• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Video card, CPU, or Mobo is messed up?

G

gotensan01

Golden Member
My computer posts fine but when I start windows normally, it gets stuck on a black screen after the windows loading sign. I don't think any type of video is being output because the monitor light blinks as if there was nothing connected.

When I start in safe mode, windows does actually boot up but the image is very badly distorted. It also acts as if the drivers for the video card aren't installed. For the fading effect, you see the horizontal lines go down the screen while changing colors.

I did at one point (about 20 hours before the crash) overheat the CPU and GPU. I was watching a movie when the comp shutdown. After restarting it, I turned on Motherboard Monitor to see that the CPU temp was at 98C. I fixed the cooling issue and in a minute the temps went back to normal.

The weird thing is that I used the computer for a while after this overheating. I watched about 3 more movies and kept it on overnight too. There wasn't really any odd behavior I could notice until it just crashed on me and didn't turn back on.

I'm thinking that it is either the Mobo, CPU, or video card right now. The voltage readings for the PSU are fine in the bios.

Could a bad CPU run windows in safe mode but cause a distorted image?

I think the most likely culprit is the video card. If it did reach very high temperatures, could it have damaged it but not completely broken it? I didn't notice any burning smell or see any smoke.

UPDATE:
I just got my PCI video card and tested that. I unplugged the "broken" agp one that I had in there and plugged in the pci one. I still got the same behavior with the PCI one as I did with the "broken" agp one.

When trying to boot up in regular windows mode, it just goes to a black screen. When going into safe mode, it has the same distorted image and the fading is messed up.

I was only able to test one boot up for each mode. Now my computer just won't turn on. I checked to make sure the power switch was connected and the power cord was all good. When I press the power button, nothing happens. I even tried disconnecting almost everything else.

So now I'm thinking that it isn't the video card so much. Now I'm thinking it is either the mobo or PSU. Even if the CPU was messed up, it should POST right? Although I just read that the PSU voltages were good, I guess that could be the problem. So what would cause the computer from even turning on and POSTing?

UPDATE 2
It was the video card.
 
Try a different video card that you know works. There is a very little chance it is a PSU issue since you get a messed up video with a decent PSU. If you know that this sofmodded Video card does work in another computer then it could be the PSU.
 
I had a 9800 Pro bite the dust about 2 months ago. What happens if you boot into the system BIOS and llet it sit there for a day or so??? FWIW When I did this my box would still reboot or the letters would get all garbled.

Y
 
Thanks for the input guys. It's a bit hard for me to check the video card in another computer or to check a working video card in my computer because I have my system watercooled. I made everything custom fitted by soldering tubing together and what not. Also, all of my extra video cards and stock hsf's are back home. I'll still try to give this idea a shot.

I'll also try to boot to bios and let it sit overnight.

EDIT: I also added some overheating information in the original post.
 
Okay, it isn't the PSU because the voltage readings in the bios are good.

I did notice some odd behavior with the bios though. When I do some things like switch the AGP speed from Auto to 4x, the first two letters "Au" will change to "4x" but the "to" will remain there. So I end up with "4xto". Would this mean the video card is messed up, the mobo is messed up, or could it still be something else.
 
I just got my PCI video card and tested that. I unplugged the "broken" agp one that I had in there and plugged in the pci one. I still got the same behavior with the PCI one as I did with the "broken" agp one.

When trying to boot up in regular windows mode, it just goes to a black screen. When going into safe mode, it has the same distorted image and the fading is messed up.

I was only able to test one boot up for each mode. Now my computer just won't turn on. I checked to make sure the power switch was connected and the power cord was all good. When I press the power button, nothing happens. I even tried disconnecting almost everything else.

So now I'm thinking that it isn't the video card so much. Now I'm thinking it is either the mobo or PSU. Even if the CPU was messed up, it should POST right? Although I just read that the PSU voltages were good, I guess that could be the problem. So what would cause the computer from even turning on and POSTing?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top