Is my video card shot?

Yesterday I awoke to find my computer locked up on the (Aurora) screen saver. First time it had happened, so I didn't think too much of it. Did a hard reboot, and everything was fine. Went to work, came home to find the same lock up. This time, the reboot no so fine. . . on the black driver loading screen, there is all sorts of odd characters floating about, then when windows loads, the resolution is way off, but will not allow me to change it, and there are horizontal squiggly lines across the screen. Though my monitor driver (Samsung SyncMaster) appears to be installed fine, Windows only recognizes a "Default Monitor" when attempting to change the resolution, which is stuck at 800x600.

Does not appear to be a software/malware issue, haven't installed any software/hardware/drivers lately, so I suspect it must be a hardware issue? Sound like my video card (8800GT) may be failing/died?

I have an older comp collecting dust in the closet, so I'll swap out the card to see if that's the issue on my weekend, but I'd like to hear some opinions as well.

Thanks , and happy holidays to all!

Russell

I'd say that somethings going on with the video card, usually monitor problems don't cause a crash. You have the right idea to test a known working source first though. My second guess would be *Pick any of the above. As if it's not the graphics card, that kind of error could be anything.

You could try reflashing the GFX BIOS, see what happens if you do that.

Though really, it'd be easier to spend a hundred bucks and buy a new Radeon 5770, or maybe a bit more for a 6850.

Thanks for the reply. Glad to know my instinct was sound. Of course, if I have to get a new one, I'll upgrade lol. . . Will post results, and of course, any one with additional input please do reply!

Russell

It could also be a motherboard issue, either the PCi-e slot or the southbridge/northbridge causing problems.

Looking like a board issue. . . damn. . . currently back on my old Vistax86 comp lol, had to blow a whole lotta dust off of this puppy.