Is it my video card? What should I do?

[Ben-the-Writer]

First, let me provide some basic specs...I'm using:
an HP Pavilion computer, model a6152n
an HP w2207 monitor
Windows Vista Home 32
nvidia 8800 graphics card with upgraded power supply
approx. 3 gigs ram.


I'm having a problem with my computer, and I think it's linked to my video card. I'll explain:

I left my computer on while I was doing something across the room, and when I looked back at the computer, the monitor looked strange. The screen saver had frozen, and the screen was divided along a diagonal line -- with everything underneath the line blacked out, except for some vertical lines that ran across the screen every few inches. I ended up having to hard-boot the machine, and told it to start in safe mode with networking. During startup I noticed a few oddities: 1) the normal blue-colored start-up screen had some darker vertical stripes along the left side of the monitor; 2) the start-up screen showing the Microsoft progress bar did not appear, but otherwise I reached the safe mode desktop normally; 3) the screen had more lines once I did reach the desktop. They occurred in groups of 8 or so vertical lines, in about 5 groups across the screen. When over a black background they appeared red or green, but turned blue if I moved the cursor over the lines. Since everything otherwise seemed normal I told the computer to restart.

This time, problem number 2 was not present, though the lines from problem number 3 were. I told the computer to restart again, only this time I'm not sure if it completed the process because the screen told me it was receiving no signal, Monitor Going to Sleep."

With my hardware setup, I have the option of using either VGA video or DVI. Both were plugged in. When I turn the monitor on now, regardless of whether it's connected to the computer or not it says VGA: No input signal, DVI: No input signal. The DVI entry on the list has a black arrow pointing to it, leading me to believe that it's been using the DVI option. I've tried connecting the monitor to my wife's laptop using the VGA cable, which worked, but I have no way to test the DVI. I wonder if the DVI cable might be the problem, but I don't know how to make the computer and monitor work using the VGA instead of the DVI. I also tried hooking my CPU into my TV using the VGA cable, but it gave no input -- not sure if that's because I don't have the TV configured correctly, or if it's something to do with the graphics card (with the computer's ability to spit out a video signal).

What does it sound like the problem is, here? Is my video card not working? If I need to replace my card, I might as well take the opportunity to buy a better card. Can you tell me what models would be compatible? Thank you for any help you can give me!

[c0rnel]

Hi, first off the the 8800 card is still an a good video card. I went from a 8800 GTS to a 8800GT then to a ATI 4890 6 months ago.

Now it's kinda hard to say if the video card or the monitor is at fault but I'm almost really sure it's the video card itself or the current driver. 

Have you tried downloading the latest driver from nvidia.com for that 8800 card?

An easy way to test the monitor itself and know for sure it doesn't have any problems (im 80% sure the lcd is fine) is to get a vga-dvi adapter and use your laptop to test video out to that dvi port on tha monitor.

If lines appear, you'll know the lcd will need to be replaced, if they don't appear than we know the 8800 has either a software problem or simply needs to be replaced for hardware failure.

If you're looking to upgrade there's good cards for the budget such as the Nvidia GTX260, or Nvidia 9800GTX+.