Faulty Graphic Card

[Michael]

I'm getting this screen since yesterday:



It happens randomly, with no prompt or any beep.

I've got this a few times yesterday.

This morning, it's getting worse. I can't boot into my Windows. It either will remain blank black at the boot option page, or at the stage after the Windows logo.

After a few tries, I try to switch to the analog output connector instead of the digital one which I've been using all the while. And so far it's running well.

My graphic card is 6-year-old, is this a sign of "retirement"?

[hartbeatmr]

Good evening Michael and welcome to CH

If it is working fine with the VGA cable but not DVI cable did you try another VGA cable

If a different cable does not help I would say yes it maybe time for a new card.

Hope this helps, Mike

Please let us know how you make out.

[Michael]

If it is working fine with the VGA cable but not DVI cable did you try another VGA cable

Do you mean another DVI cable?

Currently I don't have a spare DVI cable. So perhaps I shall monitor whether the VGA cable is actually working fine for today and probably next coming few days.

If the VGA output is working fine but the DVI output is fault, is it safe to say that the card is actually still can be used?

[hartbeatmr]

Good evening Michael and welcome back

Most of the time when this happens it is the video card. But it can be the input on the display as well. What model LCD / CRT do you have ?

And sorry but when you said "After a few tries, I try to switch to the analog output connector instead of the digital one" I have always known analog as VGA and digital as DVI so that is why I said that.

Hope to hear from you soon, Mike

[Michael]

I'm using a Samsung SyncMaster EX1920

[hartbeatmr]

Hi again Michael

Those are nice LCD's it is possible that one of the ports on the LCD being bad but not normally on those LCD. The issue that I have had to fix on Samsung's is they would turn on and right off and that ends up being bad caps on the boards in the LCD.

I would bet your issue is either bad cable or video card, Mike

[Michael]

The VGA cable I'm currently connecting  came with the monitor, brand new, never use.

Unfortunately, the issue remains.

So I guess it's the card.

Sad to say that my 6-year-old machine is retiring after serving well for such an extended period of time.

New machine coming this evening.

[patio]

Have you tried removing all power to the PC and removing and re-seating the card ? ?

[Michael]

Have you tried removing all power to the PC and removing and re-seating the card ? ?

Yes. That was the first thing I did. Tried multiple times. Same result.

[patio]

OK.
Most likely the card then...try it in another PC to confirm.

[Michael]

Hi Patio,

I tried it on my friends PC, two different machine, but both would not boot beyond the Windows logo.

Ironically, when I try to put their graphic card into my machine, it wouldn't boot beyond the Windows logo either.

Now that's weird - does it mean it's not the graphic card at fault?

However, my friend said that the above issue (wouldn't boot when swapping card) could be due to the chipset compatibility, same like plugging a harddisk with Windows onto another machine.

Is that true?