Graphic card not working?

[Nippe]

One day my laptop started bluescreening every startup (first time it did show some graphic issues) so I decided to reinstall windows.
Well, windows couldn't install (solved now) and I bought new hd.
After installing Ubuntu I found out I cannot install drivers for my graphic card (causes insane freezing) so I installed Windows 7 (was expecting combatibility issues or something in Ubuntu)
After installing Windows 7 ultimate my pc says in dxdiag that I'm using "standard VGA" so I went to NVIDIA site and downloaded driver for my card.
Again, installing driver it causes insane freezing.

So, question is: how can I find out if my graphic card is burnt or something?

I have HP pavillion dv9700.

 

[Clinkz]

That whole dv9000 series laptops are well know for having bad GPU problems due to their poor design. There is a method of fixing it which i have done for someones laptop in the past but i would not recommend it because it involves increasing the size of the heat sync of the GPU. My advice would be to have a look at this post How to keep your laptop cool while gaming for some ideas on keeping it cool to prevent further damage.

 

[Nippe]

Well I have had no problems with heating (using about 2cm high rubbers under its back) but any clue how to get my graphic card working if it isn't broken.?