Replacement video card
I've had that happen with a cpu before, I used a hair dryer to heat the heatsink up then the cpu lifted off quite easily.
The graphics card must be based on an off the shelf card, see if there are any 3rd party tools that let you copy the firmware (usually used for overclocking). Then reflash the firmware to a similar working card and you should be sorted.
The graphics card must be based on an off the shelf card, see if there are any 3rd party tools that let you copy the firmware (usually used for overclocking). Then reflash the firmware to a similar working card and you should be sorted.
Some good news here: I replaced the original videocard with a MSI NX7800GS that I found on a local trading site (paid only 40 USD!)
The card is a standard 7800GS, and is identical to the original card. Firmware is a bit newer, but still 5.70. I found out that a 5.71 card will not work, but the MSI works just fine!!
The system boots without problems with the 'new' card. Tonight I am going to reshuffle the layout of the Lindbergh and PSU in the cab to improve airflow.
I will post any updates as soon as I have more info
The card is a standard 7800GS, and is identical to the original card. Firmware is a bit newer, but still 5.70. I found out that a 5.71 card will not work, but the MSI works just fine!!
The system boots without problems with the 'new' card. Tonight I am going to reshuffle the layout of the Lindbergh and PSU in the cab to improve airflow.
I will post any updates as soon as I have more info

I changed the location and orientation of the PSU to let the air flow in the same direction as the Lindbergh fan does: back to front, so the exhaust fan can get rid of the hot air.
I played Afterburner for 2 hours without interruption: NO artifacts whatsoever. So that plan succeeded. The MSI NX7800GS seems to be a good replacement for the stock videocard.
I do have a feeling that the framerate is somewhat slower than with the original card. Tomorrow I am going to install the original card in a normal PC to see what brand it is, and what the core clock speed of the card is. The MSI runs at 375Mhz, I am curious to see whether the original card has been overclocked or not.. hmm..
I played Afterburner for 2 hours without interruption: NO artifacts whatsoever. So that plan succeeded. The MSI NX7800GS seems to be a good replacement for the stock videocard.
I do have a feeling that the framerate is somewhat slower than with the original card. Tomorrow I am going to install the original card in a normal PC to see what brand it is, and what the core clock speed of the card is. The MSI runs at 375Mhz, I am curious to see whether the original card has been overclocked or not.. hmm..
Cageman wrote:I changed the location and orientation of the PSU to let the air flow in the same direction as the Lindbergh fan does: back to front, so the exhaust fan can get rid of the hot air.
I played Afterburner for 2 hours without interruption: NO artifacts whatsoever. So that plan succeeded. The MSI NX7800GS seems to be a good replacement for the stock videocard.
I do have a feeling that the framerate is somewhat slower than with the original card. Tomorrow I am going to install the original card in a normal PC to see what brand it is, and what the core clock speed of the card is. The MSI runs at 375Mhz, I am curious to see whether the original card has been overclocked or not.. hmm..
The video card is a Nvidia reference card, it should be no different to using any 7800GS video cards with BIOS 5.70