Need help from "geeks"

[gbapache]

A cry for help from deep within castle Anthrax. To all my geeky minions, my screen freezes up, then pixelates and changes to the
opposing color. This is NOT an FSP specific problem, it happens with all apps. keyboard freezes, mouse freezes. Does something like
this sound like a video card, or HDD failure. All advice is welcome at this point

[Joeflyer]

Could possibly be a graphics card problem. Do you have another card handy to test it? My 285 GTX was causing artifacts like you mentioned but no
screen freezes, so I recently replaced mine with the 570 All is well.

Now, the 8800 GT I had did cause screen freezes and some CTDs without the artifacts. Fact is, you may not get the same problems with different cards.
So, check the card first. What kind do you have?

[gbapache]

The 'ol Commador wont stay booted long enough to look at the number but it is a middle of the road Nvidea, I know that only because I
put it in. I'm reduced to utilizing my wifes' laptop.........pretty flowers all about me....... cann't breath........................must escape

[Spartan0536]

Its definitely your GPU (Graphics Card). To help you with this I have compiled a short list of top companies for GPU's and the best GPU testing tool
that I have used to date.

Testing Tool

FurMark GPU Testing Tool:
http://www.ozone3d.net/benchmarks/fur/

Be sure to set this to Extreme Burning Mode and Stability test for maximum effect as this will string your card to detect ANY and all flaws. Not all
GPU companies have good warranties but I swear by EVGA if you use Nvidia based products.


Recommended GPU Companies:

1. EVGA (I HIGHLY HIGHLY Recommend them, most of the time they have a LIFETIME WARRANTY) :
http://www.evga.com/Default.asp

2. XFX (They make excellent cards with good prices and also carry lifetime warranties, mainly makes ATI cards now):
http://xfxforce.com/en-us/Home.aspx?lang=en-us

3. MSI ( I have heard their GPU's are good with cooling & they get decent stability remarks, good prices too. They Make both ATI & Nvidia Cards)
http://us.msi.com/index.php?func=prodpag...cat_no=130


Hope all this helps if you need help with picking out a GPU and what your upgrade or replacement options are, I'm a Certified A+ and Microsoft PC Tech that's willing to give you free advice (500$ bundle) :P



Post Edited ( 02-06-11 02:01 )

[drgullen]

It's not necessarily your graphics card, especially if your keyboard and mouse are freezing. I had a similar problem a few years ago and it ended up
being one of the chips on the motherboard that was fried. To rule it out though, if you by chance have another graphics card (or as a test you are
willing to buy a cheap one), you could swap one for the other and see what happens. If the problem persists with a different compatible card, then
it's probably the motherboard and then it's time to back up the HDD and buy an new CPU.

Also, have you tried booting in Safe Mode? If that works, it might be a corrupted driver or similar software issue. In that case, go to your
graphics card manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers and install them. It's worth a try anyway if you haven't done so already.

One other thing you could try is to do a System Restore back to a point prior to when this started happening (again, try this from Safe Mode). If you
have such a point to restore to and this ends up being just a software issue, restoring it should fix the problem. Again, it might not work, but
worth a try if feasible for your system. Keep in mind that this changes your registry to what it looked like back then, so you may have to reinstall
any software that was installed since then. Your personal files shouldn't be affected though.

Good luck!

[Spartan0536]

A Corrupted Driver would instantly "Blue Screen" him as it is software related and windows goes into a self protective mode that forces an instant
shutdown & reboot with the error code. If its his motherboard he would not get past POST as any PC goes through POST at start up and upon a failed
test the PC reboots or shuts down if its catastrophic. A Corrupted OS is possible so is a failing HDD however given he has "artifacts" and screen
lining usually dictates a GPU test and a likely failure. Ive been doing professional PC Tech work for over 6 years now, I think I know what im talking
about, I also have an Associates Of Science in Information Technology for Hardware Systems (1.5 years away form Bachelors). If you could post in
information about your system (Manufacturer, Make, Model, Series) I could look up your PC and find out what options you have and can provide you with a complete solution.



Post Edited ( 02-06-11 10:25 )

[gbapache]

Video card died before I could back up database, sadness befalls me I never realized how much free-ware I had accumulated. Building
everything again from scratch on my wifes computer so I can stay current untill I can afford a new card.

[Spartan0536]

gbapache, your HDD is still fine not all is lost, your motherboard should have an integrated chipset on it so you can still boot with the card
UNINSTALLED, then just copy over the files that you want and use the secondary PC until you get a replacement card. BTW what card were you using to
play FS9?

[gbapache]

It was an Nvidea Geforce 8400 GS. Hadn't thought of using the installed video. Free beer for you.

[Spartan0536]

Ok I could ask you a technical question but I will keep it basic, Could you tell me what system you have (Manufacturer, Make, & Model) that way I can
look up your system specifications and make some really good replacement/upgrade recommendations that will save you time and money, while not breaking
your bank.