Graphics Problem
 

I could do with a bit of advice please re: my son's PC.

Without any prior warning when starting the PC today the display was a sort of purple blocked pattern. This then changed to a dark background with purple spots, then the screen went blank completely - the computer is still running. The monitor says there is no input signal.

Rebooted several times and the same every time.

Windows XP, ati 4850 512 graphics, intel core2 quad q8200serial ata hard drive.

Any advice greatly appreciated thanks. :)

The computer is only 15 months old :(

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Boot into safe mode, it migh be the gfx card set outside the resoultion of the monitor.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Might also want to check the cable from PC to monitor, might be loose or damaged. If it's standalone graphics card you might want to check it's not moved in it's seating, motherboard might have a built in chipset you can plug into temporarily for testing. Have you another PC you can check the monitor on?

Re: Graphics Problem
 

I would say it could be a driver issue, or if you can test the card in another pc and see if it does the same and try a different graphics card in your sons pc just to rule out the fact that the card maybe on it's way out.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Thanks for thye replies guys :)

I'll try safe mode &see.

Ive checked the lead

Re: Graphics Problem
 

sounds like a failing GPU to me

you do not mention when the spots occur is it during post or further along when windows is booting because if its immediate it cant possibly be a driver issue

---------- Post added at 19:38 ---------- Previous post was at 19:37 ----------

no it wont be that

Re: Graphics Problem
 

OK in safe mode it says there are no drivers installed for the card.

I've inserted the cd and it now says there is a severe error that the drivers are not compatible with the graphics acrd or operating system. :confused:

Zing the first thing is the msi motherboard window which comes up ok, then it changes to various shades of purple during the xp load then changes to a dark screen with the purple spots.

Then it goes blank, shows the "no signal" message but the hard drive keeps on for a while.

Thanks again

Re: Graphics Problem
 

arr so it could be a driver

the reason its saying no driver I believe is because you are in vga mode

goto add remove programs and uninstall ATI drivers reboot and see if you get vga mode in windows. If you do install new drivers. If the same thing happens repeat and try older drivers if the same thing occurs the gpu is dead

---------- Post added at 19:49 ---------- Previous post was at 19:48 ----------

download the drivers from ATI leave the disc alone

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Done all that Zing and the problem remains :(

Not very good after just 15 months.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

no not at all ,does the mobo have onboard GFX perchance to use in meantime?

When you uninstalled the driver did the problem remain? was safe mode clear? it should be tested on another machine to rule out power supply or mobo although I would be blaming the GFX myself

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Had an identical issue albeit with a different GPU on a Geforce 6800 Ultra (Or similar). That was due to a failed flashing when a previous owner had tried to overclock the card. He sold it as working perfect on eBay to me. Claimed he knew nothing of it but when I checked his bidding history he had bought it in that condition only two months earlier. :mad:
In that case I was told re-flashing may fix it though I never found out if it did since I got a full refund.
Obviously this would only be a fix if he has been messing about with flashing etc. Is it possible he has?

Re: Graphics Problem
 

you could always remove the cooler assembly and anything plastic then reflow it with a heat gun or try a very hot oven for a few minutes to

Re: Graphics Problem
 

In all instances the screen had the patterned pixel effect, that never changed not in safe mode nor after uninstalling drivers.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

dead card then mate

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Agreed, GPU or graphics ram.

It's dead Jim..

Re: Graphics Problem
 

I have just rememberd that the ati 5770 had a similar problem, and the card was faulty and eventually got refunded.

What i would do is to if possible take the graphics card out of your pc if it uses a seperate, card and not onboard and test that in the pc 1st.

Then if that works with no problem i would contact the company where he bought it from and find out how long the warranty is as iirc they should have about a 3 or 10 year warranty.

But it depends on where it was bought from as if it was of ebay you have a problem and would have to deal with ATI, and not the person on ebay.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

it might work with a reflow if the op wants to give it a go

Re: Graphics Problem
 

I'd need guidance m8. ;)

The base unit was bought complete from Novatech - called a Ricochet Pro. It's the 5th PC I've had from them- no probs at all before.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

you could try reasonable time arguement on Novatech

I am just having a bash at reflowing a 2900XT might work might not will et you know in about an hour and half lol

preheat oven to 200 degrees C. remove heatsink etc. Make 4 balls of tin foil around the same size and put on a baking sheet. Place GFX upside down on the balls so its level. Place in oven for 7 minutes. Remove from oven carefully and leave for an hour. Put back together and test.

The proper way is of course to use a heat gun lol

---------- Post added at 11:24 ---------- Previous post was at 09:45 ----------

Believe it or not it appears to have worked.

The card would not take a driver as soon as one was installed it blue screened the PC

I did the in oven reflow method and now it allows a driver install and I am now stress testing it with ATI tool and so far so good.

I will pst back in a bit after its been tested for an hour to report on if it dies or not

Re: Graphics Problem
 

get in touch with novatech and see what they say no harm in trying really is there.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

75 minutes fault free

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Nice one Zing.
:)

Julian - I'd still advise that you try talking to Novatech before baking the card. As a long-standing customer you may get lucky.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

I love workarounds like this. Reminds me of the old pencil line for unlocking the multiplier on the athlon XP CPUs.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

deffo I did say prior to the reflow full instructions to attempt to use the reasonable amount of time argument which is a clause in the sale of goods act :)

---------- Post added at 15:52 ---------- Previous post was at 15:49 ----------

yeah had to be graphite iirc lol when AMD closed that loop ( why cpu manufacturers do this anyway is beyond me) there was a little bracket you fitted over certain pins of the cpu to unlock it again iirc

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Sorry for not replying before - just been baking myself at Talacre.

I'll contact Novatech in the morning & see, otherwise baked Radeon is the dish of the day. :D

Thanks again for the replies. :tu:

Re: Graphics Problem
 

if you do decide to strip it down you will need some thermal compound for when you put the cooler back on .

If you need a bit I could post ya a smidge

Re: Graphics Problem
 

you will need the thermal paste which zing has said he can post you abit, but you will also need some thermal pads aswell for the graphics cards ram aswell, in case you damage any of it when you strip it down.

Re: Graphics Problem
 

ive never damaged any on any of the cards ive stripped. They have always come away clean from the ram for me

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Just a quick update... I contacted Novatech as suggested. They got me to return the card to them which they received yesterday.

This morning I got a phone call from them confirming a failed card.

They have ordered a relacement which will be with me FOC within a couple of weeks.

Thanks to all for your help and a big thanks to Novatech for excellent customer service. :D

Re: Graphics Problem
 

yeah have to say thats a very good result

Re: Graphics Problem
 

Just a word on the reflow techniques

Although it might work the problem though comes when you have thermal sensitive components and also the fact that smaller components tend to heat up faster than larger components.

It's why when they make these cards thermal flow soldering (solder bath or hot air) is only used to tin the cards and element soldering (heat at only point of contact) is used to place most components but for the larger components friction welding is the most common method and one that can't really be used at home :(

So heating in an oven can work (if the cards bust and out of warranty) but remember that any card made in the last 5 years will use a non lead solder and depending on what's used it's doubtful that it'll melt the solder in a standard oven. Also those who have found success are probably not reflowing the solder but actually removing the impurities within the "dry joint" making a mechanical connection possible but not one that is in effect welded.. In that case there's always a strong chance it may fail again soon.

But if it's a duff card then there's not a lot use for it anyway ;)