'Pseudo-fix' for 360 freezing

[Marbs]

I'm want to be careful to use the term 'pseudo-fix' because I don't want Rockstar to think anyone would consider this a real fix, and I will explain why...

 

First I want to describe the specific problem I have experienced as from what I have read from other peoples experience it can vary greatly.

 

I get freezing during gameplay (not cutscenes or loading), the occurences appear random and usually between 15 to 45 min from starting game.

 

No other previously posted suggestions worked in my case.

 

This is what I have to do get the game to work: I place a large portable fan right next to the console, and the fan must be on it's highest setting. Too low and it will still freeze. So this suggests that if I can keep the console cool enough, then it will work.

 

Now in my opinion, if Rockstar want to tell me that nothing is wrong with the game because it is 'possible' to get the game to work as long as I get enough air moving over the console, then they are having a laugh.

 

No other game requires me to do this, and the whole objective of game design is to produce something which works within the operating constraints of the console, heat load being just one of many.

 

Having to set-up fans or place consoles precariously on cabinets might be okay for little timmy playing in his bedroom, but when you've got kids running around or complaining wives it's just ridiculous to suggest that that is a solution or normal required operating conditions.

 

Anyway I just wanted to share this just in case it may be able to help someone else at least have the choice to play the game without freezing for a while until we get a patch (not too optimistic about that!)

[Marbs]

Correction.

I've since found that the above solution only extends the play period before crashing but it WILL still crash (this time after about 2 hours).

 

So although this still suggests that in some cases heat may be an issue, it does prove that this issue is still a DEFECT as I had the machine as well ventilated as is physically possible.

 

I'm no computer scientist but I'd imagine that it would be extremely difficult to impossible to construct a patch to make an applicatoin like GTAIV produce less heat in the chips than it does running currently.

 

I can only suppose that those who aren't having this problem have slightly different hardware.

 

So who is at fault? It seems as though Rockstar have designed this program to work on a 360 with specific manufacturer's hardware (I have heard some parts vary). I don't think Microsoft has helped by having such apparently significant variation in hardware specs of supposedly identical machines.

 

And I spose we just cop it.

[cat33]

I've been having a similar problem with my PS3, it will just freeze randomly and you have to turn it off but, on my PS3 sometimes if i try to pause it the screen will go black and it will sound like its trying to read the disc or something

 

Check my post out http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?showtopic=352855

[paradilly]

@marbs

 

GTA4 is quite a visually stunning game so I reckon it will work the c/vpus harder than most games.

Sorry if im stating the obvious but have you tried cleaning all the airways with an air duster at all? Especially if your xbox is in a dusty environment.