Fried computer?
11-29-2011, 09:53 AM
#1
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Fried computer?
I have a (4year old?) Dell running MS Vista that's been running pretty good. Suddenly, the video output has been going crazy. Everytime I boot up the computer, the video output goes haywire (horizontal dotted lines,etc.), which then results in the lockup of the computer or a blue screen crash.
However, when I run it in safe mode, the computer seems to be fine.
What can I do to pinpoint the problem? My guess is that I need to replace my graphics card.
However, when I run it in safe mode, the computer seems to be fine.
What can I do to pinpoint the problem? My guess is that I need to replace my graphics card.
11-29-2011, 10:32 AM
#2
The sizzle in the Steak
corrupt video driver?
11-29-2011, 10:35 AM
#3
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11-29-2011, 06:58 PM
#4
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Thread Starter
It already says I have the latest driver. Should I delete the driver and reinstall it?I also tried system restore to a week ago, but it didn't work.
I'm inclined to believe that it's a software issue, otherwise safe mode should be screwy as well.
11-29-2011, 09:05 PM
#5
Sanest Florida Man
your GPU.Let me guess it's an Nvidia GPU isn't it?
NVIDIA reported higher than average failures in both the laptop GPUs and in laptop chipsets.
NVIDIA said that the chips and their packaging were made with materials that proved to be too "weak". NVIDIA passes the blame to notebook manufacturers, which it says contributes to the problem. Typically notebooks have poorer ventilation and components concentrated in a smaller space than desktop computers.
The result of the recalls is that NVIDIA will be taking a onetime charge of $150M USD to $200M USD to cover the damages. It plans to use the money to repair or replace defective parts. It also hopes to collect part of the money from insurers it uses. However, it has acknowledged its problems and switched the materials it uses.
The news has resulted in NVIDIA taking a beating on the stock market, sliding over 25 percent.
It turns out virtually all the NVIDIA mobile chips are defective. NVIDIA tried to brush off the issue stating that the issue was a "previous-generation" problem. However, it turns out that virtually all 8400M and 8600M chips are defective. These chips make up the bulk of NVIDIA's higher end graphics offerings. While NVIDIA started to roll out the first of its 9 series mobile chips, the 8 series represents the flagship line of its mobile offerings.
The low to middle end chips are also virtually all defective. Among the defective lines are the GeForce Go 7000 and 6000 lines, as well as the Quadro NVS 135M and the Quadro FX 360M.
NVIDIA said that the chips and their packaging were made with materials that proved to be too "weak". NVIDIA passes the blame to notebook manufacturers, which it says contributes to the problem. Typically notebooks have poorer ventilation and components concentrated in a smaller space than desktop computers.
The result of the recalls is that NVIDIA will be taking a onetime charge of $150M USD to $200M USD to cover the damages. It plans to use the money to repair or replace defective parts. It also hopes to collect part of the money from insurers it uses. However, it has acknowledged its problems and switched the materials it uses.
The news has resulted in NVIDIA taking a beating on the stock market, sliding over 25 percent.
It turns out virtually all the NVIDIA mobile chips are defective. NVIDIA tried to brush off the issue stating that the issue was a "previous-generation" problem. However, it turns out that virtually all 8400M and 8600M chips are defective. These chips make up the bulk of NVIDIA's higher end graphics offerings. While NVIDIA started to roll out the first of its 9 series mobile chips, the 8 series represents the flagship line of its mobile offerings.
The low to middle end chips are also virtually all defective. Among the defective lines are the GeForce Go 7000 and 6000 lines, as well as the Quadro NVS 135M and the Quadro FX 360M.
http://www.nvidiasettlement.com/index.html
Last edited by #1 STUNNA; 11-29-2011 at 09:09 PM.
11-29-2011, 09:07 PM
#6
Sanest Florida Man
A few of my clients have had this issue and we've taken it to a laptop repair place and had them reseat the GPU. But you should probably just replace it....
11-29-2011, 10:45 PM
#7
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ATI for me. Guess I'll have to get a replacement.
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11-29-2011, 11:00 PM
#8
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One more possibility...
Have you opened it up and vacuumed it out recently? It might have overheated due to dust/animal hair clogging the fan.
Have you opened it up and vacuumed it out recently? It might have overheated due to dust/animal hair clogging the fan.
11-30-2011, 12:00 AM
#9
Sanest Florida Man
don't vacuum, blow it out. I had a guy stick his vacuum in his PC to clean it up and ended up frying the mobo.
Blowing it out is more effective and you don't have to get close and touch the parts of the PC for it to work.
Blowing it out is more effective and you don't have to get close and touch the parts of the PC for it to work.
11-30-2011, 12:02 AM
#10
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11-30-2011, 01:04 AM
#11
I am #76,361,211,935
Another possibility is weak or leaking capacitors on the motherboard itself. Various vintages
of Dell computers have this problem. The capacitors originally spec'd were "minimally
adequate" but time, heat and power surges break them down to the point they are no
longer capable of handling the power demands of the system.
In safe mode, where most of the drivers are unloaded, they may still be able to handle
the power requirements of the system but with the system fully loaded they aren't up
to the task. You can eyeball the motherboard looking for bulging or leaking capacitors.
Often the tops of the defective caps will appear slightly bulged out instead of flat.
A really good tech may be able to remove the bad caps and solder in repolacements if
this is the case. Otherwise, you're looking at a new motherboard.
of Dell computers have this problem. The capacitors originally spec'd were "minimally
adequate" but time, heat and power surges break them down to the point they are no
longer capable of handling the power demands of the system.
In safe mode, where most of the drivers are unloaded, they may still be able to handle
the power requirements of the system but with the system fully loaded they aren't up
to the task. You can eyeball the motherboard looking for bulging or leaking capacitors.
Often the tops of the defective caps will appear slightly bulged out instead of flat.
A really good tech may be able to remove the bad caps and solder in repolacements if
this is the case. Otherwise, you're looking at a new motherboard.
11-30-2011, 01:09 AM
#12
Sanest Florida Man
11-30-2011, 04:17 AM
#13
you can vaccum all you want you have to use the brush attachment. This is what I use to clean out my dekstop....
11-30-2011, 09:33 AM
#14
I actually take it apart and blow it out..but that's the neurotic me.
OP.. by a computer you referring to a desktop or laptop? If desktop, when you boot into the best operating system in the world Vista, and wiggle the video cable, anything happens? No? Get a new video card. They are fairly cheap right now and a breeze to install.
If this a laptop, it could be various things, from a bad transformer, lid switch, or even the screen itself, video card throwing a white flag of surrender.
OP.. by a computer you referring to a desktop or laptop? If desktop, when you boot into the best operating system in the world Vista, and wiggle the video cable, anything happens? No? Get a new video card. They are fairly cheap right now and a breeze to install.
If this a laptop, it could be various things, from a bad transformer, lid switch, or even the screen itself, video card throwing a white flag of surrender.
11-30-2011, 01:06 PM
#15
Sanest Florida Man
Take it to a laptop repair show and have them fix it. The guys I go to charge usually $125 for most cases, including parts
11-30-2011, 01:27 PM
#16
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
Well, I opened it up and blowed it out, but that didn't help.
No visible signs of bulging capacitors either.
A new graphics card costs $90, but there is a risk that it's something else. I wonder if Best Buy does returns. I don't want to spend too much since it is a 5 year old computer and by the sounds of it, something else will probably start failing soon.
No visible signs of bulging capacitors either.
A new graphics card costs $90, but there is a risk that it's something else. I wonder if Best Buy does returns. I don't want to spend too much since it is a 5 year old computer and by the sounds of it, something else will probably start failing soon.
11-30-2011, 01:27 PM
#17
Go Giants
Too much porn.
11-30-2011, 02:27 PM
#18
Senior Moderator
Thread Starter
11-30-2011, 03:35 PM
#19
11-30-2011, 08:48 PM
#20
Sanest Florida Man
Naughty Office . comYou've been a
boy....you didn't put a cover sheet on your TPS reports......
Oh I didn't see that it was a desktop, just replace the GPU and you'll be fine.
Also you can get graphics card for $30 or less and they more than powerful enough to run basic windows envoronment.
11-30-2011, 09:52 PM
#21
^I'm with him, replace GPU you can get cards for as little as $30
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...25%20-%20%2450
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...25%20-%20%2450
12-01-2011, 09:29 PM
#22
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Thread Starter
Thanks. I'll get a cheap graphics card. If that doesn't work, I'll just toss the computer. Might be time to install Windows onto my Mac.
12-28-2011, 06:57 PM
#23
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New graphics card did the trick. 
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#1 STUNNA (12-28-2011)
12-28-2011, 10:07 PM
#24
Sanest Florida Man
12-28-2011, 10:45 PM
#25
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what does a fried computer taste like? is it dericous? 
12-30-2011, 01:46 PM
#26
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Only if you pour gravy on it.
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