video card troubles

[bstiff]

So my nvidia 9800 started giving me trouble this week. My computer had been acting funny and locking up intermitently. Yesterday, at the beginning of the POST I started getting a pattern of periods across the screen and windows 7 would lock up before starting. I was able to start it in safe mode and everything seemed to be ok and I installled the newest drivers. When I would go to start win 7 in normal mode it would lock up again with the same pattern durimg post. Today, I switched out the 9800 and put in an old 8800 and things seem to be back to normal. Anyone have problems like this before? Should I try reinstalling the 9800 or is it most likely toast?

[LiquidRain]

Try reinstalling it. If it does it again, you have your culprit. :)

[RandoM51]

I'd say the memory on your card is FUBAR. Might be working in safe mode because you're not using enough of it(is safe mode at a lower resolution/color depth in win7 like it is in xp?) to hit the problematic bits(pun intended).

[Karak]

So my nvidia 9800 started giving me trouble this week. My computer had been acting funny and locking up intermitently. Yesterday, at the beginning of the POST I started getting a pattern of periods across the screen and windows 7 would lock up before starting. I was able to start it in safe mode and everything seemed to be ok and I installled the newest drivers. When I would go to start win 7 in normal mode it would lock up again with the same pattern durimg post. Today, I switched out the 9800 and put in an old 8800 and things seem to be back to normal. Anyone have problems like this before? Should I try reinstalling the 9800 or is it most likely toast?

Holy weird timing batman. Same exact issue and same card:)
I am getting my wife a brand new 5850 to replace it.

[CappinCanuck]

Try reinstalling it. If it does it again, you have your culprit. :)

Pretty much, if you didn't change anything related to video around when the problems surfaced. I've had drivers and a bad overclock cause strange patterns and colour ascii weirdness during post in the past, but it was obvious since it happened right away after the change. If you want to go the extra mile, to avoid buying a new card, you could try it in a different system. I wouldn't bother though if your card gives you the same problem after reinstalling it. Depends if you're on the fence heh.

[bstiff]

I'd say the memory on your card is FUBAR. Might be working in safe mode because you're not using enough of it(is safe mode at a lower resolution/color depth in win7 like it is in xp?) to hit the problematic bits(pun intended).

I figured if the card was going Id still get the same artifacts I did during post even in safe mode. Ill have to try putting in the old card some day this week. I hate putting it in the card is so huge it's like parking a bus in a compact car slot at the lot.