Author Topic: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem  (Read 4155 times)

Aldabreck Stone Helm

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How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« on: October 24, 2009, 07:03:50 PM »
My computer started with graphic issues like the back light of my monitor went out. Bought new monitor same graphic issue. Now when trying to play my Graphics seem to flash to working status to working at like 50%. Now just recently I can play for 15 minutes or so and my pc will shut down or restart. Any ideas on weather I need a new video card or new pc thanks.

DM Nocturne

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #1 on: October 24, 2009, 08:35:39 PM »
IMO, it could be either temperature, graphics card driver corruption or power supply (or fault).

Ensure all fans are working and ventilation is sufficient.

Uninstall your drivers, download the latest, then install those.

Check that you have a sufficient PSU to handle your hardware working all at the same time. It may be some faulty wiring or whatnot.

Bluebomber4evr

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #2 on: October 26, 2009, 03:56:17 PM »
Does this only happen with NWN, or does it do it with all programs?

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Kendric98

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #3 on: October 26, 2009, 11:54:11 PM »
Definatly sounds like overheating to me.

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Aldabreck Stone Helm

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #4 on: October 27, 2009, 01:08:25 AM »
SO far it  only shuts down  with nwn. But the graphics are always running at a (what I would guess to be 50%) capacity. Basic functions and internet browsing seem okay though I have a white shadow around all the lettering. I did notice that after 15 minutes of play my fans turn on and then my pc shuts down. Would a new fan fix this or is the motherboard damaged bad enough to not bother?

Purist

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2009, 01:44:41 AM »
Open your case and get a normal big fan blowing air into it, if it doesn't shut down it is overheating.

LeslieMS

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #6 on: October 27, 2009, 07:55:20 AM »
Open your case and get a normal big fan blowing air into it, if it doesn't shut down it is overheating.

I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH! BE CAREFUL OF STATIC ELECTRICITY IN ANY CASE OPENING EXERSCISE.  I KNOW FROM BAD EXPERIENCES

Purist

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #7 on: October 27, 2009, 08:52:12 AM »
Hmm, I've heard about the static electricity issue but I don't know if it is true or not, I myself had problems in one of my coolers once, had to spend several days using a fan, never had a single problem. Perhaps in your case you kept the fan way too close to the computer? In any case, I think it is up to the owner now >_>. There might be a small risk if what she says is true, but I wonder if there would be a problem if you tested it for a single hour, playing games and executing heavy stuff.

LeslieMS

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #8 on: October 27, 2009, 09:15:42 AM »
lol should have clarified... sorry sleep deprived now that I look at that I am laughing at myself...
Only a serious problem if you accidentally touch something in the computer =) not from the fan... simply take precautions to protect the computer while open... and forgive me my exhausted rambling =)

Bluebomber4evr

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #9 on: October 27, 2009, 01:51:12 PM »
If it's only shutting down with NWN it could be something else. I used to get this problem a lot and it turned out to be a conflict with the crappy on-board sound chip on my motherboard.

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Kendric98

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #10 on: October 28, 2009, 12:50:21 AM »
lol should have clarified... sorry sleep deprived now that I look at that I am laughing at myself...
Only a serious problem if you accidentally touch something in the computer =) not from the fan... simply take precautions to protect the computer while open... and forgive me my exhausted rambling =)

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LeslieMS

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #11 on: October 28, 2009, 11:50:14 AM »
lol should have clarified... sorry sleep deprived now that I look at that I am laughing at myself...
Only a serious problem if you accidentally touch something in the computer =) not from the fan... simply take precautions to protect the computer while open... and forgive me my exhausted rambling =)

Shocking!

I know... I know... I hereby promise to never again give advice after staying up all night =)

Kendric98

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #12 on: October 28, 2009, 02:55:34 PM »
Could he remove the video card and try it? If it dosent do it anymore that makes it the card.

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #13 on: October 28, 2009, 05:32:57 PM »
Could he remove the video card and try it? If it dosent do it anymore that makes it the card.


Lol. I hope you forgot to mention that he must have a second VGA to do that, be it onboard or offboard. Otherwise how would you actually see the image? /o/

Or even you meant trying it in another computer?

Avatar6666

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #14 on: October 29, 2009, 03:21:56 AM »
Actually it does not matter if you have video or not just see if the PC stays up and does not shut down. If it does then the video card is over heating, If it shuts down then you pull all the cards out one by one  till it stays up. If you pull all the cards out and it still reboots that means the mother board is bad.

 I would also pull out one memory stick at a time to see if its this issues as well.



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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #15 on: October 29, 2009, 03:52:10 AM »
Yes but as he said it only happens while playing NWN. I wonder if he tried another game.

Bluebomber4evr

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #16 on: October 29, 2009, 03:49:07 PM »
I still say it's worth disabling the onboard Realtek soundchip, if he's got that, before yanking any cards or ram. Because a conflict with onboard audio will cause the computer to shut down. And if it's only happening in NWN that is the most likely culprit. Video card/RAM problems would be universal, not limited to one game.

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Kendric98

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #17 on: October 30, 2009, 12:24:00 PM »
Could he remove the video card and try it? If it dosent do it anymore that makes it the card.


Lol. I hope you forgot to mention that he must have a second VGA to do that, be it onboard or offboard. Otherwise how would you actually see the image? /o/

Or even you meant trying it in another computer?

Dosent everyone :P

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Aldabreck Stone Helm

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Re: How do I find out if it is a video card problem or a pc problem
« Reply #18 on: October 30, 2009, 03:44:48 PM »
I disabled the on board sound card. I'll try it and see if that makes a difference. As for pulling the card, I am not sure if the Intel intergrated graphics would run NWN but I'll check thank you all for trying to help me with this.