Attention Computer People! Need Help

[Mitchell3]

I thought I would take a shot in the dark and see if anyone here can help me out. Any Nerds on site on here? :chuckle

So I used to be a pretty big pc gamer, but back in the winter my pc started acting up.. Id be in the middle of a game and bam the monitor would turn off... and come back on. pita cause you cant see what your doing for 4 seconds lol! So w.e, it happened rarely for that one or two days. Then it got worse, it would take me right out of any game and so came this alert..:
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z320/theconjuedsubjugator/vista-nvidia-nvlddmkm-1.png
(pretty common error apparently if you google nvl... its a nvidia problem and they will not help you apparently from what I've heard)

If i remember correctly, I could still just click back into the game and get going again. That works for about two more days or so. Then it became impossible, about 5 minutes in everytime it would flash black, come back showing that error. If I wanted to try getting back in, it would freeze now. So, I googled the nvl.. thing and LOTS of hits on stuff about this. Lots of random fix's. Tried a few here and there but nothing was working. Something I tried to fix it with made it MUCH worse. instead of showing the error the screen would come back in like a crazy plaid like grid. Similar to this: LINK (http://www.overclock.net/attachments/nvidia/86831d1225667414-gah-help-nvlddmkm-error-untitled.jpg). Again combining some of the solutions would make it slightly better or worse, one f'd it up BIG time. :flaming Blue screen of death. from there I knew it was all over for my progress in games :(. Took out the disc with the restored setting or what ever and got it working again. In the back of my mind, maybe NOW it will work. Nope, it was BETTER because most of the time I could still use the computer after testing a fix. Sometimes Id be forced to restart and not get rid of the funky screen shown in the link. After messing around with random settings I can eventually bring it back to life. Which leads me to where I am now. Gave up on it for half a year since NO solutions online work. I always took myself as good with computers but this one has me stumped completely. Cant play games, videos OTHER than youtube cant play, even the visualizer thing on iTunes sets it off (works as a good tester though lol). If I don't aggravate it with those programs, it works like a charm.

So idk if anyone knows what I should do or what I need. Its a display driver issue, but with how its morphed over time has me worried that its more than that. I kind of want to get a new display driver now but will it fix it..

Anyway, if you can't answer provide info on what to do:

WHO should I seek help from?
WHAT display driver should I get?

Computer Specs below(click them to enlarge):
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z320/theconjuedsubjugator/th_ComputerInfo.jpg (http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z320/theconjuedsubjugator/?action=view&current=ComputerInfo.jpg)
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z320/theconjuedsubjugator/th_Displayinfo.jpg (http://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z320/theconjuedsubjugator/?action=view&current=Displayinfo.jpg)

Probably asking the wrong audience but you never know..

HELP PLEASE

[Burner]

I'm not an expert by any means, bit I've built a few computers. It sounds to me like your graphics card is fried. One of my old computers overheated my old ati and I had similar issues.

[omalak]

Upgrade the POS nvidia to an amd/ati

Alternatively you could try removing every trace of the nvidia driver and reinstalling another version. If that does not help you could format your pc and see what happens. A clean environment will be the best to determine exactly where the problem lies.

It could be your video card, but cant be sure

[SonicBoy]

Similiar to what Omalak says. I'd just get another HD and install a fresh OS with the latest dirver to check and see if the problem still exists.

HD's aren't that expensive.

Another thing would be to change the slot the Graphics card is in and reset all your memory dimms.

[Booostin]

Upgrade the POS nvidia to an amd/ati

Alternatively you could try removing every trace of the nvidia driver and reinstalling another version. If that does not help you could format your pc and see what happens. A clean environment will be the best to determine exactly where the problem lies.

It could be your video card, but cant be sure

Nvidia is not a POS... are you on glue?

[JStroke]

This definately seems like hardware, not software. I would guess video card. Could be motherboard....

[XTOTHEL]

Also...still on Vista? MMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN *takes it and throws it on the ground*

[gabbygenier]

no need to get a new hd but i would run driver sweeper and reinstall the latest driver for your graphics card. also whens the last time you cleaned the card out? sounds like its overheating. one thing to do if the card is not dirty, is to change the paste on the GPU. some ppl dont want to do it but its pretty simple, the 8600 is an older card and the paste does dry after a bit, specially if you run it all the time.

try and get some monitoring software for the temps of the GPU/CPU. some programs like real temp save a log. good to have for if your pc turns off. sounds like a GPU issue but i have seen it sometimes in cases like this that the CPU is overheating and stops "working" for a bit and screws everything up.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1655

also run a benchmark program, might help narrow down if the GPU is ****ed, or if its simply overheating

[PCLoadLetter]

Nvidia is not a POS... are you on glue?
+1

Although I do prefer AMD/ATI, nVidia is still pretty sick.

Mitchell: After reinstalling drivers, take the video card out and re-seat it in the mobo.

[Mitchell3]

Upgrade the POS nvidia to an amd/ati

Alternatively you could try removing every trace of the nvidia driver and reinstalling another version. If that does not help you could format your pc and see what happens. A clean environment will be the best to determine exactly where the problem lies.

It could be your video card, but cant be sure
Tried reinstall process and the formatting process

no need to get a new hd but i would run driver sweeper and reinstall the latest driver for your graphics card. also whens the last time you cleaned the card out? sounds like its overheating. one thing to do if the card is not dirty, is to change the paste on the GPU. some ppl dont want to do it but its pretty simple, the 8600 is an older card and the paste does dry after a bit, specially if you run it all the time.

try and get some monitoring software for the temps of the GPU/CPU. some programs like real temp save a log. good to have for if your pc turns off. sounds like a GPU issue but i have seen it sometimes in cases like this that the CPU is overheating and stops "working" for a bit and screws everything up.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1655

also run a benchmark program, might help narrow down if the GPU is ****ed, or if its simply overheating
I'll look into that stuff thanks!

Also...still on Vista? MMMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNN *takes it and throws it on the ground*
LOL to be honest its been alright to me. Wouldn't accept a few games and give me the blue screen of death, but other than that :thumbsup a-okay


I'll look into it more before I look into getting help/buying stuff.

[tmpz]

I'm pretty sure it's a software problem.

I had something similar with my ATI card. If I have flash open and close the window or go to a new page, some times the monitor would go black for a few seconds and either BSOD or it goes back and says "Display driver not working...".

I tried updating drivers, no luck same problem.

I ended up reinstalling Windows and that problem hasn't come back since then. Try that as a last resort.

[Mitchell3]

+1

Although I do prefer AMD/ATI, nVidia is still pretty sick.

Mitchell: After reinstalling drivers, take the video card out and re-seat it in the mobo.

:P Never taken anything out of the computer before, :chuckle id have to hope i'm taking the right thing out

[tmpz]

Is the GPU overheating?

[klspeed3]

no need to get a new hd but i would run driver sweeper and reinstall the latest driver for your graphics card. also whens the last time you cleaned the card out? sounds like its overheating. one thing to do if the card is not dirty, is to change the paste on the GPU. some ppl dont want to do it but its pretty simple, the 8600 is an older card and the paste does dry after a bit, specially if you run it all the time.

try and get some monitoring software for the temps of the GPU/CPU. some programs like real temp save a log. good to have for if your pc turns off. sounds like a GPU issue but i have seen it sometimes in cases like this that the CPU is overheating and stops "working" for a bit and screws everything up.

http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1655

also run a benchmark program, might help narrow down if the GPU is ****ed, or if its simply overheating


^ this - also clean out your fans as well...does sounds like a problem with overheating to me

[klspeed3]

:P Never taken anything out of the computer before, :chuckle id have to hope i'm taking the right thing out

lmao maybe we need a mini-meet to help you out with this

[Slade]

I once got so frustrated with my pc I smacked it on the side and knocked the Video Card right out of the slot.

So if you don't know what your taking out, just give it a smack and the video card will pop right out :P

[gabbygenier]

I once got so frustrated with my pc I smacked it on the side and knocked the Video Card right out of the slot.

So if you don't know what your taking out, just give it a smack and the video card will pop right out :P

if this happens, your computer wasent put together properly and that might be one of the issues youre having

[XTOTHEL]

I keep my pimp hand strong with my computer regularly. So far no problems yet.

[RetroLite]

I once got so frustrated with my pc I smacked it on the side and knocked the Video Card right out of the slot.

So if you don't know what your taking out, just give it a smack and the video card will pop right out :P

Awesome!!!!

[Fuyuzora]

no need to get a new hd but i would run driver sweeper and reinstall the latest driver for your graphics card. also whens the last time you cleaned the card out? sounds like its overheating. one thing to do if the card is not dirty, is to change the paste on the GPU. some ppl dont want to do it but its pretty simple, the 8600 is an older card and the paste does dry after a bit, specially if you run it all the time.

+1 and highlighted for emphasis.

Driver sweeper is key to ensuring new video drivers operate as designed. Over-installing can sometimes result in weird hiccups despite an otherwise-fine setup.

[adubya]

Based on the error message you're receiving, it could be a driver issue (software). However, it could also be a power supply issue (ie the power supply isn't supplying enough power to the graphics card). my brother had a similar issue and after replacing the power supply with a more powerful one, the problem went away. if driver sweeper doesn't help, take the computer to a Tiger Direct store, I've built some PCs and when I've had trouble, called a store up and the problem was solved.

[n00bMeiSter]

:P Never taken anything out of the computer before, :chuckle id have to hope i'm taking the right thing out

it's pretty obvious. it says nvidia all over it lol

[Scottobot]

Try a Linux live distro (can be run from CD - I recommend Mint) and see if you still have issues. If the symptoms persist then it's a hardware problem.

[PCLoadLetter]

Try a Linux live distro (can be run from CD - I recommend Mint) and see if you still have issues. If the symptoms persist then it's a hardware problem.
Everyone knows linux is perfect. No issues will be found :)

[m_bisson]

Get something to check the temps while gaming.... MSI Afterburner is best IMO. The 8600 was also the "low end" card in nVidia's 8000 gaming series. Odds are the paste is toast and/or the fan is not working or needs serious cleaning.

[Mitchell3]

:chuckle wow lots more help than I expected on a car forum. Will start looking at it this evening.

[omalak]

Nvidia is not a POS... are you on glue?

lol ATI fanboy sorry :) won't put anything else in my pc


Good luck with the diagnostics OP

EDIT: i was in glue for a bit as a child.. Mmm plastic modellers glue

[henryko]

This really looks like a HW problem. But the first thing i always try is to reinstall driver and try to see if there is a newer version available. Also, did this happen after u did windows update? if so, there is your problem!

If SW solution dont work, what you have seems to be over-heating or power supply problem. Crack it open and dust everything out, esp the fan. if still have problem, go for a new power supply. u can always buy one, install and test it out, and refund later if still have problem!:chuckle

[Mitchell3]

lmao maybe we need a mini-meet to help you out with this

Lol its been driving me nuts long enough that I'd say yes to that


Before I do too much more, thought I would post up what ive done thus far.

Started off testing it to make sure the problem still occurs. Oh yes, its there alright. Played the itunes visualizer, a while into it i thought Id get the task manager up to see what the performance was like. Just as i hit ctrl alt del everything went black with a few pretty green highlights. then the usual screen turn off NO SIGNAL message, then monitor going into sleep mode, but the music still went till I started pressing keys lol. then it got stuck and blue screen o death came up. Restarted and lucky wasnt a blue screen trap, which I am very familiar with :flaming. (have the whole shenanigans on vid too if that helps at all)

After that, took it apart to look for the display driver. Very dirtay computer.
http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z320/theconjuedsubjugator/computar002.jpg:whoa
Anyway I couldnt find it, maybe it was staring me right in the face but was covered with dust lol. Anyway I wasnt sure if flying dust around in there was a good idea, so I didnt start blowing it off lol. Correct me here if wrong.

Downloaded this driver detective thingy, and scanned everything that needed updating. found 7 hits on outdated drivers. I knew it was out of date since after reinstalling windows a couple months ago I never tried re updating and crap. So updated, part way through updating for some reason the screen will do the flash black thing, then come back. an error message comes up but everything still installed..? lol

Any now theres only 5 hits on this outdated stuff.
"Generic PnP Monitor"
"NVidia nForce 10/100/1000 mbps Ethernet" under network adapters
"Realtek High Definition Audio"
"NVidia nForce Serial ATA Controller"
And a usb stick i havent used in a while lol.

Will do more fiddiling with updates and give it another test

[henryko]

boy, that's really really really dusty...get those compressed air can to blow the dust out man! u probably need more than one can :D and i suggest u do it outdoor!!

[henryko]

btw, to know where the display card is, an easier way is to look at the back panel and see where u plug ur monitor in. That's where ur display card will be! if u cant tell, take a pic and we can figure it out together!

[PCLoadLetter]

Mitchell, that is one dirty PC my friend! Not many people are aware that dust can actually affect your performance.

If you have a leaf blower, I recommend taking your tower outside and giving it a rip.
It sounds funny, but works REALLY well. I usually do it once a year.
Stand back about 5-10 feet while using the leaf blower and you're golden.
Compressed air cans are more for concentrated areas like a keyboard/peripherals.
You'd need 10 cans to clean that sucker with compressed air.

[Burner]

The display card is directly below that big fan in the middle of your motherboard.

[XTOTHEL]

poor cable management...bought from Futureshop I see.

[gabbygenier]

The display card is directly below that big fan in the middle of your motherboard.

+1 the fan is underneath it and from the look of the rest of hte pc, i bet its dirty as hell if its even still turning


Mitchell, that is one dirty PC my friend! Not many people are aware that dust can actually affect your performance.

If you have a leaf blower, I recommend taking your tower outside and giving it a rip.
It sounds funny, but works REALLY well. I usually do it once a year.
Stand back about 5-10 feet while using the leaf blower and you're golden.
Compressed air cans are more for concentrated areas like a keyboard/peripherals.
You'd need 10 cans to clean that sucker with compressed air.

this will work, if you have access to an air compressor, that will work good too. I try and do it once a year to my PC.


poor cable management...bought from Futureshop I see.

i dont see y youre still posting useless comments here that are not helping the OP at all.

[XTOTHEL]

i dont see y youre still posting useless comments here that are not helping the OP at all.

Someone didn't get their coffee this morning.

[Mitchell3]

Mitchell, that is one dirty PC my friend! Not many people are aware that dust can actually affect your performance.

If you have a leaf blower, I recommend taking your tower outside and giving it a rip.
It sounds funny, but works REALLY well. I usually do it once a year.
Stand back about 5-10 feet while using the leaf blower and you're golden.
Compressed air cans are more for concentrated areas like a keyboard/peripherals.
You'd need 10 cans to clean that sucker with compressed air.
Only thing I have that blows air is moms hair dryer, and I THINK it has a cool mode so that might work.

The display card is directly below that big fan in the middle of your motherboard.
Thank you! I kinda thought so, but there was nothing in terms of obvious nvidia advertisement on it. in that case its the dirtiest thing in there lol. literally a blanket of dust on it.

poor cable management...bought from Futureshop I see.
best buy.

[XTOTHEL]

Did you purchase the 8600 afterwards? Your desktop seems to come with on board graphics as well.

[ds2chan]

It could actually be an issue with Vista. When I was on Vista on my desktop, I would have Windows Explorer, Winamp, and iTunes opened. Sometimes my computer would just hang there but music would still be playing. I would move my mouse and 1 min later my mouse would start moving. I eventually got Task Manager opened but got no info as to what the cause my be because System Idle would be at like 80%. I would have to wait for like 5-10 mins before my computer would function normally again. Also, sometimes my USB speakers wouldn't work. All of a sudden no sound would come out of it. I would have to unplug the USB cable from my speakers and then plug them back in again. No idea what was happening. I upgraded to Windows 7 and never had that problem again.

Before I upgraded to Vista I was on Windows XP with the same set up. Never had those problems that I had with Vista.

[n00bMeiSter]

Look at that picture, the problem is with the flux capacitor. Going to need a new one, but they can get expensive...

[XTOTHEL]

It could actually be an issue with Vista. When I was on Vista on my desktop, I would have Windows Explorer, Winamp, and iTunes opened. Sometimes my computer would just hang there but music would still be playing. I would move my mouse and 1 min later my mouse would start moving. I eventually got Task Manager opened but got no info as to what the cause my be because System Idle would be at like 80%. I would have to wait for like 5-10 mins before my computer would function normally again. Also, sometimes my USB speakers wouldn't work. All of a sudden no sound would come out of it. I would have to unplug the USB cable from my speakers and then plug them back in again. No idea what was happening. I upgraded to Windows 7 and never had that problem again.

Before I upgraded to Vista I was on Windows XP with the same set up. Never had those problems that I had with Vista.

I had similar experience too, back then I tried installing older drivers and non-official (apparently more stable) drivers and the problem went away.

[Burner]

Do you want to use this PC for gaming again once it's fixed? Or is it just for surfing and whatnot?

[m_bisson]

A hairdryer won't work. Do you have a vacuum with a hose attachment? Use that and a small paintbrush to disturb the dust. You'll need to remove the video card to clean it properly.

Also, I'm completely boggled at why you have a 700w power supply for a system THAT old.... I've got 'newish' components and even during gaming I never draw more than 210-220w

[XTOTHEL]

A hairdryer won't work. Do you have a vacuum with a hose attachment? Use that and a small paintbrush to disturb the dust. You'll need to remove the video card to clean it properly.

Also, I'm completely boggled at why you have a 700w power supply for a system THAT old.... I've got 'newish' components and even during gaming I never draw more than 210-220w

gaming like solitaire? :chuckle

[Booostin]

Holy Shiet dude go to the dollar store and buy a few cans of compressed air dont be a cheap ass... it wont take 10 cans lol but definitely 1 or 2.

[klspeed3]

:agree

[Scottobot]

Holy Shiet dude go to the dollar store and buy a few cans of compressed air dont be a cheap ass... it wont take 10 cans lol but definitely 1 or 2.

+1
That's the filthiest computer interior I've ever seen (not that I've seen that many).

[baymoe]

Sounds like a hardware issue and more than likely to be the video card on it's way out. Reinstall the heatsink and apply new thermal paste and ensure that the video card fan spins freely and is free of dust. If this doesn't solve the issue, cut your losses and start looking towards a new video card.

Do not format your hd. If you feel that it's the driver, do a driver sweep like another member mentioned and reinstall with the latest drivers. No need to take a sledgehammer to an egg if you know what I mean.

edit: CLEAN YOUR COMPUTER DUDE!

[Burner]

A hairdryer won't work. Do you have a vacuum with a hose attachment? Use that and a small paintbrush to disturb the dust. You'll need to remove the video card to clean it properly.

Also, I'm completely boggled at why you have a 700w power supply for a system THAT old.... I've got 'newish' components and even during gaming I never draw more than 210-220w

Really? You must have a pretty weak system. I have a 750W PSU and my graphics card actually draws too much power for the PSU to handle under full load.

[PCLoadLetter]

Really? You must have a pretty weak system. I have a 750W PSU and my graphics card actually draws too much power for the PSU to handle under full load.
+1.

A decent rig these days requires 600W+

Mitchell's PSU was most likely replaced at one point, hence the 700W in there. The cables look like they'd be from an "aftermarket" supply.

[Mitchell3]

:( you all sound like my mom. :complain Clean up your computer!

My dad bought this for me for my 16th? birthday so I dont know what all was done. and theres no way he remembers lol.
Anyway last week I thought I was on to something since I found a new updates for stuff that didnt come up before, still nothing worked for this problem. Got frustrated and left it since lol.

[Booostin]

Sound like your mom? Dammit man please go clean that dust and then post pictures of it clean so I can sleep at night...

[n00bMeiSter]

Borrow a friends video card. take yours out, install his. try playing your game again. if it works then you need a new video card, if not, buy a new computer. that thing is soo old and dirty it's kinda scary....
I think I'm going to have nightmares.

[Scottobot]

:( you all sound like my mom. :complain Clean up your computer!

Sorry man I'm no clean freak but a) it's gross and b) that much dust can kill a computer so it's downright scary.

[XTOTHEL]

The dust in there isn't bad at all considering he's never cleaned it, even then, not the worst I've seen.

[Booostin]

The dust in there isn't bad at all considering he's never cleaned it, even then, not the worst I've seen.

Dont encourage him!

[klspeed3]

The dust in there isn't bad at all considering he's never cleaned it, even then, not the worst I've seen.

shhhhhhh! :tomato

[Mitchell3]

Borrow a friends video card. take yours out, install his. try playing your game again. if it works then you need a new video card, if not, buy a new computer. that thing is soo old and dirty it's kinda scary....
I think I'm going to have nightmares.

Thats a good idea! I'll have to figure out who has one.
And a new computer would be nice, but I cant afford that lol. Before this though It performed quite well, considering how old its getting.

Other than the video card since its a horizontal surface and that one cord, I didnt think it was horrible either lol. Mind you still I had no idea it would get that dirty in there. Still I will clean it when I find the time so you all can stop worrying :chuckle.

[m_bisson]

Really? You must have a pretty weak system. I have a 750W PSU and my graphics card actually draws too much power for the PSU to handle under full load.

I have an AMD Phenom2 965 BE, 16gb of 1333mhz ram, an XFX 6870 graphics card. My power supply is 500 watts, yet it's an Antec Earthwatts power supply. I had an OCZ power supply rated at 700 watts and it couldn't supply what this system needs.

So, there's more to it than the number on the side ;) Most PSUs are only good up to 350-450 watts. Then they make more heat than usable electricity.

[Burner]

I have an AMD Phenom2 965 BE, 16gb of 1333mhz ram, an XFX 6870 graphics card. My power supply is 500 watts, yet it's an Antec Earthwatts power supply. I had an OCZ power supply rated at 700 watts and it couldn't supply what this system needs.

So, there's more to it than the number on the side ;) Most PSUs are only good up to 350-450 watts. Then they make more heat than usable electricity.

It's been almost 2 years since I built my system but I'm running a quality PSU, Corsair HX750. If I were to do it again I don't think I'd buy a modular PSU. It makes for a cleaner install but I think the connectors limit the quality of the current.

I have an AMD Phenom 2 945 with only 4GB's of 1600mhz ram at the moment. I pulled the other 4 I had in there out to let someone borrow. But my power problems are with my power hungry graphics card. 4870 dark knight. I almost bought 2 and I'm glad I didn't. It looks cool though! :P

http://www.comptoir-hardware.com/images/stories/_cg/hd4x00/asus_hd4870_dark_Knight_1.jpg

[m_bisson]

http://xfxforce.com/thumb.ashx//a7f48ec7-c740-4055-9960-033df831f47e/RelatedGraphicCardSeries_RelatedGraphicCardModels4 _RelatedGraphicCardProducts/6870_ZDF_Dual_1.jpg,400,300

Mmm.... computer porn...