Couple of hardware issues :(

[Whiternoise]

I brought my computer back from university only to first discover that it wouldn't boot to windows and secondly that the monitor appeared to be on the blink.

1. Graphics Card.

I've had various problems, such as two thick white lines down the screen, yellow lines that form little rectangles all over the place and other glitches. When the computer does try to get to windows, it shows the loading screen but half of it goes red glitchy (again, the error is present in a thick line down the screen).

I've tried different cables, i've tried using both VGA and DVI, i tried reseating the card and so on.

Then, i tried my old 8800GT (even stranger problem with this one), which worked and is currently booting fine. So i've basically narrowed it down to a dodgy HD4870, which is a pain, y'know. My 8800GT works just fine, as it did before i replaced it, save for the reason i replaced it - it crashes when under load. Which basically means no more gaming once more.

The 4870 was working perfectly, it gamed well as it should, i didn't have any crashing or driver issues and i was looking forward to a summer of little work and much play. Screw that then. Guess i'll be looking to get a cheap 8800GT (cheap and very cheerful). What's likely to be causing the problem? The heatpipes were VERY hot when i touched it (more so than i would think reasonable from a boot up) so i wondered if it was just a simple case of overheating killing it? Is there any diagnostic software i could use to test it?

2. My wireless adaptor is crashing my computer once again.

It's a Linksys WUSB54G USB dongle (has a USB-A extension cable). It's worked fine in the past, and i've had this issue before - but basically whenever i load up my computer with it plugged in, it BSODs on me. I managed to somehow get round this issue last time it happened by some creative installing and system restoring. Fact is i give up now, i can't be bothered to have to faff around with it and i want to buy a new one. Any ideas?

It needs to be Vista 32-bit (i'm running Win 7 though, but should be fine) compatible and preferably 64 bit compatible too. I'm happy for it to be PCI or USB, i just want it to work without going poof.


Hardware is as my system on the left, besides the fact i've got my 8800GT in there.

[oldboy47]

Silly thought I know, but have you checked the connection pins - may have been damaged in transit?

[Whiternoise]

I checked the DVI cable pins and yeah, one was a bit skewed, but as it's working fine with the new card (i did bend it back) i didn't see an issue. Also, as the slot works fine with the 8800 i think it's the card rather than the system. I wondered about my PSU being underpowered, but as it ran fine for months i don't see why it would go cack now (and it's fine with the old card too, remember).

It's also the reason i tried a VGA cable too just to be sure, i'm going to try again today and i'll post some pictures for reference.

[Jasp]

Sounds like the GFX card has cooked itself with the warm weather, is their no way of returning it and getting a refund/replacement? as for software HWmonitor is the normal tool of choice or even CCC as its a ATI card which will give you control of the fan and the current temp. http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php

[Whiternoise]

It's a 22" screen, the resolution is that low because i haven't reinstalled the drivers for it yet.

[Jasp]

Wow, i'd say thats pretty much fubared.

[Whiternoise]

H'yup, i'd say so too

But i'd be interested to see exactly what's caused it. I assumed it was the ride back from university, though it wasn't loose when i opened the case and even though it was in a box, i doubt it overheated from that - the cooler would have done a fairly good passive job.

I mean, when i got it, it worked superbly, i romped through Mirror's Edge and Crysis, then didn't really use it much at uni and now sods law it crashes just when i get back and fancy getting into CoD4 again

[OilSheikh]

Hmm... if the heatpipe is hot on idle, u might want to try some thermal paste first.

Also, dont think anyone will notice if you take off the stock cooler assembly and put in an Accelero to try things.

Lemme know how it goes or I'll ask my friend...