video card issue

[kamikaze77]

The Fan on my Nvidiea Geforce 9800gt isn't spinning. I found this out because my screen (42 inch plasma tv) was acting funny (when i would be away from the computer for a while, id come back, and moving the mouse wouldnt get me back from the screen saver) and then one time it did it when i was on the computer. I opened up my baby and noticed that my video card was really really hot. I ended up pulling the card out (almost burning my hands) and i let it cool off.a few hours later i put it back in and turned my computer back on. at first it didnt start up. but after about three minutes it turned back on. For some reason i Turned off my computer again (i had a reason, i just don't remember what it was) and The fan wasn't working again. I know running the computer without the video cards fan running is not a good idea, is there anything i can do to get it fixed? or do i have to buy a new card? Has anyone else had this problem? I'm thinking maybe because i have it hooked up to such a large screen that maybe its overworking itself and overheating, but i don't know why that would fry the fan.
I'm really hoping im not going to have to buy a new video card

 

[JLuchinski]

Fans die, it happens. Do you have another fan with the same pin config. that you can plug into the fan out header on your card to see if it's on fact the fan or a fault on your PCB? You could also look up third party coolers for your card, there are many options for a 9800.

 

[kamikaze77]

Fans die, it happens. Do you have another fan with the same pin config. that you can plug into the fan out header on your card to see if it's on fact the fan or a fault on your PCB? You could also look up third party coolers for your card, there are many options for a 9800.

with third party coolers, do i no longer use the one on my card?

Also, my card is one of the ones with a plastic case around the fan, is it safe to take that off?

and how do i know what fan is right for my video card?

 

[JLuchinski]

Yeah the whole plastic piece is the cooler, it has heat sinks in it and the fan blows the hot air out of the back of the card (in most cases) and the plastic housing helps direct the air that way. If you pull the cooler off by undoing the screws on the bottom of the card and pull the cooler off you should see where the wire on the fan attaches to the fan out header. If you have a fan with the same pin config. then connect and if it spins then you just have a dead fan. With third party coolers yes you take off the old cooler and connect the new one. If you go to your local computer store someone should be able to tell you what coolers work best for the 9800, there's also a list on the side of the box that will tell you what cards the cooler is compatible with. Taking off the cooler will not hurt your card provided you do it correctly, and don't try to force it off if it isn't co-operating, you probably just missed a screw. And always make sure to touch something metal before handling your card to prevent a static electricity accident. But do not run your card without a cooler on it, then you will be looking at a fried chip.