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Whether you are using a legacy cathode-ray tube or a flat-screen plasma computer monitor, the graphics that you see on the screen are comprised of elements called pixels. In order to translate the information from the computer processor to the images seen by the computer user, the graphics card was developed to handle this workload. The graphics card uses the computer's motherboard for the transfer of data (incoming and outgoing) and power, an on-board microprocessor to conduct the translation of the pixel data, memory to store the information on the current and upcoming images, and a connection to plug in to the monitor for the user to see the images. Many times in today's computing environment, when a user has computer problems the issue can reside with the graphics card. The ability to conduct basic troubleshooting to determine if the source of problem is with the computer's graphics card or resides somewhere else on the computer can save the end-user time and money if they have to ask for professional assistance.

Instructions:

1:
     Download and install the current motherboard chip drivers and operating system updates. The mainstream chipset manufacturers are: AMD, ATI, NVIDIA, ULi(ALi), SiS, and VIA. For additional information on determining your chipset and location for downloading updated drivers see the Chipset Information link in the references below.

2:
   Download and install the most current display driver for your graphics card from the applicable manufacturer's website. If the graphics card is still not responding appropriately, turn off the sound system on the computer system. Many times sound drivers can create complex problems with gaming systems and need to be ruled out as a potential issue early in troubleshooting.

3:
    Slow the accelerated graphics port speed, which may be causing communications issues between the graphics card and the motherboard. The AGP speed multiplier and fast write parameters are the two common factors to toggle at this stage of troubleshooting. Start by slowing the speed multiplier from 8X to 4X, 2X, and finally 1X speed factors. If none of these works, disable the fast write option. For accessing the AGP speed controls each graphics card requires use of a different helper application. ATI cards use the SMARTGART program, NVIDIA use CoolBits or RivaTuner, and other cards can use the generic application PowerStrip for modification. The applications can be downloaded from the graphics card manufacturer's website if they are not already installed on your computer.

4:
     Remove overheating from the potential factors affecting graphics card performance. Rig ventilation from extra house fans to the inside of the computer enclosure. If your game or other activity that has been locking up, takes longer to do so or doesn't fail at all, then the issue is with the graphics card overheating and the graphics card may require under clocking or a fix to the enclosure fan.

5:
    Slow down the speed of the graphics card to reduce heat production and reduction of power consumption. To slow the speed of the graphics card (or underclock) by reducing the GPU clock rate and/or RAM clock rate. ATI Graphics cards have their clock settings throttled by using ATITool, NVIDIA cards with CoolBits or RivaTuner, and other graphics cards with the PowerStrip application.

6:
   Reseat the graphics card in the expansion slot of the motherboard and reconnect all connector cables.

7:   
    Test the computer power supply by swapping it with a known good one if available. If the issue with the computer is still not resolved, seek help from the graphics card manufacturer to determine if a new card should be purchased.

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