Help on pinpointing a problem

[sheemone00]

I've had my rig setup for about 2 to 3 years now and for the most part I've been free of problems, but recently I noticed that my computer just keeps freezing up soon after I boot up.

The first symptom are snowy graphical artifacts that appear all over the screen, then after a minute or two the whole screen would be fuzzy and everything is frozen still.

I've tested my graphics card and my RAM on another rig and boh work fine. I haven't been able to test my hard drive (WDC 250gb recently purchased) yet. Also I have no means of testing my CPU and my mobo.

My guess is that the problem is with the motherboard, but I am interested to hear everyone's opinion on this matter.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Atheus]

Also I have no means of testing my CPU and my mobo.

Open up the machine and check the fans are still working and are not clogged with dust, also check the motherboard itself for bulging or leaking capacitors and other physical wear+tear. To test the CPU you could run Prime 95 or SuperPi.

It sound a _lot_ like a video card or video driver thing though. If you're sure the card is fine you might try reinstalling windows.

 

[law9933]

Downloading the EVEREST Home Edition program it might tell you something. Click on Computer, then Sensor. You can see if temperatures & PSU voltages are OK. Les

 

[sheemone00]

Well due to lack of time I haven't been able to do anymore testing, but one new thing I have noticed is that the fuzzing of the screen also appears now when I enter my BIOS. Also I'm having trouble even getting things to display as I turn on my computer now. I'm going to start doing some tests by switching out my video card with another one. (also 9700 pro, haven't been used much).

One question: if I just reinstall windows without formatting can I use my one of my old registry back ups to get all my old installed programs running properly or do I have to reinstall everything?

 

[sheemone00]

Ok so an update:

So I did some more testing on my video cards. Swapped it into my other desktop rig, ran some benchmarks and nothing seemed to be wrong with it. Left it on for a long period of time since on my other rig I started noticing problems after my computer has been on for at least a day or so. So I concluded that it probably isn't the video card nor the drivers.

Hence I reinstalled my windows couple days ago and everything was up and running. Last night I left my computer on over night and few hours after I started using my computer, my screen became all fuzzy again and the problem presented itself again.

 

[marulee]

Did you open the case and touch the chipset on videocard to see if chipset is unusually hot?

I had a computer which had a similar symptom like a snowy graphical artifacts or many dots on screen.

It can be also the motherboard graphic slot issue.

Try different video adapter or use your adapter on different PC.

Make sure you power supply is functioning. (this can cause the similar symptom!)

 

[sheemone00]

I'm at work and can't test most of the other stuff, but I do remember my video card being incredibly hot.

How would I test the PSU?

 

[marulee]

Originally posted by: sheemone00
I'm at work and can't test most of the other stuff, but I do remember my video card being incredibly hot.

How would I test the PSU?

test the PSU


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