Major Graphics Woes: Powercolor X1950XT 512MB

Hey fellows, I just got a brand new Powercolor x1950XT 512MB Video card. However, I'm a bit terrified. At first, when I installed it, everything went fine. However, as soon as I tried to run a game (GTA: San Andreas), in the game itself, the video got corrupt, and the computer went loopy. It flickered for a bit, and then the screen just shut down. From then on, every time I turn on the computer, the starting logo screen and all thereafter is corrupt with the exception of the bios. When it finally loads up and gets to the start menu screen, it goes on and off, gradually loading more up as it does, switching from corrupt screen to nothing to slightly less corrupt screen. Then, it clears up, but leaves me unable to play any games (GTA: SA, RE 4).

The card is a Powercolor x1950xt 512mb with an arctic cooling fan/heatsink. It's temp is staying at about 53 degrees or so.

HIPER HPU-4S580-MS ATX12V v2.2 580W Power Supply
X1950XT Powercolor 512MB w/ Arctic Cooling
Athlon 3500+ Venice Processor (Soon to be swapped for a x2 4400+)
Hyundai L90D Monitor
2GB DDR-400 MHZ RAM

I'm really stuck in a tough place, and I need help. This is my first post here, and I've been meaning to sign up because Tom's is just a ridiculously good site, but I got the extra push here because of my situation.

I've only installed the drivers, and the catalyst stuff thereafter. I tried installing ATI Tool and running an artifact scan, but the artifact scan won't run because it says the 3d won't init (I assume initialize) so I'm thinking maybe it's a software problem, but I don't see anything anywhere about a patch, largely probably, because I don't know where to look.

Also, you need .NET fOr the Catylist Control Center

its a powercolor dood. I dont trust that brand with a barge pole.
I had a Powercolour R9700 and it was a pile of droppings.

Just recently i tried a handmedown card...also a powercolour.
Again - nothing but trouble.

Yer, I downloaded the .NET Framework 2.0 business or whatever because it yelled at me and made me do it.

What was that business about 2d mode?

Ati cards have two modes 3d and 2d usually when the 3d part isn't working they switch to 2d mode nvidia doesn't have this, so they just die. lol Or something like that.

Yer, I'm just going to RMA it to Powercolor. I hate that I have to do that, and that it'll esentially be a month until I see the video card in action and proper, but that's all right.