Graphics card =..uh...dead?...uh dying...

I logged onto Guild Wars the other day and my screen on my laptop messed up. By messed up, I mean that the screen turned all sorts of colors and had all sorts of lines on it. I couldn't do anything to it.

So I restarted the computer. The startup screen (dell logo, windows logo, login screen, etc.) never showed up.

The laptop works. The lights are on.

I tried hooking the laptop up to two external monitors. No image came up on either monitor.

I restarted the laptop several times and eventually the screen came up. (I'm actually looking at the login screen right now.)

I tried using the laptop normally (browsing sites in internet explorer, listening to music in itunes.) The screen messed up again while I as on google. For some reason, it doesn't mess up when I sit there using itunes.

I thought it may be a problem with Guild Wars, so I tried to reinstall it. Once the GW client opened, the screen messed up again. <_<

I've talked to several people, and they say my graphics card is pretty much dead. I just want to know if you guys agree with they think.

Additionally, I wanted to know if you guys knew of any sites that sale graphics cards for laptops. The card I currently have is a 128mb ATI Mobility Radeon 9600. Its about 5 years old+.


edit: The windows login screen came up, but everytime I type something on the keyboard, extraneous characters are added to what I'm typing. (Random letters no where near the letters I'm typing on the keyboard.) It also the laptop beeps at me when I attempt to type anything.

Definitely your video is going. Had the same problem with my desktop.

Peeping usually occurs when you press to many keys on the keyboard before the computer processes them.

You can't replace your graphics card on a laptop. The only thing's you can really upgrade on laptops are: the hard drive, the ram, and the battery.

A USB video "card"/adapter might be usable though.

Those USB things can barely play videos, I have a hard time believing this guy would be able to play any games on one. Plus it sounds like there are more problems with this guys computer than just the video card.

There is no standard for graphics "cards" for laptops (although some companies are trying to start one), so there is no store where you can buy one.
Graphics "cards" in laptops fall into 3 main categories:
1. Integrated graphics where the gpu function is a part of the motherboard chipset.
2. Discrete graphics where the gpu is a separate chip soldered directly to the motherboard.
3. Discrete graphics where the gpu is mounted on a separate module or "card" which plugs into the motherboard. However, these modules are specifically designed to fit into the particular laptop.

If the gpu (the Radeon 9600) is on a separate card, there is a slim possibility you may be able to get a new one from Dell. But given the age (5+ yrs) I wouldn't count on it. It would probably be quite expensive too.

But, before you go trashing the laptop, make sure that the gpu (and/or cpu) is not simply overheating. Check to make sure that the cooling fan is running and that the cooling ducts are not clogged with dust. You may need to open up the laptop to get at the cooling components, but I think Dell has good info on disassembling their laptops on their website.