How to tell if videocard is bad? (x800xt-pe)

iLLestOne

Well about 2 days ago, I turned on my comp, and it was at 1024/768, and then a popup came up that said something like no ati driver was found (or something like that). Then, I restarted my comp and everything was fine...for a day.

Yesterday, out of no where, my comp. kept hanging and restarting (sometimes). I just installed avast (cause symantec would only work when i'm at school) so I thought it might have something to do with avast and/or zonealarm. So I reinstalled both of those, and no I don't freeze anymore. BUT, when I go into games, my comp will ALWAYS freeze before the game even loads.

Also, one time I restarted yesterday, the bios said "No power cable connected to videocard". So I turned off my comp, and took out the OZ powercleaning cable (can't remember what it's called). I thought something in there might have got messed up when I recently installed a 250gig hd that is right next to the ati card.

Now windows runs great, but everytime I go into any game it freezes before it loads. What can I do to see if the card is shot or not? I was going to reinstall windows, but would rather not, lol.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I also put my 3200+, ram, and videocard back at STOCK to make sure it wasn't anything wrong with them.

Randomletters

Have you tried uninstalling the drivers, running driver cleaner pro, and reinstalling? Aside from that it does sound like the card may be crapping out on ya. A format couldnt hurt depending on the last time you did it. It may seem like a pain but its cheaper then replacing a possibly fine operating card.

Dyre Straits

Before doing any reinstall of Windows check a few other things first.

1. Is the fan on the video card working? Have you checked temperatures because when games get ready to start the system goes from 2D to 3D and that pushes the temperatures upward.

2. Try shutting down the system, remove the card physically from the slot and make sure it's clean. Reseat it securely and boot up the system.

3. If neither of the above is the issue, then it could be some kind of corrupted driver. Perhaps Windows used a previous Restore Point due to one of the crashes. So, go into Device Manager and REMOVE the two instances of the card under Display Adapters. Also, uninstall the drivers completely using the Add/Remove options. Once everything is uninstalled and removed, restart Windows and let Windows redetect your card.

Once you're back up and running, reinstall the drivers you want to use.

When that's done, be sure your motherboard drivers are installed.

Download and install the June DirectX update.

If, after all this you still have problems, then it's likely the card.

Good luck!

iLLestOne

Uninstalled them, ran DC, then rebooted, went into safe mode, ran DC again, and then rebooted and installed new drivers (x10 )


1. Fan is working fine. Temps seem fine (30-40 idle).
2. Did that, didn't work the first time...just did it again and unplugged my new 250gig hd, and used a different plug to plug the ati card in.

Before I did all this, I took out my wireless card, uninstalled zonealarm and avast.

Now after I started, games finally run again! I think it was either the plug (or my PSU can't handle 4 hd's, 2 dvd, and my videocard) or else it was something with zonealarm.

Zonealarm has been giving me mucho problems ever since my comp. started acting funny.

3. Did all that too. Didn't think about removing the 2 instances....that might have fixed it too. Thanks.


Can anyone recommend a DIFFERENT program to use? I've heard zonealarm and Avast don't work well together....I'd be willing to change either (or both), but would prefer them to be free (i'm a broke college student). Is EZtrust any good?

Dyre Straits

RE: The PSU:

If you had the video card plugged in using a Y-splitter off the PSU, that could be the problem. The video card needs to be plugged in using a direct connection with nothing else split off it. So, even if you're presently using a Y-splitter, isolate the video card so it's the only thing being powered on one wire directly from the PSU.

Additionally, what is the A rating on the 12V rail? You need something in the range of a minimum of 20A. 18A may work if there aren't too many other devices....which it seems you do have. My own PSU has 28A on the 12V.

As for another free virus program: Many like to use AVG from Grisoft. I'd have to locate the freebie link as it's kind of hidden.

iLLestOne

It was plugged in before by itself, although it did have a y-connector used as a extender. But now I have it in a different plug, all by itself.

My 12v+ A rating is 28A, so it looks like it SHOULD be okay...but I've heard bad things about antec and their ratings in the past. ( http://www.antec.com/specs/true480_spe.html )

I actually just went ahead and bought the zone alarm suite. My dad uses it and loves it, so I thought what the hell....

But my computer seems to be running fine now....really wish I was 100% what caused it not to run fine, but I guess at least it's all better now.

Thanks again for your help!

Dyre Straits

The main thing is that things are running properly now. Even the best of systems can get fouled up due to all sorts of miscombobulations. (And, if anyone knows the definition of that word, that's what causes computer problems. )

Good luck to you!