Civilization IV causes my computer to shut off

[Spaig]

Hi y'all, long time lurker first time poster.

Basically, my problem is that every time I start up Civilization IV, after a random (yet small) amount of time, my computer shuts off. Immediately, no errors, no shutdown sequence, no passing Go or collecting 200 smackers. This happens whether I'm starting a new game or loading an old one, whether I'm running a mod or not, and whether it's a small world or one of New Dawn's "Gigantic" maps. This started more or less out of the blue a few days ago, and since I've made no hardware changes or software ones in that time, I'm more or less at a loss. Also, I'm fairly sure it's not a heating issue. While my computer does run warm on occasion, it's always done so, and I've played Gigantic maps all the way to endgame with the computer five times as warm as it's been recently. Ergo, whatever changed did so recently.

My game version is BtS version 3.17, and my computer has 4 GB of RAM, 2.1 GhZ of processor, and 320 MB of video card.

Any help here would be hot.

EDIT: Forgot to mention, this is the only game that does it. I can play an MMO, run Skype, and do a virus scan at the same time with no problems.

 

[tokala]

Hi y'all, long time lurker first time poster.

Basically, my problem is that every time I start up Civilization IV, after a random (yet small) amount of time, my computer shuts off.
...
Also, I'm fairly sure it's not a heating issue. While my computer does run warm on occasion, it's always done so, and I've played Gigantic maps all the way to endgame with the computer five times as warm as it's been recently. Ergo, whatever changed did so recently.
...
My game version is BtS version 3.17, and my computer has 4 GB of RAM, 2.1 GhZ of processor, and 320 MB of video card.

I would not be that sure that it is not somehow a heat problem.
- Civ4 is surprisingly very good in putting a heavy load on CPU as well as GPU, at least on my system (which is pretty much yours times 1.5)
- The early 8800s were rumored to have a relatively high failure rate and/or running relatively hot.
- A system shutting down like that is usually either a overload or overheating protection mechanism kicking in.
- running a system for years at elevated temperature will slowly degrade electric components, until one day they just can't stand it anymore.

Prime suspects are a failing PSU or video card. If you are lucky it's only dusted up fans

By the way how high ARE CPU and GPU temperature before the crash?

 

[Spaig]

Not sure how to check that, but a "touch test" registers as "slightly warm". It's definitely gotten a lot warmer in the past. But assuming you'll want actual quantitative answers instead of qualitative ones, what would you recommend for getting them?

 

[tokala]

gpu-z for the GPU.
For the CPU it might not be so easy, some models have weird temperature sensors. You could try speedfan for starters, the exact model of the CPU would be important there.
Exact model of your PSU could also be interesting.

 

[Spaig]

GPU-Z isn't giving me a readout of the temperature, unfortunately.

Speedfan gives core temp as 92c (yikes!), and the model of the processor is an AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile RM-72. No information on the PSU.

 

[kiwitt]

Laptops can have differing cooling mechanisms.

 

[tokala]

Laptops can have differing cooling mechanisms.

The "320MB" video card made me assume it to be a desktop. Had now idea that there was ever a laptop GPU with 320 bit memory interface (or is that 320MB including shared memory?)

@Spaig:

Really, no readouts of the temperatures on the "Sensors" tab? And what model is the GPU?

So, you do have a laptop?

Your model is specced for 100°C max. But 92° is still awfully hot for a CPU, during load peaks it could very well reach the 100°C and trigger the shutdown. If you are still in warranty, use it! If not, try to get at the heatsink and fan(s) and clean them, if it won't ge better, apply some fresh thermal paste between CPU and heatsink.

 

[Spaig]

Yes, I have a laptop.

Under "sensors" on GPU-Z there's only "core clock" and "memory clock".

The GPU is an ATI Radeon HD 3200.

I've tried to get at the innards of the thing, but it's shut pretty tight. Also, the warranty is expired.

 

[kiwitt]

Could get one of these

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop_cooler

 

[tokala]

O.k. so it is integrated graphics, makes the CPU even more likely to be the culprit.

You might be able to google up a maintenance manual for your machine, and sometimes helpful guys post videos on how to disassemble specific laptop models on youtube.

An external cooler might work, at least for a while.

 

[Spaig]

Right on. I'll look into that.

I rather suspect that the best way to solve the Civ issue would be to get a better computer, with better cooling. These models have always run warm, it's probably a design flaw.

Thanks for the advice!