Weird - Frustrating!

[lqcorsa]

I've got a real frustrating problem that just recently started happening with my PC.

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n119/lqcorsa/PIC-0061.jpg

Seconds from dropping my launch bar on the CVN-65 I get this on my screen. The screen gets fragmented, eventually turns black, and I'm forced into a hard reboot. As you can see I had to take the picture with my phone.

Also, 5 out of 6 times that I try and boot my computer up, the Post BIOS test fails and gives me 1 long beep followed by 2 short beeps, indicating a video error, and I get nothing on the screen. I have to reboot my computer manually a good 5 or 6 times until it works.

I get that corrupt screen about 60 seconds after I start playing a computer game, however once I got it while browsing the internet.

I just recently reformatted my computer, and these errors started occuring AFTER the reformat.

Things I've Already Done:

Downloaded The Latest Video Card Drivers
Checked The Video Card Is Secure In The PCI-E Slot
Ran Spyware/Virus Scans
Checked For Conflicting Background Processes
Downloaded The Latest CPU DriversI've really gotta get this problem worked out though. Can I get some suggestions?


Oh I forgot one thing. The first time that corrupt screen appeared, and I rebooted, it told me it found a new Video Card Controller...etc etc...and told me no drivers were installed for the GPU (even though they were), and I had absolutely no GPU acceleration at all. The windows even moved frame-by-frame while moving them around. I had to reinstall all the GPU drivers. That doesn't happen anymore though. It boots up normally (not including the failed Post BIOS tests.)

[Funky]

First thing I would do is check the fans in your PC and make sure all are working ESPECIALLY THE VIDEO CARD ONE.
Since it happens in the games, and once on the internet, I think it has something to do with crossing some load thresh hold. Also monitor your GFX's temps from your computer.

I once had almost the exact problem, except it was my CPU fan.

Funky

[RodemusPrime]

Sounds like your memory is gone...try other modules ...or memtest.....:shades:

[Deckerd]

Yup, check the fans and try memtest. Let it run for the whole day since some memory errors are very hard to find with only a few cycles

[Specter1075]

I'm not a wizard of tech by any means; however, I did have a VERY similar problem a while back. In fact, your screenshot gave me shivers. My problem was a fault in the graphics card. I never knew what exactly, I just knew that switching it out fixed the problem. Fortunately, it was new enough that I was able to get a free replacement from the company. (XFX) How old is your card? Do you have another that you could swap out? If you can determine the problem is with your card, then start talking to the manufacturer and see what they can do for you.

[RodemusPrime]

Sounds like your memory is gone...try other modules ...or memtest.....:shades:

i didnt even look at pic...lol..thought it was a ....ummm..just a pic...lol...but now that i looked at it...your GPU is overheating and/or fried ....get an old GPU and just test that your video is running properly....and if so...get a new graphics card
Also check your drivers...make sure you only have one set of drivers for the appropiate card......hope that helps!:shades:

[sewillis]

Congratulations, Iqcorsa, your video card is about to give up the ghost. Just in time for a late Christmas present! I see a 8800 in your future, you lucky dog.

[Tineras]

Do you have an onboard video card? I would take out the pci-e one and see if it boots fine with the onboard one. If so, it's probably the video card.

[BHawthorne]

How old is that card btw? Looking at that pic that is what bad video ram looks like though.

Suggestions: Make 100% sure the fan still works on the video card. Cables can get jammed in the video card fan because of bad cable management. Something unusual to do, but use RivaTuner to under-clock your video card and/or video ram. See if that clears up the issue. If so, it'll buy you some time till you replace I guess. What are the temps on your card when you experience this artifacting (Also able to look up in RivaTuner)? It might be really bad case temps causing this and it may not even be a permanent issue (if you're very lucky).

[harm7]

I have had this several times, especially when experimenting with oc. It is usally a sign of the card gpu temp or mem timing being too high according to what i was told on the nvidia forums. if you reboot and can see the windows screen then it is most likely the temp, assuming your not overclocking.

[TopSpin]

I just read the book "Snow Crash," I didn't think computers actually made pictures like that. Anyone one read that book? Anyway... as for your problem...

I recently had a stability problem with my computer. It turned out that the graphics card was the culprit. Upon close examination, I noticed what looked like a dried fluid on the back side of the card (sts). It appeared as if the card had been "sweating." Lesson learned was any hardware that's attached to the MOBO can cause unstable behavior and fatal system errors. I'd start with the the graphics card, and closely examine all other parts for anything out of the ordinary.

[lqcorsa]

Tonight is the first boot up with the new card. :tongue:

Lost it completely the night after my original post.

Problem: Just as you guys suspected. The fan was busted. Caused my video card to toast nice and crispy-like :wink2: .

I noticed after testing the fan that it didn't spin. I gave it a few spins with my fingers and it barely budged. Also, upon removing it, the COPPER heat sinc was even changing colors from the intense heat! The ink on the card had melted and started smeering across the plastic even. :bigeyes:

Bad news: Lost $305

Good news: I'm runnin' a ATI HD 3850 along with a brand new 600W Power Supply. :thumb: Not to mention the ultra cool blue L.E.D. light on it that gives my computer that "cool" look...

Now according to my Dxdiag, The Catalyst Control Center (Software Offered By ATI That Comes With The Drivers), AND my System Info viewer, I'm running with 1024MB of memory on the card. The box says its 512MB GDDR4 though. Strange.

BUT. This is definetly a huge step from my WELL outdated X800 I had. Gotta love the DirectX 10.1, 670 MHz Core Clock, and 830 MHz Memory Clock though.

[Playloud]

Sounds like it the failure was a good thing!

[Funky]

Gotta love the DirectX 10.1, 670 MHz Core Clock, and 830 MHz Memory Clock though.

SHOW OFF!!! http://www.fmvperformance.com/forum_items/Smileys/default/blitz.gif

Jus kiddin :tongue:. Glad You like the new system! So who payed for it? You, or the parents :wink2: ?

Funky