So, it's been a while since I've been on here. Last time I was here, I had common but inconsistent incidents where my screen would turn a solid color and crash.

Last time, when my BIOS started up, everything was fine. This time, I have horizontal white lines and strange symbols appearing even when my BIOS starts up.

I took several pictures.
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I..._EnergyStar.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...iceChecking.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...ng_zoomedin.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...eirdsymbols.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...dowsXPlogin.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...sXP_Loading.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...gin_closeup.jpg
http://i652.photobucket.com/albums/uu250/I...mazeofdeath.jpg

I've also tried and I am in the process of trying several things. The problem persists when I unplug all of my HDDs. The things I have NOT tried yet are:

Swapping with a different GPU -- trying tonight
Swapping with a different CPU/Mobo --- trying tonight
Swapping with a different Monitor -- trying tonight
Repair Windows XP -- doesn't seem necessary as the problem persists with all HDDs unplugged
Reformat HDD -- see above
Flash my current BIOS -- done once before, scary business, last resort

Last time I was here, I flashed my BIOS and never had a problem with the solid color screens/crashes. That was back in March '08, according to my registration on this forum.

I've had this computer for close to 2 years. Most of my computer's current hardware parts are at least 2 years old. The mobo/cpu maybe older (3-4 years), as I got them from my brother as "hand-me-downs". My PSU, which I purchased last time I was here, is about a year old.

Any feedback is appreciated. This problem occurred suddenly and swiftly. There were no warning signs, no symptoms, no slow-downs. It was only last night that this happened and it remains so. For that reason and also because I've unplugged my HDD and the problem still persists, I don't think this is a virus -- unless it's a virus that infects even the BIOS (is there such a thing?).

I have to go pick up these spare "working" parts from my mom so I'll brb if anyone is online and reads this post and has some advice, I'd appreciate it if you could stay on for the next couple hours or at least another hour. Thanks!

Ok guys, I figured out the cause. It was my GPU. At least, let's hope that's all it was.

I got my mom's computer parts and started swapping stuff. Her computer works fine, so I figured it would be a good control -- it proved to be so.

First, I swapped the GPU (and PSU because I needed 2 6pins) from my computer and put it into her computer. I got exactly the same problems as far as graphical corruption. Lines, dots, strange symbols, etc. That meant it was my GPU...which made me sad because I paid around $500 for it 2 years ago.

But, I did some more tests to be certain, because I love that GPU. So, I put my PSU back into my computer and put my mom's GPU into my computer. No graphical corruption at any point in the boot up. A sigh of relief...I guess. Now I have to consider buying a new graphics card.

So at this point, I would like to know what caused my GPU to..."die"? The "dead" GPU is a PNY GeForce 8800GTX 768MB OverClocked. I'm not sure if this is a common problem with these. I've had it for a little over 2 years, so it's probably past warranty, which I will investigate later. I didn't smell anything burning when the problem started and still can't smell anything burnt on the GPU, nor do I see any scorch or burn marks.

I guess my question now is there any way to kind of bring back to life this "dead" GPU? If it's not under warranty, then I'll probably unscrew the heat sink and stuff from the GPU and take a closer look. But, yea this is just...strange.

Also, is there anyway a virus could've corrupted a GPU? Or is that impossible to do with volatile memory?

While Im certainly no expert on this sort of thing, generally, once a card or component with complex electronics is busted, its busted for all practical purposes (as in, a scientist in a lab could repair it, but thats obviously not a realistic option).

There's always pros and cons to buying the top of the line components.... one of them being in a few years, theyll be run-of-the mill. No GTX 295s for me, thanks.