BSOD, Hardware Failure and GPU!

I am a loyal Alienware customer... even though I shouldn't be after having a few issues already... but, Alienware is the greatest

I have been getting the BSOD, and so untimely as I am in college and not having a laptop is not good! (My specs are in my sig. My laptop is 2 years old roughly, I was one of the first people to get the m5550 if you remember my review )

A screen pops up usually at startup, occational a few minutes afterstartup (luckily giving me a chance to backup files) saying:

*** Hardware Malfunction

Call your hardware vendor for support

NMI: Parity Check / Memory Parity Error

*** The System has halted ***

The writing is in the top left hand corner, sometimes an awkward dull, red box is also on the screen in a random place. When my computer has made it past startup sometimes before it crashes I get streaky red lines and pixels dots where I had opened folders and clicked on icons (making me think its my graphics card). But of course a memory error could be ANYTHING.

I am out of warranty, but I called Alienware and they suggested the order I should go in testing individual parts. I plan on testing my RAM tomorrow but if that doesnt work I think it is my GPU (please, let me know what you think!).

Any thoughts? Do I have the right line of thinking?

My next line of business is in regards of my graphics card. I have the ATI Radeon x1400... I will more than likely be attempting to replace this as it seems to be the culprit but what graphics card is compatible with my laptop? I don't care if it isn't the same one, an upgrade would be nice anyways (not wanting to pay over $150 though). I want to buy from newegg, so if ANYONE can find a card or two that you can confirm are compatile with my system specs and in that range of price and power PLEASE private message me the links or post them in here or give me some guidence on what to look for. I know its tricky to replace notebook graphic cards, and I dont want to waste money on one that wont work!

Any feedback, help, suggestions are much appreciated. You guys always have helped me in the past and I am sure this time will be no different. Us Alienware lovers must stick together

- Allyson

Thanks, that site looks pretty good. I asked alienware if they could sell me the part and they can, but id still like to find a cheaper replacement.

UPDATE: I decided to load it up before i take out the RAM and mess around with that, and it loads up fine, but I get random red pixels on my screen and then after a few minutes of gaming, or once time youtube video, my screen went blank! My computer is still on, the only lights on are the first two being the power button and the wireless button. What is your verdict on this? PLEASE help!!!

and... while its a black screen it looks like its completely off, but if you look close there are VERY dark streaky horizontal lines all over the screen.