Any suggestions are more than welcome

Monuke · 10-20-2006, 05:59 PM

I posted a little while back in the Windows XP boards here about a computer problem I had, which after several months of frustration ended up being a crapped out video card (Nvidia 6 series, came with my Dell Dimension 4700, If anyone needs specifics I'll need some instruction on how and where to find them, the card is currently sitting on my desk). I actually ended up taking my computer to my friend who knows computers when it was in its non-working state, which is when we determined via a number of experiments that my video card was unworking. I ended up borrowing a video card from out of another of his computers, more or less the same as mine but mildly less good. Unfortunately, this has also begun to suck royally. I am reminded of an old film, where you get those vertical lines and patches of gunk every second in various places (when I play games that require 3D rendering). Before anyone starts straining their brain for a cause, I should mention that I'm a moron. My room lacks air conditioning, and my computer would overheat and crash many times a day when I first got it. I found that the only remedy I could find that would work was to leave the cover on my computer off, thus exposing its innards, but allowing heat to escape. In my infinite wisdom, I also had a fan blowing inside of the computer to keep up circulation. In retrospect, I imagine this contributed greatly to the deterioration of my video cards.

But enough of story time. Here's what I'd like all you friendly folks:
1. Can I get a confirmation on my stupidity in heating solutions destroying my video cards?
2. Is there another, more intelligent solution to my overheating problem?
3. Probably the one I care about the most, can I get any advice or a link to a good reference on what video card I should buy to replace mine? I'd like it to be at least as good if not better (again, feel free to ask for the specifics but I might need some help on how to find them).

**linderman** · 10-20-2006, 08:31 PM

Hello:

first step we need full system specs with your PSU maker and model you can find this info by downloading everest (free in my sig)
here is a "how to use it"
http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=117420

next thing we need to know is budget >>>> $150.00 will get you a rocking video card >>>>> maybe not a nuclear one but very decent

your previous problems certainly can affect your video cards life span, many factors determine the amount of heat produced by your system and how you address that dilemma. Air circulation is critical, actually using the fan to blow air into your case did not have adverse effects for your system, but it did mask the problem so you abandoned looking for a cure for your problem.

we would need to do a serious evaluation of your system to determine what making all the heat, i.e. cpu over heating, poor PSU, lack of case venting ???? maybe even all of these ????

but regardless, NO video card will have a long life span in a hot box!

after you research everest >>>> post your system info in here for evaluation

Monuke · 10-21-2006, 03:08 AM

Thanks, I'm downloading it right now. And the computer overheating problem is caused by living in Southern California in a well insulated room with no air-conditioning :(. I'm working on getting some AC. In the meantime, the cover is back on and seems to be doing alright as far as heat, at least for this time of year (overheating problems were occurring around April or May until I opened up the side). The overheating actually hasn't been much of an issue, as my video card worked quite well for a while after I opened it up. I believe the open computer side to be a cause for this because the video card I put in to replace the first one also has become dysfunctional. If it isn't because of this, I'm still convinced that there is something unique to my computer and/or its environment that is specifically affecting the video card. Is the video card more sensitive to static electricity or other aspects of the world outside the box than the rest of the computer?

Oh, and the specs for the video card I currently have in (the replacement) are:

Device Description: nVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 Video Adapter
Bus Type: PCI
Bus/Device/Function: 3/0/0
Device ID: 10DE-0326
Subsystem ID: 0000-0000
Device Class: 0300 (VGA Display Controller)
Revision: A1
Fast Back-to-Back Transactions: Supported, Disabled

Device Features:
(checked box) 66 MHz Operation: Supported
(checked box) Bus Mastering: Enabled

EDIT: I forgot to mention price range is around 150-200$ for replacement video card. Also, the card I have the specs for is not as good as my original card, which I would like the replacement to be better than. My original was a "6 Series" which is all I can ascertain from the physical device. I can't put it in and use Everest as my computer won't run with the card in :(

ebackhus · 10-21-2006, 08:51 AM

Within the 6-Series there was a 6100, 6150, 6200, 6500, 6600, and 6800's. Obviously, they get better and the value of the second number increases. I have a 6800GT in my PC right now and had a regular 6800 in it prior. I personally feel that they are GREAT cards. I still have the other 6800 if you're interested.

Monuke · 10-21-2006, 01:50 PM

Ok dumb question... How can I tell if I have a PCI Express slot or not? (as opposed to regular PCI)

10-20-2006, 05:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
Monuke Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 24 OS: Windows XP Home	Any suggestions are more than welcome I posted a little while back in the Windows XP boards here about a computer problem I had, which after several months of frustration ended up being a crapped out video card (Nvidia 6 series, came with my Dell Dimension 4700, If anyone needs specifics I'll need some instruction on how and where to find them, the card is currently sitting on my desk). I actually ended up taking my computer to my friend who knows computers when it was in its non-working state, which is when we determined via a number of experiments that my video card was unworking. I ended up borrowing a video card from out of another of his computers, more or less the same as mine but mildly less good. Unfortunately, this has also begun to suck royally. I am reminded of an old film, where you get those vertical lines and patches of gunk every second in various places (when I play games that require 3D rendering). Before anyone starts straining their brain for a cause, I should mention that I'm a moron. My room lacks air conditioning, and my computer would overheat and crash many times a day when I first got it. I found that the only remedy I could find that would work was to leave the cover on my computer off, thus exposing its innards, but allowing heat to escape. In my infinite wisdom, I also had a fan blowing inside of the computer to keep up circulation. In retrospect, I imagine this contributed greatly to the deterioration of my video cards. But enough of story time. Here's what I'd like all you friendly folks: 1. Can I get a confirmation on my stupidity in heating solutions destroying my video cards? 2. Is there another, more intelligent solution to my overheating problem? 3. Probably the one I care about the most, can I get any advice or a link to a good reference on what video card I should buy to replace mine? I'd like it to be at least as good if not better (again, feel free to ask for the specifics but I might need some help on how to find them).

10-20-2006, 08:31 PM	#2 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 20,442 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Hello: first step we need full system specs with your PSU maker and model you can find this info by downloading everest (free in my sig) here is a "how to use it" http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=117420 next thing we need to know is budget >>>> $150.00 will get you a rocking video card >>>>> maybe not a nuclear one but very decent your previous problems certainly can affect your video cards life span, many factors determine the amount of heat produced by your system and how you address that dilemma. Air circulation is critical, actually using the fan to blow air into your case did not have adverse effects for your system, but it did mask the problem so you abandoned looking for a cure for your problem. we would need to do a serious evaluation of your system to determine what making all the heat, i.e. cpu over heating, poor PSU, lack of case venting ???? maybe even all of these ???? but regardless, NO video card will have a long life span in a hot box! after you research everest >>>> post your system info in here for evaluation __________________ I still know nothing and I respect that fact, striving to improve and, along the way, help anyone that comes from the place that I used to be! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

10-21-2006, 03:08 AM	#3 (permalink)
Monuke Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 24 OS: Windows XP Home	Thanks, I'm downloading it right now. And the computer overheating problem is caused by living in Southern California in a well insulated room with no air-conditioning :(. I'm working on getting some AC. In the meantime, the cover is back on and seems to be doing alright as far as heat, at least for this time of year (overheating problems were occurring around April or May until I opened up the side). The overheating actually hasn't been much of an issue, as my video card worked quite well for a while after I opened it up. I believe the open computer side to be a cause for this because the video card I put in to replace the first one also has become dysfunctional. If it isn't because of this, I'm still convinced that there is something unique to my computer and/or its environment that is specifically affecting the video card. Is the video card more sensitive to static electricity or other aspects of the world outside the box than the rest of the computer? Oh, and the specs for the video card I currently have in (the replacement) are: Device Description: nVIDIA GeForce FX 5500 Video Adapter Bus Type: PCI Bus/Device/Function: 3/0/0 Device ID: 10DE-0326 Subsystem ID: 0000-0000 Device Class: 0300 (VGA Display Controller) Revision: A1 Fast Back-to-Back Transactions: Supported, Disabled Device Features: (checked box) 66 MHz Operation: Supported (checked box) Bus Mastering: Enabled EDIT: I forgot to mention price range is around 150-200$ for replacement video card. Also, the card I have the specs for is not as good as my original card, which I would like the replacement to be better than. My original was a "6 Series" which is all I can ascertain from the physical device. I can't put it in and use Everest as my computer won't run with the card in :( Last edited by Monuke; 10-21-2006 at 03:13 AM.

10-21-2006, 08:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,335 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Within the 6-Series there was a 6100, 6150, 6200, 6500, 6600, and 6800's. Obviously, they get better and the value of the second number increases. I have a 6800GT in my PC right now and had a regular 6800 in it prior. I personally feel that they are GREAT cards. I still have the other 6800 if you're interested. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-21-2006, 01:50 PM	#5 (permalink)
Monuke Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 24 OS: Windows XP Home	Ok dumb question... How can I tell if I have a PCI Express slot or not? (as opposed to regular PCI)