Possible 260M Graphics Card problem? Bad card?

Ok, so about 1 month ago I tried to use a VGA cable to output a video using VLC to my HD Television. I used to do this ALL of the time on my old ty HP laptop so I know it works fine. However, after about 5 minutes of playback, the system completely freezes and a buzzing sound comes from my speakers. Again, the system is completely frozen, no CLR-ALT-DEL or anything gets it back, just have to turn the system off and on again. I know its not the movie or the software, because I've tried it putting the movies in different formats, on an external HD, using WMP, VLC, and Divx player, all the same thing. So I just say screw it and go ahead and deal with it. Now, everything I start up CoD4 multiplayer, the EXACT same thing happens, every single time after playing for about 5 minutes. Is my video card over heating or something?

And no, I'm not OC'ing anything on my system. Any ideas? Should I call AW for a new graphics card?

 

While I dont have a brand new m17x i have an older model. My system froze all the time, you could never tell how long it would go before it would do it. If it happens at about the same time as you say then it could very well be your asumption. With my 776 i had to replace bad memory , is what was causing it to freeze. Could be a cable got loose maybe in shipping or something? on your gpu? reseting it maybee...or if there was something you did before it started to do what its doing now, try reverting back?? Usually with a gpu though you will get some type of distortion before it goes bad in most cases...Theres another thread about your same problem, cept this person has sli.. and is geting artifacts not freezing.. about the same problem

 

i've been using my samsung 20" tft for the last week as my primary monitor using a VGA cable and no problems, 260M as well, sounds like a strange issue though, video drivers etc up to date?

maybe try using gpu-z and enabling temperature logging, then launch cod4, if it crashes, the temperature logs will let you know if its due to overheating

 

Good idea, will do. If its overheating, does Dell replace for free? I would assume so but I'm not sure.

 

Problem still persists, should I call to get it replaced?

 

Hi invinceable,
Some TVs experience odd sound issues with the M17X. I would recommend installing the new sound driver and trying again. If all else fails, remove the sound driver completely and try once more.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

Cool, where can I find the new driver?

 

IDT 92HD73C1 Audio Chipset v6.10.0.6233 A02, Last Updated: 09/22/2009

 

Installed, still seeing the same issues with gameplay. This is really pissing me off, can I just get AW to come replace the VGA card?

 

Hi invineable,
Did you by chance try removing the sound driver completely?

Thanks,
Gabe

 

Nope, but I am going to go ahead and try to do that now and play.

Vince

 

Just uninstalled, but now I can't get any sound. So does this mean if this works, I just have to play without sound?

Thanks again GabeZ for the advice, I'll let you know what happens.

Vince

 

Hi invinceable,
Windows should install it's own sound driver. You may need to restart it for it to recognize.

Thanks,
Gabe

 

Well now COD4 won't start because it can't initialize the sound driver

 

Ok, I gotcha, one second.

 

Ok, windows installed their sound driver, started up game, now the game just freezes after a few minutes of gameplay, no weird sound issue though.

 

Hi invinceable,
Does the same result occur if you use an HDMI cable? I'm assuming that since it's an HD TV, it most like has an HDMI port.

Gabe

 

Gabe,

Well now I'm not sure that its just an output problem, as Call Of Duty 4 freezes after playing for about 15-20 minutes. I don't have an HDMI cable to test with.

Could my settings be set too high? I would think not since it plays fine with absolutely no lag for a while, just seems like it might be overheating.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks guys for the help.

 

Do I call and have a new card sent?

Vince

 

Anyone have any suggestions?

 

Hi Inviceable,
You may want to boot to the resource cd and use custom to test your memory. I've been running Call of Duty 4 (without patches), and I have yet to experience an issue. When the computer freezes, do the num/caps/scro lights make a pattern? I understand the the screen goes blank, but does it eventually return to the desktop?

Thanks,
Gabe