MArcomage

Hello again good folks,

As there seem to be a lot of technically literate people around here, I'll take a long shot and ask for help (specs at the bottom):

The problem is with my graphics card, nVidia 8400 GS; it completely stopped working recently. I can boot up in Safe Mode, delete/rename the graphics driver file nvlddmkm.sys, and then boot up normally. This gets me to Windows, but running with motherboard graphics.

So far I've tried:
Updating the driver / deleting reinstalling with Windows / from nVidia website
Drivers for similar cards
ForceWare drivers
Formatting, total reimage
Cleaned inside the computer, checked all is in position

I have a couple of ideas going:
changing the PCI frequency to 110MHz (read on a forum this might help) BUT..
I need to update my BIOS to allow me to do that.
memory clock on your graphics card by 20mhz: Again, BIOS.
A driver that works!?
New card (I'd rather avoid this).
Anything you can think of.

System Spec below, ask if it's missing anything important:

OS Name Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Home Premium
Version 6.0.6000 Build 6000
Other OS Description Not Available
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name SPOON-PC
System Manufacturer DIXONSXP
System Model T9610
System Type X86-based PC
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz, 2400 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
BIOS Version/Date Phoenix Technologies, LTD 763D3.P03, 17/09/2007
SMBIOS Version 2.5
Windows Directory C:\Windows
System Directory C:\Windows\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United Kingdom
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "6.0.6000.16407"
User Name Spoon-PC\Spoon
Time Zone GMT Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 3,069.56 MB
Available Physical Memory 1.65 GB
Total Virtual Memory 6.18 GB
Available Virtual Memory 4.90 GB
Page File Space 3.29 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys



EDIT: I've looked at the manufacturer's site for BIOS updates but they have nothing. I've found 'BIOS Agent Plus' but have no idea if it's legit + it wants my card details. If someone has an account, or at least can confirm that it's safe, I could give that a shot.

EDIT: The computer has been suffering with infrequent BSODs relating to the nVidia driver for over a year. It wasn't very frequent so I never did anything about it.

Simplest way of testing some computer part -you just stick it into another computer.

Most often thing that comes to mind - check for blown capacitors on your gfx card, i've fixed two cards with this thing going. Just google on this topic. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDGjWOabJ2E&feature=related

Both sound like good ideas, I'll have a looksee at the card and try it in another computer, and post back here with results :]
Doumo Arigatou.

Took the card out, capacitors etc all look ok to me, pics are to follow.

Not had another computer to test this in yet.
EDIT: Pics might be a while, can't find the lead for my phone.

And what about a warranty?

hmmm... as a matter of fact it may still be covered, genius idea! Thanks for all the help :] I'll be sure to let you know if/when/how I work this out.

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I owe you a big thank you!
I took my computer to the shop, and it turns out I had FOUR more days of warranty left! Chances are I would not have thought of that in time and the way I see it, I owe you.

If you've got any ideas for repayment, I'm listening. <3

And so I'm back online!

I did indeed still have warranty on my computer, and after about 3 months offline and about 20 calls to their helpline I finally have a replacement!

So yes, thank you all for your efforts, turned out well in the end :)

I look forward to catching up with the updates and tearing down your Towers!

Spoon

EDIT: Also, apologies for all the games that got waylaid because of this. I know it's annoying when the opponent disappears.

Haha, how did I miss this?

Great, I'm glad for you. Buy me a beer If I'm ever to Finland. (which is probably never, despite being almost a neighbor, so no worries there)