8800 GTX Beyond Repair?

[illusionx]

I have an ASUS 8800GTX on an ASUS COMMANDO motherboard.
Today I booted Windows Vista (x64), launched World of Warcraft. Played for about 60 seconds until I get artifacts and the message that the video driver is not responding in windows.
I tried shutting down, didn't work so I did a button reboot.
After rebooting I noticed artifacts appearing all over the black booting text, as well as windows booting. Of course normally the windows didn't boot. I managed to get into it by launching it in safe mode but video artifacts and colors are everywhere.

I have tried reseting all bios settings to default. I have also tried taking out the videocard and cleaning it with a vacuum cleaner, it had a lot of dust on it.
The videocard was not overclocked.

I have to mention that I had the "video driver stopped responding" happen occasionally in the past, but everything worked normally after a computer reboot.

What does this all mean? Is the video card done with? Should I throw it out and try finding a new one? Or is it salvageable since it is a pretty okay card and I wouldn't like to spend money on a new one.

 

[illusionx]

I assume a NVIDIA -> ATI change won't require a windows reinstall (I hope) ? Also I hope the motherboard shouldn't be affected by trying to boot with a freshly baked videocard for several times 😛

 

[coozie7]

In reply to your PM: Yes, it dumps its heat into the case, make sure you have good ventilation before you purchase it.
This one does not:

http://www.mediadot.ro/placi-video/placa-video-msi-radeon-4870-1024mb-ddr5

The card I linked to is a 'reference' design, to get the best out of it you will need to set the fan speed manually-not a problem but please post a new thread on the subject.

Which computer are you using at the moment? Obviously not the one with the wrecked card?

There is no need to reinstall Windows.
Do this when the new card arrives:

1: If you are or can use the system with the damaged card:
2: Boot up and download the latest drivers from the ATI site, do not install yet.
3: Download and install Driver Cleaner or Driver Sweeper, and install.
4: SET A RESTORE POINT!
5: Uninstall the Nvidia drivers and restart into Safe Mode.
6: Run the driver cleaner software but check every item it is going to delete, these programs are not perfect and can remove importaint files, so check carefully and deselect anything that looks wrong.
7: Turn off the computer, take out the power lead and swap cards.
8: Reconnect, boot up and install the drivers you downloaded, restarting when requested.
Enjoy!

If you cannot boot the affected system: Install the new card and boot, ignore any missing driver messages and do not let the 'found new hardware wizard' run but follow my instructions from numer two.
I cannot say is the MB is damaged or not, does the system beep and do the hard drive/s spin up? If so you're probably OK.

 

[illusionx]

I think all the images on there are just for reference and might not look exactly like that. So all I can do is see what I get. I got 2 Case fans, one sucking air from the front, the other blowing it out in the back. I hope that covers the good ventilation issue.

Right now I'm using my laptop as I said, initially the computer had artifacts and after I baked the videocard, it stopped working completely so no boot up - it's a relief knowing that I don't have to reinstall windows ;

 

[inspector71]

Try Baking it some more. Lol, just kidding.

 

[illusionx]

I just had a major problem with my 4870 as well. As I'd like the opinions on users who helped me on my initial thread as well but also being a new card I've opened another thread - I hope it isn't a problem.
http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/forum/page-268040_15_0.html

Thank you.