PC Issues

[Variol]

I have been spending the last week trying to get my PC working properly. It crashed when I stated H5. I had to do a hard boot and then could not get back into Windows.
Since then, I had to do a system restore 3 times and I don't know how often I re-installed the video driver.
I went to a tech forum and they figure it's my video card going on the fritz (GeForce 9800GT). They also said that my Power Supply was under rated. So, I ordered a new one of each today.
It must be running on a generic driver right now, since I do have a screen. It just has a black edge all around it.

[Pol]

And can you reinstall the driver again?
(In emergency mode)

What exactly did you replaced? PSU and VGA or just PSU? What model is the new PSU?

[Variol]

I can't count the number of times I re-installed the software. Nvidia even gave me a removal tool to take out the old stuff. It just will not take the driver.
I bought a Gigabyte HD7750 graphics card and the PS is a 525w Cooler Master. I would have gone for more on the PS but we just sank about 8k into our rental property, so $$$ are pretty tight. The reviews were pretty good on it, so I took a chance. It has a 3 year warranty. I hope to have both in about a week.

My current graphics card is a Geforce 9800GT (512mb). I was very happy with it. The specs on the HD7750 are a little better.

I guess it's using a generic Windows driver ATM. I have a black edge all around the viewing area and I can only use the monitor; TV is not detected.

[GreatEmerald]

How about just reinstalling Windows? A hard reboot may have caused some corruption in the system files.

[Variol]

I have thought of that also. I guess I would be able to restore everything from the back-up drive once I do the re-install?

This is the hardware diagnostic I ran for the video card. Can you tell from this if it's hardware related?


(sorry the link no longer works)

file:///C:/Users/Andy/Desktop/Test%20Event%20Logs%20-%20NVIDIA%20GeForce%209800%20GT.html

Here it is:

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GT [PCI:4:0:0\\?\PCI#VEN_10DE&DEV_0605&SUBSYS_09BE19F1&REV_A2#4&13d7cd30&0&0008#{1ca05180-a699-450a-9a0c-de4fbe3ddd89}]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Video Card Chip Type: GeForce 9800 GT
Video Card Memory: 512.00 MB
Video Card BIOS: Version 62.92.63.0.86
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys
Driver Version: 9.18.13.623, 8-30-2012


Local Video Memory Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:18:58 AM

Warning Message: - 13/10/2013 6:18:59 AM
Error at pixel 132 232 : Input color 00202020 not equal to output color 00202024.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:19:00 AM
Failed (Error code: VC316-1W)

Primary Surface Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:19:00 AM

Warning Message: - 13/10/2013 6:19:05 AM
Error at pixel 0 0 : Input color 00FFFFFF not equal to output color 00000000.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:19:06 AM
Failed (Error code: VC316-26W)

Fixed Transformation and Lighting Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:19:06 AM

Informative Message: - 13/10/2013 6:20:09 AM
Peak GPU Temperature: 66 Celsius.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:20:10 AM
Canceled

Wireframe Line Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:20:10 AM

Informative Message: - 13/10/2013 6:20:51 AM
Peak GPU Temperature: 70 Celsius.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:20:51 AM
Passed

GPU Pipeline Data Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:20:51 AM

Error Message: - 13/10/2013 6:21:00 AM
Internal Exception in DiagModule::start():
ASSERTION FAILED: C:\PDD-BUILD-X64-1\d\B\M\20090422_HD_STABLE\Matrix_Projects\projects\modules\src\windows\diag\pcdr2d3dvideo\pcdr2d3dvideodx10\TestDataGenerator.cpp(21) SUCCEEDED(result)
Stack Trace:
!!! Stack Trace exceptions not supported in 64-bit. !!!
(end stack trace)
***** NOTE *****: Use stacktraceparser.exe to translate the instruction offsets into function names.

Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:21:01 AM
Internal Error

Shader Rendering Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:21:01 AM

Informative Message: - 13/10/2013 6:21:42 AM
Peak GPU Temperature: 70 Celsius.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:21:42 AM
Passed

Wireframe Shader Rendering Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:21:42 AM

Informative Message: - 13/10/2013 6:23:43 AM
Peak GPU Temperature: 77 Celsius.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:23:43 AM
Passed

Shader Rendering DX10 Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:23:43 AM

Informative Message: - 13/10/2013 6:24:29 AM
Peak GPU Temperature: 79 Celsius.
Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:24:30 AM
Passed

PCI Express Status Test

Test Started - 13/10/2013 6:24:30 AM

Test Finished: - 13/10/2013 6:24:30 AM
Passed

Product Version: 6.0.5205.31

[Pol]

It indeed seems like broken VGA memory on your card. So, new one was right solution.

For memory testing I like this tester.

As for removing VGA drivers, did you tried Driver Sweeper?

Links on your home PC will, of course, not work over internet. No need to worry.

But, due to many crashes, I would prefer backuping your data and fresh new installation. It's the only way, haw to assure that it will work afterward.

[Variol]

I downloaded both programs. Neither one found anyone. They sure like to take over though. I uninstalled both of them.

[Variol]

The other thing I never mentioned throughout all of this, is that when my system reboots, or when I start it, I see a lot of $$$$$ randomly all over the DOS screen. Is that to be expected?

I'm a topless naga queen!!?!??!

EDIT:

That's weird, nor I'm back to being a Nightmare?? Was there a little glitch or something?

[Pol]

No, but it's funny. (Cause it shows you to need for more cash to fix the prob.)

It's either corrupted memory or some virus (much less likely).

It's a rank. Well deserved and earned for a special moment. See them here.

[GreatEmerald]

I'm not too certain the memory is actually bad. The fact that you managed to crash the test program indicates that it's not a very good test program! I'd take the readings with a grain of salt. More important is whether you see graphical corruption on screen during the test or overall during normal use.

The other thing I never mentioned throughout all of this, is that when my system reboots, or when I start it, I see a lot of $$$$$ randomly all over the DOS screen. Is that to be expected?

No. Though if it's the system console, it's likely using different drivers at early boot than the ones you get once booted. So whether that's indicative of anything or not is hard to tell.

I'm a topless naga queen!!?!??!

EDIT:

That's weird, nor I'm back to being a Nightmare?? Was there a little glitch or something?

Post count.

[Variol]

I get this error message when I try to run the Nvidia settings software:

[GreatEmerald]

Yea, that's indicative of either hardware issues or driver issues.

[Variol]

It's not really true though, 'cos I "am" attached to a Nvidia GPU?

[GreatEmerald]

Yeap, but it's not being detected.

[Variol]

Will the HD 6870 work in my PC?
Sapphire Radeon HD 6870 900MHZ 1GB 4.2GHZ GDDR5 2XDVI 2XMINI DisplayPort HDMI PCI-E Video Card

I know I will need to up the PS, I'm just wondering if it will fit the same socket as my GT 9800?

There's a smokin' deal on it at another site for $99.99!

[GreatEmerald]

Well, about that, you need to consider two things. First, the slot. Basically every graphics card these days uses PCI Express (PCIe). So usually there are no problems with that, all cards should be able to work. Your GT 9800 is also most likely using PCIe (the older AGP standard is much older than that).

The second thing is power draw. High-end graphics cards require a specific connector directly to the power supply (PCIe power connector, usually 6 pins) since the motherboard doesn't provide enough power. So you need to make certain that your PSU includes the needed amount of such connectors. Looking at the specs, it says "2 X 75Watt 6-pin PCI Express power connector is required", so you'll need to make sure you have that. In need, you can use two Molex connectors with an adapter to create one 6-pin PCIe connector, but that's usually very messy and it's better to just use a proper PSU that provides enough native connectors.

[Variol]

Thanks GE,
When I put the card in my cart, it said out of stock.
It was on for $99.99
It looks like there are few left in their stores only. Oh well, not too big a deal.

[Variol]

I just installed the new video card and power supply. looks like everything is back to normal!