Graphics problems

[the_steadster]

Seems a little strange to be posting where I am normally replying, but hopefully someone can help me out with this graphics problem I'm having in windows. I often get artefacts as can be seen on the screenshot attached after using my computer for a while - pretty sure its not overheating though, currently GPU temp=63C, CPU<45
I will also sometimes get little dots of colours (not dead pixels as they aren't always there, they do look like them though) appearing on my screen, and when gaming it will often crash out saying that nvlddmkm.sys has failed, and then restarts the driver and game - which usually results in me being killed!
http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5055/screenyet4.jpg

Graphics card is a BFG 7900GT OC, mobo is an ASUS P5W DH Deluxe, CPU is a core 2 duo E6600, and OS is vista ultimate

[opethfan]

Try an OS reinstall. If not, its a dud card.

[the_steadster]

Try an OS reinstall. If not, its a dud card.
OS install is what I'm hoping to avoid, as its a complete pain. pretty sure it isn't the card as it has worked fine in the past. I think its almost certainly a driver issue though

[opethfan]

Run the nVidia uninstaller, but first grab a copy of driver cleaner. Uninstall all the nvidia drivers, then reboot into safe mode and run driver cleaner. Once you're back in 640x480 glory in Vista, download the latest ForceWare drivers and try again.

[mooseblaster]

I agree - reinstall the drivers cleanly, and if that doesn't work I'm afraid it looks like your GFX card is cooked, and that the only option is to replace it.

I doubt it's a Windows problem, although it's always a last-resort. However, I found my graphics card was doing that, and after checking it in another computer the same problems occurred.

[the_steadster]

Once you're back in 640x480 glory in Vista, download the latest ForceWare drivers and try again.
640x480 will look fun on a 24" screen with 7.5x more pixels than 640x480!

Will try tonight, otherwise I'll try my card in a mates PC, and if all else fails I have an excuse to get a 8800gt..

[the_steadster]

Tried the driver removing, no lines yet, but they normally only happen after a few hours with the PC on

Bit more info:
CPU temp when idle is 31deg C, mobo 42deg C. When idle GPU is 60, but when I was playing the UT3 demo earlier, Temperature reached 97!!
Also the fan didn't kick in on the graphics card, which I'm guessing is the problem. have emailed BFG hoping to get a replacement

[emrik-ol]

I've had lots of problems with Vista and nVidia and their drivers.

Try installing the latest beta drivers.

I had a 7600 card that had those exact problems (in Vista, not XP), and I finally had to use RivaTuner to underclock it by about 50 Mhz... problem solved forever.

[retro]

Dead RAM on card, send it back if under warranty, or replace.

Your graphics card is cooking! Even 60 degrees is hot for one.

[logistikz]

read this it may help

http://forums.microsoft.com/TechNet/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=611977&SiteID=17

[the_steadster]

Dead RAM on card, send it back if under warranty, or replace.

Your graphics card is cooking! Even 60 degrees is hot for one.
Well I've since brought it home for the xmas holidays, where the case has a bit more breathing space, and its now running at 54deg C (idle). Still too hot in my mind though. The weird thing is it worked absolutely fine for over a year, then started buggering up. I'm gonna be trying it in a mates PC after the holidays and if its not working then It'll be RMAed

[opethfan]

60*C isn't a real issue. My 8400 is at 59C right now, and it runs fine.

[F3Zero]

If heat is a problem search on the Nvidia website for Ntune. You can adjust the sliders and change the voltage. You can change the GPU as well as the fan speed.

My card runs at a cool 51C