Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Resolved Question

Lines on screen after crash-ish.

Jul 19, 2017 11:40PM PDT

Hello all. So I was watching a dvd on my computer a couple weeks ago when the dvd playback froze and the computer screen went black. When I restarted the computer, there were random white symbols cascading on startup and these lines on the screen when windows starts up. I've purchased another (used) graphics card and the issue is the same.
It's an old computer and I'm not exactly surprised something like this has happened. Computer still runs, however a bit slower and resolution not a good of course. Also, whenever I install the latest driver software for my video card and restart, it tells me I still need to install it.
Not sure what all parts I have, I do know the video card is a GeForce 8800 GTX

Mostly wondering if there's a fix to this, or if this computer's pretty much done for.

Discussion is locked

kittiepops has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

- Collapse -
That 8800 is now how old?
Jul 20, 2017 7:06AM PDT

Have you changed the heatsink compound then clean up the heatsink and check the GPU fans?

It's a common problem you see today. If you are not comfortable doing this work, get estimates or try another GPU.

- Collapse -
PS. My findings about screen shots that don't show lines.
Jul 20, 2017 7:43AM PDT

When you see lines on the screen but the screenshot is good then it's 99% sure the GPU has failed (heat, age, drivers?) and once in a while it's the display (pretty rare.)

Added this PS because I thought this needed to be said.

- Collapse -
Answer
Just to narrow it down a little
Jul 20, 2017 9:28AM PDT

Does this monitor and cable work on a different pc?