Screen goes black while playing games. New problem

I have a GeForce TI4600, ive owned it for a couple years now. Haven’t had any problems with it till now. Just as a note, the drivers are fully up to date. (as is direct x)

I first notice this problem occurring on the other computer. That one has an Geforce Fx 5500. I got it free from a friend so I wasn’t complaining. Anyway when I ran games on the 5500, sometimes it would play a while with out problems, and sometimes it would play for a bit, then the screen would go black. I know the computer doesn’t lock up because I can still hear the sound going. Its not the program cause I cant break out of it. So I usually just end up rebooting and trying again. I have come to expect this to happen with the 5500, and I don't play many games on it anyway so it didn't bother me.

However, very recently, this has started to happen on my 4600. I didn't do anything different, nor did I install anything differently other than another game (eve online). However it too has started to black screen on me. Which is very strange considering I managed to play Eve for almost 2 weeks without problem. And various other games with out this problem.

At first I thought it was overheating but I don't think that is the case. There is plenty of ventilation, and it never did this before so I don't see how the ventilation could have changed all the sudden (I check all the fans, including the video card one, they all still work fine)

I have the error report generated if needed.. Any thoughts/suggestions?

What error report ??

Are you using the same monitor ?

The windows error report.. and yes, same monitor. as i said.. nothing changed, it just started doing this on its own.

Yeah, post the error report so we can have a wee look at it - although, I'm not entirely sure that this is a Windows problem. Do you have a spare monitor that you could try ?

I know its not the monitor. I let it sit once when it black screened. After a few minuets, the computer rebooted it self. And i know it wouldnt do that if it was the monitor.

Error reads as follows

//
// Watchdog Event Log File
//

LogType: Watchdog
Created: 2006-07-08 14:37:38
TimeZone: 300 - Eastern Standard Time
WindowsVersion: XP
EventType: 0xEA - Thread Stuck in Device Driver

//
// The driver for the display device got stuck in an infinite loop. This
// usually indicates a problem with the device itself or with the device
// driver programming the hardware incorrectly. Please check with your
// display device vendor for any driver updates.
//

ShutdownCount: 9
Shutdown: 0
EventFlag: 1
EventCount: 1
BreakCount: 1
BugcheckTriggered: 1
DebuggerNotPresent: 1
DriverName: nv4_disp
DeviceClass: Display
DeviceDescription: NVIDIA GeForce4 Ti 4600
HardwareID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0250&SUBSYS_2890107D&REV_A3
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
DriverFixedFileInfo: FEEF04BD 00010000 0006000E 000A23AB 0006000E 000A23AB 0000003F 00000008 00040004 00000003 00000004 00000000 00000000
DriverCompanyName: NVIDIA Corporation
DriverFileDescription: NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 91.31
DriverFileVersion: 6.14.10.9131
DriverInternalName: nv4_disp.dll
DriverLegalCopyright: (C) NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.
DriverOriginalFilename: nv4_disp.dll
DriverProductName: NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver, Version 91.31
DriverProductVersion: 6.14.10.9131

There is a problem with your driver. Check for an updated version and if one isn't available, then roll it back to the previous version.

[edit]What version of Windows are you running ? Are you running the correct driver for your version of Windows ?

Driver is the latest, it had this problem with the previous verson too, but not until lately, which is what promted me to update them in the first place. Funny thing is, I havent had any black screens on the 5500 since the update. Ill proly roll back the 4600 see if that helps. Dono *shrug*

and as far as windows, XP Pro

Double check on NVIDIA's website for a specific XP driver as you are using one "NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display driver" - which, should work really but double check that there isn't a specific XP one.

Did you roll back the driver ? If so, has it made any difference ?

The driver i downloaded is for 2000/Xp, there is no driver that is for Xp only.

And no i havent rolled back because i was having this problem before i updated, which as i said before, was the main reason i updated in the first place. Ill see if i can roll back even further, see if that does anything, but i have a fear that its just over heating, and no driver will help that :\ Wish the dam things had Temp sensors on them.

I have almost the same problem, just bought a cheap FX 5500 to replace my old TNT2 32MB (about time, huh? ) and I havn't been able to play one single game yet due to the fact that monitor shuts off or the game hangs.

I thought it was old drivers so I got the latest (XP Pro user) from nVIDIA's site. No change, same problem. Either the monitor sort of goes into sleeping mode or the game hangs while loading with the music going into repeat.

This is terribly disturbing and I have no solution myself!

Does this happen with every game or just certain ones ? Try turning the detail level down in the game.

Same problem - it doesn't seem timed or even graphical based and it is on multiple games.

Mine will Black screen, although I hear sound, mic, etc I never let it sit long enough to reboot itself so I don't know if it does or not.... (i tend to need to see and hit reset real fast when it happens)

I tried reinstalling windows xp pro- no luck- update- no luck- vid drivers- no luck roll back- no luck.

I think it is a Mobo or Vid card itself error.

I use a Radeon 9000 (old...) on a old board (AGP style) the mobo has some errors I know for sure- when it boots it says "no array defined" and junk and blah, havn't been able to fix it.

Something to keep in mind- I also have a bad Harddrive s.m.a.r.t. testing fails and it wont boot- it actually directs me to backup info immediately and replace the drive (its 7 years old, almost like the vid card) I hav't put much effort into "fixing" this one as Iam buying an all new system pretty soon.. and hate to blow money on parts for this.

I use AMD and Radeon- but still same issue. So I Don't think it's the drivers.

My guesses:
Harddrive (yes your game uses your HDD to play- if it hangs it can cause black screen/loss of info)

Video card (either the card itself or settings OR its slot to mobo, maybe its too worn/old or maybe its not connecting right- or possibly the settings)

Mobo - least chance but possible

Iam going into my settings now and to troubleshooting- and knocking down 2 notches and see if it helps.

I have this problem EVERY day I play games- but NEVER when I just surf the net. I dont have an error log - sorry- besides the fact that his said to replace the part anyway, leads me to think the card is failing (or in my case card/mobo/hdd)

Update

After nearly a full day of LAN gaming and playin the games that normally black screened- I never once did again- so try going to the trouble shooting in the advanced properties (winxp right click desktop/properties then to the settings tab with your graphics info/monitor then Advanced button/ trouble shoot Tab and push the Hardware Acceleration down 2 (yes I did 2) notches. See if that helps.