Computer intermittently signals graphic card failure

[pmheideman]

Lately my computer has been freezing, and then unable to get through POST.  The diagnostic lights were telling me graphics card error, so I took my card out and it had two cracked capacitors on it.  However, even with the card out the computer was still telling card error.  So I left it for about a week figuring it was hopeless.  Today I tried turning it on just to see and it booted up fine.  Then, after about an hour of use, it froze again and wouldn't boot back up.  I opened it up and fiddled with a few of the connections and it booted back up.  Does anyone have any clue as to what might be causing this?

[truenorth]

You could try another graphics card to test the result. I suspect it my not be the only thing that has some sort of damage to it.truenorth

[Computer_Commando]

...
1.  The diagnostic lights were telling me graphics card error.
2.  I took my card out and it had two cracked capacitors on it.
3.  Does anyone have any clue as to what might be causing this?

Does not #1 & #2 provide two clues for #3?

[mannsupreme]

does your motherboard have an on-board graphics card on it?

[killerb255]

I concur with Computer_Commando...

That's like saying any of the following:

1) "I left my door unlocked and saw two suspicious men outside my home before I left for work only to find that my stuff is gone.  Can anyone tell me what happened?"

2) "What color is that blue sky?"

3) "What time does the 5:15 train leave?"

In any case, replace your video card.  Now.

[BC_Programmer]

Lately my computer has been freezing, and then unable to get through POST.  The diagnostic lights were telling me graphics card error, so I took my card out and it had two cracked capacitors on it.  However, even with the card out the computer was still telling card error.  So I left it for about a week figuring it was hopeless.  Today I tried turning it on just to see and it booted up fine.  Then, after about an hour of use, it froze again and wouldn't boot back up.  I opened it up and fiddled with a few of the connections and it booted back up.  Does anyone have any clue as to what might be causing this?

"card out" means he removed the card. the issues STILL persist, therefore the issue is no longer solely from the card, but appears to be satellite damage to the motherboard from the failed graphics card.

[Computer_Commando]

"card out" means he removed the card. the issues STILL persist, therefore the issue is no longer solely from the card, but appears to be satellite damage to the motherboard from the failed graphics card.

Of course it would still persist.  The diagnostic lights (probably a Dell), show a graphics card error with the card out or the card in.  He never really said what the "issue" was, but the diagnostic lights are good enough for me.

[patio]

Failing/flakey PSU.....
Borrow a known good one and swap it in there before giving up on the GPU...

[BC_Programmer]

Of course it would still persist.  The diagnostic lights (probably a Dell), show a graphics card error with the card out or the card in.  He never really said what the "issue" was, but the diagnostic lights are good enough for me.

I was under the impression he used the on-board or something for a week... but he must have put it back in.