Debilitating computer problem - no WoW for a while

[Giller]

My computer is 5 years old and may now have a debilitating injury that cannot be healed.

Basically, it behaves like normal for about 4 seconds, then the screen freezes except for the mouse for a few seconds.  The screen goes black for about half a second then starts the cycle again.  The frozen screen part varies depending on what application has focus.  For Firefox, it's only frozen for about 1 second before going black.  For just the Windows desktop, it's at least 6 seconds.  My guess is that it's the video card, but I'll also try borrowing someone else's monitor to make sure it's not that.  The monitor would really suck because it's a nice 19" and I was hoping to carry it over when I got a new computer some time this summer.

I'm able to use this computer to make a post like this, but I can't watch video or play WoW.

[Giller]

Computer works just fine in Safe Mode. 

[Khellendross]

Stay in safe mode and reinstall your video card drivers. ^_^

[Giller]

Just did before reading your post.  Had no effect.

[Khellendross]

strange, did you install anything new recently?

[Roadill]

Most problems that let you go to safe mode but not boot up are either related to the drivers, your boot-up programs or the windows registry.  If you've had your computer a few years and haven't reformatted, that would probably be the quickest way to resolve your issue, reformat and reinstall.

[Giller]

strange, did you install anything new recently?

Nope, nothing new for weeks.  Comp just threw up in my face in the middle of playing WoW.

In safe mode, the video card isn't used at all ("Status is not available for this device when Windows is running in Safe Mode."), so I think it works fine in safe mode because it just uses the main processor for any graphics. 

Perhaps I'll try reformatting in all this spare time I have now without WoW.  I'll need to back up some things first though on cds.  And make sure I still have all my installation cds...

[Giller]

I'm going to pop open my computer and use compressed air on it in the off chance that dust build up is causing a hardware problem or there's something else physically wrong with it that I can diagnose and fix (like birds building a nest on it).


If all my future efforts fail too, I'm going to be getting a new computer.

Any suggestions on storebought vs Dell custom vs Alienware vs anything else?

Since I want another computer to last 5 years, these are the stats I'm hoping for:
2 core Intel processor, 2.4 GHz+
4 GB RAM
200+ GB Hard Drive (maybe more, I like having anime stockpiles like Bleach)
512 MB video card, or maybe even x2

As much as I don't want to upgrade to Vista, I do already have the installation CDs for the Ultimate version and it'll be required for DirectX 10 and can support 64-bit stuff and even more RAM. 

[Khellendross]

http://www.magicmicro.com

REALLY great custom build PC site. ^^

[MilambrMoo]

With my experience with video card problems and such, the card is still used but at a basic level.  Software is the only issue that safe mode works around as far as I understand "safe mode".  As for video drivers, try rolling back the drivers.  Also, your video card might be work ok under basic settings cuz it doesnt have to work hard, but once there is a load to it, thats when it might not like life.  Anyways, who knows if I know anything at all, GL.

Lyle

[Giller]

I sorta fixd it.  I just opened up the case and sprayed out all the dust, especially around the video card.

There are some major graphics problems going on still (like dots all over this screen after I started WoW) but it's better than before. 

fix only lasted for about 15 minutes.  Broken again.

[Bane]

I have some video cards layin around... what type you need?

[Giller]

I have some video cards layin around... what type you need?

The solid gold, diamond encrusted one

I have an NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS.  I'm going to start lookin' for a new computer today.  If I order one online, I won't do it until after July 4th weekend.

[Donnie (S3 / Jagor)]

It's likely overheating.  Mine used to do the same thing.  Make sure all your fans are VERY clean, consider opening the case and putting a floor fan pointed into the machine and blowing on high.  See if those things help.  The thing about software issues is that they are either always present or never present, based on consistently presented criteria.  So I'm betting software isn't your problem considering the results vary based on what you're doing.

As for building or buying, I used to build all my computers but have recently found that I can get more computer for the price (as well as a warranty and whatnot) by buying from someone like Dell.  So at least consider that option if you want something to last 5 years.

Good luck man!

[Nick (Morgosh)]

/agree ith donnie...

[Giller]

Big fan blowing on high right into the open case didn't have any affect at all .

[Giller]

I think Dell's trying to rip me off...

Customizing a computer on their website, you can choose the video card:
"ATI Radeon HD 2400 PRO 128MB [Included in Price]" <-- default
"nVidia GeForce 8800 GT 512MB [add $300 or $9/month1]" <--upgrade

But then I looked up that same card straight from nVidia - costs only $170!  Might as well go with the default crap and upgrade it myself to save $130.

I got my current computer from Dell, but their prices seem crazy compared to what I've seeon on other sites for the same components.

[Youmi]

dell is a ripoff, unless you are buying a flat-panel from them. They make good monitors and have a solid warranty for 3 years. I personally purchased all my components and assembled ever part of my PC, it was very simple. The PC I put together was much better than the dell PC's at that time, and it's cost was just over 1k.  I would highly recommend avoiding dell.  The reason I say this, is that they use shitty hardware, the only good performing hardware they invest in is the processor.  If you want to get your moneys worth for performance, it's best to avoid any PC building companies, especially dell.  They use a name brand processor, but every other piece of hardware is some random shitty company, and then there is the software nightmare that comes with those PCs... Self assembly is very easy, anyone can do it, seriously.

[Bane]

I have built every PC I have owned since like 1990.. I KNOW you can do it 

[Giller]

I have built every PC I have owned since like 1990.. I KNOW you can do it 

Building a PC isn't very hard, you just jam everything into the correct sockets.  It's like putting together a puzzle with a dozen pieces.  What's daunting for me is mainly choosing the motherboard and making sure all the associated parts are compatable with it.  Can you just jam any piece of RAM into a motherboard?

[Jay (Shadowdwellr)]

I have built every PC I have owned since like 1990.. I KNOW you can do it 

Building a PC isn't very hard, you just jam everything into the correct sockets.  It's like putting together a puzzle with a dozen pieces.  What's daunting for me is mainly choosing the motherboard and making sure all the associated parts are compatable with it.  Can you just jam any piece of RAM into a motherboard?

no some motherboards take ddr ram and other take ddr2. also have to make sure you get teh right type of graphics slot to go with you motherboard. most are pxi ecpress but there are still agp out there

[Donnie (S3 / Jagor)]

People who build their own computers tend to come off as elitists when this subject is broached. Me, my time is worth roughly $125 / hour, my free time is worth double that to me (unless you're a friend) so Iaaccount for that when considering a build / buy proposition. Regardless of what people may say, my Dell machines came with the components in place, drivers installed and working, a nice case and plenty of cooling. My XPS took me 10 minutes or so to hook things up and start getting my games installed, it also came with a full warranty for everything, so no more managing a dozen warranties for my computer.

My previous built computer now serves as my studio machine and is doing just fine. But it's on its third power supply, fourth hard drive and second video card. Plus it's loud as hell. So you may get "name brand" parts when you build your own but they haven't been tested together and are no less likely, in the end, to fail.

Do whatever you think is the most fun way to go, getting or building a new computer should be fun. In my experience, once all is said and done companies like Dell have been competitive and I can't fault the experience I have had with them.

Good luck man, keep us updated whatever you do!

[Giller]

also have to make sure you get teh right type of graphics slot to go with you motherboard. most are pxi ecpress but there are still agp out there

That's part of the problem with my current broken computer, it has an AGP slot and almost all the cards nowadays are PCI Express.

I'm going to take this opportunity to replace the whole computer instead of just the video card.

[Youmi]

www.newegg.com gives you a list of Ram that is compatible with the mobo that you have, it's helpful. But picking out what you want for your PC isn't hard, you start with the mobo and work from their pretty much, if you read up on a few pieces and check some of the reviews, you'll get an idea about that items reliability/performance. When checking the reviews for an item, I suggest checking the reviews from worst to best reviews.  Also, if you are looking to get a dell pc that will last and be useful for gaming for a few years, you'll need a XPS that's loaded, and for the same level PC to be bought and self assembled, it would cost much less.  This isn't taking into account how much you feel your personal time is worth as Donnie was speaking of in a previous post.  Assembly doesn't take to much time, a couple hours for the first attempt at most I would say.  In case this might apply to you as it does for me, it feels 1000x times better to put a PC together piece by piece and get it running smooth, than to have someone else do it for me.  It kinda really makes it my PC and not just another one of Dell's or HP's.  If you aren't very up to speed on PC hardware, I would be more than willing to help you out with selecting components and such. 

[Giller]

I like the look of this computer, but I don't think the 9500 GS Nvidia card is very good (though I haven't found much info on it).  I think it's their top generation, but low-end performance wise despite having 512 MB memory.