Freezing, audio stuttering and crashing

[sammmz]

Hi,

I’ve had this desktop for a while now. It always had an audio stutter and freeze which constantly disconnected me from Discord, but it didn’t cause much more of a hassle than that so I left it. However, recently I’ve crashed from this and on the most recent crash a very disturbing and hard-to-explain visual glitch occurred on my screen.

My last crash caused the standard audio stutter, best described as a BRRRR sound. But, usually, the screen freezes for a moment. But, twice now I’ve crashed, and the second time the frozen screen turned black with the odd red and blue line (curved) set in the monitor as the pixels seem to latch onto somthing. I’ve never seen this before; honestly, it is hard to describe. Any thoughts or assistance would be fantastic, thanks.

[veeg]

Hello

Have you checked those temps ?

[Malnutrition]

Download and run KillEmAll
Unzip it to your desktop.
Right click run As admin.
This will kill all non essential processes.
Including your browser, so save anything you are working on prior to running the tool.
Let us know if there is any change in the issue after using killemall.
Do not reboot after using this tool, it is a temporary tool to kill non windows processes to see if that is an issue.

Run the tool and the test report back.

[phillpower2]

Hi,

I’ve had this desktop for a while now. It always had an audio stutter and freeze which constantly disconnected me from Discord, but it didn’t cause much more of a hassle than that so I left it. However, recently I’ve crashed from this and on the most recent crash a very disturbing and hard-to-explain visual glitch occurred on my screen.

My last crash caused the standard audio stutter, best described as a BRRRR sound. But, usually, the screen freezes for a moment. But, twice now I’ve crashed, and the second time the frozen screen turned black with the odd red and blue line (curved) set in the monitor as the pixels seem to latch onto somthing. I’ve never seen this before; honestly, it is hard to describe. Any thoughts or assistance would be fantastic, thanks.

All typical signs of something overheating, this includes the power supply.

[sammmz]

Hello

Have you checked those temps ?

Hi, yes I monitor my temps closely as my tower is not very good. I was playing BG3, and running at about 68/70 celsius.

[sammmz]

Download and run KillEmAll
Unzip it to your desktop.
Right click run As admin.
This will kill all non essential processes.
Including your browser, so save anything you are working on prior to running the tool.
Let us know if there is any change in the issue after using killemall.
Do not reboot after using this tool, it is a temporary tool to kill non windows processes to see if that is an issue.

Run the tool and the test report back.

I shall try this. thank you.

[sammmz]

All typical signs of something overheating, this includes the power supply.

This is my thoughts. I think my power supply may be over taxed, and has been for quite some time. Other sources and friends inform me that running an application called Preditor Sense (PS) that comes with all ACER preditor PCs can cause the power supply to be over-taxed. Also, running an overclocked fan can do this and I always have it clocked to max because the tower has poor air flow and gets hot quickly.

[Rustys]

Since you have told us nothing about the system lets start with a speccy report.

So other can assist let get a speccy report.

[COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)]Do not forget to post the make and model of the PSU if this is a desktop.

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.

To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.[/COLOR]

[sammmz]

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/G2Y28bwFJpLilT2X5dhrcnM

Regarding the PSU, I actually cannot find the make or model. I’ve scoured the manual and the web. All I can come up with is it is a 500W Lieton ATX12VO

[Rustys]

[COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)]Do not forget to post the make and model of the PSU if this is a desktop.
[/COLOR]

[COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)]
Still needing this information.

You are running more than one antivirus program.

[ATTACH type=“full”]12554[/ATTACH]

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/t/693559/running-two-avs/

Will have more for you after going further into the report.[/color]

[Rustys]

[ATTACH type=“full”]12555[/ATTACH]

Windows requires on average 30% to 35% free space including 32 GB free space for updates, 7-10 GB reserved for future proofing on the C drive. Which will cause file and storage corruption.

This is not including and limited to what the system uses for backups, swap page and hibernate files.

CCleaner use to be a good program prior to them changing hands not it is ad riddled and is use improperly end up removing files and registry entries that are required for the system to run properly.

@phillpower2 may have more to state on this.

[sammmz]

PSU: 500W Lieton ATX12VO, see my prior message about the supposed PSU i have.

I’ll look to transfer more of my larger files to my second drive to ensure I don’t see any issues with storing in the future.

[phillpower2]

All I can come up with is it is a 500W Lieton ATX12VO

El cheapo garbage that should not be used anywhere near an add on GPU.

Something in Speccy that is plain weird;
HP 24x (1920x1080@60Hz)
4095MB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 (Sapphire/PCPartner): 33 °C

Sapphire are an AMD partner who to my knowledge have never ever made an Nvidea platform GPU, only explanation for this is a counterfeit GPU.
Power Profile
Active power scheme: [COLOR=rgb(184, 49, 47)]High performance

Change the Windows Power Plan to Balanced, High Performance is a form of overclocking that is known to cause stability and overheating issues and a weak PSU such as the one that you have will get hotter and weaker the more that you use it.

Ditch the second monitor until you have an appropriate PSU and sorted out the weirdness that is an AMD/Nvidea video card.
Firewall
Firewall: Enabled
Display Name: Norton Security Ultra
Antivirus
Windows Defender
Antivirus: Disabled
Virus Signature Database: Up to date
[COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]Bittdefender Antivirus
Antivirus: Enabled
Virus Signature Database: Up to date
[COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]Norton Security Ultra
Antivirus: Enabled
Virus Signature Database: Up to date

Having more than one AV or Firewall installed on your computer is bad, it will slow down the computer, cause internet connection problems and leave you with no AV protection at all if they cancel each other out as they fight for resources.

Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 come with an improved Windows Defender, it offers the same real-time anti-virus/anti-malware protection as Microsoft Security Essentials. Windows Defender also shares the same malware signature definitions as Microsoft Security Essentials, and Forefront Endpoint Protection. Technically, Microsoft Security Essentials has not been renamed Windows Defender, or combined with it in Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and 11.

[COLOR=rgb(44, 130, 201)]If any AV product that you have is a paid for version you should always make sure that you have a copy of the product key kept somewhere safe just in case you ever wish to reinstall it.

Bitdefender removal tools here

Norton uninstall info here

Once any other AV has been correctly uninstalled, check to see if Windows Defender has auto enabled and allow it to update and carry out a full scan of your computer.

Once done, restart, test by using the computer as you normally would, post back with an update when you are ready.[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Rustys]

No worries we cross posted within minutes of each other.

See where we are after you have had time to test.

[sammmz]

I’m in the process of moving stuff to my second drive and removing Norton which I didn’t know was still on my PC. However, I wish to keep my paid for security because, well, I paid for it.

I have removed the high-performance power scheme

Regarding the PSU I guess I’ve been scammed buying this rig, I’ve also looked into it a little, and on the ACER forums, it turns out it is a 6-pin power supply I only support that size, and that there are limited if any upgrade options, however, if you know of any recommendations that do not include an adaptor, to which I’ve also researched can be more trouble then it is worth.

The GPU, well this is certainly a surprise if true. However, right now, this isn’t a problem as it works fine either way.

The second monitor. This is sad news, I recently got the monitor and have been enjoying this very much. Would not using it as frequently assist me? as the monitor is useful for work, and running online D&D games. I refer to my PSU upgrade question to attempt to keep both monitors running.

your help is certainly appreciated, and enlightening.