6860fx Video Card Dying?

Cerebus76 · 09-27-2009, 11:32 AM

Greetings folks,

For the last couple of days I've been dealing with random artifacting and lockups on my 6860fx. I get the "video adapter stopped working but has recovered" error, or just a screen full of artifacts and a full lockup. I'm pretty sure that my video card (nvidia 8800gts) is on its way out. Apparently the whole line is defective and I shouldn't be surprised. It's not a heat issue. HWmonitor reports 67c max and I've had it lock up on as low as 55c. I've tried all sorts of different drivers, cleaning with driver sweeper first, of course, and I've even tried system restore to a date before the problems started. No luck. I have NEVER overclocked this system, and as a remedy I've tried underclocking it (with some luck, a bit more stable) but I think it's just a matter of time until the card goes completely.

Now the real problem is I can't seem to find a replacement card anywhere, and I don't know what cards the 6860fx supports. I know getting to the card is going to be a pain in the butt, but I'm sure it can be done by either myself or some of my tech people at work. Does anyone know where I can find a replacement card? Newegg and Frys don't sell them, and I haven't had any luck finding any on eBay. I am at my wits end and you guys always seem to have the answers. Any help would be appreciated

Kamin_Majere · 09-27-2009, 12:42 PM

Unfortunately the cards are not replaceable on the 6860 (they are soldered to the motherboard like most other laptops)

Also unfortunately i have no idea what to suggest as it appears that you have tried everything. About the only other suggestion i have would be if you have the Gateway warranty (doubtful as our systems are over a year old) or if you have the bestbuy warranty then you can have them try to fix it for you professionally or if nothing else works you can get a replacement if it fully dies.

I've never seen the 6860's GPU die with out having been thermally stressed beyond its specs and even that was rare and a good cleaning fixed that guys problems.

N00d13s · 09-27-2009, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cerebus76

Greetings folks,

For the last couple of days I've been dealing with random artifacting and lockups on my 6860fx. I get the "video adapter stopped working but has recovered" error, or just a screen full of artifacts and a full lockup. I'm pretty sure that my video card (nvidia 8800gts) is on its way out. Apparently the whole line is defective and I shouldn't be surprised. It's not a heat issue. HWmonitor reports 67c max and I've had it lock up on as low as 55c. I've tried all sorts of different drivers, cleaning with driver sweeper first, of course, and I've even tried system restore to a date before the problems started. No luck. I have NEVER overclocked this system, and as a remedy I've tried underclocking it (with some luck, a bit more stable) but I think it's just a matter of time until the card goes completely.

was that ever confirmed? I remember some saying that they were, while others said they were fine. If they are I would think Gateway would have to fix it for selling a laptop with a defective gpu.

I've never had any problem like that on mine, and have a max temp at about 65C now. For a while when i didn't clean it, it would get temps up to 75-80C and i would have it running for up to 6 hours (cousin on GTA4). I doubt it would make a difference, but i'd at least try reinstalling windows before spending money on it.

Cerebus76 · 09-27-2009, 04:47 PM

Well the fault was on nvidia. Everything I've read indicates that the laptop manufacturers were crying out for a recall on the cards, but nvidia wouldn't admit there was a problem. Eventually they settled with HP, but everyone else was left out in the cold. Everything on the internet has to be taken with a grain of salt, but there was a lot out there about it. Look, if nobody else has had this problem, then I am thankful. I love my 6860 and I'm going to hate having to give it up. Also, my best friend bought a 6860fx on my recommendation, so I'm hoping he won't go through this too.

Sad to hear about the video card be soldered to the motherboard. That essentially leaves me with the option of a full vista re-install or a new laptop. I don't have the Best Buy warranty. I didn't get it on my last laptop, and never had a problem, so I didn't buy it on this one. That will teach me. I'm just having a hard time believing that the graphic card just gave out all of a sudden. This system has not been stressed. It sits on my coffee table and it has never had a heat problem. I keep all the vents clear and it just has never gotten that hot. I've heard horror stories from other people, so I've always been paranoid about heat. Ah well, electronics fail, I guess that's just the way it is.

rot112 · 09-27-2009, 07:23 PM

You beat me to it. I have the exact same videocard and it is now crapping out on me. I am getting many random nvlddmkm errors in CoD4 and Mirror's Edge. I have tried EVERYTHING.

I am now going to install nVidia 191.03 and see if that will fix my problem. I cannot believe som1 has the same problem as me. I do not want to have to let my 6860 go.

Cerebus76 · 09-27-2009, 11:19 PM

Mine is definitely going. Vista install helped nothing. I was able to play WoW for about a half hour today before it hard crashed. I can bring it to it's knees in about 6 seconds by running 3dmark06. I guess I'm just going to grab a new lappy and hope I can at least use this one for web browsing and maybe videos unless and until the card goes out completely. Seems to be fine most of the time just browsing the web. 3D kills it though. Sad sad indeed. Sorry to hear you're in the same boat as me Rot112, but it looks like we're SOL.

rot112 · 09-28-2009, 01:01 PM

Try installing 191.03. Though it seems your GPU is in a much more sever state then mine. I think mine is just Driver/Game combination. I will keep playing CoD4 until it crashes and get back to you as soon as i can.

Quadzilla · 09-29-2009, 11:30 PM

My friends 6860 video card just went kaput on him as well . Started with the same errors and then finally he would boot and after a minute the whole screen would turn a solid color. I looked around for a motherboard for him but no luck . Hope you guys have some better luck then he did .

Kamin_Majere · 09-29-2009, 11:34 PM

Well this is depressing. I hate to hear even this few 6860's dieing.

BTW, howdy Quad... been along time since you've hung out in the gateway neck of the woods

Lum-X · 09-30-2009, 05:16 AM

try underclockin the GPU about 30%, and its a shame you cant control fan speed. open the laptop and clean it.

Alos you must try the oven trick. some 8800 GTX ware fixed with this method and i fixed my PDA when it felt of me 1 flor down :P