Graphics card failure

hemophobic

I think my graphics card just bit the dust. My pc crashed and now when i turn it on the screen is all blocky then I get a blue screen with an error message.

My pc is a dell inspiron 530 and I had an Ati Radeon HD 3650 (256mb?) - not a great graphics card but played Counter Strike Source fine for me.

I think it has a 300W PSU.

Is there a way I can fix the card or should I get a new one, either the same or slightly better but don't want to spend too much.

rmg1

Are you sure it's the graphics card?
Have you tried using the onboard graphics to check?

Johnmcl7

If it's all blocky before you get into windows then I suspect you're right it's the graphics card that has died and unfortunately cannot be fixed. The 3650 was a fairly toasty graphics card so it's certainly more then possible it has died.

John

tom15387202

If you give us the full specs of the PC, we can recommend you a replacement.

Had a quick look and its only a PCI Express 1.0A so your GFX upgrades will be limited. PCIe 2 will be compatible but it will be a pointless upgrade as they will run at a reduced rate.

-TangleFoot-

hemophobic wrote: »

I get a blue screen with an error message.

What does it say?

hemophobic

I got the computer in Sep 07 so it is quite old. When it first crashed I was able to get to the log on page after restart but not click anything but now it gets to "starting windows" then blue screen error. I will upload a picture. I've tried using the inboard graphics and I got a message saying it isn't configured to use that card.

hemophobic

This is what happens as soon as i turn pc on

http://i.imgur.com/8iX2ysql.jpg

This is the blue screen that comes after
http://i.imgur.com/sj9Zqwwl.jpg


I don't want to spend a lot on it since the whole thing needs an upgrade really just want to be able to play counter strike in the mean time so need a graphics card with same specs.

Found the invoice and I bought it in 08 not 07. Don't know which motherboard it has but has 3gb ddr2 ram, e7200 core 2 duo 2.53Ghz and 25mb ati Radeon hd 3650.

barginunter

I replaced the graphics card in my PC (older than yours) - did it myself (easy) cost about £35.

hemophobic

barginunter wrote: »

I replaced the graphics card in my PC (older than yours) - did it myself (easy) cost about £35.

Yeah I know how to do it it's just like Lego lol but need some help finding a compatable card.

Would cleaning the connectors or getting the dust out of the cards fan have any effect or is it too late for that ? I last clean inside of PC a few months ago so can't be that bad.

Johnmcl7

hemophobic wrote: »

Yeah I know how to do it it's just like Lego lol but need some help finding a compatable card.

Would cleaning the connectors or getting the dust out of the cards fan have any effect or is it too late for that ? I last clean inside of PC a few months ago so can't be that bad.

Have you checked to see if the fan is still spinning? If it's stalled then that would cause the card to overheat and start artifacting as you've shown, getting it moving again may get the graphics card going but I suspect it's beyond repair.

John

Toxteth_OGrady

hemophobic wrote: »

Would cleaning the connectors or getting the dust out of the cards fan have any effect or is it too late for that ? I last clean inside of PC a few months ago so can't be that bad.

If fan is still spinning and not choked with dust might be worth removing the fan and gpu heatsink. Clean old TIM off heatsink and gpu ihs, apply new TIM and refit. Easy job involving about half a dozen screws.