with the graphics card in tho, do you think its safe to try? I took the precautionary steps listed by PaD Above O-o

EDIT: I couldnt wait, so i had to try to run SC2 again. This time it didnt freeze or crash my comp after i have been on for 5+ minutes :D I Reinstalled the graphics card, and set frameratecap etc. Thanks so much to everyone who helped me.

Are there any other safety procedures i can take to help save my graphics card from dying?


there are several methods...

1. Set the fan to manual and 100% at all times (might not help) (rivatuner)
2. Downclock the card (rivatuner)
3. Get a better GPU fan and chassis fans
4. Add a temperature warning alert to the card if it gets too hot (90C or so perhaps) (rivatuner)
I'm taking whatever coverage I can get, because frankly, I'm busy working on this million dollar deal at my job. Early retirement is a good thing brotha man. - MessengerASL
Impervious
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
Canada4218 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-11 20:07:23
August 11 2010 20:06 GMT
#12
Damn. My laptop starts showing problems at 65 celsius..... 90? that's fucking hot.

Also, I have no idea how to fix your problem, but it sounds similar to a problem I had recently. The fuckup was with my hard drive, and I had to get a replacement. Run memtest86 (google it), and see if there is a problem.
~ \(ˌ)im-ˈpər-vē-əs\ : not capable of being damaged or harmed.
Shauni
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
4077 Posts
August 11 2010 20:13 GMT
#13
integrated laptop gpus might not be designed to handle that high temperature. But most modern stationary cards are designed to handle very high temperatures. For example, my 9800GTX++ is able to run up to 110C.

And yeah, to me it doesn't really sound like a graphics card problem. If it wants you to run system recovery it's most likely caused by a bad sector in your HDD. Do a sector-scanning and see if there's any problem.
I'm taking whatever coverage I can get, because frankly, I'm busy working on this million dollar deal at my job. Early retirement is a good thing brotha man. - MessengerASL
Krissam
Profile Joined April 2010
Denmark189 Posts
August 11 2010 20:33 GMT
#14
On August 12 2010 02:14 JunZ wrote:
So they didn't fix the menu bug? Good thing I read about it before it did any real damage.


It's not a bug, just an unintentional sideeffect of people buying cheap hardware and/or have bad ventilation in their tower.

A graphics card should not die from running at 100% all the time.

That being said, I think blizz should change it so the menu has a maximum fps, but I wouldn't go as far as calling it a bug.
If you can chill, chill!" - TLAF-Liquid´Tyler
jaj22
Profile Joined September 2009
United Kingdom1376 Posts
August 11 2010 22:38 GMT
#15
On August 12 2010 05:13 Shauni wrote:
integrated laptop gpus might not be designed to handle that high temperature. But most modern stationary cards are designed to handle very high temperatures. For example, my 9800GTX++ is able to run up to 110C.

While most graphics cards are specified to and can operate at 100C+ without issue, they're also prone to manufacturing and design faults that are much more likely to trigger permanent failure at higher temperatures. The famous example is the 65nm nVidia GPUs (8800GT etc) with their underfill that liquifies at 70C and leads to BGA bump fractures, but similar problems with other cards are common.

Returning to the original post, there are two possibilities here:

1. The graphics card has fried itself so badly that it can't even boot Windows anymore.
2. The original shutdowns were caused by a power or temperature issue and the card itself is still functional.

Point 2 is the interesting one. As you have a "system recovery" option and a new graphics card, one possibility is that you've exceeded the PSU specs or cooling potential of an off-the-shelf PC by adding a powerful graphics card.

The eventual boot-time BSOD may have been due to file-system corruption caused by the previous emergency shutdown. Easiest way to fix these without performing a reinstall is to run chkdsk from a Vista/Win7 boot DVD. System recovery may not work correctly with added hardware, hence needing to remove the new video card.

You won't know which of these is the correct answer without trying the video card again.
bNy
Profile Joined August 2010
84 Posts
August 12 2010 01:06 GMT
#16
What graphic card do you have?

ATI 4XXX serie and above are built to manage really high tempratures.
Think most problems are with Nvidia cards as they are more fragile.

No matter what you should download everest, open it and go the temrpature section. And start starcraft 2, it should log everything until that point the computer shut downs. Reboot and start everest and check the values.

Also try to open another Direct X application (like any other game) and see if you get the same problem. Once a graphic card gets broken it usually go downhill very fast...

If you have an ATI card, do you notice any red, blue or green marks on the screen?
That's probably what will happen next, even in windows... Then you know it's definitly GG


#bNy @ quakenet.org || http://starcrafting.wordpress.com/
NrG.NeverExpo
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2114 Posts
August 12 2010 01:22 GMT
#17
Yea i do run an ATI Radeon 4350, i didnt notice anything that you said. Once i reformatted my computer and reinstalled the gfx card it all runs fine. im REALLY wondering wtf was wrong O_O!
TwitteR: @NeverExpo follow me, i'll follow back :)
Djzapz
Profile Blog Joined August 2009
Canada10681 Posts
August 12 2010 01:56 GMT
#18
SC2 murdered my brand new 2 week old GTX460.... was still on retailer warranty luckily but now I'm waiting for its replacement... It's so funny that this has been killing computers and Blizzard isn't patching it :D
"My incompetence with power tools had been increasing exponentially over the course of 20 years spent inhaling experimental oven cleaners"
Thunderfist
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
Poland159 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-08-12 03:09:22
August 12 2010 02:17 GMT
#19
This overheating is easily repaired, and too bad u had game in Interface, that's where all the troubles are.

Quoting Blizzard Support:

Certain screens make your hardware work pretty hard

Screens that are light on detail may make your system overheat if cooling is overall insufficient. This is because the game has nothing to do so it is primarily just working on drawing the screen very quickly. A temporary workaround is to go to your Documents\StarCraft II Beta\variables.txt file and add these lines:

frameratecapglue=30

frameratecap=60

You may replace these numbers if you want to.


And a link for lulz:
http://www.gossipgamers.com/blizzard-identifies-starcraft-ii-overheating-bug/

I have the feeling that i have just saved many poor GPU lifes.
...has arrived.
Twinweapon
Profile Joined April 2010
United States90 Posts
August 12 2010 02:52 GMT
#20
More ram in your computer is need and prollly a new video card now. Make sure that there is an open space behind your computer so it can vent out the heat and clean any dust behind your computer or inside your computer so the air can vent out. An extra fan would always be good for the health of the computer. I suggest getting new parts from newegg.
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