Computer is messed up

bcorz

New Member
Hello,
I have my mom's old computer that she didn't want anymore. It is a HP Pavilion 7955. The specs can be found at:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=bph06804&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=sg&product=62740

I also installed a GeForce MX440 graphics card in the computer about 5 years ago. A year or so ago the hard drive failed, so I replaced the hard drive in the computer. The computer worked fine for about 2 months, but then it started to freeze up. Because of that, my mom gave me the computer.

I didn't touch the computer for a long while. Once I did decide to use the computer, I started to experience the freeze myself. After using the computer for a certain amount of time (can be for 2 mins or 2 hours), the computer locks up. I can't move my mouse or anything. While doing that, the monitor starts to act weird. It does a click, which it usually does when the computer goes from dos to windows, or when the monitor is turned on. I have to unplug the computer to get it to stop.

Also of note, I have not noticed this problem happening when the computer is in safe mode or safe mode with networking, which may help. This leads me to believe it is a driver of some sort.

I have tried multiple things to try to get the computer back working. I used the Microsoft ram tester software to see if that was what was wrong. I checked the hard drive for error just to make sure it wasn't the problem.

After one reboot, I got a windows system error screen thing that told me the problem was my graphics card. Because of that, I upgraded to the newest drivers. This did not help. I tried to switch my computer back to a system restore point; that did not work. I tried lowering the settings for graphics, that did not work.

I am basically at a loss for what to do next. Any help for me?
 
Recently, I have also been seeing white lines flicker through my screen in dos. I have also seen horizontal blue lines next to my mouse when I am windows.

I tried to see if it was a heating issue by placing a desk fan in the computer and it did not help.
 
hmmm, I dont think its a driver issue, with a computer that old it could be anything...but the video card would be on the top of my list. below that is motherboard.

Buy a cheap 40 vid card, and see if that fixes your problem...(if you can, try and find one at a best buy / walmart kind of store...so if it doesn't fix your problem...you have 2 weeks to return it.
 
Yea it sounds like either the video card is bad or the motherboard is going bad. Have you tried taking out the card and using the motherboard's onboard video instead? This will either confirm a problem with the card, the motherboard, or both.
 
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