complete graphics' failure

Crawlerz

Crawlerz

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Nov 17, 2008
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dear eGOs! how are you? lets get down to the nitty gritty.

today I had some strange happenings. my game(s) and screensavers and apps and general explorer windows have begun showing blue dots ALL OVER the screen, then "driver failed and recovered", and then complete BSOD (with problems displaying even that) and mem dump w/reset. that cycle continued for some time. restarted (in safe mode), reinstalled driver, shut down completely. nothing helped. waited for a bit (too let the pc cool down a bit) and started up! how? the thing is - the pc want on all that long, and it's been on a LOT longer before without these problems. wtf is going on guys?

my rig: stock DELL @ 2.4GHz core2duo, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD, VISTA, 8800GTX video, 2ms samsung monitor.

p.s. as you already know I've had some trouble a while back. my AVer TV tuner card apparently overheated and completely failed. even the pc refused to start. took that out and the pc has worked fine. but that's always in the back of my mind. I might've fried something.

suggestions?
 
you probably need to clean out your pc or the other option is that your video card is completely dead or dying of heat. Idk out this one but it might be your motherboard because of the memory dumps, because if it was your video card you just wouldn't get memory dumps.
 
I had a similar problem with one of my comps a while back. Started getting dots all over the screen(except mine were purple). It would even occur on BSOD and in Safe Mode and in the BIOS.

It turned out my card was dying(it was a 7900GT), when I swapped in another card it ran fine, and continues to do so today. I would suggest trying another card if you have a spare or a friend who does.
 
well seems like im screwed. and no, I don't have another good card that will run all my games. actually I don't have any spare graphics cards.

I think I'll need to move up buying a pc - this one seems to be dying.
 
Are the errors still there in safe mode? The computer doesn't use your graphics card to draw in safe mode.
 
xLDCxAzail said:
Are the errors still there in safe mode? The computer doesn't use your graphics card to draw in safe mode.
Click to expand...

no - but I really only ran safe mode during this twice - but no errors and no drawing problems

the BSOD had problems drawing though - lines, dots, the whole shebang
 
Did your computer come with that graphics card or did you put it in? Because if it came with an integrated graphics chip, you may be able to take out the one you have now and reactivate the integrated one. It won't be able to run any games, but if there are no errors with it, you can be sure it's your graphics card.
 
xLDCxAzail said:
Did your computer come with that graphics card or did you put it in? Because if it came with an integrated graphics chip, you may be able to take out the one you have now and reactivate the integrated one. It won't be able to run any games, but if there are no errors with it, you can be sure it's your graphics card.
Click to expand...

I it not integrated! are you kidding - it's a nVidia 8800GTX! just that the DELL is sorta stock and underpowered/overpriced. (THEY put it in - not me - but it definetly is a 8800GTX)
 
Does your computer case get enough cool air? I highly suggest you get a fan or two if you can for the case. Also, in the meantime I would open the case and keep it open for a temporary solution to get airflow in there. You should focus on the cause as much as the effect in this case.
 
.[BORN]2kill said:
Does your computer case get enough cool air? I highly suggest you get a fan or two if you can for the case. Also, in the meantime I would open the case and keep it open for a temporary solution to get airflow in there. You should focus on the cause as much as the effect in this case.
Click to expand...

It definitely does NOT. also there's a heating vent behind the tower, wich I covered up as best I could but you know...:chair:don't think I'll be upgrading this dude though. I looking to build a pc into the future (I'll need some advice then)... but for now I was wondering if there could be something I could do... I mean it "cooled" and now it works. Don't ask me how, but it does. we'll see...
 
well one thing you could doo is try to move the pc away from the vent, also open it up an get a can of compressed air and spray out the dust inside the heatsink of the video card. that will help your temps a little bit.
 
uhhh yeah sorry if this has been established already but its definitely heat issues. those dots you see are called artifacts, and those form when cards are too hot and don't function correctly
 
Did you reinstall windows to see if that helped?

Your computer might have the Flu easyer to reinstall and hope for the best, if no luck well new card comes to mind.
 
.[BORN]2kill said:
Does your computer case get enough cool air? I highly suggest you get a fan or two if you can for the case. Also, in the meantime I would open the case and keep it open for a temporary solution to get airflow in there. You should focus on the cause as much as the effect in this case.
Click to expand...

I though of keeping the case open too, but I abandoned it due to kids, and genral stupidity of adults coming over. some idiot might spill/drop something. my tower is "tied" to the workstation about 3/4 foot up off the floor. as I said I covered a heating vent behind it as best I could.
 
e MpTy said:
Did you reinstall windows to see if that helped?

Your computer might have the Flu easyer to reinstall and hope for the best, if no luck well new card comes to mind.
Click to expand...

that isnt something I'm prepared to do! i got tons of small/big apps installed and remembering all the favorites, documents, music, vids, pics, save games, templetes, etc., etc. is impossible
 
If you're game, I'll ship you my MSI NX8600 GT, just shipping and handling. I've been "building" a computer for nearly three years due to lack of funds, and I'm tired of the card sitting here. I bought it from a close friend, and it's as-is, but it works.

PM me if you're interested.
 
That model dell does not have any exhaust fans. You really need to order one off of newegg and install it ASAP.

I would get something like this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185006

It may not have the exact holes on the back grill to screw it down so you could use zip ties to secure it (see pic in link below).

http://consumer.hardocp.com/image.html?image=MTE1OTI0MTk5M2NrVUEycjZjQ1lfM18yNF9sLmpwZw==

That is one very tight case with not a lot of air to breath and two fans blowing air around the case but none blowing air out.
 
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