Dead video card or driver trouble?

[Havola]

Not sure if it is a dead video card or driver problem. I have this:
My system info:
Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit
Processor:Intel (R) Core(TM)2Duo CPU E6850 @3.00GHz
4 GIGs of Corsair 2x2GB TWIN2X4096-6400C5
EVGA NFORCE 780I 775 MOTHERBOARD
500 BG SATA II 3.0 GB 16MB 7200RPM
INTEL C2D E6850 3.00G 1333FSB
ASETEK 120MM WATERCOOLER
CREATIVE X-FI XtremeGamer (sound card)
EVGA GF 8800 ULTRA 768MB PCI-E
INTEL GIGABITE BAST-T NIC
THERMALTAKE TOUCH POWER 120WATT
12-IN-ONE INTERNAL CARD READER.
The computer will not boot up using Nvidia drivers, and I've tried them all. I have formatted the hard drive and reinstalled Windows only to get 800x600 resolution screens when it trys to boot in Windows, then it all goes black. Also, it has little horizontal white lines in the 800x600 resolution screen. Then I am forced to softboot in safe mode, uninstall the Nvidia driver and allow Windows to install the default drivers. It still stays at 800x600 resolution, when Windows loads. If I use Explorer it will some time have tiny horizontal lines in it to.
Can any help me? If it is a dead card can anyone suggest a good, but not to exspensive card to buy for my system?
Thanks,
Havola

[MOVIEGEEK]

Make sure you are not overclocking the GPU or using custom drivers, if you aren't then it sounds like the videocard is dead.
Newegg.com has the best selection at reasonable prices, I'm not a nVidia expert but I'm sure you can get a decent one for <$100.

[redwudz]

Not Video News. Moving this to the Computer forum.

[Havola]

Opp's. Sorry new to forum.

[aedipuss]

i would physically remove the card, clean the gold pins, vacuum out the slot and re-insert the card. make sure the power supply plug is inserted completely. if still no go it's most likely time for a new one. check to see if you saved the receipt, as most vid cards come with a lifetime warranty.

[Nelson37]

Well, first, the card's not dead or you wouldn't see anything at all.

Second, that's an older model, since you gave no info on its history I will GUESS that it is not brand-new, therefore you have had it for a while, and a safe assumption would be that it has been working OK, probably on a different board. Or is it the same board with a new install of Win 7? More info is ALWAYS nice.

The question which needs answering is "Did it work until you messed with it, and if so, EXACTLY what did you change?"

If the only change which caused a working card to suddenly stop working is the change to Win 7, that would point a really stiff, hard finger at a driver issue.

[Havola]

The computer was custom built by CyberPower Inc. It was bought in 1/08 as a complete computer. It came with Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit which I was using when the video started giving me problems. I have always been able to play WOW and LOTRO until now. I do not run Win 7 or will.

If you want the whole story I will post it, but I warn you, it's long!

Havola

[lowellriggsiam]

Check the fan on the video card somehow I think that itself is no longer functioning. I have seen this cause similar issues with a Geforce 7800.

[HotDamn!]

Could be caused by a number of things. Was your card running too hot for long periods of time, was there some dust build up, did it happen after a driver update, were you overclocking for a while???

Try going to the manufacturers website and download the latest drivers after taking the card out and dusting it and the slot off. If your still having problems then the card may need to be replaced.

Just to be on the safe side I would try a different monitor.. Wouldn't want to blame the GPU without checking that out first