Is my video card dying/dead???

[kfunk]

Before I go out and buy a new video card, I just wanted to make sure that it's my video card

As I'm booting my computer, I see whole lot of lines and dots on my screen. My computer will load just until the window log on screen and freeze there. Is my video card dying on me? I have PNY Geforce 6800 GT card.

[Special7]

Remove the card from your pc and remove all dust from the heat sink, then see what happens.

[AsusLover]

Also if you have a spare card sitting around pop that in and see if it fixes the issue. Normally this is caused from excessive heat build up. Altho it could be the sign of a dying core.

[nightelph]

Rule #1 with hardware troubleshooting: 'Test with known good hardware'. If you don't have spare card to test in the box, or a friend's machine to drop it into, then I'd would say the card is toast. If you could snap a pic of the display and post it that would help. But from the sound of that graphical error, which I've seen before, I think you're out of luck. Is the card under warranty?
Post back!


[I've seen it twice: once was an overvolted 5900XT and the other was a 6800GT that got exposed to excess static electricity]

[kfunk]

I removed the card, cleaned it all out, put it back in and same thing.

Unplugged and left the computer off for 6 hours and turned it on. Everything was working perfectly fine until ten min into checking my email, computer froze. Mouse was responding very very slowly. Pointer would move 15-20 sec after I move the mouse.

I restart my comp and same thing... I see bunch of dots and lines. I don't have a spare card lying around.

I just hope it's not my hard drive dying because I want to back up some files. You guys still think it's the video card?

[don'tknow]

nah it's not your hard drive. Display artifacts/lines = vid card. If your hard drive was dying the symptoms would be like hearing constant clicking noises from the HD, files/folders opening/copying very slowly (or not at all)... that's what was happening with my old hard drives.

[kfunk]

Some screen shots:

http://lh6.ggpht.com/fishme/SMNvAI1-PSI/AAAAAAAAA4g/f3_rzytHn4w/s800/screen1.jpg
http://lh4.ggpht.com/fishme/SMNvAPEQQDI/AAAAAAAAA4o/FcPG26jzrxo/s800/screen2.jpg
http://lh6.ggpht.com/fishme/SMNvAW_t9ZI/AAAAAAAAA4w/MAjzXMprqQE/s800/screen3.jpg

[Special7]

Pretty safe to say, time for a new video card.

[don'tknow]

yes, vid card issue. I would say 'check the temps' but I guess you can't get into windows.

how long ago did you buy that 6800gt?

[galador]

That is the signs of bad VGA memory.
Just replace the card and all will be fine because it will get much worse real soon.
Disable you VGA drivers in device manager and see if it clears up a bit when you reboot into windows.
If it does, you will have your answer.

[kfunk]

yes, vid card issue. I would say 'check the temps' but I guess you can't get into windows.

how long ago did you buy that 6800gt?

I don't even remember where I bought it from. I believe at least 3 years ago?

can you guys recommend any cheap card w/ DVI connection? I just need to get through another year or two before I upgrade my system. I use my computer for internet mostly. No hardcore gaming. I hate to spend $70+ at local stores when I can spend ~$30 online for similar card

[don'tknow]

um I don't really know how $30 vid cards compare to each other but I guess one of these would work:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=agp+fx+5200+video+card&x=0&y=0

[kfunk]

How about ATI cards? Never tried ATI cards. Some local guy is selling it.

[don'tknow]

I only know how $100+ cards compare. Anything below that I never buy or read reviews for.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380048%204025%201069609639&name=AGP%204X%2f8X

list of all AGP cards in the $25-50 range.

[galador]

Boot into safe mode if you have to use the pc.
You will notice that there is less artifacts because your VGA is not enabled there and disable the driver. Then boot into regular OS.
It will buy you a bit of time with a clearer screen but you will not have any hardware acceleration so gaming is a no go and DVD playing is not recomended but internet surfing is possible.
Just remember, this is a short time fix, when the memory goes completely out your PC probably won't boot until you change out the VGA card.
Just went through the same situation on my laptop about two months ago except I was in Iraq :bang head
http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?t=564216