Video Problem on Laptop

Hi All.
I have a problem with a laptop that I purchased for my son.
This is am off lease refurbished Compaq N620c with win XP Pro.
When I was setting it up, - installing software and a wireless card "“ it was working fine.
After I gave it to him for Christmas he tells me that it has a problem and he shut it down.
I told him to leave it on so I can see what is going on.
When it happened again he called me and all I could see was vertical lines about ½" tall.
The mouse was like a bunch of lines about ½" square.
I put it into hibernation and then awoke it again, and the sign in screen was clear,
but after clicking on his name and going into windows, It was all scrambled again.
When I right clicked on the desktop the dialog/option box is clear, and I can select to change the resolution or wallpaper.
Neither did any good. It sometimes will be O.K. for a while and then it goes back to the lines.
I went to the website for my N620c and downloaded the video driver, but have not installed it yet.
I also have an image of his hard drive, so I can restore it if needed.
Since this computer is not new, I can’t be sure if this is a software or hardware problem.
Should I try to upgrade the video driver?

Thanks for your help
Sven

 

My first thoughts would be to try the Video driver, it is either that or a fault on the video card I would imagine.

 

Techmonkey

I think it is the video card, because I just booted into the BIOS and after 10 seconds
it made a couple of jerking moves to the left and then it was distorted.
I did a Crtl Alt Del and got it back, but only for a short while.
Do these things have a separate video card or is this integrated?
Thanks for your help
Sven

 

I finally got a hold of the seller.
They will give me an RMA to repair it.
Thanks for your help
Sven

 

great news!