Resolved Graphics Card or Driver

So while playing my MMO (dorky I know), my computer freezes and the screen image gets garbled and completely unreadable. My immediate thought was that my Graphics Card had fried. I'm certain my monitor isn't dead as the image it generates when it's not plugged into the PC is crisp, clear, and colorful. Now I'm sure that if it was fried, that I wouldn't be able to tell by looking at the card physically, but I did anyway. It looked perfectly normal. I restarted the computer and it worked fine, but roughly an hour later, the same thing happened.

I rinse and repeat, but this time the image stays fine until I actually use the mouse or try to execute anything. I recently got a BSoD from restarting and trying to make it work.

I know there's 2 possibilities here, either the card itself is fried and it would be a good idea to get a new one (which I bought today) or it's a corrupted driver and I can easily replace it, saving the money on the card I just bought.

What I'm asking is, is there a step by step process I should follow so I can determine what the issue is? In the event that it's the driver are there any simple directions I can follow to replace it easily?

Side note: my computer doesn't BSoD in safe mode, but the screen image is garbled, it's readable, but the image problem exists in safe mode also (if that gives any extra necessary insight).

Thanks Again!

 

There are a number of possibly causes, first though it will help to have all your system details.

And also follow this link and the instructions so we can see the report from the BSOD you had and we will go from there.

http://www.windowsbbs.com/general-discussions/33471-dump-data-collection-tool-instructions.html

 

I tried accessing the internet while in safe mode on the PC in question (my computer) and was unable to access this post or any of the other links you suggested I follow. I'm following your advice using my Girlfriend's laptop and following the information from there.

I updated my system specifications using the list I got from Dell when I purchased my PC. I have a feeling that I didn't enter them correctly and don't have the correct parameters filled in according to what that program would have done. As soon as I sort out this problem, that will be the first thing I do for it. I'm able to enter the BSoD details according to the stop line manually if that will help in any way, I'll reply immediately to this post with that information.

 

This is the message:

*** STOP: 0x000000/E (0x80000003, 0xB8F/CAFF, 0xBA500F94, 0xBA500C90)

Quick Side Note: The graphics card that I bought was a (Galaxy) GeForce 9500 GT 1024 MB

 

Thanks for the speedy reply Evan, is there any way of doing this from safe mode, or should I use a flash drive and manually enter it all that way?

 

I boot it in normal mode and the computer goes through the startup screens (Dell and Windows XP loading screens) and freezes upon completion of the XP loading screen (the BSoD screen).

 

I uninstalled the driver and it seemed to solve the BSoD issue, I'm currently in normal mode and it's not frozen up or locked on me. The screen is really messed up though, I can't change the resolution and there are black diagonal lines on the screen from bottom to top. I'll try to add a picture from my camera in a second if it's needed.

 

I installed the new driver, no BSoD, but the screen is still messed up:



I'm also unable to change the resolution like before.

 

I figured that would be the next step, I'll do that and get back to you shortly, thanks again!

 

Welp, that fixed it. I kind of figured as soon as I saw the issue that the card was the problem. It's too bad, because the card itself looks pristine, I took the liberty of cleaning in the case with compressed air every 5-6 months. Oh well.

Thanks for the help, it's nice to know that I'm getting the hang of this. Maybe I'll do a good job on my MSIS degree.

 

That was the first thing I did as soon as I powered on my PC. Thanks again!