Display Problem

[Ghost_Rider]

Hey guys,

I just started having some trouble today with my computer; I've had it for about 2 years and it's been fine up until today.  Things like my desktop background and basic webpages display fine - but when I start playing a game, such as Starcraft, I get all these funny lines and dots on the screen.  Screen savers such as 3D Pipes are missing chunks and lines.  I'm pretty sure it's my video card that is messed up.

I ran some tests - and I think I know what it means, just looking for some advice and input here:

Video card:  128MB DDR ATI Radeon 9700 TX w/TV-Out


VESA SVGA Video - Video Memory Test
Test Results:  Fail
Error Code: 5300:0119
Msg:  Detected a failure while writing and reading video memory. Video mode:  Dh (320x200x16) - Address A0000h expected to read FFFFFFFFh, but read FFFBFFFBh instead.

.... So sounds like something is fried with my video memory, and 3D animation really shows the problem because it takes more memory than static windows / pictures.

I guess my options are try to get a new memory chip - or just buy a new video card.  Suggestions?

Thanks!

[Zemus]

You can't replace the memory chips on today's video cards so if it really is broken, you have to get a new one. My suggestion is to try it in another computer first incase something else is wrong.

[Ghost_Rider]

Thanks Zemus.  I'm pretty sure it's the video card that is fried, everything else seems fine.  Time to buy a new video card.   :roll:

[shad0wfax]

Was the card overclocked? Was there enough free space between the vga card and other components for cooling? Is the fan broken? Extra heat and insufficient ventilation kills electronic components. Modern VGA cards generate quite a large amount of heat, so it could be a problem of overheating.

[Ghost_Rider]

Nope, didn't make any modifications, the card was not overclocked.  The components are spaced out pretty well, the fan is working fine.  I have air conditioning so it wouldn't fry in the summer.  I'm pretty sure it wasn't a problem with overheating... but it is a possibility.  Like you said it generates a fair amount of heat.  

It hasn't really been "hot" here since August last year, so I just don't think that was it.  Unless of course the damage was done last summer, and the effects are just starting to show now.