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Did I fry my video card?

post #1 of 12
4/13/06 at 8:09pm
Thread Starter 
Hi guys I have a 7422GX, had it for a bit over a year and it's been a great computer...however I've run into a frightening problem recently. Whenever I try to play a graphic-intensive game the graphics are all shard-like and messed up, missing vectors, strange layers, shards, etc, etc. This happened just recently after a long bout of gaming so I'm wondering if the video card simply overheated and fried? I've tried updating DirectX, video drivers, etc to no avail. Nothing (to my knowledge) happened...one minute I was playing a game, then I set the computer aside (perhaps without adequate ventilation) and when I came back an hour or so later the graphics were all a mess and it's been that way ever since, through multiple restarts and a long break period with the computer off...


Any ideas? If indeed the integrated video card is damaged, what are the prospects for repair?

I appreciate any help!
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post #2 of 12
4/13/06 at 8:41pm
try this first, it might help

http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=28636

& look at "latest video drivers" post as well

cheers ...
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post #3 of 12
4/13/06 at 8:45pm
There is NO Video Card replacement, for the Gateway 7422GX, I'm sorry to say that it's sodered to the motherboard and is NOT replaceable, you would have to replace the Whole Motherboard, I know you didn't wanna here that, but, it would be VERY COSTLY for a repair, do you still have a Warranty? if not, it's not gonna be CHEAP to get this fixed, perhaps a Video Driver update might help, if it still works, maybe a Quick-restore, would also help some too, it's worth a try?
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post #4 of 12
4/14/06 at 1:01am
thats generally the signs of fried GPU, so yah its shot. its ~$215 to get the motherboard replaced through Gateway if its out of warranty, you may or may not be able to find a cheaper board on ebay
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post #5 of 12
4/16/06 at 1:15pm
Thread Starter 
Approximately $215 sounds reasonable to replace the motherboard. If I can get it fixed, this computer is worth holding on to I think. I tried calling Gateway yesterday to confirm the availability/price of a MB replacement but was given the usual runaround. The tech I talked to said a MB replacement was an option but was unable to give me a price (told me to call another number...when I called they were closed, evidently they hold banking hours). So I'll call the new number they gave me Monday to check.

Thank you all for the help, I appreciate it.

By the way how difficult would a do-it-yourself MB replacement be? Are there any good guides around? I'm thinking I'll probably just send it to Gateway but if for some reason it's going to cost $500 then I may consider just doing it myself!

Thanks again everyone, these forums are great!
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post #6 of 12
4/16/06 at 9:28pm
Just curious if you would be able to purchase a 75xx series motherboard and get an upgraded video card (128MB x600). The cases look the same on the outside, but is the layout the same in the inside? Also what is the price difference?
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post #7 of 12
4/16/06 at 11:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cily4p
Approximately $215 sounds reasonable to replace the motherboard. If I can get it fixed, this computer is worth holding on to I think. I tried calling Gateway yesterday to confirm the availability/price of a MB replacement but was given the usual runaround. The tech I talked to said a MB replacement was an option but was unable to give me a price (told me to call another number...when I called they were closed, evidently they hold banking hours). So I'll call the new number they gave me Monday to check.

Thank you all for the help, I appreciate it.

By the way how difficult would a do-it-yourself MB replacement be? Are there any good guides around? I'm thinking I'll probably just send it to Gateway but if for some reason it's going to cost $500 then I may consider just doing it myself!

Thanks again everyone, these forums are great!
yah its set up through the eMachines/Gateway Corporate number, which is only open regular business hours.

im not sure what it would take for a full replacing the MB, id take a look at the RAM guides in here, because it would be quite a bit more to do the board than to do the RAM
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post #8 of 12
4/23/06 at 11:49pm
If retail models are anything like direct then it can be upwards of 650. But thats applying direct tech support OOW prices.
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post #9 of 12
4/26/06 at 2:29pm
Thread Starter 

Update

Well I'm happy to report that I got through with tech support and confirmed a price of $245 US (including taxes and shipping) for a motherboard replacement. To my amazement, a prepaid shipping box arrived THE NEXT DAY! I sent out the laptop (minus the harddrive) on Thursday and received it back Tuesday. Preliminary investigations (playing World of Warcraft, a few other games) shows the computer in fine working order. Not only that but I had cracked hinges and the latches that hold the LCD closed when the laptop is closed were broken; these two problems were fixed with a full replacement of the outside top plastic that is behind the LCD screen (the LCD was not replaced though lol), including the newer gateway hologram logo.

In sum, I'm mighty impressed with their service! Only $245 for a new MB and less than a week's turnaround, and this is out of warranty!

Thanks guys for all your help!
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post #10 of 12
4/26/06 at 3:50pm
where are you located? i wonder if they would do that for me in toronto

anyway, i picked up a mobo for around 200 US from ebay and i have to do the work myself lol
i bet the shipping from the ebay user would be faster than from emachines/gateway...
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post #11 of 12
4/27/06 at 2:21pm
Thread Starter 
Located in Southern California. Good luck swapping the motherboard out...are there good guides around? I'm pretty impressed with the six day turnaround (including shipping). It came with a 90 warranty as well. So for $45 US more I'd say it would've definitely been worth it to give Gateway a call and see what they could do. But it sounds like you've already bought the MB off Ebay. Good luck again, let us know what happens!
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post #12 of 12
5/1/06 at 12:15am
so here's the story

it was a monday when i sent my machine to get my hinges fixed
on thursday i get the box back, new hinges/cover... AND my videocard issues were fixed!!!

did the broken hinges have to do with the wierd behaviour of my vidcard? i find that hard to believe. i think the tech guy hooked me up somehow... AND he sent the machine back with the sysprep tool still activated...

now i have an extra mobo coming to me that i have no use for :\
but i dont care, my laptop is back and working! w00t!!
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