Graphics issue?

Liggs · 9 Jan 2010 at 13:45

Hi guys,

Having some sort of problem with my graphics card I think. I've been playing a lot of Modern Warfare 2 recently and the other day I started getting a lot of visual artifacts and the entire PC was freezing up on me. It started it doing it more regularly today and Windows 7 was giving me a message about there being a problem with the graphics drivers.

I went onto the nVidia website and installed the latest Windows 7 drivers for my card, then tried again. This time the same thing happened except when I boot the PC up, it can't get into Windows at all, it just blue screens. Also the boot screens are all artifacty.

I tried taking it apart, unplugging the cables and plugging then back in, taking the card out and putting it back in. Checked for overheating, couldn't find any.

Any idea? Am I just going to need a new card?

Alex74 · 9 Jan 2010 at 13:47

Have you upgraded any components recently?

Can you post a full system spec, including PSU?

PapaLazaru · 9 Jan 2010 at 13:47

Mine did exactly the same recently and it turned out my card had fried.

Liggs · 9 Jan 2010 at 13:56

Re:

I haven't changed anything recently.

Core 2 Duo E8600
Geforce 8800GT
4gb DDR2 RAM
I think the PSU is 600W

I guess the card is probably fried.

Alex74 · 9 Jan 2010 at 14:00

Would be my guess too. If you have another rig or a mate with a PCI-E card you could see if it will run with that.

I assume it freezes and crashes in other games as well?

If you need a new card, I would go for something along these lines.

Liggs · 9 Jan 2010 at 14:05

I might try it with another card just to confirm, then I'll get a new one. Doesn't need to be anything fancy, just enough to play MW2 at reasonable settings and any new games coming out in the next year or so.

McstylisT · 9 Jan 2010 at 14:05

+1 for the card being the problem here.

Only way to be sure is as already stated try another or try this card in someone elses computer.

The 5770 is a fine buy.

McT

moleh · 9 Jan 2010 at 14:38

Anything in the system log and have you had any blue screens?

Usually if its not a CPU issue you will blue screen rather than fully lock. Are you clocking you card if so drop that and try again ?

Moleh

PapaLazaru · 9 Jan 2010 at 14:59

McstylisT said:
The 5770 is a fine buy.

+1

I did the same when my X2900XT fried on Xmas day of all days.

dragy2k · 9 Jan 2010 at 15:48

use the oven trick ...saved many a old gfx card over time ...

arknor · 9 Jan 2010 at 17:14

lol oven trick?

chipps101 · 9 Jan 2010 at 17:20

if you bake the card in an oven it can melt the solder and cure dry joint problems.

i think the type of solder used on gfx cards melts at about 180c - 190c

ps. im not saying that you should try this

arknor · 9 Jan 2010 at 18:26

yea i googled and saw threads + guides about it.

they said 196c for 8 minutes with foil balls to under the card to stop it touching the baking tray/oven.

guess its no more insane than the old HDD in the freezer trick