Graphics Card Problem

[SirDeadly]

So today I was playing Minecraft and when I closed it my computer fans started spinning really fast so I shut the computer down. Upon rebooting nothing worked so I took my computer apart, cleaned it and put it back together. It worked! But now I have a really annoying problem. My graphics card can no longer be detected, even after reinstalling the drivers. the card is an AMD Radeon 1600/1800 series or something along those lines (I can't check it anymore because it's not detected...). Does anyone know what to do in this situation? I can't exactly afford to get a new graphics card.

 

[SnowyGamester]

If it's not being detected, I'm assuming you're using an on-board graphics port then? If so then I suggest you carefully take the card out of the slot and push it back in making sure it's seated properly and try it again. Considering your computer started freaking out and hard reset it sounds like a hardware problem, though it's hard to say whether your card is borked from this information. If it's booting no problem when the card is in though chances are it's so dead there is no recognition at all or just isn't in properly (or there's a fault on the mobo connection to the graphics). You might also want to try an alternate port on the card or check the pins in case something was damaged in the frantic rush to take it apart and get back to minecraft. If all fails then you're limited to either scrapping it, getting a new card or taking it to a professional (I'm available if you're willing to drive to NSW).

 

[Zaik]

Here's my checklist of crap to do when something suddenly stops working on my PC(skipping drivers):
#1: turn off PC, take x thing out and put it back in, turn on PC.
#2: replace power supply, if problem isn't fixed return it.
#3: cry a little
#4: start googling random combinations of words loosely related to my problem

I've never made it past #4 without being sure the part in question was gone for good.