Is my video card saying goodnight?

Krazen · 07-30-2009, 04:33 PM

Hello all!

I recently started having...lines on my screen. Then, today, as I attempted to log into World of Warcraft, I was greeted with the following lovely appearance.

http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik...f_fxs1yuvi1&zw

Now, is this my video card dying, or is there something else going on? I run XP Pro on a Dell Dimension 4700. The card in it is the original card I got with it (ATI X300) and the machine is about 4 years old. I know, I know...I need to get a better machine. :P

Thanks for all the help!
- Krazen

Krazen · 07-30-2009, 05:18 PM

Oh, if the photo link I provided makes anyone nervous because of the gmail link, I can upload it to my photobucket and link it that way.

Thanks again!

**wrench97** · 07-30-2009, 05:22 PM

Try posting it here as an attachment in the Advanced message box. I can't get to the image.

Krazen · 07-30-2009, 05:31 PM

http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/r...009_171821.jpg

There we go, I added it to Photobucket. Perhaps it will work now. Thank you for letting me know it didn't work, and I apologize for the inconvenience.

Thanks for your time!

**wrench97** · 07-30-2009, 05:38 PM

Yes that's a failing video card, the HD 4650 is a nice upgrade from the x300 any higher and you'll need to add a power supply also. > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102838

Krazen · 07-30-2009, 05:45 PM

Well, I recently upgraded from the standard power supply (as it went out in April) with a 550W PSU. Would the 4650 still be the highest I could go, or could I step farther with the extra juice from the new PSU?

And thank you for the confirmation on the video card. I can rest a little easier knowing that it's something simple as opposed to something that would cause me to go bankrupt. :P

**wrench97** · 07-30-2009, 06:28 PM

Is that a P4 2.8 or a Pentium D?

The HD4730 or 4770 are nice cards, much higher the CPU will be holding the card back.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102835
The HD4730 is new and was on sale earlier in the week for $69(I think) however there do not seem to any around at the moment.

Krazen · 07-30-2009, 06:39 PM

P4 2.8

Should I stick with the original suggestion? That was actually the card I had bookmarked prior to coming here (an Aussie pal of mine helped me find it, so I'm glad I know he was on the right idea).

I just want her to run smoothly. I do want to upgrade to a better PC at some point, but the economy was mean to me. >.>

Oh, while I'm here...I've been having some trouble with my RAM ports. The white ports work perfectly fine; the black ports make my PC give the warning beeps and not boot. Are they toast? Or is there a simple solution?

I know, the more I talk, the worse my PC sounds. :(

**wrench97** · 07-31-2009, 01:42 AM

I've seen Dell boards do that before it's usually a failing motherboard, most of the time using the second set pf slots will work for long time.
The 4650 or 4670 would both be a decent upgrade from the x300.

07-30-2009, 04:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
Krazen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP Pro	Is my video card saying goodnight? Hello all! I recently started having...lines on my screen. Then, today, as I attempted to log into World of Warcraft, I was greeted with the following lovely appearance. http://mail.google.com/mail/?ui=2&ik...f_fxs1yuvi1&zw Now, is this my video card dying, or is there something else going on? I run XP Pro on a Dell Dimension 4700. The card in it is the original card I got with it (ATI X300) and the machine is about 4 years old. I know, I know...I need to get a better machine. :P Thanks for all the help! - Krazen

07-30-2009, 05:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
Krazen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP Pro	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? Oh, if the photo link I provided makes anyone nervous because of the gmail link, I can upload it to my photobucket and link it that way. Thanks again!

07-30-2009, 05:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,866 OS: Win7	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? Try posting it here as an attachment in the Advanced message box. I can't get to the image. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-30-2009, 05:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
Krazen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP Pro	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/r...009_171821.jpg There we go, I added it to Photobucket. Perhaps it will work now. Thank you for letting me know it didn't work, and I apologize for the inconvenience. Thanks for your time! Last edited by Krazen; 07-30-2009 at 05:32 PM. Reason: Image issues

07-30-2009, 05:38 PM	#5 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,866 OS: Win7	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? Yes that's a failing video card, the HD 4650 is a nice upgrade from the x300 any higher and you'll need to add a power supply also. > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102838 __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-30-2009, 05:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
Krazen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP Pro	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? Well, I recently upgraded from the standard power supply (as it went out in April) with a 550W PSU. Would the 4650 still be the highest I could go, or could I step farther with the extra juice from the new PSU? And thank you for the confirmation on the video card. I can rest a little easier knowing that it's something simple as opposed to something that would cause me to go bankrupt. :P

07-30-2009, 06:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,866 OS: Win7	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? Is that a P4 2.8 or a Pentium D? The HD4730 or 4770 are nice cards, much higher the CPU will be holding the card back. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102835 The HD4730 is new and was on sale earlier in the week for $69(I think) however there do not seem to any around at the moment. __________________ Power Supply and Selection

07-30-2009, 06:39 PM	#8 (permalink)
Krazen Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5 OS: XP Pro	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? P4 2.8 Should I stick with the original suggestion? That was actually the card I had bookmarked prior to coming here (an Aussie pal of mine helped me find it, so I'm glad I know he was on the right idea). I just want her to run smoothly. I do want to upgrade to a better PC at some point, but the economy was mean to me. >.> Oh, while I'm here...I've been having some trouble with my RAM ports. The white ports work perfectly fine; the black ports make my PC give the warning beeps and not boot. Are they toast? Or is there a simple solution? I know, the more I talk, the worse my PC sounds. :(

07-31-2009, 01:42 AM	#9 (permalink)
wrench97 Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Location: S.E. Pennsylvania Posts: 18,866 OS: Win7	Re: Is my video card saying goodnight? I've seen Dell boards do that before it's usually a failing motherboard, most of the time using the second set pf slots will work for long time. The 4650 or 4670 would both be a decent upgrade from the x300. __________________ Power Supply and Selection