Screen Flickers, Computer Freezes...

AKAeric · 12th July 2004

First of all:
Windows XP Professional
386MB RD-RAM
GeForce FX 5200

On to the problem. Recently my computer has been acting up when i try to play video files, the screen would start flickering, then turning off and on, or just turning off and going to idle. Now when i try to play games the computer locks up and i get a blue screen. The computer freezes when the screen saver starts, it freezes when i try to get into video settings. and when i "switch user" and leave the computer at the login screen, after the screen saver goes on then i try to use the computer again, i am logged off of my account.

I realize my video card is probably dead, i've already tried re-seating it. But i think there is more than one problem because the video card can't log me out...

**Steve R Jones** · 12th July 2004

Have you reinstalled the drivers for the vid card?

AKAeric · 12th July 2004

yes, i have even tried 3rd party omega drivers, but nothing worked.

**Steve R Jones** · 12th July 2004

Need to try another video card if you or a buddy has one laying around.

AKAeric · 14th July 2004

yeah, i tested it with a buddy's really really really old video card.. not graphics but video. Anyways, it managed to play video without bluescreening.
I've ordered a new graphics card from newegg.com, no more nVidia.. thats 2 dead cards now, gonna try an ATI.

**mattman** · 14th July 2004

Just want to suggest that you go to Add/Remove Programs and remove the nVidia drivers program before shutting down to put the new card in. See if the instructions for the new card want you to run the driver installation program before or after putting the card in.

I wonder if may be a problem with DirectX. Try upgrading or reinstall.

Matt

AKAeric · 15th July 2004

Actually... i don't care now, this computer will soon be someone elses responsibility.

I'm building my own shortly.

**mattman** · 15th July 2004

I can understand your frustration. My Gigabyte motherboard has an incompatibility with GeForce 4mmx cards, which took the supplier more than three months to resolve. I ended up with a Radeon card (and a whole lot of driver conflicts to start with) that now works really well.

Good luck with the new build. There have been suggestions for parts for new builds in some recent posts, which you may find interesting.

Matt