Help..... New Graphics card or Fix it.

[PLightstar]

My Galaxy Geforce 6800 GT has encountered some problems, I started my PC this morning and Funny pink and yellow blocks appeared on the screen, then when it loaded XP Pro the monitor couldn't get a signal and lost the picture.

I first tried a diff monitor and the same thing happened in the end I replaced with the graphics card with my old 5200, but Is there a way I can fix the graphics card or will I have to shell out for a brand new £250 card.

I mean I looked over the card to see if something had burnt out or melted but it seems fine, has anyone else come across this problem?

 

[smurkin]

it doesnt sound good. I suppose the fans are going round ok. I suppose it could be a psu issue, perhaps. I guess the acid test is to ret the card in another machine. Still, its a current card, should still be under warranty.

 

[Clown]

Look what I did to my one. I think I overclocked it too high or put water on it (though I can't see any leaks).

www.clowneh.co.uk/fucked.jpg

I've put it back to stock, but I think the damage is already done.

 

[Trem]

I know what you speak of. The other time I have seen what you are on about was when the motherboard decided it didn't like the card. You must try it in another system.

 

[Jonty]

Hi PLightstar

As suggested, try the card in another system, if possible, as you've already ruled out the connection to the monitor. As smurkin suggests, try checking the fans are rotating correctly and that the card isn't dusty (that said, nVidia drivers have a temperature alert facility so if it was overheating you'd know about it (and your hardware would deactivate in part to keep the hardware safe)).

I experienced graphical corruption similar to what you described with a Radeon card once and that was down to the PSU, although since you've been running without problems I'm guessing it wouldn't be that unless you have recently installed any new hardware.

If the card is under one year old then it should still be covered by the guarantee providing you haven't tried to overclock it or update the card BIOS (if so, restore the defaults and see what happens). If the corruption still exists after trying everything mentioned in this thread then get in touch with either the supplier or Galaxy and see what happens.

Kind Regards

 

[Danya]

Look what I did to my one. I think I overclocked it too high or put water on it (though I can't see any leaks).

www.clowneh.co.uk/fucked.jpg

I've put it back to stock, but I think the damage is already done.

Did you change the voltage at all clown? That's been known to fry 6800 series cards in a very short time. Just overclocking doesn't appear so risky.

 

[old.user4556]

My 6800 GT has also exhibited the same corruption as Clown's card. I had to stop overclocking as a result (used to run 400/1100) and that appears to have fixed the problem, but I also found that i can overclock again now (running 370/1000) that i've removed the card and air-dustered the crap that was clinging to it.

 

[Clown]

I didn't change the voltage.
I downclocked but it's still there

 

[Jonty]

Hi Clown

I'm not saying this is the case, far from it, but some damage can be permanent in instances where you've overclocked your card or unlocked pipelines or updated the BIOS etc. Still, keep perserving with it, hopefully it won't be permanent (as Danya says, 'straight' overclocking can usually be reversed without trouble).

Kind Regards

 

[old.user4556]

I've not had much luck with gfx cards in the past. My last four cards have been:

1) Nvidia GF4 4400 Ti - burnt out
2) Radeon 9800 Pro - corruption, then died (replaced under warranty)
3) Radeon 9800 Pro - won't run at full clock, mem needs underclocked to prevent corruption
4) BFG 6800 GT OC - hints of corruption and general b0rkage, looking ok for the time being.

I think the solution to my problem has just been announced

 

[Jonty]

Hi Big G

Bad luck, hehe Have you tried getting in touch with BFG with regards your latest card? Their lifetime warranty and 24/7 support is one of the best in the business, and given the cards are sold as overclockable out of the box, it may be worth dropping them a line and seeing what happens.

As for the Mac Mini, I don't think a 32MB Radeon 9200 really cuts it, not that you'd be playing games on that kind of system anyway, hehe

Kind Regards

 

[old.user4556]

Well it's been fairly trouble free recently, but then again, i've not played games for months (which is what sets it off).

32 Mb radeon isn't gonna cut it, but in terms of a compact web/media/word/email/music box in a shortbread tin i think it's a cracking piece of kit!

After HL2 and CS:S, i'm thoroughly bored of games

 

[Jonty]

Ah, fair enough. Still, I'd give them a bell, you don't get if you don't ask ("Since it's been playing up I'll accept a 512MB GeForce 6800 Ultra as a replacement, if I must ..." )

As for the Mac Mini, yes, it is a gorgeous piece of kit for everyday use like you say. That said, if you personally upgrade it's RAM, HDD etc. you apparently risk voiding the warranty, you have re-buy or find alternatives to programs like Office or other specialist apps, and games are pretty much a no-no. That said, if someone gave me one ... hehe Apparently some company in America is already installing them in cars as a glorified CD player/music library.

Kind Regards

 

[Clown]

I have a BFG too. But I've changed the cooler twice and took the piss by putting it up to 450/1050.

 

[Jonty]

hehe, not a 'plug and play' type of person, right Clown? I've just read through BFG's warranty and, generous though it may seem, their generosity stops at:

[The warranty is valid providing the card is] not modified or damaged by overclocking, tampering, user error, accident, disaster, abuse, misuse, power supply, power application, alteration, repair, modification, a fix or replacement by someone other than BFG Technologies.

It may be worth contacting them nonetheless, but how far you'll get I don't know. Next time perhaps try 'playing' with a less expensive card, just in case the damage turns out to be permanent

Kind Regards

Jonty

P.S. Was it stable at that clock for any length of time?

 

[Clown]

Yeah. One game of Battlefield, with no corruption. The next day, I woke up and the computer was off and had all those defects on the screen.

 

[Jonty]

Ah, I see Clown. Did Windows or nVidia's drivers report any errors?

Kind Regards

 

[Clown]

Not in any pop-ups. I dunno if it keeps logs anywhere though.
To be honest, I'm getting tired of keeping up with technology. I might sell off everything that works and just keep using this Shuttle. And get more of a real life.

 

[Jonty]

Fair enough, Clown, I guess you can never keep up with technology anyway I hear Radeon X800 XL cards are going relatively cheap and offer a lot of bang for your buck, if you do end up replacing your card. Either that or another GeForce 6 card, many of which have started to come down in price.

Kind Regards