artifact problems...at a loss

Nacht · Nov 11, 2004, 12:45 AM

ill be using my computer for anywhere from 45 mins to hours upon hours (and never have problems). then, the screen will artifact into a multi colored grid (like static on a tv, only with repetition and like 16 bit color...very small dots), and the computer will continue to work for about 1-2 minutes, then shut off. When i attempt to restart, i get artifiacts at post, unless i wait a while. this seems like a heat problem, but both my cpu heat and video card heat are very low, so im at a loss as to what is causing this problem.

mkk · Nov 11, 2004, 01:08 AM

Perhaps a component or trace on the graphics card is overheating or coming loose from the heat. Try using some other card if you can and see if the problem disappears. If so then you probably have a failing card.

Nacht · Nov 11, 2004, 01:57 AM

Hmm...I seem to have figured it out...but I'm still confused. I had the side of the case off because I was messing with some stuff (speaking of which, when you're checking the temperature on your intel heatsink, stay FAR AWAY from the fan...it WILL cut you!). When I barely touched the 4 pin cable that went to the Gfx card, the computer artifacted up and restarted. I shut it down, and noticed that the cable connector was quite loose...it can be wiggled around easily, even if you just touch halfway up the cable. I tried to jam it in there a little better, and tried to get the cable out of the way, but it's not a very good solution.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Nov 11, 2004, 12:45 AM	#1
Nacht ein Krieger Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clemson Uni Posts: 3,127 Rep Power: 0	artifact problems...at a loss ill be using my computer for anywhere from 45 mins to hours upon hours (and never have problems). then, the screen will artifact into a multi colored grid (like static on a tv, only with repetition and like 16 bit color...very small dots), and the computer will continue to work for about 1-2 minutes, then shut off. When i attempt to restart, i get artifiacts at post, unless i wait a while. this seems like a heat problem, but both my cpu heat and video card heat are very low, so im at a loss as to what is causing this problem.

Nov 11, 2004, 01:08 AM	#2
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,490 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Perhaps a component or trace on the graphics card is overheating or coming loose from the heat. Try using some other card if you can and see if the problem disappears. If so then you probably have a failing card.

Nov 11, 2004, 01:57 AM	Thread Starter #3
Nacht ein Krieger Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Clemson Uni Posts: 3,127 Rep Power: 0	Hmm...I seem to have figured it out...but I'm still confused. I had the side of the case off because I was messing with some stuff (speaking of which, when you're checking the temperature on your intel heatsink, stay FAR AWAY from the fan...it WILL cut you!). When I barely touched the 4 pin cable that went to the Gfx card, the computer artifacted up and restarted. I shut it down, and noticed that the cable connector was quite loose...it can be wiggled around easily, even if you just touch halfway up the cable. I tried to jam it in there a little better, and tried to get the cable out of the way, but it's not a very good solution. Anybody have any suggestions?