Urgent help needed, can't use video driver!

Hello,
I have had a Dell Insprion E1705 laptop for about 6months or so now. Awhile ago I flashed the bios so i was able to overclock the video card (This was probably 5 months ago). Usually I left the card clocked at stock speeds (I have a nvidia 7900gs). Just recently, the screen had been going blank randomly and I can't do anything. It first happened when I was listening to winamp and the screen just blanked out. I restarted the computer and everything was fine. However, it happened again and when I restart the dell logos and stuff on startup are all messed up, and when windows is loading (like showing the logo) there are lines going up and down the screen. After the logo, nothing shows up. I can only use the computer when I either uninstall the driver or go into safe mode. When I try to install a different driver (like the stock dell one), the screen still blanks out.

-is there any way to return the bios to normal (restrict overclocking)?
-is my video card screwed?

I have no idea why my video card is acting this way and would really really appreciate any help. I can supply screenshots or other information if requested. Thanks!

 

It sounds like your card is toast. If you flashed the card's bios, then you might want to get your hands on the stock bios and reflash. If that doesn't work, try reformatting. If that doesn't work, replace the card.

However, if the card acts up even when at stock speeds, I'd say the card is done. Time to start looking on eBay for a replacement.

 

Definately sounds like your card is toast. The corrupted graphics during startup sounds like bad video ram.

 

well i have an update.
i reformatted with windows xp and when I start up there are no artifacts or anything on the bios. I installed the driver and it works again! hopefully it can stay that way, how reformatting the hard drive worked is beyond me >_<

 

Update 2:
Was listening to music, suddenly screen blacks out again. Does anyone know how to flash the card to the stock bios? it seems reformatting didnt work at all. Right now im using the video card without a driver. I wanna try to get this replaced under warranty. The card started to fail when it wasn't overclocked at all. Its really strange because it hadn't been overclocked for at least 3 months. Any help is appreciated!

 

Lesson to all...stop over clocking your graphics cards in your laptops!

 

Exactly.






Or I'm watiting until I can get my hands on another 8600GT.

 

If the card was failing before you overclocked, why didn't you contact Dell and ask for a replacement?

Once you flashed the bios and started overclocking the card, you eliminated any chance of getting a replacement from Dell. You can find a replacement card on eBay.

As far as the stock bios, you should check wherever you found the modified bios.

 

It wasn't failing before I overclocked, and it wasn't failing while it was overclocked. As I said, it failed about 3 months after I had stopped overclocking (it was at stock speeds when it failed). How can dell tell if I overclocked my card if I flash it back to the stock bios?

 

Overclocking causes damage, regardless if its effects are immediate.

 

I have no idea if Dell can determine the cause of a failure. I do know that overclocking voids the warranty, since it can be construed as both misuse and usage not in line with manufacturers instructions.