Complete Computer Crashes

[AC-130]

So here I am, enjoying myself and attempting to pose amateur scenes as an outlet of my creative mind, and I experience some seemingly random (and rather irritating) crashes caused by the game... all the way to where I have to boot my computer back up.

Now I understand that Garry's Mod is notoriously unstable, but perhaps one of you fine gentlemen / ladies out there would be kind enough to assist me.

Here are computer specs (as much as I can provide) to help out with the troubleshooting.

Basics
[quote]
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional
CPU Type: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+, 3214 MHz
RAM: Roughly 8 GB's total, DDR
Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT (512 MB)
[/quote]

Advanced
[quote]

:Computer Software:
[b]Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional[/b]
OS Service Pack: Service Pack 3
DirectX: 4.09.00.0904 (DirectX 9.0c)

:Motherboard:
[b]CPU Type: AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 6400+, 3214 MHz[/b]
System Memory: 3072 MB
BIOS Type: Award (05/23/08)
Communication Port: Communications Port (COM1)
Communication Port: ECP Printer Port (LPT1)

[b]Physical Memory : Total 3070 MB
Swap Space :Total 4956 MB
Virtual Memory: Total 8026 MB[/b]

:Display:
[b]Video Adapter: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GT (512 MB) [/b]
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor [NoDB] (CC63963O36HL)

:Multimedia:
Audio Adapter Logitech USB Headset

:Storage:
IDE Controller: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
IDE Controller: Standard Dual Channel PCI IDE Controller
Floppy Drive: Floppy disk drive
Disk Drive: WDC WD3200AAKS-00G3A0 (298 GB, IDE)
Optical Drive: Optiarc DVD RW AD-7170A
Optical Drive: SONY DVD-ROM DDU1615 (16x/48x DVD-ROM)
SMART Hard Disks Status: OK

:Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 305234 MB (264527 MB free)

:Input:
Keyboard: HID Keyboard Device
Mouse: HID-compliant mouse

:Network:
Network Adapter: Realtek RTL8185 54M Wireless LAN Network Adapter (192.168.1.103)

:Peripherals:
Printer: Microsoft XPS Document Writer
USB1 Controller: Standard OpenHCD USB Host Controller [NoDB]
USB2 Controller: Standard Enhanced PCI to USB Host Controller [NoDB]
USB Device: Generic USB Hub
USB Device: USB Audio Device
USB Device: USB Composite Device
USB Device: USB Composite Device
USB Device: USB Human Interface Device
USB Device: USB Human Interface Device
USB Device: USB Human Interface Device
USB Device: USB Human Interface Device
[/quote]

Addons
[quote]
aaa Zombie SNPCs
Battlefield 2 (models)
COD4 Pilots (models)
day-of-defeat
derma
Gmod 10 Plus Pack
Larry's Ultimate Weapon Pack (models)
lost planet (models)
military (models)
Military Models 2
slow npcs and players elis pack
TFB (models)
under_water (models)
USMC COD4 Skins (models)
Zombie (Running NPC's)
[/quote]

I hope someone can help, I'm in desperate need of it!

[Oktoberman!]

[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/8/80/20090114221715!Waste_not_want_not_WWI_poster.jpg[/img]

[AC-130]

Oh do I feel enlightened. :_(

[CoolCorky]

Gmod is stable.
Addons are not.

[Danneh]

Garry's mod should never crash your computer to the point you have to restart it, sounds like something else. I would check temperatures with HWmonitor

[CoolCorky]

[QUOTE=djjkxbox;19432911]Garry's mod should never crash your computer to the point you have to restart it, sounds like something else. I would check temperatures with HWmonitor[/QUOTE]

Are you kidding? On my old PC Gmod fucked up so many times I lost count. ;(

[AC-130]

I suspected overheating but swept that idea aside, since with multiple different applications the temperatures where maintained within acceptable parameters, sometimes even exceptional.

I've played on games like MW2 and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky without encountering a single problem, which somewhat gives the graphics card a "get out of jail - free" card on overheating. Maybe the sensors are wrong?

I'll use your suggested program and see if it gives the same readings.

**Edit**

Found while gaming my GPU Core skyrocketed to a horrifying 57 degrees Celsius (ouch!), or a whopping 134 degrees Fahrenheit for us American folks. Closed out of Gmod shortly after seeing that to prevent further damage (hopefully none at all :_[).

Suppose I'll go to the nearest Walmart and see if I can purchase some "compressed air" to blow out any dust buildups, as this problem wasn't an issue before.

Interesting how none of the other programs gave any sort of heads up about that.

[CoolCorky]

[QUOTE=AC-130;19434177]see if I can purchase some "compressed air" to blow out any dust buildups[/QUOTE]

Was nice knowing ya.

What do you want on your gravestone?

[AC-130]

Well, since cleaning it out and adding one more fan just above the power supply (mine is set to the bottom blowing up, isn't that wonderful?) I've dropped the GPU (and most other devices) by about 7 degrees Celsius, which is great.

But alas, I now believe this is some sort of driver / addon problem. When I spawn certain NPC's (or models) it'll black out my computer within a matter of milliseconds.

Will flush out my Gmod and keep the essentials.

[Danneh]

Make sure video drivers are up to date