dv8330us display problem

Hi,

I have had a dv8330us for just over a year, and my warranty has expired. From what I've read here, that isn't necessarily bad!

A few days ago, I was viewing photos, and the screen started displaying little red dots all over. I tried to stop the viewing program, and the software was frozen. I finally had to turn the notebook off. When I turned it back on, the screen was barely lit.

I attached another monitor to the notebook, and I tried to reboot again. I got a blue screen error: PAGE_FILE_ERROR IN_NONPAGED_AREA, and then the entire screen of the monitor had BIG red lines, as if the resolution was messed up.

I was able to boot to safe mode only. I then copied all of my files to an external drive to be safe, because things seemed to be going downhill in a hurry.

I then used the HP PC Recovery procedure, to no avail. I then tried using the HP PC Recovery disks, to no avail, but then I was able to see things on the notebook screen, even though I still could not boot. Small blue and red lines cover every screen by the way (except for the infamous blue screen...).

Finally, I wiped the HD and reinstalled everything, and I still cannot boot.

I contacted HP through email, and after they had me REDO everything I had already done, they said I had to send it in for repair.

I took the notebook to work yesterday (I'm a programmer) and had a couple of PC guys look at it. They think it's the video card, because of how it boots.

The big question is whether I should by a motherboard and try to put it in, or what. Is the video card part of the motherboard, or is it separate? Everyone here is too chicken to take it apart.

Any ideas?

Thanks,
PennyLaney

 

Looks like Graphics Card is DEAD...

 

OK, that makes sense, but is the graphics card an integrated part of the motherboard? If so, would you suggest buying a new motherboard and trying to install it? The motherboard is MUCH cheaper than the machine, and the machine is wonderful, otherwise.

Thanks,
PennyLaney