Screen Is Messed Up...Don't Know What to Do

[Questi4110]

Ok, so I was on my other computer 2 days ago and the screen just went berzerk on me.

Its hard to describe but i'm sure you know what I mean - I can only see bits and pieces of hte screen...it is almost like what happens when you overclock your video card too high.

So anyway, I shuyt off the computer just thinking it was a heating problem and turned it on in about an hour...Nope same problem.

It starts out that way, as soon as I turn on the computer and even when I go into CMOS its hard to see anything.

So I went into windows (windows doesn't load properly so I have to go through safe mode now) and checked the video card driver (its very hard to navigate and see anything when everything on the screen is crazy like this).

The video card driver, for some reason, is 'standard VGA adaptor' and my card is a NVIDIA Geforce 2 GTS.

So i downloaded the newest detonators from my other computer, burned to cd and tried installing on the messed up computer. The first time I tried it, the screen when completely black half way through the installation.

So instead, I tried to do a system restore...but that didn't fix the problem either.

So I tried to install the video card drivers again and the installation went fine this time but it didn't solve the problem.

I see a message on the screen everytime winows starts (its hard to read) that says that the instability could be caused by the video adaptor.

How do I fix this problem if i already changed the drivers?

Please Help



THANKS

 

[mechBgon]

If this problem even occurs in the BIOS itself, then it sounds like your video card or motherboard AGP port/bus are having a problem, possibly a failure. Did you try re-seating the card firmly in the AGP slot yet?

If re-seating the ol' GF2 doesn't fix it, try a different video card in the AGP slot, and/or try the GeForce2 in a different computer, to determine which part is at fault.

 

[cougr]

Have you noticed if the fan on the GPU is still spinning? My Ti4200 had a similar problem, and the cause was the fan just froze up.

 

[Cheetah8799]

Download a copy of Knoppix, burn it, then try to boot your problem computer from the Knoppix CD.

If that works, then I suggest re-installing Windows if you don't want to try to figure out a driver file issue.

If it doesn't work, then you probably have hardware problems.

knoppix info

 

[Questi4110]

Yeah I checked the video card fan and it is spinning.

I'm going to try reseating the card and then download knoppix.



THANKS

 

[Questi4110]

Ok, I tried knoppix and the problem persisted in linux. So i took the card out and tried it in this computer and the problem also persisted in this computer.

This only means that the card is the problem.

So i took another pci card and put it into my messed up computer and it worked fine. Except there was a little fraying in the middle of the screen once windows fully loaded (not in cmos or while loading).


I bought the Geforce 2 GTS (ELSA GLADIAC) for $250 like 4 years ago. Is there anyway to fix the card because I really love the card and it was pretty expensive.


THANKS

 

[mechBgon]

You could buy another GeForce2 GTS used, maybe? If it needs to be that exact model, post a WTB: thread in For Sale & Trade.

Keep the big picture in mind. There's nothing wrong with spending $15 for a used GLADIAC if that's where your heart lies, but $52 gets you one of these, with four times the RAM and considerably better performance and features. One reviewer is evidently using it to play Doom III, although I would go into at least the $200 range if that were my goal. Something to think about, anyway.

 

[Questi4110]

Ok, I have another problem now...the PCI card that I put in starts to produce those frays just like the Geforce does.

Before I actually get to the windows screen there is no problem but once I get into it there is a problem. The loading screen produces frays but once in windows it does not until about 10-15 minutes into windows.

What the heck is going on?


THANKS

 

[mechBgon]

Hmm, do you happen to have a digital multimeter that you could use to check the power supply's voltages? If you don't, the BIOS should have some estimated readings, anyway. Look for a Hardware Monitoring section in there.

EDIT: the more I think about it, I wonder if your PCI and AGP bus are out-of-spec What motherboard is this?

 

[Questi4110]

I forget the motherboard. I know i ordered it about 1.5-2 years ago cause the old one broke on me. I'll look it up tommorow.

One thing that I dont understand is why was the Geforce not working in my new computer? (i currently have a 128meg 9800 non-pro in it)

Is there anythign i should be looking at in the hardware monitor section?


THANKS

 

[mechBgon]

See if the voltages are reasonably close to what they should be. Here's the official ATX spec: http://pics.bbzzdd.com/users/mechBgon/ATX_spec1.gif A multimeter or voltmeter is the real tool for the job, since an ailing motherboard can take perfect voltages from the PSU and bend them out of shape.

 

[Questi4110]

I'm just going to go ahead and format my hard drive...these are the voltages:

VCORE 1.728V
vcc2.5V 2.480
vcc3.3V 3.296
vcc5V 4.972
+12V 12.288
SB3V 3.328
-12V -11.721
SB5V 4.892
VBAT 3.344


They seem pretty close I guess


THANKS

 

[Questi4110]

WTF! I just formatted windows and during the install the same crap was happening...somebody please help because it is annoying.
(FYI...its not as bad as with the Geforce card but I cant stand it)


THANKS

 

[Questi4110]

bump


EDIT: Now even the PCI card is giving fraying even on startup before the windows loading screen as well as in CMOS.


THANKS

 

[Navid]

Why is VCore so high?
Are you overclocking?
Have you changed VCore from the default in the bios?
What is the CPU?

It will help if you can provide a little bit more info about your motherboard or at least the CPU!

 

[Navid]

What is room temperature?
How many case fans do you have on each computer.
Considering that you have experienced problems on both computers, you should provide info about both!
CPU; are you overclocking; what is the motherboard; .....?

 

[Questi4110]

This is the mobo: ECS (Elitegroup) K7S5A

I am not overclocking anything.

I haven't changed anything from default in bios.

CPU is Athlon Thunderbird 800MHZ

Room Temperature is normal room temperature

One fan was on the video card, one on the cpu...however, i keep the side of the case open for more ventilation


THANKS

 

[Theslowone]

The more ventilation is not always the case, more air but not always more air flow.

But what they are saying is if your multiplier or voltage is set to high for agp or pci then you could burn up your cards, just so happens that video cards are the first to show signs. Agp is suppose to be at 66mhz, pci 33mhz.

 

[Questi4110]

Ok, but how could the multiplier or voltage change after 5 years of running fine?

 

[GregANDTCH]

Look for "Bad Caps" on your board.
My wife's has one "cap" trying to go bad.

 

[Questi4110]

What is a bad cap

I put in yet another video card and it worked fine (after tightening all PSU connections on the motherboard)

THANKS

 

[GregANDTCH]

Sorry
Bad Capacitor
Wasn't sure how to spell it.

 

[Questi4110]

oh ok, how do i check that and is there anyway to fix it?


THANKS