Artifacts and BSODS!

Hello all,

Hoping someone can help/confirm a few things.

This morning i go to my desktop computer (which was in sleep mode as always) click the mouse to bring it back to life and then i notice it's taking a bit longer than normal. Screen flashes black, i see the desktop then BANG BSOD managed to catch a glimsp of the BSOD. It refers to nvldkkm.sys. It's a Nvidia GF8300 GS. Had it running for about 2 years now and no issues.

The thing is... i've removed the drivers, and defaulted to windows generic. All done via safemode. So i know the drivers that MAY have caused the BSOD are no longer there.

The problem persists... so i enter Widows via safemode again.

All over the screen during safemode were artifacts, sometimes alot, they come, they go etc.

So i reboot and select normal windows startup, it gets, just, to desktop then artifacts return and BAM, either the PC reboots or it hangs seeminly dead.

I decide (to rule out of course) to do a Memory test. In fact it is running now. The thing is i'm still getting a whole bunch of artifacts and now, occasionally the entire screen flickers too. The memory test it still running without any interference.

So my question....... Does windows invoke the drivers (be them generic ones) of the graphic card while conducting the Mem Test? My head says no as the Mem Test starts before the drivers are loaded, and that my GC is probably about to bottom out.

On the plus side this is the first ever BSOD with Windows 7 after having used it since Beta!

Thanks for any help provided.

Tom

Thanks for your reply,

I've done that already, have the side off now.It's dust free etc (I have cats you see so i'm quite vigilant with the dust/hair thing :) )

AS i mentioned it happened when i went to resume Windows, so the PC had been dorment over night. So i'm thinking against heat damage. I of course could be wrong.

Thanks

Tom

Just went back to it to double check the card, and placed the top of my finger on the Heatsink, and it is boiling, to hot to hold my finger on..............................

Firstly the fan IS working! Thanks Anthony! lol

I'll post as soon as i can with regards to the BSOD posting instructions. If it lets me get to desktop. Seems to giving me gip getting into safemode.

I'm preparing a dinner for 13 ppl tonight so trying to do alot at once!!!¬! lol

Bare with me!

I'm more a software guy than a hardware, it has been years since i've had to troubleshoot HW issues. So i'm a little rusty.

Thanks folks

Tom

Hey thanks for all the replies.

Just to let you know, the graphics card has now packed in completely!!!! I suspected it was an actual HW issue and not the drivers.

I know a bit about HW and things. The card became blazing hot and now won't output any display that's readable on any level!!!!!!!!

Thanks again.

Guess i'm purchasing a new GC tomorrow.