Computer repair help? Vid Card blown! - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

REDVAN · 03-22-2010, 10:07 AM

Hey all,

Had this problem before... but need some tips from those who know more than me...

I had a computer built for me by memory express, probably about 5 years ago now. At the time, it was decent (upper-average to good in coolness), but nothing awesome.

Yesterday during the game, my gf was on the computer and hears a loud snapping/popping noise, like a circuit breaking. Didn't know what it was but we didn't worry. I never thought it was the computer. Computer is working fine. She is done her stuff, we go to my parents for dinner and leave computer on...

Come home, screen is black. In standby? No, mouse and keyboard not responsive. Hold power button to power off, then restart 10 minutes later. Computer turns on, but screen doesn't.

Nothing is responsive.

So, I've had this problem before a few times. It was a hard drive once (not whining so I don't think that's it this time), a fried graphics card another time, and the power supply at least twice.

Anyone have any idea to tell what it is? I don't want to have to buy a new part to guess, and I don't want to take it anywhere for service (I can do it myself if I know what to fix)... but I just don't know how to diagnose it.

Thanks for any help.

mykalberta · 03-22-2010, 10:41 AM

You will need a spare computer or monitor to determine your issue.

If you arent getting a signal to your monitor its most likely either your video card or monitor. Given your story I am thinking video card.

REDVAN · 03-22-2010, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

You will need a spare computer or monitor to determine your issue.

If you arent getting a signal to your monitor its most likely either your video card or monitor. Given your story I am thinking video card.

I hope it is something simple like that... anyone have a sparec PCI-E lying around? What're they worth these days? I'm not in on computers lately, but I've heard those are now obsolete?

bomber317 · 03-22-2010, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I hope it is something simple like that... anyone have a sparec PCI-E lying around? What're they worth these days? I'm not in on computers lately, but I've heard those are now obsolete?

no, PCI-E is still the most common card. So it should be easy to find one.

I'll scrounge around later to see if I have one laying around (gave one away a few months ago)

mykalberta · 03-22-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I hope it is something simple like that... anyone have a sparec PCI-E lying around? What're they worth these days? I'm not in on computers lately, but I've heard those are now obsolete?

Doesnt you TV have a VGA connector?

Frank MetaMusil · 03-22-2010, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bomber317

no, PCI-E is still the most common card. So it should be easy to find one.

I'll scrounge around later to see if I have one laying around (gave one away a few months ago)

I've got an old NVIDIA Quadro-FX 540 if you want it....I can meet downtown during the week.

REDVAN · 03-22-2010, 02:51 PM

^^^ Will try to further diagnose the problem, and PM you... what times are good?

Frank MetaMusil · 03-22-2010, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDVAN

^^^ Will try to further diagnose the problem, and PM you... what times are good?

I work from 8am-4pm down by the Harry Hays building, but I walk home from work so I could essentially meet you anywhere downtown.

Let me know.

Hack&Lube · 03-22-2010, 03:36 PM

Also, it might be a good idea to do a visual inspection to see if you can see if there is anything wrong like a blown capacitor (may be the cause of the popping noise and the reason the computer kept working for awhile before it died).

Open the case and check out all the components and see if anything looks or smells a bit wrong.

REDVAN · 03-22-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

Also, it might be a good idea to do a visual inspection to see if you can see if there is anything wrong like a blown capacitor (may be the cause of the popping noise and the reason the computer kept working for awhile before it died).

Open the case and check out all the components and see if anything looks or smells a bit wrong.

Just got home- decided to squirt the dust out and then took a look at the GC. 5/10 blown capacitors. Hope that is the only issue. :-)

BlackArcher101 · 03-22-2010, 11:01 PM

Wow, 5 blown capacitors. Surprised there was no smoke or acrid smell after.

Hack&Lube · 03-23-2010, 05:08 AM

Yikes, what graphics card was this? Half the caps going on it is really not good! Caps are for voltage regulation so the card would have still worked fine for awhile until there was probably a power spike and then it went toast.

REDVAN · 03-23-2010, 08:38 AM

evga 7600 gts (I think gts... maybe I am wrong).

mykalberta · 03-23-2010, 09:06 AM

Can you post a picture of that?

REDVAN · 03-23-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Can you post a picture of that?

I could... what do you want to see, the whole card or the blown capacitors?

TBQH, neither is that spectacular!

mykalberta · 03-23-2010, 10:56 AM

Yah just the card. Would be interesting to see the 5 caps.

Burninator · 03-23-2010, 11:40 AM

5/10 capacitors blown. That must have been some crazy porn you were looking at.

mykalberta · 03-23-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burninator

5/10 capacitors blown. That must have been some crazy porn you were looking at.

His girlfriend was on the computer at the time

Nufy · 03-23-2010, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mykalberta

His girlfriend was on the computer at the time

Giggity..............

mykalberta · 03-23-2010, 11:46 AM

I think she somehow found the hidden folder called \\*.*\p0rn$

No other explanation for that many blown capacitors. Her being a computer n00b she thought destroying the video card would get rid of the folder. She was wrong