Graphics Problem

[Julian]

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

[Hom3r]

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

[Paul K]

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?

[damien c]

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.

[Julian]

Thanks for thye replies guys

I'll try safe mode &see.

Ive checked the lead

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 ----------

Originally Posted by Hom3r

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

no it wont be that

[Julian]

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.

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

Originally Posted by Julian

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.

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

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

[Julian]

Done all that Zing and the problem remains

Not very good after just 15 months.

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

[ZrByte]

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.
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?

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

[Julian]

Originally Posted by zing

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

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

dead card then mate

[Dai]

Originally Posted by zing

dead card then mate

Agreed, GPU or graphics ram.

It's dead Jim..