| Author | Thread |
|
|
11/24/2009 08:29:28 PM · #26 |
Originally posted by ralph:
not so fast ;)
pls remember alot of video is predrawn/buffered in ram - which is why i keep harping on memory tests ...
(on the other had i have had vid cards die on me as well / but memory issues are harder to track & fine (btw the prime 95 is more vicious than memtest86 but i recommend BOTH |
He said they tested the memory yesterday till this morning and it checked out ok.
Now you see why I'm frustrated. I will not send my computer back to the shop anymore. Everything they are doing I could do if I had the spare parts to test. It's a shame to have to spend $50 for a diagnostic fee to not be sure they got the problem solved.
Oh well that the way thing go sometimes.
Message edited by author 2009-11-24 20:29:46. |
|
|
|
11/24/2009 09:00:26 PM · #27 |
Originally posted by SDW:
It's a shame to have to spend $50 for a diagnostic fee to not be sure they got the problem solved.
Oh well that the way thing go sometimes. |
Unfortunately, that is the way repairing complicated things are. Being in a repair industry myself, I can attest to this firsthand. You can take a good guess based on experience as to what the problem may be, but you don't always know for certain. Not really the fault of the repair shop. I just paid $400 to have repairs to my truck's pollution controls for a "service engine" light. Stayed off just long enough to pass inspection and came on again the next day. |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 01:31:22 PM · #28 |
i'm guessing here, but i think with win XP. the install app checks the hardware ( that's why you don't have to install 15 driver disks once windows is installed ). so my theory is that windows is failing to install because of another hardware issue. not the optical drive. every optical drive i have had fail just didn't work. not some in between thing.
Message edited by author 2009-11-25 13:32:52.
|
|
|
|
11/25/2009 01:41:36 PM · #29 |
Could be a hard drive. A failed boot sector could cause some of the listed behavior.
Here's an idea to see if it is a fundamental hardware problem. Do you have a CD burner on the spare computer? Download Ubuntu Linux. This is an ISO image file that you use to create a bootable CD of the Ubuntu Linux operating system. See if you can boot the problem computer with this or if it complains and gives similar behavior.
This will help isolate the problem to certain components. If it boots with the Ubuntu disk, then you know it is not a problem with the optical drive and probably not the motherboard or power supply either. If it does give the same problem, then it is something that is in common whether booting from the CD or the hard drive.
There should be an option somewhere in your CD burning software to create a disk from an ISO image file.
Message edited by author 2009-11-25 13:45:53. |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 05:33:23 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Could be a hard drive. A failed boot sector could cause some of the listed behavior. |
I thought that too so I had a BestBuy Gift card and I purchased a new hard drive and I couldn't load windows OS on it either.
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
Here's an idea to see if it is a fundamental hardware problem. Do you have a CD burner on the spare computer? Download Ubuntu Linux. This is an ISO image file that you use to create a bootable CD of the Ubuntu Linux operating system. See if you can boot the problem computer with this or if it complains and gives similar behavior. |
I have an external USB DVD/RW but I have already sent my computer to the repair shop.
Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:
This will help isolate the problem to certain components. If it boots with the Ubuntu disk, then you know it is not a problem with the optical drive and probably not the motherboard or power supply either. If it does give the same problem, then it is something that is in common whether booting from the CD or the hard drive.
There should be an option somewhere in your CD burning software to create a disk from an ISO image file. |
I picked up my computer just a few minutes ago. I had a bad optical drive but everything else checked out OK. He called me early this morning to tell me he would like to keep my computer until later in the day because he wanted to make sure everything was working OK. I agreed and then asked him about the video card. He said it check out OK but he would check it again. When I picked the computer up he told me it check out OK with the latest test and that he didn't feel I needed a new video card. He saw that I was concerned, then told me if I get the computer home and it starts doing this again, call him and he would sell me a video card and give me 20% off and I could install it myself. Or he would would install it without additional labor charges.
He did update all my drivers and check the bios. He made me a disk of all the new drivers (motherboard / chip set, Video, Audio).
So in a few I'm going to hook everything up and see how she does. Crossing my fingers and hoping everything works OK.
Message edited by author 2009-11-25 17:35:43. |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 07:06:30 PM · #31 |
Ok. I'm back up and running with my computer.
I have two internal HD's and both have operating systems on them. (WinXP)
Since my main drive now is 1TB. I'm thinking about leaving the second HD as-is and I can change my bio boot order if I want to use that drive for something else.
Is that advisable or should I format it and use it as a backup drive? It is a 250GB HD.
Since I have a 160GB External backup drive that has 106GB free. |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 07:25:46 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by SDW:
Ok. I'm back up and running with my computer.
I have two internal HD's and both have operating systems on them. (WinXP)
Since my main drive now is 1TB. I'm thinking about leaving the second HD as-is and I can change my bio boot order if I want to use that drive for something else.
Is that advisable or should I format it and use it as a backup drive? It is a 250GB HD.
Since I have a 160GB External backup drive that has 106GB free. |
Are both internal drives the same spec and speed?
If so, then I'd put OS and apps on the smaller one, data on the larger one.
Are all the issues you mentioned in this thread fixed now? (I would have suspected graphics card or drivers myself...) |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 07:44:53 PM · #33 |
| I'm surprised nobody here suggested a driver problem, most likely the video driver. Almost all of these intermittent problems I have seen come from bad drivers. Considering the tech replaced all the drivers that is likely what solved the problem. Unless of course it didn’t. ; ) |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 09:19:36 PM · #34 |
UGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So frustrated. Ran about 1 hr or so and started doing it again. I have not pluged any external devices in. It is the same way it came from the shop.
Here is the message I get after the screen goes blank and comes back on.
 |
|
|
|
11/25/2009 09:33:18 PM · #35 |
One of the hardest things to identify is a graphics card problem. The reason is, is specific commands will trigger the issue, but not necessarily all of them. Also I haven't found a set of diagnostics that cover video cards well yet.
The graphics card is most likely your issue (especially after the last warning).
You can probably get a decent video card of last year or the year befores technology that will do what you need it to do for under $50 on NewEgg. If you need help finding one, feel free to PM me with the model of your existing graphics card, and I can find you the cheapest one with similar or better specs.
The optical drive was likely still failing. Windows will not install with a defective optical drive, and it's a PITA.
Anyway, alot of the advice that you've gotten here seems to be spot on, so I'd replace the video card with an ATI chipset card, and you should gain stability. If it's covered under manufacturers warranty, try the RMA process.
|
|
|
|
11/25/2009 09:55:49 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by eckoe:
One of the hardest things to identify is a graphics card problem. The reason is, is specific commands will trigger the issue, but not necessarily all of them. Also I haven't found a set of diagnostics that cover video cards well yet.
The graphics card is most likely your issue (especially after the last warning).
You can probably get a decent video card of last year or the year befores technology that will do what you need it to do for under $50 on NewEgg. If you need help finding one, feel free to PM me with the model of your existing graphics card, and I can find you the cheapest one with similar or better specs.
The optical drive was likely still failing. Windows will not install with a defective optical drive, and it's a PITA.
Anyway, alot of the advice that you've gotten here seems to be spot on, so I'd replace the video card with an ATI chipset card, and you should gain stability. If it's covered under manufacturers warranty, try the RMA process. |
I have been reading so may forums about this issue and most are saying they purchased a new card and after a little while; same problem.
After googling "VPU Recovery has reset your graphics accelerator" I found page after page of people having this problem dating back to 2000. And no one seems to have the answer.
I did find one forum where they said disable VPU Recovery and I have done so. I hope that solves the problem but I don't think it has even though I have not had another crash *yet*. Because when I rebooted my system I had the dancing pixels again.
|
|
|
|
11/25/2009 10:49:29 PM · #37 |
| Ok - I have booted up with old HD and the video crashed two times before I could do anything. Finally I was able to download the latest CCC from ATI and disable the VPU Recovery. Just rebooted with no V-crash. I'm going to try running off the old HD and see if the video becomes stable. If not then I know I need to return the computer to the shop Friday. |
|
|
|
11/26/2009 12:14:38 PM · #38 |
i would ask for a refund, and try to fix it myself at this point.
the card could also be OK, but the port it plugs into bad. have you tried running off the onboard video ( most decent main boards have onboard GPU ) ?
or if it's a PCI graphics card run it in another slot.
if it's AGP/PCI express you're kind of stuck - usually only one AGP/PCI express slot on main board. and if that's the case, i'd try to borrow and install a card from a friend / neighbor.
i have a few older AGP and PCI graphics cards lying around here... one of them is decent and in my old XP machine - the CPU died cuz the cooling fan StB and i didn't notice as i had 'donated' it to a roomate.
oh - and if you need to replace the vid card buy Nvidia :) i've had nothing but bad luck with ATI cards both from a driver point of view and compatibilty ( games ).
Message edited by author 2009-11-26 12:16:21.
|
|
|
|
11/26/2009 06:50:53 PM · #39 |
Originally posted by soup:
i would ask for a refund, and try to fix it myself at this point.
the card could also be OK, but the port it plugs into bad. have you tried running off the onboard video ( most decent main boards have onboard GPU ) ?
or if it's a PCI graphics card run it in another slot.
if it's AGP/PCI express you're kind of stuck - usually only one AGP/PCI express slot on main board. and if that's the case, i'd try to borrow and install a card from a friend / neighbor.
i have a few older AGP and PCI graphics cards lying around here... one of them is decent and in my old XP machine - the CPU died cuz the cooling fan StB and i didn't notice as i had 'donated' it to a roomate.
oh - and if you need to replace the vid card buy Nvidia :) i've had nothing but bad luck with ATI cards both from a driver point of view and compatibilty ( games ). |
So far, since I disabled the ATI-CCC everything has been stable. That's not to say it's ok, I will have to wait and see.
Here is a picture of my MB and Graphic Card.
P5B-E Motherboard
Radeon X1900 GT
Message edited by author 2009-11-26 18:51:10. |
|
|
|
11/27/2009 04:39:19 AM · #40 |
I know what I'd do at this point.
You could buy a nvidia geforce for about $70. Think about the amount of time you've invested in this problem so far, it's looking more and more likely that it's the graphics card.
I had an ATI card myself in a PC but had so many weird issues that I eventually swapped it out for an nvidia. The problems disappeared.
|
|
|
|
11/27/2009 07:07:24 AM · #41 |
If the vid card is working in the mode you have it in just now then leave it like that, if it doesn't impact you at all then your problem is solved. Obviously theres still a hardware problem there but if you've found a work around and you're happy with it then good, don't mess with it.
I would agree with pretty much everyone here, the vid card does have some sort of fault and the big key indicator is the corrupt pixels, my bet would be that the RAM on the video card itself is faulty. You might find after a while you'll notice other symptoms like when dragging windows it leaves lots of stray pixels behind, or lines across the screen, stuff like that, but then again, it may never get any worse.
Good luck, I know how frustrating this sorta thing can be, but just because it's a computer, it doesn't have to be perfect. If it's running disabling ATI-CCC then great, you'll probably lose some performance (I have no idea what ATI-CCC so I'm theorising) but if you don't play games you'll never notice it. |
|
|
|
11/27/2009 07:23:52 AM · #42 |
Scott, have you considered taking into consideration the advise provided by  JH regarding the NVIDIA card and making a wish Here
You never know... the Christmas spirit does indeed prevail on this site.
Ray |
|
|
|
11/27/2009 08:32:55 AM · #43 |
Originally posted by Covert_Oddity:
If the vid card is working in the mode you have it in just now then leave it like that, if it doesn't impact you at all then your problem is solved. Obviously theres still a hardware problem there but if you've found a work around and you're happy with it then good, don't mess with it.
I would agree with pretty much everyone here, the vid card does have some sort of fault and the big key indicator is the corrupt pixels, my bet would be that the RAM on the video card itself is faulty. You might find after a while you'll notice other symptoms like when dragging windows it leaves lots of stray pixels behind, or lines across the screen, stuff like that, but then again, it may never get any worse.
Good luck, I know how frustrating this sorta thing can be, but just because it's a computer, it doesn't have to be perfect. If it's running disabling ATI-CCC then great, you'll probably lose some performance (I have no idea what ATI-CCC so I'm theorising) but if you don't play games you'll never notice it. |
The part I have highlighted in bold is happening. Not to a great extent but enough to be annoying. I tend to believe what all is saying, my video card is going bad. |
|
|
|
11/27/2009 08:36:16 AM · #44 |
Originally posted by RayEthier:
Scott, have you considered taking into consideration the advise provided by JH regarding the NVIDIA card and making a wish Here
You never know... the Christmas spirit does indeed prevail on this site.
Ray |
Yea I have considered JH advice and do believe it's the video card. I will have to deal with it for now. At least until after the holidays. Thanks for pointing out the link to the tread but I have already posted in the thread and someone was kind enough to give me a membership. I don't want to post again, especially when I can't contribute at this time. I don't think it would be fair of me.
But thanks.
|
|
|
|
11/27/2009 08:46:37 AM · #45 |
Originally posted by SDW:
Originally posted by RayEthier:
Scott, have you considered taking into consideration the advise provided by JH regarding the NVIDIA card and making a wish Here
You never know... the Christmas spirit does indeed prevail on this site.
Ray |
Yea I have considered JH advice and do believe it's the video card. I will have to deal with it for now. At least until after the holidays. Thanks for pointing out the link to the tread but I have already posted in the thread and someone was kind enough to give me a membership. I don't want to post again, especially when I can't contribute at this time. I don't think it would be fair of me.
But thanks. |
It's Christmas my friend... If you use PayPal send me your email address and I am certain that we can fix you up with a new video card.
I won't be able to tend to this until I get back home later tonight since I can't do any of this stuff at work.
Have a great day
Ray |
|
|
|
11/27/2009 08:50:39 AM · #46 |
Originally posted by RayEthier:
Originally posted by SDW:
Originally posted by RayEthier:
Scott, have you considered taking into consideration the advise provided by JH regarding the NVIDIA card and making a wish Here
You never know... the Christmas spirit does indeed prevail on this site.
Ray |
Yea I have considered JH advice and do believe it's the video card. I will have to deal with it for now. At least until after the holidays. Thanks for pointing out the link to the tread but I have already posted in the thread and someone was kind enough to give me a membership. I don't want to post again, especially when I can't contribute at this time. I don't think it would be fair of me.
But thanks. |
It's Christmas my friend... If you use PayPal send me your email address and I am certain that we can fix you up with a new video card.
I won't be able to tend to this until I get back home later tonight since I can't do any of this stuff at work.
Have a great day
Ray |
Your a good person Ray
Mike
|
|
|
|
11/27/2009 08:57:58 AM · #47 |
Ray, Thanks! I don't know what to say other than THANKS.
Scott |
|
|
|
11/27/2009 11:58:32 AM · #48 |
Originally posted by SDW:
Ray, Thanks! I don't know what to say other than THANKS.
Scott |
He's a great guy.....deal with it!.....8>)
|
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/25/2025 08:17:23 AM EDT.
