HALP my [s]desktop is borked[/s] new build idea

[SAVAGE-0]

So, I think my GPU is overheating??

It stared thursday I think... during a friendly round of TF2 - screen went all distorted colors/pixelated and frozen.  Rebooted, all was fine.  Chatted/browsed interwebs for a few then started up TF2 again. few seconds into game it happened again.  So I stopped playing tf2.  It then happened after a few hours of being in windows and would only happen after windows loaded. now it's at the point where it's doing it during boot up, but I can see things booting - I dual boot XP, so I tried that and XP will run, but all fuzzy.

I also was in the process of (backing up files so I could proceed in ) upgrading to windows 7.  I got all that done and that's when it was happening all the time (including bios/POST).

I assume since it's happening during POST, it cant be software...

I need to find a DVI > VGA converter (I know i have like 5 laying around home) before I can confirm it's not the moniter, but I guess my question is, could it be anything else?  Would ram do anything like that..? does it sound fixable, or once it starts doing that crap it's dead?

I have a 8800GT - didn't upgrade drivers to the known faulty (unless windows can update automatically - but I dont even think I had auto turned on)

[CaffeinePowered]

If you can get into any OS, try using speed fan, then tell it to log everything to file. Then play TF2 or whatever and go back and check the logs after you crash.

[Tricks]

On a related note to the title of this thread, I have probably received hundreds in free tech support from BRB. You guys are great.

I mean look at that, quality advice in less then 15 minutes.

Awesome.

[HeK]

Reseat your video card, make sure it's not loaded with dust, and that the fan spins freely.

It's likely that a BGA solder joint is loose. You may need to RMA the card.

[Versus]

Also, a single thread would just make tech support harder...that's basically what this subforum is for. :

[SAVAGE-0]

What does the speed fan show.. all i see is 1 column of numbers...

so here's the update
I reset bios and dusted/reseated gpu and ram

I can run xp - seemingly(few hours now) forever - I cant play tf 2 for more than 5-10 mins tho
I cant run win7 at all

when it does go crazy all I have to do is turn it off completely and back on. right away works fine, but rebooting doesn't work since it's still pixelated in POST unless it's completely turned off

my poor baby is almost 3 years old now.. so i GUESS it's kinda time to upgrade (I don't have DDR3 nor quadcore, so it'd be a decent step up) but I wish I didn't have to spend the little I have

UPDATE 2: apparently leaving it idle with anything/nothing open, just winxp for more than 15-20 mins ALSO causes it to freeze. 

[Kirby]

You should totally check your PM's for some totally 100% legit software that isn't warez that I sent you Nitrous.

[zaneyard]

You should totally check your PM's for some totally 100% legit software that isn't warez that I sent you Nitrous.

???

[Vandamguy]

your video card is fucked.
stage 1 denial
is it under warranty ?


haiku
and tech support.
giev +1 now

[Didzo]

Screen looking fuzzy
A verdict is swiftly reached:
Video card fucked.







Now there's a real haiku. 

[Professor Funbucks]

bork bork bork bork bork bork bork bork bork bork bork bork bork

[DragonEkarus]

If you've got an on board you may want to try removing the video-card it's self. Also, I know Windows Update doesn't like my card / monitor combo, every so often whenever it updates it will do one of two things either:
A: Make my PC Blue Screen at a random time
or
B: Cause Windows Picture Viewer, Paint, and Photoshop (Provided I don't Override it.. gives an option when it loads) to have an Orange/tan tint to everything.

So check windows update too (Ever since my last run-in with Windows Update related problems I've decided to leave windows update off and just take my chances..)

Lastly, awhile back my monitor just crapped out on me, thought the computer/card died but it was just the cord. So I'd check the cords / adapters (Duno about anyone else but my card came with an adapter for whatever the hell the card has on it to the traditional blue plug. (Yes, very technical definitions for yah there...))

Side thought just before I run off, you might want to (if you haven't already) clean out the entire PC and not just the card.)

and.. if none of that works... Yeah I'd say it's dead o.=.o

[SAVAGE-0]

Thanks for the suggestions... but I'm not in denial like our hiaku friends have said... I'm pretty sure the card is just effed... I'm gunna try a few more nit picky things and take them plunge - new pc for me! its good news bad news... I'll live  

No tf2 till new pc comes though

[withdrawal]
wait
wait
play
[/withdrawal]

[Kirby]

[quote author=Kirby, the Axe Zealot link=topic=4373.msg142676#msg142676 date=1269313406]
You should totally check your PM's for some totally 100% legit software that isn't warez that I sent you Nitrous.

???
[/quote]


Shut up.


I sent the PM to the right person at least. =x

[SAVAGE-0]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813128398
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814102881
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6817153104
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6820227503
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6819103727

Kinda seems like it's worth splurging on card at this point since it's got dx11 and it's just way better than what i'd get for 200... figured I'd up it to the saphire for the OC and better cooling system... worth it?

any other ideas/comments?

[Surf314]

Geforce is supposed to be releasing their 4 series soon.

[Kirby]

That system is almost a duplicate of mine, I'll vouch for the new Deneb core AMD's as well as that mobo, I've got the model directly under that one (GA-MA785 as opposed to GA-MA790) and it r0x.

[Didzo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6813131402

You might want to check out that mobo too... It's very similar price and spec wise to the Gigabyte one you picked, but has no onboard video (but you're getting an awesome gfx card anyway), but gives you the ability to get faster RAM.

[[fr31ns]Karrde]

Bake the card.  He thinks I'm joking I bet

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f78/bake-y...fe-208533/

[Didzo]

Karrde link=topic=4373.msg142962#msg142962 date=1269407000]
Bake the card.  He thinks I'm joking I bet

http://www.tech-forums.net/pc/f78/bake-y...fe-208533/

O___O