Computer messed up

[BaldEagl]

I was launching the game last night when my screen got a lot of blockyness going on.

I'd had some issues with this several weeks ago and my MCP temps were very high (60C+) as they were again last night.

I shut down then this morning I opened things up. 

First I verified that all the fans were running.
Next I pulled the graphics and sound cards and all the RAM chips and reseated them.
I tried to boot up and it was worse.  That takes MCP temps out of the equation.
I pulled everything again, vacumed out the slots and reseated.  Same result.
I moved the graphics and sound cards to different slots.  No joy.
I tested each RAM chip independently.  No help.

I just replaced the PSU a few years ago but I did notice that two of the pins on my graphics card didn't go all the way to the bottom like all the others.  Not sure if they were always like that or not.

My first thought is it's my GPU but also could be my MB.  Any guesses?  The machine is 6 years old and probably should be replaced but I just don't have the funds to do that at this point so am looking for a temporary repair without shotgunning at what the problem is.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Blocky screen corruption is usually a result of either overheat from overclocking or video ram failing, or the combination of all of it. If you have overclocked your gpu set it to standard clocks, it may help it run for some more.

Also if you updated your graphic drivers recently it may be simple driver corruption.

[BaldEagl]

GPU is not OC'd and I haven't updated drivers in quite some time.  In fact I last rolled back to an older version about a year ago.

I'm also thinking it's the GPU.  The sad part is I'm still using 32 bit XP so need a 512 card.  If anyone out there has an 8800 GTS or a 9800 GTX+ they're willing to part with send me a PM and let me know what you want for it.  I'd rather place my trust in someone from the community than ebay.

[1701E]

GPU is not OC'd and I haven't updated drivers in quite some time.  In fact I last rolled back to an older version about a year ago.

I'm also thinking it's the GPU.  The sad part is I'm still using 32 bit XP so need a 512 card.  If anyone out there has an 8800 GTS or a 9800 GTX+ they're willing to part with send me a PM and let me know what you want for it.  I'd rather place my trust in someone from the community than ebay.

If it turns out to be a GPU corruption/dying issue I have an old 9800GTX+ laying around we don't use. Also have a GTX260 if you would prefer, it's 896mb, so it would cut into RAM (and power) a bit more though. Both are EVGA and not being used anymore.

<S>

[Dragon]

I have a 9800GTX+ 1 gig VC that is in use in my wifes comp.  I just had a new VC donated and planned on swapping around the VC's on our 3 comps.  Due to work schedule it'll be at least a week before I can get to it though.  No charge and I can cover freight too if it's not ridiculous if you can wait a few weeks.

I know the 512 is actually better than the 1024, but I had to fly that night and Best Buy didn't have the 512.

[BaldEagl]

One more thing about this that may lead to a definitve conclusion id that I'm not even getting past the POST process and it's already blocked and fuzzy in black, white and grey.

[Rich46yo]

I dont have a AMD but I do have a GTX580 laying around. Since your a long time member I'd let you have it for a good price. PM me if you want it. Ive been keeping it as a back up but sounds like you need it worse.

[Randy1]

Would a good test be to remove the video card and let the mother board video processor take over?

[Bizman]

One more thing about this that may lead to a definitve conclusion id that I'm not even getting past the POST process and it's already blocked and fuzzy in black, white and grey.

Most likely the video card. Although of course it could be anything else connected to the video card... But most often it's the VC. As Randy1 suggested, in case your motherboard has a built-in video circuit, unmount the VC and try with that. Or you can try with any VC to see if the picture quality would get any better at the startup screen - no need to boot all the way to Windows for that particular test, not to mention installing any drivers.

[TequilaChaser]

Heya BE,  PM sent regarding video cards


as mentioned above......... try to go through the testing by unmounting and maybe even possibly using the CMOS er BIOS error Beep codes

just a thought

Good Luck

TC

[715]

Video cards don't eat memory space from the CPU directly; it is sort of paged in.  I have Win XP 32 bit and my 2GB HD7870 card does not eat up 2GB of my 4GB address space. In fact it only eats a tad bit more than my previous 512M card did and that is probably only because I run at higher resolution now (so bigger frame buffer).

[Chalenge]

With a card of that age it is probably the thermal compound that has broken down, but at this point it is most likely too late to fix.

[100Coogn]

Would a good test be to remove the video card and let the mother board video processor take over?

That's a good idea.  At least he'll know if it's video card or not, assuming the MOBO has onboard video.

Coogan

[BaldEagl]

I don't have onboard video or another card I can use to test with.

I think I have a replacement card lined up so that will be step one.  If that's not it I'll probably try testing the PSU before popping for a motherboard but the PSU isn't very old so I highly doubt that's it (2-3 year old 850W Corsair).

[BaldEagl]

It was my graphics card dying.

I guess I should have forseen this as I'd noticed anomolies for some time (an occasional screen flash in game, occasional game lock-ups when quickly changing views on GV bases with lots of fires and smoke and the problems I was having in the thread titled Ugh).

Thank you to everyone who offered help and support but a special thank you to 1701E who provided me a 9800 GTX+ 512 to get me going again.  Hopefully I'll be able to put it through it's paces later tonight but so far so good.

Thanks again.