Monitor doesn't display anyting

Rayman · 17 Jul 2010

Problem seems to be varying when it happens. Hasn't crashed TF2, despite the fact it used to. Is still crashing other games though.

Night Hawk · 18 Jul 2010

Have you kept track of the card temps as you have been going along?

Most of this would seem to be an overheating problem where you may have to consider adding a fan or two or replacing a small with a larger in order to get better air flow going.

Inspection of the card itself to see if the fan if one is present is working. The permanent bond for the card's own heat sink may be not so good there allowing the card to heat up too much.

One thing I bought recently was the 65% silver thermal paste not for use on cpus but for a permanent application on various items like card sinks even vcr repair.

Rayman · 19 Jul 2010

Monitor isn't displaying anything at all, so cannot access my PC.

I have the case open and a fan (freestanding, not a proper PC fan) blowing full at it. I also have another fan airing the room and my windows are wide open.

One would assume it is down to the 30 degree heats.

Do I have to buy some new internal fans as you suggest -- how do I know these would work when my current (albeit makeshift) setup isn't fixing it?

Perhaps it is just infact the graphics card dying? Do I need a new one? A new PC as a whole?

Night Hawk · 19 Jul 2010

To see the temps lowered that would have been one option while the card was still acting normally. Now you are not getting any display at all? suggesting the card is the problem and sounds like it will have to be replaced.

Unfortunately it comes down to you having gotten into a rotten deal with the card. If you have taken all the steps of removing the card and blowing PCIe slot out with a can of air cleaner and reseated the card back in fully it does look that way.