FASTER MIKE!!

as above when i start to use more than one program at a time the screen freezes and makes a single bleep. now ive re-formated the hard drive and its still doing it. the screen also has red blocks/dots on the screen occationally, if i move an icon on the desk top over the dots/patch it disapears. its more prominant when i use wmp.
the computer is an amd 64 3500+ processor with 512ram running windows xp

cheers mike

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Have you tried different Video Card drivers?

Either that or your problem is the video card. What type is it? If it has a cooling fan, then maybe this is the issue, as it may have packed up causing the card to over heat.

FASTER MIKE!!

whan you say video card you mean graphics card? yea tried the one off the nvideia sight and an other from a site i found on google, and it doing just the same. think theres only on fan on the computer which i can hear running all the time. the graphics card is a nvidia geForce fx5500

cheers mike

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Yep Video Card, Graphics card are the same thing. I take it the heatsink on the graphics card does not have a fan on it then?

Either that or the heatsink has come away from the Graphics cards Main processor. Thus it is overheating and causing the lock ups.
Worth having a look.

FASTER MIKE!!

no theres no fan attached to the graphics card but all 3 fans are working fine, when you say heat sink do you mean the metal fins? they appear to be ok

mike

jpor

iTrader: (1)

How long have you had the computer for ?

FASTER MIKE!!

its about 16months old so just out of warranty. i take its sound like the graphics card is knackered? or i need someone professional to look at it?

cheers mike

bob269

Its pretty much pointing to gfx card problem, you could try booting windows safe mode (keep hitting F8 before it starts booting up) if the problem persists then i'd try another card.

I'd avoid taking it to "professionals" as they will charge more than a new gfx card is actually worth.

Try another card off a mate, or bug the IT guy at work into lending you an old one to eliminate the problem, if it works then buy a new card, the FX5500 should cost no more than £25-£30

jpor

iTrader: (1)

From what you describe, something is going wrong with the graphics card. As bob269 has quoted (I take it bob269 is the robot off the black hole film? anyway.....) it isn't worth a professional looking at it. Best to get another AGP card (Preferbly the same one or another from nvidia).
1).. Then power off the PC
2).. Take the case off
3).. Remove the AGP graphics card
4).. Install replacement card
5).. Power up the PC
6).. Graphics mode in windows will default back to 640x480
7).. Windows will then hopefully detect the new graphics card and will hopefully load up the new driver for it. (Note: that if you use a nvidia card or like for like will make this process easier)
8).. Reboot PC via windows (When prompted to do so)
9).. Change you resolution back to how it was.

jbryant

Seconded - loads of new or 2nd-hand 5500s or 5600s going on ebay for £25-40

Joolz

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Some cheapy FX-5500's here:

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...subcat_uid=666

FASTER MIKE!!

cheers for all the help guys i spoke to the tech guy at mesh and it turns out i have a 3 years warranty, the computers only 16months old. so they are gonna arrange for it to be collected and taken back.

cheers mike

jpor

iTrader: (1)

No worries. I hope Mesh arn't going to charge you £60 for a courier to come and take it away for repair ? They did that with a neighbour of mine, who had an issue with their newly bought PC. Unfortunately if had to fix it then I would have voided the warranty for them.

FASTER MIKE!!

well if they do they can stick it, i'll fit a new card on my own. can just about get a brand new card for that. cheers again