GF4 4200 - Can't fix this problem

[AirGibson]

Recently, my Gainward 4200 seems to be dying. I'm running it at stock speeds in a stable system. During any 3D game, it will randomly put up basically a bunch of garbage / static on the screen and the system is then locked up. Sometimes it takes 2 minutes for this to happen, sometimes it takes 2 hours.

I've tried drastically underclocking it from 250 to 199 and 450 to 385. Didn't change anything. The system is totally updated with all the latest BIOS and drivers. This problem happened before and after installing the latest drivers.

I have not made any adjustments to the BIOS for the video card. If I switch in a different video card, the problem is fixed.

Any ideas on any special settings I could try to fix this problem?

 

[Schadenfroh]

maybe the fan?

 

[weeber]

Yeah, what Schadenfroh said. My Visiontek 4200 was doing something similar, where even underclocking it didn't help. I finally looked at the fan and saw that it was barely spinning. A quick fan replacement later, all was well again.

 

[cockeyed]

The Gainward 4200 has a know problem with bad capacitors that most likely cause your problem. Search the various forums and you will find pictures and many postings about this problem. Gainward has been replacing these cards according to what people have said. I would call them and request a replacement. As I remember, the bad cards had different values and color markings on the capaitors. I think the bad ones had black 1/2 tops and the good ones are green. I have a Gainward Golden Sample 4200 with the green top caps and it has worked fine.

Go HERE for more info

 

[AirGibson]

MANY thanks for the info.

 

[cockeyed]

You're welcome, hope it solves your problem!

 

[AirGibson]

Yes, it has. That is EXACTLY my problem. Shipping the card off to be RMAed today. Should have another one sometime next week. Thanks again.