T400 freezes with graphics Intense programes

[gerardee]

I tried playing some games with my new T400. 2.53 ghz, 3gb ram, 256mb ATI, 320 GB. And it freezes when playing games like battlefield 2, and GRID. i'm not sure if it's due to overheating, and i'm not sure how to test it either. I don't think it's the game because it happen with both games and has no fixed time when it will happen.

Any ideas?

[truk]

Several other people have reported this with multiple OS and 3d games. No solution or cause as of yet.

[neenee]

I do not have this problem, I play various 3D games, such as Left4Dead and World of Warcraft.

I did a clean install of Vista, but installed most Thinkpad applications.

If there's anything I can try to reproduce here to narrow down the problem, please let me know.

[truk]

I've never heard of the problem with those, and don't have it in NFS Underground 2. I think it has something to do with a newer technology. Do you play Bioshock, Mass Effect, or any of the others listed?

[gerardee]

no i don't play those games. only battlefield 2 and grid. oh btw i'm using windows xp, as i didn't like the way vista handles.

i do play pro evolution soccer, but that one works fine.. although i do have a feeling that it doesn't use up as much resources.

I have tried elevating the laptop and the freezing seems to be resolved. I guess i could buy a cooler, but I don't see why a new laptop should be overheating in the first place.. and is worrying if the heat can actually cause the game to freeze. This definitely will kill the hardware, and i was hoping this t400 would last at least 3-4 yrs.

[truk]

Sorry, that was to be directed @ Neenee, not you. I run XP also, with the same problems. I have only heard reports of it in Vista. I'm kinda sad to hear that Grid will have issues. I was looking forward to it.

[gerardee]

well it hardly happens with GRID... only once out of maybe 50...

but battelfield 2, that happens almost everytime.. like maybe 13 out of 20 times!

i'm gonna try getting a decent cooler, and see if this solves the problem. although when i'll actually get the cooler i've no idea...

truk, u don't think it's to do with the bios or any anything else? i'm not even 100% positive it's due to overheating. with what programes does your t400 freezes up?

[truk]

Bioshock, mass effect, and I think it's even happened in portal. Mine doesn't seem to be heating up when it does it, but I haven't actually checked the temp monitors. With the modified desktop drivers, it gives an error and recovers the driver instead of BSODing. This discourages the overheating idea. I want to say it's a driver issue myself, but I can't be sure. I haven't been having trouble lately at all running the catalyst 8.11 drivers, but I've only been playing older 3d-games. As I said, I think there's a bug in the driver, and we may be able to work around by changing settings. College has kept me too busy to really experiment.

[gerardee]

where do i check the version of my catalyst driver?

mine may be 8.503.2.2-080818a-068350C-Lenovo

2D driver version is 6.14.10.6822

ya i'm too busy to mess around with this too... only like a short 30 min game a day, and that's all..

[truk]

Open catalyst, and it will be under software in the advanced section. The Lenovo drivers are using 8.10 last I knew. The latest is 8.12 if they got it working yet.