Check disk and graphics problems

**Ramses II CP** · 02-24-2008, 22:14

Hmmm, and after the HD utility did it's repair it had no effect on the graphical glitches, right? I know you said it's still happening, just want to make sure there isn't any noticeable difference. As I understand it it's difficult to test GPUs effectively without additional hardware, but here's a freeware app that claims to do stability testing:

http://freestone-group.com/video-car...ility-test.htm

I suspect that's pretty much just going to tell you what you already know, that you have graphical glitches.

I would always also test, just because it's fairly easy and could save you a chunk of money, your RAM before buying another GPU. Switch it around, booting up between swaps, until you've given each chip a chance to be the failure point. If the problems are reproduceable without regard to those changes, it's either your motherboard or your GPU, both of which are somewhat difficult to isolate a problem with at home. I'd recommend that you try something like Ultimate Boot CD:

http://www.ubcd4win.com/

Which contains a laundry list of diagnostic tools, but there are no guarantees it'll be able to isolate the problem. Most likely (Say 80-90% odds) it's the GPU at that point, and if you have a local shop with a good return policy you can test that by buying a compatible GPU and installing it in your box to see if the problems continue.

**The_Doctor** · 02-26-2008, 16:00

The stability test program crashes everytime I run a test.

It is always a few minitues into the test and the spinning earth gets covered in graphical errors, then the computer locks up and sometimes restarts.

**Ramses II CP** · 02-26-2008, 17:01

That's a pretty bad sign, eh? Had a chance to try swapping in and out your RAM? You could also run Memtest (http://hcidesign.com/memtest/download.html) just to make sure you rule out the cheaper components before buying a new GPU.

There's still an outside chance it's just the motherboard, but I'd say if the RAM checks out that you're looking at 90%+ odds that your GPU needs to be replaced. Good luck!

**The_Doctor** · 02-26-2008, 19:40

That's a pretty bad sign, eh?

Indeed.

I used Memtest and got 9 errors with both sets of RAM in(I have 2 sticks of RAM). So now I am testing them one at a time.

**The_Doctor** · 02-26-2008, 23:35

Huuumm, the plot thickens

. I tested each RAM stick by themselves and got no errors, so I put them both back in and tested it again, and got loads of errors. So I thought it might the socket on the motherboard that was broken(there are 4 of the, when you have 2 sticks of RAM you have to use socket 1 and 3 or 2 and 4). I changed the RAM sticks to the other confirguration and ran the tests again and still got loads of errors. Then I noticed something, when I had both sticks in, the program told me to have two of the program running at the same time because I was asking it to test too much RAM, but when I did this the program I started second always had the errors. So now I have one of the program running and have not found an errors. I need to test it some more before I can be shore it is not the RAM.

I have ran the GPU stability test a few more times, while there was on one stick of RAM in, and it still failed it.

**The_Doctor** · 02-28-2008, 15:46

One of the sticks of RAM is dead, I have taken it out, but the graphics errors are still happening.

Are there any programs that test the motherboard?

**Ramses II CP** · 02-28-2008, 19:05

There are applications that claim to test your motherboard for faults, but to be quite honest I doubt their reliability and their ability to pinpoint problems without additional hardware. Repair facilities use diagnostic hardware to discover problems with a motherboard. You're deep into an unusual series of failures, however, with hard drive problems, graphical problems that aren't monitor related, and bad RAM now (Which actually could cause the sort of hard drive data issues you had).

In my opinion, which is of limited value for not having had a a hands on with the hardware of course, you need to take your machine to someone who can check it for power faults and motherboard problems in person with quality testing hardware. I wouldn't feel comfortable spending money to replace any one of those components without having a feel for the larger picture. If, for whatever reason, you don't want to go to a repair shop or don't have a reliable one nearby then I'll put this application out there as it is well reviewed and claims to test your motherboard. This is not an application I've used myself, but I hope it can help you. It's called 'HotCPU' and it does whole system and component specific stress testing, page is here:

http://7byte.com/index.php?page=hotcpu

download is here:

http://www.7byte.com/hotcpu.exe

Obviously they want you to purchase the full version, but I wouldn't recommend that. It'd be better to shop around for a good price on a system analysis at a hardware repair shop. There are still some who will do it for free and give you a report to try to entice you into paying them to fix the problems, but you may have to pay.

I don't know how old your machine is, but at some point you might want to consider salvaging the parts you know are reliable and building a new one. Computer repair tends to be expensive for limited return, while builing a mid-range new system is relatively cheap (If you're happy with your monitor).

Again, good luck! I'll be watching to see how things come out, or if you have any other questions I'll do my best to help.