Artifacts problem

So, lately my computer (in sig) has been locking up (seems to happen a lot while watching youtube videos). I'll often have to hard shut down the computer, and from there it will not boot properly until i boot into safe mode and restart it. Now i'm getting crazy artifacts both during start up and while the OS (windows 7 ultimate) is loaded. I tried posting a screenshot of my desktop with all the artifacts, but the screenshot just shows my normal desktop, for some reason the artifacts aren't there. I'll also get an occasional BSOD, but it doesnt last long enough for me to get the error code. It should also be noted that my computer doesn't seem to lock up while gaming, which leads me to believe that it isn't GPU related.

 

You might want to backup your files and then try a clean install of windows (or use your recovery DVD).

 

Artifacts are often from overheating, and rarely from drivers. Can you check your temperatures? The artifacts likely won't show in a screenshot because the memory buffer isn't the same as what the screenshot is taken from.

 

Is this one of the Nvidia chips known to be failing? If so the BSOD might very well indicate it is a driver issue. To stop the auto reboot, so that you can see the BSOD info do this:

control panel >> system and security >> system >> advanced system settings >> startup and recovery settings >> untick 'auto restart' box

If the Nvidia driver is shown as the issue, investigate if this is one of the failing NVIDIA chips. If so, check with the laptop manufacturer since most have extended the warranties on the video chips.

Gary

 

I finally found the error code on the BSOD. It's relating to Nvlddmkm.sys.

I don't believe my hardware is overheating, I run hwmonitor and it usually runs at a around 70c. To my knowledge, the 160m isn't one of the known failing gpus like the 8800m.

 

So, upon searching I found out that Nvlddmkm.sys is relating to an nvidia driver issue.

 

Did you try re-seating the card?

 

I will try this and post results.