Strange gpu and fan behaviour?

Hey I got a new p7811fx last thursday and everything was fine. However yesterday my friend installed sims 2 and went to play it but while running if any 3d object moves it flickers (visible then not in patches on the object). I checked the nvidia settings and it was even doing it to the logo in the preview. I thought it may have been wrong drivers so reinstalled them and nothing happened, still the same. This morning I turned it on and the flickering had stopped but the fans now act strange the gpu fan runs constant for a few minutes then cuts out and the CPU fan cuts in and runs for about 20 seconds then both cut out. 30 secs later the process repeats. I decided to monitor the temps and noticed the gpu is at 45c wen the gpu fan kicks in, then cools over one min to 35-37c, the fan cuts out and then within 20 seconds the temp rises to 45c when the fan kicks in again. It had never done this before and I am wondering if this is normal? This is when the laptop is sitting idle doing nothing?

I reinstalled windows thinking maybe it was clashing drivers but it's still happening now even with a fresh install. The flickering graphics stop but after the laptop is on for a while they start again.

Is this normal for the laptop or is something wrong?

Thanks

 

This problem is still occuring and it is becoming increasingly frustrating as my laptop is turning into a hairdryer ever five minutes, is there anyone who has any ideas on a way to fix this problem?

 

The fans perfectly normal with the FX series laptops. 7805u's do it too.
For the flickering.. When you said you reinstalled the drivers. Did you install the same ones again? Try installing different ones.

 

I am using the ones that gateway provide on their website. surely they are the best ones to use right? They shouldn't be causing flickering graphics

 

I have the nVidia released 179.28's these are the ones released to deal with nVidia's chips cooling issues and premature deaths so they most likely are the best in at least that sence. At stock clockings in 3DMark 06 I get 87xx and overclocked to 700,900,1700 I get 93xx in 3DMark 06...........

So far I have seen no issues but again I am not a gamer..........

 

I have installed these drivers and the problem is still persisting. After using the laptop for a while this evening, and for the first 20 mins the graphics are fine, then they started flashing again, then after about 5 mins they have stopped, and now they have started again while writing this. The gpu temp is now 49c sitting at idle and the fan is max (pulsating faster and slower) and drops to baout 38 before shooting back up to 45-49 before the fan kicks in again.

is my graphics card faulty?

LATER:

Well i have just spoken to gateway and they are suggesting that is a overheating problem and that the gpu is damaged and i shud return it for service, EXCEPT because im in the UK they won't do it because of postage, even though i offered to pay, so basically it sounds like im screwed

 

I promise you every 7811/7805u/7801u/etc all have that fan problem.
But the graphics flickering is something new to me....
For drivers,
Gateways on their site aren't really the best.
Fill this out and go with these:
http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

There are modded drivers too but they're complicated to install on your first time. If you want to give them a go though they're at
http://www.laptopvideo2go.com/forum/index.php?showforum=122

They're best for gaming.

 

Re the modded drivers, it's actually really easy. Download the drivers and the modded .inf file. Extract the drivers into a directory. Copy the modded .inf file into the directory, overwriting the stock .inf file. Run the setup as normal and the drivers will find your video card and install.

BTW, Nvidia is finally putting out ready-to-install drivers for notebooks, so at some point soon, we'll be able to just update like normal people lol.

 

I am having a similar problem with an overheating gpu (may be fan or heatsink also I don't know) but mine doesn't flicker, it shuts down and reboots. If I put a strong fan below the vent blowing into it it doesn't happen. I need to figure it out, because gateway tech support are cooked and figure something like that on their own. Believe me...they had it three times and sent it back in the same condition. I would love some input to help me out. Thanks

 

Try getting a cooler Tracy..

 

tried a few and it didn't work, but it does run stable while cool air blows into the vent

 

Hmm, how new is it? try cleaning out the fan/vents and than if it still does it, the thermal paste could possibly be applied wrong on the inside.. If none of those two. Must be a problem.
Whats your tempatures anyway?

 

the temps are all pretty low (I assume). They are all between 34* C & 50*C. I will take a screen shot of my HWMonitor and post it. I don't think I know how to copy and past it in these message box's, but I'll try. Feel free to tell me how to do it. I already know how to use the snipping tool (thanks to another member), but not transfering it.

 

If your temperatures are that low than the heat isn't the problem.
What're the temps at full load? (playing a game for awhile or something).
Also the way I post them on the forum is
1) Take the screen shot (of course)
2) Save it to harddrive.
3) Go to Tinypic.com
4) Click Browse
5) Find the photo.
6) Press upload
7) Wait.
8) Copy the "HTML For forums and blah blah blah"
9) Paste it in your reply on these forums.