Graphics card stopped responding

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

So I have had this computer for around 2-3 years now, but recently I have started having issues. My monitors will go black and I will get this error message.

I just wanted to know what could have potentially caused this issue and what I can do to fix it. I added a second monitor a couple of weeks ago and wasn't sure if that could have caused it. The temperature sits at around 32°C so it isn't overheating. Could it be my power supply or just the GPU getting old? Any help would be much appreciated.

Here are the current system specifications of my computer:

AMD FX-4100 Quad-Core Processor
ASUSTeK Computer INC. M5A78L-M/USB3 Motherboard
16 GB DDR3-1333MHz Memory
GeForce GTX 650 Graphics Card
Windows 7 Ultimate 64Bit Edition

I have already ensured that I have the latest graphics card drivers possible.

Keeno99 · May 29, 2014

Check your GPU temps when your running, the fan on if might be getting worn out, or reapply thermal paste. What are you running when it crashes?

emdea22 · May 29, 2014

DONT reapply thermal paste on GPUs. You don't have the type of paste needed! This is a last resort type thing and you only do it when you can't return/rma the card. That said you have a few options:

Reinstall windows
Reseat the card and make sure its snug in place
Check power connections to the card (6 pin pci-e)
Change PSU
Restore bios defaults (especially if you overclocked - this can cause problems on PCI-e lane)
Your GPU might be dying - if its under warranty then make use of it, if it isn't there is another step i will explain in detail if all else fails

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

@Keeno99 I'm currently playing Diablo 3 whilst watching a LoL stream. I have multiple windows open and the League client in the background. It's at around 48-50°C. There are a lot of fans on the case keeping it nice and cool and they all seem to be working properly. The crashes occur at random times, sometimes if I open League of Legends or Diablo but some other times it will just randomly crash when watching a stream or if I open Google Chrome.

@emdea22 I only just reinstalled Windows recently so should I still do that or just try the rest? I'll try the other steps but was just wondering is there any way to check if it's the PSU before actually buying one?

emdea22 · May 29, 2014

You can skip the OS part. Without proper tools you can't check the PSU yourself. Post the model of your PSU, if its a reputable one we can at least move it down as a last option.

emdea22 · May 29, 2014

You forgot to mention if you've overclocked the GPU

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

Techsolo ATX Power Supply STP-650W is the name of the Power Supply I'm currently using. I have not overclocked the GPU but I have restored defaults in the BIOS anyway. Sorry it took so long, I had to open up the case as I wasn't sure what make it was.

emdea22 · May 29, 2014

Well PSU is most likely made by Channel Well so we can leave it for the moment. Its not a reputable one but at least its made by CW.

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

I unplugged the GPU, everything including the fan and cables seem to be fine, it's secure as well. I reset the BIOS (My CPU was over clocked but I'm not sure if this could have caused the issue) and so far it seems to be running fine - no crashes as of yet. Although they were random and they used to happen every couple of hours or so. I'll get back to you and let you know if it is indeed working properly.

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

emdea22 :

Nope, after doing all the steps aside from reinstalling Windows and replacing PSU it is still crashing every couple of hours. Does that mean it's on its way out and I should replace it?

Suztera · May 29, 2014

Your motherboard isn't great either. There isn't good VRM cooling on the board. I wouldn't want to overclock on it too.
Do you have another gpu to test the pc with?

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

Suztera :

Unfortunately not, I don't mind getting a new GPU if it's faulty but it's absolutely fine for what I do on the computer so I would rather try and solve the issue.

As far as I was aware the motherboard has to be good enough to support the components needed, which it is, and as none of them are overheating (maybe due to the huge fans on my case?) is it really a problem?

Keeno99 · May 29, 2014

I would recomend running furmark to rule out if it's the GPU that's the issue. Furmark is a GPU stress test if your GPU crashes bad GPU, if not good GPU.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/furmark.html

The download link is the one under "Download Locations"

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

Keeno99 :

I did the Burn-in benchmark 1920x1080 for 15 minutes and there were no issues. What does that mean the problem is, the PSU?

Keeno99 · May 29, 2014

You may want to leave you system running this over night (the no time limit version) just to be sure. But the next think I would guess is not right is the mobo, you may have to replace it.

bushcraftbrandon · May 29, 2014

I THINK IT'S AN EASY FIX.
I would bet my life it's just a driver issue.
Adding another monitor can send (what seems like a stable) driver to go haywire.
First go to Nvidia's website and download a couple of driver versions older than your own (you're currently on a driver that came out just a few days ago)......
Save, do not run, the newly downloaded driver packages to your desktop or wherever.
NEXT, go into device manager and right click your video card under display adapters. Select Uninstall, when prompted check the box that will REMOVE THE DRIVER!!
Reboot.
Run a new driver package, select the clean install, so it'll remove anything that may be left over from the previous one....

Let me know if that works.
It should.

Try these two: GeForce 335.23 Driver WHQL 335.23 March 10, 2014
GeForce 334.89 Driver WHQL 334.89 February 18, 2014

Here's the link to search for previous drivers: http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx?lang=en-us

Keeno99 · May 29, 2014

I'm betting on a hardware issue because he said that the card worked if he turned the PC a certain way. That wouldn't be a software issue bet Brandon's idea's totally worth it.

Dannyb77 · May 29, 2014

bushcraftbrandon :

Damn I feel silly now, I think this might actually be the solution. The driver was updated on the 26th and I believe that's when it started to occur, although it was because it had installed TWO copies of the latest version and I guess they were conflicting with one another? I'm not entirely sure if that is solution yet as sometimes it crashed every couple of hours so I'll get back to you on that. Although my YouTube videos weren't working properly and they are now. Dayuuuuum...

bushcraftbrandon · May 29, 2014

I figured as much. I work IT for a company and i see funky driver issues all the time. keep me posted if that worked or not, i hope it does!!!

Dannyb77 :

bushcraftbrandon :

Damn I feel silly now, I think this might actually be the solution. The driver was updated on the 26th and I believe that's when it started to occur, although it was because it had installed TWO copies of the latest version and I guess they were conflicting with one another? I'm not entirely sure if that is solution yet as sometimes it crashed every couple of hours so I'll get back to you on that. Although my YouTube videos weren't working properly and they are now. Dayuuuuum...

Dannyb77 · May 30, 2014

bushcraftbrandon :

I figured as much. I work IT for a company and i see funky driver issues all the time. keep me posted if that worked or not, i hope it does!!!

Dannyb77 :

Yep my computer is running much better again, and no crashes. Thank you.

Graphics card stopped responding

Honorable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Honorable

Polypheme

Honorable

Distinguished

Honorable

Distinguished

Reputable

Distinguished

Honorable

Reputable

Honorable

Share this page