Computer is completely pixelated, help please.

[generalkai]

Hey guys not sure if this is the right section, so sorry in advance. But anyway I've been wanting to fix my old gaming computer for a long time now after having to replace it with a very cheap laptop 🙁 I can't exactly tell what's wrong with it but I can provide pictures as to what's going on with it. Any help would be be appreciated.

Specs:


Model: XPS 630i

Spoiler

http://di1-3.shoppingshadow.com/images/pi/61/0d/57/83135743-260x260-0-0_Dell%2BDell%2BXPS%2B630%2BDesktop%2BComputer%2BIntel%2BCore%2B2%2BQu.jpg

Hard drive: 750gb 7200rpm

Processor: Intel (R) Core ( Duo CPU or something its too hard to read in dxdiag ) E8400 [ 3.0 GHz 2CPU's ]

RAM: 4GB 800MHz

Graphics: 8800GT ( NVIDIA ) ((after looking all over for XPS graphics cards lol))

Power Supply: 750w

This is an image taken from my BIOS.

This is the inside of my rig.

And here is the GFX card.

Again thank you for any help. [Side-Note: The second picture is a pic without the gfx card and the third one is with it in]

And if it's my graphics card that is fried or broken, can you guys suggest which card can replace it. ( and if it could run guild wars 2 decently )

 

[coozie7]

Although the CPU is fairly weak by current standards at such a high resolution it's usually better to give the system as much graphical power as budget permits so if you can find a stronger card that fits your other requirements within budget go for that.
You might find this article useful:

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/gaming-graphics-card-review,3107.html

 

[generalkai]

Alright so in your opinion what is the stronger card? HD 7770? or the GTX 550 TI.

Edit: I believe someone said the HD 7770 was the better card up in the thread. So thank you for all your help.

 

[vrumor]

If you refer to the heirarchy chart (which is posted EVERY month here for everyone to read), they are both similiar in performance. So it will be your preference.

 

[generalkai]

If you refer to the heirarchy chart (which is posted EVERY month here for everyone to read), they are both similiar in performance. So it will be your preference.

Since I'm still relatively new here, would you mind linking me?

 

[coozie7]

The link is in my last post.
The cards are of equal standing in general so, as vrumor says, it's your choice.

 

[Sunius]

For that budget I definitely suggest HD 7850. It's 50% faster than HD 7770.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102999

 

[generalkai]

Thank you all for all your help <3

7770 series ready to rock. 😀

Now time to find out how my wireless airlink PCI works...

Edit: Lol so for whoever is still hanging around, my PC actually runs again. It's just that the wireless Airlink101 PCI adapter won't freaking work...so I can't connect to the internet since my roommate is that one wired in downstairs. One problem after another -sigh-

 

[Sunius]

Glad you made a choice. It's unfortunate that the adapter doesn't work - did you try reinstalling the drivers or reseating it in the PCI slot?

 

[generalkai]

Glad you made a choice. It's unfortunate that the adapter doesn't work - did you try reinstalling the drivers or reseating it in the PCI slot?

I got it to work after trying over and over again transferring files from my laptop back and forth like dozens of times. I just had to transfer some of the drivers for the wireless adapter built in to my computer and then re-download them onto the actual tower. Hard work payed off I guess. But I'm still trying to fine tune some things since my computer is randomly freezing and crashing in the middle of the game forcing me to manually shut it down.

 

[Sunius]

I'd try checking your memory. Those problems may be memory related - (not saying they are). www.memtest.org

 

[coozie7]

Try some of these, if you've not already done so:
Remove and reset the memory and do the same for all the powersupply leads, that'll remove the possibility of bad connections.

Make sure Windows is up-to-date. If you're not sure you can check through the Microsoft website.
At this point you should set a Restore Point
Update DirectX, again, through the Microsoft website. DirectX does not update automatically with Windows we (users) have to update manually. A failed DX update can really put a crimp on your day, hence the Restore Point 😉.

It is possible the problem is caused by driver conflicts, Nvidia and AMD drivers do not tend to play nicely with each other and uninstalling the existing Nvidia drivers will have left some files behind, which can cause problems so...
Grab a copy of Driversweeper and install it.
Download the latest sound and video drivers do not install yet Not sure where you'll find the sound drivers but the video drivers are on the AMD website.
Uninstall the current sound/video drivers and restart in Safe Mode.
From Safe Mode run Driversweeper to clean out the residue of the uninstalls.
WARNING!!!! Driversweeer (and others) have been known to delete system files so you MUST check every file before deleteing them.
Restart normally and install the downloaded drivers, restarting as required.

STILL no joy?
Run Memtest.

 

[generalkai]

Uhh so I ran Pre-Boot assessment build 4508

I got an OPU optical error, any ideas?

And now I can't even see my start menu nor right click my screen. It boots up just can't do anything else except CTRL+ALT+ESC for the task manager.

The computer gods hate me...this is just seriously problem after problem...
On a side note, you guys are such great helpers after all this time I really appreciate all of your help. I feel like a retard needing to have my hand held through all of this, and for that I thank you.

 

[coozie7]

The OPU optical error is because there was no CD/DVD in the drive so it could not be tested.
Exactly what have you done? Just run Memtest or have you done any of the things I suggested?
This is beginning to sound like a HDD problem so try booting into Safe Mode and running the disk checker from there. Start>My computer>right click the 'C' icon>click the tools tab>click on the check now option. Do not check (tick) either of the small boxes to fix errors or it may not run.
If that's alright try running with just one stick of memory in, Memtest is not perfect.

 

[generalkai]

Edit: Reinstalled the OS and now I'm redownloading my graphics card drivers, will report later.

>My main account on the PC is still screwed over so i was forced to log into a guest with limited access abilitys
>Reinstalled my gfx drives
>rebooting currently to see what else I need to repai

 

[generalkai]

Okay finally, everything back to how it was. Now how does this memtest work? I opened it and don't see how to use it.

 

[Sunius]

You need to install the ISO file to USB flash drive and blank CD, and then boot from it in BIOS. Just make sure to install the ISO contents into the storage media, not .ISO file itself!

Or, if you don't want to play with that if you've never encountered ISO files, just download the autoinstaller for USB key. It will install it on USB flash drive automatically.

 

[generalkai]

Well after trial and error, my computer is stable. Thank you all for your help. Highly appreciate it, I can run all ultra settings with a stable 25-30FPS which is amazing for me considering I'm used to 2-13FPS. I love you all.