PLEASE HELP

[stick d00d]

Just the other day, my computer started getting vertical green/purple lines thorugh the screen and made my resolution change.. I THINK it is the graphics card but I dont know. I google'd it and people said it is probably from the card overheating and/or getting ready to die.. my graphics card is a NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GT. Iver had the computer for about 2 years and never had this problem before.

Before when i restarted the computer it would go back to normal but now it is permanent. I uninstalled the device and reinstalled but the problem still remains. This is extremely annoying and if anyone knows and/or had this problem before could you please help me? Thanks.

[Lucifer]

Vertical green and purple lines? Does your screen have any cracks by any chance? My laptop's screen cracked a few days ago, and now half the screen is a white square filled with green and purple vertical lines. I don't really think a crack in your screen would change the resolution though, that's most likely related to your graphics card as you've researched. Anyways, have you tried opening your computer up and making sure the card is plugged in completely? They can wiggle loose occasionally, be sure to have it screwed in if it isn't already.

[stick d00d]

THe screen isn't cracked but I have dropped the laptop a few times, maybe that caused it to break/come loose? I don't know too much about computers so Im not ready to take it apart, but I do know someone who works on computers so Im going to let him have a look. Just wanted to see if anyone knew a way to fix it without opening up the computer.

[Lucifer]

Oh it's a laptop? I don't know anything about opening up laptops either, I thought by computer you meant a tower, my bad.

[Mr Pwnage]

THe screen isn't cracked but I have dropped the laptop a few times, maybe that caused it to break/come loose? I don't know too much about computers so Im not ready to take it apart, but I do know someone who works on computers so Im going to let him have a look. Just wanted to see if anyone knew a way to fix it without opening up the computer.

Well I'm assuming it's an LCD screen? The actual LCD screen doesn't have to be broken by physical damage to cause a problem like this. there are many components under the screen not visible to you externally that may cause similar symptoms to a broken screen. Question though, did this started happening shortly after you dropped your laptop? Or has it been a while since dropping it and has just begun happening through use? If your answer is yes to the second one it is most likely your video card. One thing you could do to test for physical damage is to give a good but gentle shaking and see if you hear anything moving around.

[stick d00d]

THe screen isn't cracked but I have dropped the laptop a few times, maybe that caused it to break/come loose? I don't know too much about computers so Im not ready to take it apart, but I do know someone who works on computers so Im going to let him have a look. Just wanted to see if anyone knew a way to fix it without opening up the computer.

Well I'm assuming it's an LCD screen? The actual LCD screen doesn't have to be broken by physical damage to cause a problem like this. there are many components under the screen not visible to you externally that may cause similar symptoms to a broken screen. Question though, did this started happening shortly after you dropped your laptop? Or has it been a while since dropping it and has just begun happening through use? If your answer is yes to the second one it is most likely your video card. One thing you could do to test for physical damage is to give a good but gentle shaking and see if you hear anything moving around.

It has been a while since i dropped it .. Im pretty sure it has to be to card because the resolution cant change from a cracked screen.. doesnt make sense.

[Lucifer]

One thing you could do to test for physical damage is to give a good but gentle shaking and see if you hear anything moving around.

For some reason I don't want you to be my doctor...

[stick d00d]

Here is a pic of what it looks like. Idk if you guys can see it on your computer, but here it is:

[Lingus]

Definitely sounds like an overheating issue. Especially since you said it would go away when you restarted. At this point though it sounds like it is too far gone. A two year old card can die if the conditions are not suitable. If the air flow is restricted in the case or any of the fans are dead. That kind of thing.

Edit: Now that I realize it's a laptop, and that you dropped it, that's the reason. It may have broken the screen very easily by dropping it. It may have taken a while to start seeing issues. It may also have damaged the video card as well as many other components.

[stick d00d]

Well everything went back to normal. I took the back cover off and blew the dust out of it, and now it works perfect. Idk if this will last but it's the only thing that has worked. Maybe a screw was lose or something....

[Lucifer]

Ah, good to hear there's no permanent damage.

[Mr Pwnage]

Well everything went back to normal. I took the back cover off and blew the dust out of it, and now it works perfect. Idk if this will last but it's the only thing that has worked. Maybe a screw was lose or something....

Well maybe overheating was just it than! Dust gets hot really easily and can cause all kinds of shit so I'm not surprised. One time my friend got so much dust in his quad-core processor one core when defective so in essence it effectively became a "tri-core".

[stick d00d]

It seems the effect has lasted, no more problems for now *crosses fingers*. Ill just keep this topic up in case it happens again. Thanks for all help/advice.