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Computer locks up with a fuzzy screen

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My computer locks up with a fuzzy screen.

I have an HP Pavilion m9077c-b quad core computer running Windows 8.1. It has an Nvidia GeForce8500GT video card and I suspect it is going bad, but haven’t convinced myself that it is the problem.

I checked the following:
1. Overheating (Checked with SpeedFan Program)
a. GPU temperature initially 79° C
b. After blowing out the case, temperatures ran in the 72-75°C range – still lock ups
c. With fan blowing into the case and the temperature at ~67°C, still locked up.
d. All 3 fans, PS, GPU and case fans are running.

Note – GPU Temperature may be slightly high, but seem to be within specs for Nvidia

2. Drivers
a. Updated Nvidia driver
b. Installed a Nvidia hotfix dated 4/15/14 – Still locked up
c. Other pertinent drivers seem to be up to date

3. In NORMAL mode, had lockups running the following, mostly individually, but sometimes in combo:
a. MS Outlook
b. File Explorer & Adobe PDF
c. MS Digital Image
d. Internet Explorer
e. Web Camera
f. MS Word
g. Turbocad (3D rendering program like Autocad)

4. In SAFE MODE, ran most of the above overnight with no problems (but no video card?)

5. In SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING, ran most of these programs for 8 hours with no lockupsl

6. Video Card
a. Using HP’s Support Assistant program Video Check
i Lock ups in SELECTIVE START UP – runs to 56% & 90% then locks up
ii Lock ups in SELECTIVE START UP with networking
iii Runs in SAFE BOOT WITH NETWORKING -- no problems (but doesn’t check the GPU?)
b. Ran dxdiag in SELECTIVE START UP with no problems detected

7. Motherboard & CPU – tested with HotCPUTester4Pro
a. In SELECTIVE START UP – ran diagnostic test for 5 hours with no problems
b. In SAFE BOOT WITH NETWORKING -- ran diagnostic test for 5 hours with no problems

8. Disk Drive – ran Scandisk with no problems detected

9. Power Supply - changed out ~2 years ago with a premium power supply

Any thoughts on what might be causing the problems, and if it is the video card, is there a better way to confirm it is the source?

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