PC freezes on startup with blue screen with lines

[bball1523]

1. Overview of the problem
   
   When starting my PC desktop, it freezes up during and sometimes after the WinXP loading screen.
   
   Picture: http://farm4.static.flickr.com...32643_0105c43c62_b.jpg
   
2. Full description of the problem and symptoms
   
   Everytime when I start my PC it displays some weird lines and marks I normally don't see when starting the PC. Afterwards it loads past the opening screens such as the boot stuff and loads into the WinXP loading screen. Then it freezes either during the loading or after and turns into some weird blue screen with lines.
   
   
3. Did it work normally at one time, or has the problem always existed?
   
   The computer worked fine last week (Sunday 10-12-08). It just started messing up this past week, I think it was Thursday night (10-16-08).
   
   
   
4. Is the problem consistent and repeatable, or entirely random, or semi-random?
   
   Every time I start the computer this problem now happens.
   
   
   
5. I already tried these steps:
   
   Air-dusted some of my videocard and the cpu among other areas inside my computer. I disconnected and reconnected HD cables.
   
   
   
6. My software:
   • 
     
     WinXP SP2
     No Antivir
     Windows Firewall
     
     
     
   • My hardware
     • System brand & model, if it?s a pre-built system such as a Dell, HP, Gateway, etc. If it?s not, fill in as much of the information below as you can.
       
     • Mobo: Gigabyte EP35-DS3P Rev. 2.0
     • CPU model: Intel Core 2 Duo e8400 3 ghz
     • Video card: eVGA Nvidia 6800 GT 256 mb
     • RAM modules brand: 2 GB (2x1gb) DDR2-800 Crucial Ballistix
     • Case/Power supply brand: Antec Sonata II case w/450 Watt PSU
     • Seagate 120GB internal HD
     • BenQ 1620 DVD Burner, Sony Floppy drive
     • Echo Audiofire4 soundcard
     
     
   • Other information that might be relevant
     
     I just bought a new mobo, cpu, ram, soundcard this past year. Other things such as videocard, HD, floppy, case with PSU I've had since summer of 2005.
     
   [/quote]
   

 

[RadiclDreamer]

This is typically a symptom of video card issues.

Does this happen in the bios as well? If so then its 100% a hardware issue. If not, try reloading the drivers for the card.

 

[bball1523]

The bios also has weird lines, but does not freeze. I can scroll through the bios.

Here are two more pictures of my problem, but these two are just the startup screens before the WinXP loading screen freeze. These lines did not appear before this problem.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com...62598_f64c09c78c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com...22083_d0e2b49c46_b.jpg

 

[mpilchfamily]

Looks like you need a new video card. This would also be a good time to upgrade the PSU. The bundled PSU with the Sonata II case are crap. Chances are the new video card will push your power requierments up so its recommended you get a new PSU to support that. Considering the quality of the PSU it won't be able to handle much more then it already is. If it does work it won't work for long and you risk damaging the system when the PSU does blow. The Smart Power II line of PSU are known for having about 1 in 3 dieing and of those about 70% of them will take the mothebroard out with them.

 

[bball1523]

how do you know it's the videocard?

What PSU do you recommend?

 

[bball1523]

I bought a new 8400 GS 512mb video card for $60 from Fry's and now my desktop works. So I think it was my 6800 GT that wasn't working properly. Are video cards known to behave such as this after a while? I've had the 6800 gt since summer of 2005.

 

[mpilchfamily]

All your symtoms pointed at a bad video card. I've seen allot of people having trouble with there 6800's going out recently.