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Computer Locks Up or Freezes When Playing a Game in Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP

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Description
When playing a games, the computer locks up or freezes. In some cases, the game can be stopped and restarted. In other cases, the computer must be shutdown and restarted.
Solution
Perform one or more of the following methods to resolve computer lockups that occur while playing a game. Print this document or save it to your computer to help after disconnecting from the Internet
To help decide where to start resolving the issue, answer the question, Does the problem occur with a specific game?
Method 1: Update the game’s software
If you experience problems with a specific game, always consult the game vendor's web site first. Chances are, if other users have the same problem, the game’s manufacturer will create a software patch to resolve a variety of compatibility and game play issues.
After installing the manufacturer’s update, try playing the game again and see if the problem still occurs. If it does, continue to the next method.
NOTE: If the game manufacturer's site does not offer patches or other support for the game, go to the Microsoft website (in English) and search on the text "problem with <game name> ". If there are no solutions, continue to Method 2.
Method 2: Check the software requirements
In the rush to play the game, users often do not take time to check the printed software requirements. Do the following actions to make sure the computer meets the minimum system requirements for playing the game.
  1. Check the game’s product package for the minimum system requirements.
  2. Compare the computer’s specifications to the game’s minimum system requirements.
  3. If the computer meets the minimum system requirements, go to Method 3.
    If the computer does not meet the minimum requirements, upgrade the needed components, or find a game that is compatible with the computer.
  4. If the display settings must be adjusted, go to Method 5.
Method 3: Read the Readme file
As problems and fixes are reported to the manufacturer, notes are added to the readme.txt file that is shipped with the software. Take time to refer to the game's Readme file for any known problems and solutions.
  1. Insert the game disk. Close the game if it starts to load automatically.
  2. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
  3. Right-click the disk drive containing the game disk, and select Explore .
  4. Double-click the Readme file and follow its instructions.
  5. If the Readme file does not contain a solution for your problem, or if the provided solution does not resolve the problem, continue to another method.
Method 4: Update system software
If you experience a consistent problem with the computer, chances are a software patch is available for updating the BIOS and video card software.
  1. Go to the Support & Drivers page to search for specific updates.
  2. Either select the Download drivers and software option and enter the product name , or click Start Detection and the tool will automatically detect your product to assist you in getting quick access to support information.
  3. When a list of all available software updates is displayed, follow the instructions to download and install the updates.
  4. If no updates are available for the BIOS or video card, or there are problems when playing the game, continue to the following method.
Method 5: Change the video display settings
Many games require a specific screen resolution or color setting. Do the following actions to change the video display settings to match the minimum display requirements for the game.
  1. Right-click an open space of the Windows desktop (not on an icon) and select Properties . The Display Properties window appears (see Figure 1).
    Figure 1: Display Properties window
  2. Click the Settings tab.
  3. Change the Colors and Screen area resolution to match the game’s recommended settings. (See the software package for minimum display requirements.)
  4. Click OK . The following message should appear: Windows will now change the desktop settings. It will take a few minutes to become stable. If the screen does not appear correctly, wait 15 seconds and the original settings will be restored.
  5. Click OK . The screen goes blank and then reappears. A message will appear asking to keep the desktop settings.
  6. Click Yes .
  7. If prompted, select the option to restart the computer.
  8. Try playing the game again and see if the problem is resolved. If it still exists, continue to Method 6 .
Method 6: Update the DirectX software
DirectX is a Microsoft program that works with the multimedia functions of the computer. It serves as the foundation for running many games. Updates to DirectX enhance the quality and performance of games and other multimedia applications.
  1. Go to the Microsoft DirectX web site (in English) and download the latest version of DirectX.
  2. Install DirectX according to the instructions provided with the download.
  3. After installing the DirectX update, try playing a game again to see if the your system still locks up or freezes. If it does, continue to Method 7.
WARNING: Some games recommend installing an older version of DirectX, however, HP does not advise doing this. Contact the DirectX Web site (in English) for Microsoft’s recommended solution.Installing an older version of DirectX can disable programs using a newer version. Removing DirectX from a system can be very difficult and should be done as a last resort. HP does not recommend removing DirectX unless you are willing to perform a full system recovery if a problem occurs.
CAUTION: If the computer functioned properly before installing new hardware or software (such as DirectX), Windows ME and XP can restore system files and settings back to an earlier date when the computer was functional. Click on this link for information on HP Notebook PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore .
Method 7: Close unneeded programs to increase system resources
It is possible to increase the system resources without adding memory. Programs running in the background use valuable system resources.
  • First, close any programs that are not needed to play the game. Be sure to close, rather than just minimize, any word processor or e-mail or IM programs.
  • Second, there are many programs or processes that start in the background when the PC starts. Most of these processes are needed by commonly used applications, but can slow the gaming performance.
Do the following activities to temporarily close programs running in the background. The programs can be closed during the current Windows session but will start running again when the computer is restarted.
For Windows 98 and ME
  1. Press and hold the CTRL , the ALT and the DELETE keys on the keyboard to open the Close Program window. (See Figure 2)
    Figure 2: Close Program window
  2. Select a program name and click End Task to close all programs except Explorer , Systray , and the game being played.
For Windows 2000 and XP
  1. Press and hold the CTRL , the ALT and the DELETE keys on the keyboard.
  2. Click Task Manager to open the Windows Task Manager window. (See Figure 3)
    Figure 3: Task Manager Window
  3. Select a program name and click End Task to close all programs except the game being played.
Try playing your game again to see if the computer still locks up or freezes. If it does, continue to the next Step.
For information on how to keep programs from automatically starting in Windows, click on the HP Notebook PCs - Improving the Performance of Your Notebook PC link.
Method 8: Prevent programs from starting to increase system resources
The MSCONFIG utility can be set to prevent background programs from automatically starting when Windows starts. The computer must be restarted when switching between sessions of playing games and using the normal computer programs.
Do the following activities to avoid loading the startup items.
  1. Click Start and then click Run .
  2. In the Run dialogue box type MSCONFIG and then click OK . The System Configuration Utility window displays.
  3. On the General tab, select the Selective Startup option, and uncheck the Load Startup Items option.
  4. Click OK to accept the changes. When prompted, restart the computer.
The computer will restart without loading all the extra background program. Try playing the game again to see if the problem is resolved.
To return to normal operation, re-run MSCONFIG . On the System Configuration Utility window, reselect the Load Startup Items to load all the background processes and click OK .
Method 9: Remove and reinstall the display adapter
Through regular use, it is possible that programs or files may have altered the display adapter settings. To restore the default settings, remove the display adapter from device manager and reinstall it.
  1. In Windows 98 and ME, right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
    In Windows XP, click Start , and right-click on My Computer .
  2. Select Properties . The System Properties window appears.
  3. In Windows 98 and ME, click the Device Manager tab.
    In Windows XP, click the Hardware tab, and then the Device Manager button.
  4. Make sure you are viewing the devices by Type .
  5. Click the plus sign (+) next to Display adapters and select the display adapter that appears below it.
  6. In Windows 98 and ME, click the Remove button.
    In Windows XP, click Action on the menu bar and select Uninstall .
  7. A confirmation message appears. Click OK .
  8. Windows will ask if you want to restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Click Yes .
    As the computer restarts it will reinstall the display adapter through Plug and Play. Follow the onscreen instructions. If this does not work, you may need to reinstall the latest video drivers.
  9. After reinstalling the adapter, try playing the game again to see if the problem is resolved.


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