At my wits end with this problem - PC config as outlined below:
Windows XP SP2
P4 3.0 GHz, GigaByte 8PENXP MoBo, 2GB RAM, NVidia GeForce 6800GT, Sound Blaster Audigy, 4 internal HDDs ( 2 x SATA, 2 x EIDE ).
All drivers updated to current versions, this includes mobo drivers & BIOS at most current available version.
Have been experiencing dropping video signal, principally in games ( Oblivion & Civilisation IV ) where there will be a brief display of on screen artefacts / corruption and then monitor states "No Signal" after which it's a switch on / switch off operation to resolve the problem. I have experienced the problem once when just at the desktop editing a document.
PC hasn't been rebuilt for a good 18 months and was toying with clearing down and doing a fresh install of XP incase there were any rogue driver issues.
Gut feel is it isn't this and it stinks of a dodgy video card or an overheating problem. To be fair however I've taken the side off the case to rule out heat and I'm still getting these crashes - doesn't feel overly warm inside! external temp display states ~ 44-47 celsius when playing graphically intensive games.
This morning on attempting to boot the PC it would not start POST - usual sound of fans whirring etc...had to remove mains cable and plug back in before it played ball. Possibly my problems are down to PSU ( it is a 600W device although nothing overly expensive )?
Would really appreciate any views / ideas or tips to maybe nail the problem down.
Thanks....
Windows XP SP2
P4 3.0 GHz, GigaByte 8PENXP MoBo, 2GB RAM, NVidia GeForce 6800GT, Sound Blaster Audigy, 4 internal HDDs ( 2 x SATA, 2 x EIDE ).
All drivers updated to current versions, this includes mobo drivers & BIOS at most current available version.
Have been experiencing dropping video signal, principally in games ( Oblivion & Civilisation IV ) where there will be a brief display of on screen artefacts / corruption and then monitor states "No Signal" after which it's a switch on / switch off operation to resolve the problem. I have experienced the problem once when just at the desktop editing a document.
PC hasn't been rebuilt for a good 18 months and was toying with clearing down and doing a fresh install of XP incase there were any rogue driver issues.
Gut feel is it isn't this and it stinks of a dodgy video card or an overheating problem. To be fair however I've taken the side off the case to rule out heat and I'm still getting these crashes - doesn't feel overly warm inside! external temp display states ~ 44-47 celsius when playing graphically intensive games.
This morning on attempting to boot the PC it would not start POST - usual sound of fans whirring etc...had to remove mains cable and plug back in before it played ball. Possibly my problems are down to PSU ( it is a 600W device although nothing overly expensive )?
Would really appreciate any views / ideas or tips to maybe nail the problem down.
Thanks....