Screwed up video card

[robot]

Specs:
GeForce 6800GT 256 mb
P4 2.7ghz
2gigs of ram

My video card has become unstable, which makes my computer unusable. It
started a few days after i got a MMORPG called EVE. I played it for 3-4 days
without any problems but then the game locked up and i had to kill the
computer. When booting up, (the screen that says things like "restore to last
good configuration" or "safe mode") half of the text is jumbled up with
random lines, characters, etc. If my computer manages to get all the way to
the desktop, i will either see text/background stuff with a yellow tint, or
random (usually blue) lines. I have tried letting my computer cool down,
keeping it un plugged, and even took the video card out and put it back in,
all in vain. Using a old video card for now, any help would be great. If you
have any ideas, please help. I can post my dxdiag if needed.

 

[Papa]

Sounds like your video card is defective, especially considering that an old
card apparently puts the system back into normal operation (if that is what
you implied). If that's the case, you'll have to purchase a replacement.
When I encounter something like that, I go to a good computer store that
accepts returns, buy a new card, try it out, and if the problem still
persists, take it back.

By the way, the failure rate for video cards is higher than for most other
components.

 

[robot via WindowsKB.com]

The card worked fine since early last year, and ran everything fine, only
after 4 days or so of playing the game it got screwed. And yes, the older
card will let the system run normally.

 

[Papa]

I have seen video cards go out like that, often due to heat. Not unusual at
all, and they can't be economically repaired. Looks like there is a new
video card in your future. Make sure it has adequate cooling from the
internal fans inside your computer and/or an onboard fan.

 

[robot via WindowsKB.com]

Wierd thing is that when i replace the card, it usually works on the first
boot up, but once u do anything besides let it sit at the desktop, it starts
the random lines/text/colors, etc.

 

[Papa]

Video cards can get very hot if not properly cooled, and will not last for
very long. That's why many of them have a built-in cooling fan. Does yours?
Have you seen the fan actually run?

 

[robot via WindowsKB.com]

Yes, ive even turned it on and listened to it and felt the air move (i had
the case open to make sure it was working).

 

[robot via WindowsKB.com]

anyone?

 

[Michael W. Ryder]

Yes, ive even turned it on and listened to it and felt the air move (i had
the case open to make sure it was working).

Have you felt the video card after it starts acting up? While the fan
may be working it may not be moving the hot air away from the video
card. With my previous case I had to add a slot fan below the video
card to remove the hot air from the case. I could feel the hot air from
the fan while running games like Morrowind. Before the fan was added
the video card would get almost too hot to touch and would crash the game.