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bad video card?

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by robang13, 2008/05/31.

  1. 2008/05/31
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    For the last 5 days now things have been happening on my monitor. The first 2 days the monitor was blurry looking, almost like things were written 3 or 4 times on top of each other. That stopped and now at times the type on my emails, or even what I'm writing here look like my ink is low, looks skippy like when your printer is running out of ink~ I have upgraded my drivers, ran all the spyware things, hooked up new cables and hooked up a new monitor. I thought it was the monitor but the trouble remains. It also comes and goes. Right now it's fine but 5 minutes ago it wasn't. There are no electrical devices or magnets nearby. I didn't do anything new or different before this started.Do you think it's my video card? The PC is 3 years old and the video card is a Nvidia
    GeForce FX 51.
    Thanks ahead of time :)
     
    robang13,
    #1
  2. 2008/05/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    As you have tried another monitor and updated your drivers the finger points to the graphics card.

    First off open the case - powered down - remove the graphics card and clean the contacts with a soft pencil eraser working down each contact not across the lot, degrease with rubbing alcohol and refit - test.

    If the problem remains reload the motherboard chipset drivers - check for updates - test.

    If the problem remains it is likely that the graphics card is failing.
     
    PeteC,
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  4. 2008/05/31
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Now don't laugh, but the graphics card is the one the monitor is plugged into, right? I will try that tomorow when there is no-one around to bother me. The funny thing is, after I blew all the dust out of the PC the blurriness stopped, so I thought it was dust.Never thought to actually clean the graphics card itself.

    Motherboard chipset drivers? Hmmm where would I find that?

    Thanks for your help...hopefully it'll work.
     
    robang13,
    #3
  5. 2008/05/31
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You bet :) While you have the card out dedust the fan, if fitted or the heatsink.

    And while the case is open check the CPU fan and heatsink for dust accumulation and dedust - Under no circumstances remove the heat sink

    Chipset drivers on the motherboard CD if you have it - if not search for your model at the manufacturer's web site. If not an OEM (Dell, HP, ....) you will need to go to the motherboard manufacturer's website.

    Reseat the card first and post back.
     
    PeteC,
    #4
  6. 2008/05/31
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks! I'll get back to you tomorow after it's all done!
     
    robang13,
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  7. 2008/06/01
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    Caught you laughing :eek:

    I dusted everything. The fan over the card was really filled. I cleaned it best I could and got a lot out. Think it looks pretty good right now.

    Got the card out, though I was a little worried I wouldn't since it was hard to get out and I didn't want to force it. But I did it.

    I guess now we wait and see? At least I know I can replace the card myself now!

    Don't have the cd. Couldn't find the link at HP either. Let's hope this did the trick! Thanks for your help. I will post back after a few hours to let you know what it's doing. Talk to you soon~
    Angela
     
    robang13,
    #6
  8. 2008/06/01
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    If you still have the problem post the model no. of your HP and I will try to find the drivers for you.

    Me laugh? - certainly not at someone who asks the question before diving in :)
     
    PeteC,
    #7
  9. 2008/06/03
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    robang13,
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  10. 2008/06/04
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Cleaning has certainly helped - I guess the card was overheating. It is possible that this caused some damage, but if so it would seem to be very minor.

    Difficult to be definitive, but I would be fairly certain that it is the card that is at fault and you will need to monitor it's behaviour.

    The drivers for your HP are listed here ....

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareList?os=228&lc=en&cc=dk&dlc=da&product=447041
    FYI Entering HP pavillion a810e + drivers into Google takes you straight to a list of hits - first one on the list.
     
    PeteC,
    #9
  11. 2008/06/04
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    You know, about a week ago I did notice that the PC was a little noisy. Didn't think to clean the fan over the card:(
    Since I cleaned it , it's quiet again. Mind you this is a very quiet unit to begin with.SO, you think that' all it is and I can leave it as is right now?It does it now and again but it's not too bad.

    You wanted me to do the bios update? I know I did that awhile ago when I was having some trouble.Should I still do it or leave as is?

    Thanks once again~~

     
    robang13,
    #10
  12. 2008/06/04
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    I would be inclined to leave things as they are for the moment - if the blurriness continues to appear I'm guessing that a new graphics card is the solution as you say you have updated the drivers - the original drivers are here ....

    Monitor

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...46-1&lc=en&cc=dk&dlc=da&product=447041&os=228

    Graphics

    http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...39-1&lc=en&cc=dk&dlc=da&product=447041&os=228

    You could try reloading them, but if you do so make a Manual System Restore point first - just in case.

    No - I don't recall mentioning the BIOS :)
     
    PeteC,
    #11
  13. 2008/06/04
    robang13

    robang13 Inactive Thread Starter

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    So then I will leave it alone for now. I have updated the drivers. If it gets worse then I'll invest in a new card. Until then, I'll live with it. Thanks for all your time and help:)

     
    robang13,
    #12
  14. 2008/06/05
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You're welcome :)
     
    PeteC,
    #13

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