Computer problems - Can anyone help me?

[The 158 Man]

Hello all,

I'm hoping someone might be able to give me some advice on a very irritating problem I'm having. :-x

My PC screen keeps going distorted every now and again. It's happening more and more frequently as the days go on, and it won't clear until I've rebooted my PC again.

It started a few weeks ago when I was playing BVE4, and now I can only get about halfway through a route before it goes unviewable!

I've never had this problem before, and my PC has always worked fine. I'm using Windows XP Home Edition on a Dell PC.

I don't think it's the screen, because we've tried others and they all have the same problem.

Could it be something to do with the graphics card? Please help! :cry:

When it's messing about, it looks like this (not my image): -

http://img440.imageshack.us/i/image000k.jpg/ :roll:

If anyone can help me I'd be very grateful!

 

[starrymarkb]

I'd check you have the latest version of your graphics card drivers from www.ati.com or www.nvidia.com (depending on your card manufacturer) If you are using and inbuilt card on your mainboard then I'd look into buying a dedicated card as they tend to have less issues and better performance then the in builts

 

[466.networkers]

Could also be a slightly overheating graphics card, best cure is to use a can of compressed air, about a fiver from any decent computer shop (read: not PC World). Open your pc up on a flat surface, outside is ok along as it is dry, then use the air to spray all the dust out of your pc.

It's always good to keep your motherboard and the whole inside of your PC clean every year or so, stops things from overheating and keeps the air flowing.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

1. There may be heat problems on the graphics card OR even somehere on the motherboard or power supply. Check all the fans are spinning freely and that there isn't any obstruction to a good airflow (inside and through the case).
2. The graphics card may have developed a permanent fault, and may have to be replaced.
But don't waste money on a new card before getting confirmation that its failed - a good computer shop will test it out in another machine for you.

 

[NSEFAN]

I had a similar problem with my laptop. It turned out the graphics card was overheating. Now I make sure there are no obstructions to to vents on the laptop, and the problem has not occured since.

With a PC, maybe the insides are covered in dust and jaming the fans/keeping the heat in? I've seen it happen on a processor heat sink before, where the space between the heat sink and processor was thick with dust.

 

[The 158 Man]

Thanks guys, I'll give those suggestions a try.

 

[Z12XE]

I've seen it happen on a processor heat sink before, where the space between the heat sink and processor was thick with dust.

If there is space between the Processor and heatsink it isn't just dust thats the issue - the heatsink should be sitting on the processor correctly - along with the correct amount of thermal paste.

Also, be careful when using compressed air in a PC that it doesn't send dust where you dont want it.

 

[NSEFAN]

the heatsink should be sitting on the processor correctly

It was, but the heat sink was a lot larger than the processor, so the gap between the board and the heat sink was filled with dust, insulating the processor on all sides and reducing airflow, hence causing it to overheat.

I agree with the point about compressed air. It sends the dust flying everywhere, so have a hoover ready!

 

[mbonwick]

But don't out the nozzle of the hoover too near the components as it creats static which kills electronics.....

 

[poshbakerloo]

Sounds like driver issues. Or maybe ur graphics card is overheating?