Need help with video card!!

E

Esor

New Member
Ok so I'm not completely computer literate, so if I say something weird I apologize. But I'm quite sure it's my graphics card that is messed up. But here is what is happening/happened

About a couple months ago while playing WoW, my computer basically froze and the screen went beserk and showed tons of different colors. I had to completely restart my computer and it would be fine for a couple days. So I continued to play WoW and use my computer as usual. Then a couple days later it does the same thing, and this time it won't start back up. The starting menu's pixels and such were all over the place. So I finally got it to start in safe mode and it worked fine, as far as using the internet and running the basic programs. So after a week or so being able to use it in safe mode (though not being able to play WoW :( ) I tried restarting it. It did the crazy crap while it was loading windows, but once it was loaded it ran fine...basically except everything was huge and I could tell my graphics card had been disabled. So now if I go to the control panel and into the device manager and look at the display drivers there is a little yellow caution//yield sign and I can disable it and enable it fine, but it doesn't change anything. I tried to update the drivers and all that, but I'm sure my graphics card is just fried. But basically I'm just curious if that's all it could be? Cause I don't want to go out and buy a new graphics card if it isn't that.
Sorry for the long post, just trying to paint the picture as best as possible.
Thank you for any help!!!!
 
Do have onboard Video (if this is a PC)
If so then physically remove the Graphics card and then plug the monitor into the Onboard Video and boot up
Then uninstall all your Video addon drivers in Control Panel
There are programs such as Driver Sweeper that can remove some Video card drivers as well

What is the make and model of your Computer or Motherboard?
And which Windows version are you using?
 
Ok let's try to answer those as best as possible lol

Onboard video --- not sure
What would taking out the video card and uninstalling the drivers do??

The computer is a Dell XPS 420
And I run Vista home edition (pretty sure heh)
 
I would suggest to physically remove the Video Card (side Cover off > Unscrew Video Card > Remove Connectors > Remove Card)
Then blow it out with high pressure air
First ;)
Oh and then re-mount it
 
kimsland said:
I would suggest to physically remove the Video Card (side Cover off > Unscrew Video Card > Remove Connectors > Remove Card)
Then blow it out with high pressure air
First ;)
Oh and then re-mount it
Click to expand...

He has a good point...these are the steps I would take to narrow down the problem.

1. Start the computer, open the side while it is running. You should be able to see or hear the fan of the card spinning. The problem sounds like it could be over heating.

2. If the fan is or is not spinning...power down the computer completely and un plug it. Remove your video card and blow it out really good. Dust actually acts like insulation on the heatsink. When you blow it out, use a toothpick or something to not let the fan spin. Compressed air can spin the fan way faster than it is rated for. That can actually cause damage.

3. Re insert the video card. Make sure it seats firmly and is held tightly in place. Also make sure the power cable is snapped in tightly.

4. Also make sure the computer can breathe. Lack of airflow can make things hot. hot computer parts can fail. Most things have a heat sensor...kinda like a saftey that will disable or shutdown the actuall piece of hardware. Clean out all fans and air vent in the entire computer.

5. Restart the computer and see what happens.

Try these things and report back with an update, then we'll start looking into drivers and power supply issues.;)

P.S. If you have the ability...try the card in another computer. That is the best way to trouble shoot a part. If you can find another computer...just make sure the power supply and computer can handle the graphics card before testing.
 
Try resetting your Bios to defaults
There are two options to do this:
1.
Press the F2 key (Info HERE)
Then locate Bios Setup Defaults and enable it
Then Save and Exit Cmos settings

or this one, preferred ;)
2.
Remove the power cord
Hold the ON button in for 30Secs, dispersing further residual power in the computer
Remove the side cover
Remove the silver CMOS button battery (Info HERE and HERE)
Locate the CMOS (Bios) Jumper and short the 1 and 2 Pins for 5 Secs (note: many manufactures color code this specific jumper Red) (Info HERE)


If that doesn't fix it, you could try another PowerSupply (if you had one there, even from another PC)
Or replace the Video Card :(
 
By reading the OP's first post, it sounds like your graphics drivers took a dump on you, as your GPU had the yellow exclemation mark. What graphics card do you have? eg: Nvidia GeForce 9600GT
 
Try some drivers as people said, but I feel pretty certain that GPU's bit the dust. What you've stated are pretty much tell-tale signs of a failing GPU... I'd confirm you don't have any warranty remaining before doing too much to the system as it should be covered. If you're out though, you might have to get yourself a new card. It'll be an easy fix, just will cost a bit of money...
 
Does it not tell you specifically under device manager? I'm thinking CPUz will tell you what your GPU is without drivers installed (but I usually know off hand so don't quote me on that :o ) Or if you get the service code off the back, it's possible to look up what the original setup was for the computer.
 
I have had the same problem except not as extreme; some times my computer will start up and the colors will be disorented and pictures will be hudge. Usually it auto corrects itself when I restart; my card is old as dirt though Radeon x700 series.
 
You should remove all dust on your card (high pressure air is good)
Also best to remove the card first and also blow out the port itself

Then download the most up to date drivers. Just click on the appropriate (nVidia drivers) pic:




 
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