Windows COMPLETELY Locks - Must use system restore

[Lotharr]

I have to say that I am thoroughly disappointed with this game.

I have a computer configured as follows:
Intel Core 2 CPU 6600 @ 2.4 and 2.39 GHz
3.0 GB RAM
AGEIA PhysX AG1011 Processor
NVIDIA GeForce 8600 GTS
Windows XP

I have removed almost everything from the computer except ZoneAlarm, Open Office 2.2, and Flash MX 2004. I can run UT3 fine for a bit, although there is an audio issue when maps are loading - the voice-overs "stutter."

TWICE now, upon rebooting the machine, Windows completely locks up before fully launching the GUI. It gets frozen on the WELCOME screen. The mouse won't move - nothing. I have now had to use system restore in safe mode to return to points before having installed UT3, then re-install and try again.

I realize the rig I'm using is not an uber-gaming machine, but it's also no piece of junk. Any ideas on how to remedy this would be appreciated.

[thaDAWG]

Update your sound and video drivers I suggest using the Nvidia beta 169.09 driver.

[bclagge]

Agreed. If that doesn't work I would try reinstalling Windows and starting completely fresh.

[btcomm]

I would do what they suggested first, update your drivers.

If you do reinstall make sure you back up your data if do you reinstall windows.

I have ut3 installed and my windows has no locked up so I think it's an issue with your machine or windows and not with UT.

[Hickeroar]

Also, try disabling Zone Alarm during the game and see if that happens to make a difference.

If those are the only pieces of software you have installed, you MIGHT try a format and reinstall, run all windows updates, install the latest sound drivers as well as the latest NVIDIA beta drivers for your vid card. Reinstalling those three pieces of software isn't a big deal if you're OK with wiping the system.

I would honestly HIGHLY doubt that your windows machine freezing has ANYTHING to do with UT3. There is no UT3 service or settings or ANYTHING that goes on while windows is booting that could even remotely cause your system to freeze. Maybe once the game has STARTED, but not previous to that.

[ZDragon]

Put your PhysX card out. It could be that the PhysX software that UT3 installs on your system comehow gets in the way of already installed PhysX software. And that makes it go boom.

[madafaka]

System locking while playing is more likely due to a faulty graphic card(does not imply not powerfull).
Games such as UT3, crysis, tabula and bioshock are good to test if you graphic card is faulty (even for 8800ultra)
After system locks, a BSOD follows usually. If you get BSOD few minutes after the system locks, or get Error report after reboot, you may consider getting an RMA

[{DvT}JonahHex]

You didn't say what you are using for audio. On-board? A sound card? if so, which one and did you disable the on-board audio in the BIOS? Quite a few of us have had to disable/remove our Soundblaster X-Fi cards in order to get UT3 to run without crashing.