DSF

I've certainly known the video cards to keel over... Sometimes taking out the mobo with them! But that's usually a 'dead set' scenario....

They often draw very significant amounts of power through what to me seem very small contact areas. Slots can simply oxidise over time. Radiospares used to do contact cleaning strips meant for relays that could help; but getting into these things properly can be an issue; particularly the higher density ones...

Cutting your losses and just replacing the mobo was obviously the way to go... Just out of curiosity... Did the video car work afterwards or was that replaced too?

The video card was absolutely fine I just re-cased everything (because it was in a full tower) replaced the mobo and now the kids play Red Alert quit happily...hour after hour....

Sounds like my place... Every time the edit suite gets upgraded there is a trickle down effect. - If I thought the cat could type she could easily have her own graphics station As for the 'parts graveyard'