Why do i get artifacts on desktop but not in games!?!?!

[Nicfish]

I get artifacts at random points on my desktop but usually when something is happening, such as scrolling through internet pages. 99% it will do this and then crash a few seconds later, but a couple times it managed to re-couperate. I can play games all day long without a glitch tho! Is my graphics card (ati 3850 pro 512mb) FUBAR or is there a way to fix this.

Screenshots:

Setup is:
Asus PK5c
Intel C2D E2180
Geil 2gb
ATI HD3850 pro 512mb HIS version

 

[Datamonkey]

thats fubar,

RMA time, odd how it lasts through games though.

have you clocked it? and managed to set the 2d speeds to high?

 

[killersheep34]

Bad memory normally.

Try reinstalling drivers ect but if that don't work, like Datamonkey says, RMA it.

 

[tipsy]

used to get stuff like than with my old nvidia 7900gt (inital batch if i remember) bios screen was garbled although games were fine windows was corrupted. I'd say RMA it

 

[Nicfish]

Yeah its not clocked or anything so i guess it will be RMA. I have some RAM i need to RMA too as you may notice by the memtest running in one of the screenies! Thanks for advice ne ways!

 

[Scania]

I get the same issue if I reset my BIOS for whatever reason & subsequently get my RAM timings out.

Desktop is distorted / artifacty 3D apps are fine.

I assume the desktop uses system RAM & 3D Apps, video card RAM? - Far too simple I'm sure!

 

[Scougar]

Should I mention that on my 3870 (even at standard clocks), I get artifacts (dots) but mainly in firefox. On EVERY check box, or radio button, there is a dot to the lower right of that box. In IE it gets a little dotty sometimes over the screen, but mainly in firefox.

I have assumed drivers until now, as no setting seems to affect it unfortunately, 3D games are perfect, and does not artifact even when pushed to 1300Mhz.

Matthew

 

[Nicfish]

I would not mind a few dots here and there, i could live with that. But when it freezes the whole system, its not too fun!

Oh and it is running stock clocks.

 

[killersheep34]

Should I mention that on my 3870 (even at standard clocks), I get artifacts (dots) but mainly in firefox. On EVERY check box, or radio button, there is a dot to the lower right of that box. In IE it gets a little dotty sometimes over the screen, but mainly in firefox.

I have assumed drivers until now, as no setting seems to affect it unfortunately, 3D games are perfect, and does not artifact even when pushed to 1300Mhz.

Matthew

If you've overclocked your card, that can damage the memory chips permenantly. 3d, and 2d probably use different parts of the board maybe explaingin why you only get issues in 2d applications.

 

[Scougar]

Seriously doubt I'd get damage at standard clocks when I first had the card.

Matthew