Artifacting or ?

[Valzoric]

Looking for some help here...

Originally had a VisionTek HD 4870 512 MB card in my PC. Everything was running fine, no issues at all. Installed a game, and then started seeing artifacting in the game. This was spike type of artifacting where it was all over the screen. I would reboot...and then everything was fine. The problem kept happening, and through some reasearch, I found that one of the common problems is outdated drivers. I updated my drivers to current off of the ATI website. No longer saw artifacting in the game, but every so often had the static/rain happening on my desktop and various internet pages. Again, a reboot would solve the problem for a while.

I had settled on it being a Video Card problem. So, I broke down and bought a Sapphire 4870 HD 1 GB card. Installed this 2 days ago, and everything was fine. Also took time to clean out dust and even moved the PC to help get some better airflow. Now again, with the brand new card, I'm getting the static/rain on my desktop and in various internet programs.

I'm starting to lean away from it being a VC problem, but wondering what it could be.

Thinking maybe heat or possible board issue.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[error8]

What is "static/rain" on your desktop? Could you post a screenshot?

 

[Valzoric]

I'll grab a screenshot next time it happens, as it's not a constant thing. Generally the reboot clears up the problems for an unspecified amount of time.

Best way to describe the static/rain is around any picture...icon, mouse pointer etc, there are little pixelated dots...basically make it look like the screen has static.

If I had to compare it to anything, i'd compare it to this picture I found on the web:

Static/Rain

 

[error8]

So it only happens in 2D? In games you don't have it?

 

[Valzoric]

Originally had the long spikey artifacts on the 4870 512 MB version while playing WoW and Static/Rain in 2D.

After updating the driver the Artifacting in WoW stopped, but the 2D Continued.

Removed the old VC and replaced it with the new 4870 1 GB version and so far have only seen artifacting happen in 2D.

 

[Valzoric]

One last interesting thing to note....is the entire system was fine. I was playing DDO, CoH, Perfect World, and a few other things with zero problems.

The problems only seemed to start when I had recently reinstalled and started playing WoW again.

Not sure if it was just a coincidence.

 

[error8]

Maybe this thread helps : helpful thread

 

[Valzoric]

Well...tried flashing the card BIOs, and the problem has happened again.

Of course it happens when I'm at work...and the computer was rebooted, so I lost that opportunity at a screen shot.

Very hard to figure this little bug out. Played WoW last night for 4 hours, no problem. Problem actually hadn't happened for about 24 hrs.

 

[error8]

Well, damn, this is extremely weird. I would have blamed the PSU, but if you say it does it only in 2d, you lost me.

 

[Valzoric]

Going to try MOBO Bios update, MOBO driver update and uninstall/reinstall of graphics drivers.

 

[imported_wired247]

what resolution / what size monitor / what type of monitor connection (VGA or DVI)

 

[Valzoric]

Resolution: 1920x1200
Monitor size: 28" (27.5" viewable)
Connection: DVI


Updated MOBO Drivers and uninstalled/reinstalled VC drivers.....still getting the problem.

Have yet to flash the MOBO

 

[Valzoric]

Ok...found out I wasn't flashing the VC card correctly (never did it before)

When I do try to flash it with the link error8 provided, I get an error....it wont actually let me flash my VC BIOS.

First 2 lines of the error I see:

Exiting due to signal SIGSEGV
general protection fault at eip=00035fe7