8800 GTS - Can't install drivers.

[Cod]

I received my new graphics card, MB, PSU and HDDs etc today. All has gone fairly swimmingly - it only took me 4 hours to raid0 my new HDDs and reinstall windows on to them.
I've struck a problem now though: I try to install the GFX drivers and the PC hangs, displaying a _ prompt (flashing underscore). It doesn't go away, believe me. I also have some unsightly vertical stripes / dots across the monitor at all times. I have tried all available drivers.
Any suggestions for what I should do? (I have already considered the sledgehammer option at length, thank you).

System:

A8N32-SLI Deluxe
AMD 64 X2 4800+ with stock cooling (forgot to buy the fan for the Akasa EVO 98 Heatpipe)
Corsair 620w PSU
Corsair 2x 3200 C2PT 512MB
Windows XP Professional SP2+
OcUK GeForce 8800 GTS 640MB GDDR3 (PCI-Express)

 

[viking12344]

Darn man, that does not sound good. Sounds like an RMA. I guess if that was me I might try wiping windows again and starting from scratch with my fingers crossed. Maybe reseat the card.

 

[melbourne720]

If you have graphical glitches before windows loads then it is a borked card, and then I'd RMA it pronto.

 

[Dutch Guy]

I also have some unsightly vertical stripes / dots across the monitor at all times.

That sounds a lot like a broken videocard, possibly video memory.

Try booting in safe mode and see if you still get corruption.

 

[Cod]

I've reinstalled windows, resat the card in both available slots and still the corruption, it even appears on the post screen Any chance it could be the motherboard and not the gfx card?

 

[melbourne720]

I've reinstalled windows, resat the card in both available slots and still the corruption, it even appears on the post screen Any chance it could be the motherboard and not the gfx card?

borked = rma time

 

[LoadsaMoney]

Id agree with the above, borked card, RMA it.

 

[Cod]

Thanks for the advice everyone.