Need Opinion of HW Gurus

[ChaosOrb]

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Hi HW Gurus,

Need your advice regarding your expertise. I have a HP Compaq dc7800 box, with Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit OS. Specs are below:

HP Compaq dc7800
-Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @2.40GHz
-DDR2 2GB Memory Single Channel
-NVIDIA Quadro NVS 290 256MB 64bits/PCI-E Specs
-a couple of SATA HD's
-Dual Monitor ViewSonic 19"

-ScreenSaver: SereneScreen: Marine Aquarium 3(if that matters)


I have this computer for almost a year now with no problem/glitch at all, I used this PC for almost every aspect of my job, I also play games here like: Counter Strike: Source, COD:MW, Torchlight, Diablo II, PopCap Games and etc. Everything is perfect, then just recently it crashed! It just went all blank and I can't do anything except to reboot the system. During reboot, my second monitor did not function, and I noticed that the resolution of the video has changed. I logged normally and checked what seems to be the damage during the crashed. Only 1 monitor is recognized and not only that, my NVIDIA Control panel is not working anymore, video resolution is changed from 1440x900 to 800x600. Video Device drivers are not recognized anymore. I restarted the PC and do a system repair and decided to do a System Restore to a specific date when it was still in good condition. But still the same. I decided to stop using the PC and let it rest for a day, when I opened it 24hrs after, it was okay and it was back to normal. My dual monitor is now supported again, NVIDIA Control panel is now operational.

When I got back from work the same day, I was informed that the PC crashed again with the same symptoms. I checked the PC again, and everytime I restart, the display is somewhat distorted with stripes. I stopped using the PC for two days, and decided to check what is going on in the HW area. I decided to clean the internal hardware with blower and removed the Video Card for cleaning, after putting every thing in place, booted normally and login again, but prior to the cleaning, it has restarted 3 times within this day. 1st, when browsing while playing flash games and watching a movie in VLC, 2nd, while browsing and opened Counter Strike: Source. 3rd, the monitor suddenly flickered then displayed the message below:

Display driver stopped responding and has recovered.
Display driver NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 275.33 stopped responding and has successfully recovered.

The issue is, I think with my video card but I'm not so sure. I used to open multiple applications(browsing/play web flash games, movies using VLC, while playing CS: Source/Ragnarok/Dragon Nest) with my computer with no issues at all.

Please enlighten me HW Gurus, before I replace any of my HW component of my PC.

[eXpLoDe]

download and install the latest driver for your videocard.

but 1st uninstall the current software before you install the latest.

[ChaosOrb]

in an attempt to uninstall the current NVIDIA Graphics Driver, I opened Control Panel, and when I was about to click uninstall, my system hangs... and I couldn't do anything except reboot.

I restarted twice and decided to go safemode and uninstall the graphics driver.

Current Settings:
1024x768 default VGA Drivers are loaded, 1 monitor only.

currently downloading latest nvidia drivers..will update later..

[Lingaw-lingaw_sa_payag]

Driver issue most probably

[werty]

internal inspection would be a good start. check for dust, fans running at specified speeds, signs or damages, or maybe reinsert all cards, memory, data/power cables...

if no visual damages can be seen and all parts appear to be OK, check hardwares and test memory, check smart status, replace cmos battery and/or reset cmos to defaults

fresh OS install to isolate any software problems...

update post after your troubleshooting...

[breinrules]

Sa ako na case kay everytime i open a graphic intensive na program after pila ka minutes its shows that kind of error

"Display driver stopped responding and has recovered.
Display driver NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver, Version 275.33 stopped responding and has successfully recovered."

I checked the video card and one of the capacitors have died. What I did is remove the capacitor, Buy a capacitor in an electronics shop and replace it by soldering. The capacitor before is solid state but the capacitor now is electrolytic na. It works fine with no problems.

Inno3d 8400 gs diay akong video card.

Im not sure if same case sa imuha pero check lang

[breinrules]

sorry double post

[KH0UJ]

mao gyud ni kasagaran sakit sa mga fanless nga mga VC bro usually kung imong case dili properly ventilated, it has the tendency to overheat, not the video chipset I.C. but some blindspot areas sa mismo VC like voltage regulator area, VC memories etc.(I.C. pins loose contact or PCB foil path cracking), if symptoms persist after driver updates TS, try kuno ug pa reflow (hot air) imong VC, PM rappletech or johnjob, basin matabang pa na or RMA kung pwede pa...

[charle101]

bro ask lng q ba @ KHOUJ pila ang temp nga gamit u in re heating ug wat man nga parts sa vc? tnx bro

[ChaosOrb]

still downloading latest nvidia driver.

@werty: I already did most of the tests/checks you mentioned. My suspicions will be confirmed once the latest drivers are installed.

@breinrules: thanks for the info, I'll take note of that.

@KHOUJ: I will try to improve the ventilation of my box, a couple of months ago, my CPU box is seated on top of the table, now it's below. I'll observed just in case.