Windows Won't Boot - pattern on screen

mistertim

New Member
system:
C2D 3.16GHz
Gigabyte EP45-DS3R
6GB DDR2-800
EVGA GTX 680

Problem:

Ran fine for a long time on Windows 8 Pro. The other day I pull up Minecraft (which I'd done just fine the day before) and suddenly both screens are full of a colored pattern. The computer reboots, POSTs fine, and then does the same thing (though with a slightly different pattern/colors) before getting to windows. Reboot, go through diagnostics, it can't repair anything automatically, and I get the same pattern if I do safe mode, system restore, system refresh, or system reset.

Fresh install with reformat. Everything is going groovy. Get all my basic apps installed, then open a youtube video on Chrome. Plays for a couple seconds, then whammy, same issue, won't boot at all.


My first thought was a hardware issue. But then it shouldn't keep Windows from booting.

My second thought was a driver issue. But then it shouldn't reappear right after reinstalling Windows without installing the NVidia driver.

So, I'm down to it being an issue with the built-in windows driver and my card. But then why did it just now show itself? I had run windows update right before the first time it happened, but I purposely installed no updates before the second time it happened.


I've got a new card on the way (should be here tomorrow), but I have a feeling that won't fix it.

What am I missing?
 
You have one of the following issues.

1. bad driver
2. bad video card itself
3. bad power supply
4. issue with motherboard

So to diagnose

1. try different drivers
2. try different power supply
3. try your card in another computer or try a different card in your system
4. try different motherboard but kinda goes along with #3

You do have brass standoffs between case and motherboard correct?
 
1. try different drivers
2. try different power supply
3. try your card in another computer or try a different card in your system
4. try different motherboard but kinda goes along with #3

You do have brass standoffs between case and motherboard correct?

Yes, I have the standoffs.

1. I already did, I think--built-in Windows vs. nvidia? What driver should I install once I get windows reinstalled again here?
3. Going to tomorrow

I'm still missing how it could be a power supply or motherboard issue. Wouldn't power supply be more random, or at least intensity-based, and motherboard issue random or not allowing any video? If I had spare parts lying around, I'd try them, but I don't.
 
Well, you definately don't want windows drivers for the video card. You may have voltage issue with the power supply not providing the video card enough power to properly operate. The video card just may have some bad components on it. It just takes diagnosing to determine what part is bad.
 
Well now it won't even boot on the reinstall. hmmph. I guess I'll wait for the new card to get here tomorrow and see what happens then.
 
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