Strange Display Error

kicks66 · 27 Apr 2006 at 20:19

ive had my pc for around a year and a half (6800gt, amd 3000+, asus a8v). recently, its started having a major problem. at random times, the screens colours suddenly go in vertical strips of each individual colours, sometimes in chunks sometimes just strips of them, does anyone have a good reason for this and how to sort it?

Werewolf · 27 Apr 2006 at 20:21

Unfortunately that sounds like the video cards GPU or memory is either failing, or overheating.

Check the fan/cooler is clean and working, and if possible check with another card.

kicks66 · 27 Apr 2006 at 20:24

ive just checked the gpu temperature, and on start up its 89 degrees C!
the gfx card hasnt been cleaned at all for the year and a half, it does seem to have quite a lot of dust on it, should i try cleaning it? if so how?

Mp4 · 27 Apr 2006 at 20:47

seems quite a high temprature :/ yeah try cleaning it see if it works

SiriusB · 27 Apr 2006 at 20:48

kicks66 said:
ive just checked the gpu temperature, and on start up its 89 degrees C!
the gfx card hasnt been cleaned at all for the year and a half, it does seem to have quite a lot of dust on it, should i try cleaning it? if so how?

Compressed air, hoover.. [dont touch it with a metal pipe tho!] feather duster....

SiriusB

kicks66 · 27 Apr 2006 at 21:01

with the hoover, should i use the suck?

SiriusB · 27 Apr 2006 at 21:04

Don't all hoovers suck!?

lol last time i cleaned my case and hardware i stuck the small plastic nozzle on the dyson and just let rip taking care not to knock any capacitors off

If some dust doesnt shift, then maybe try blowing if your hoover can do that :eek:

If all else fails go in with a lint free cloth - such as a duster and GENTLY removed the dust that way.

SiriusB

PoliticallyCorrect · 27 Apr 2006 at 21:10

just don't use a feather duster because it creates static and will most likely blow some components up.

just use a plastic hoover end

wilders · 27 Apr 2006 at 21:16

I use a stiff-ish brush which you can poke into the fan etc to clean it all up.

SiriusB · 27 Apr 2006 at 21:16

Slenpree said:
just don't use a feather duster because it creates static and will most likely blow some components up.

just use a plastic hoover end

Good call.. forgot about Lord Static and his evil Electron minions! :eek:

SiriusB

Werewolf · 27 Apr 2006 at 21:18

i tend to use a kids paint brush and can of air to clean heatsinks/fans

The paintbrush to clean the bulk of the dust off, then take the heatsink outside/into the hall (closing my bedroom door), then give it a blast of compressed air and start coughing

kicks66 · 27 Apr 2006 at 22:22

if its broken, would it be too late to return it (i havnt voided the warranty at all, however its a year and a half old)

SiriusB · 27 Apr 2006 at 22:33

I doubt youd get a refund,but if it is still under warranty I dont see a problem getting a replacement. If indeed it is knackered

SiriusB

wilders · 27 Apr 2006 at 23:10

I had a knackered msi 4400 which blew after nearly 2 years, they sent me a 4800 back as they didnt have any 4400's....cant fault that!

SiriusB · 27 Apr 2006 at 23:39

Usually general practice to send you the same model or better if its not available.

Having hardware spring its mortal coil can be a good chance for a free upgrade

SiriusB