graphics adapter problem

Have nvidia geforce se/7200gs on my Win XP and according to the nvidia site this was a program set up for Windows vista.
This morning have been having weird graphics on a game and now on super-antispyware program. A lot of lines, mismatched colors and items in the game are see through. Sorry, I can't explain it any better.
So far other programs are working fine graphic-wise.

Checked driver update and it's okay.

Any suggestions that an amateur can understand, though I have a feeling it's time for a new card.

Thanks

Oh, dear, it certainly does. Do you know if this is an AGP or a PCIE card?

How would I tell which it is?

The reason I ask is I have a spare AGP 7600 GT card. If the computer has a brand and model number that would help.

You'll want to be sure the video card is the problem though. Could be a loose connection someplace.

3dobermans,
You may need a new graphics card but before you assume the worst, check your hardware.

Make sure that the fan on the card is spinning. Even if it is, the blades may be coated with dust and should be cleaned with the computer powered OFF. An overheating card can cause strange effects.

You may want to remove and reseat the card to be sure there is good contact on all the connectors.

Have there been any recent hardware or software changes to your system in the last few days. That includes installation of programs such as games. There is always the chance that some setting has changed on your system that is affecting video.

Ran the game and the program after rebooting and dsk clean and so far this morning no problems.
Computer was in the shop about 3 weeks ago for overheating and that was fixed.

I think I'll be needing a new graphics card in the near future but for now will just watch.

Thanks and will post if anything different occurs.

You might want to check if your graphics card slot is AGP or PCI-E. If it's AGP, Draclvr's card would be a great choice.

You should be able to see if your card is AGP or PCI-E from looking at the Display tab in DXDIAG.

This old card is a great one and is in all the original packaging etc. I used it in my XP computer for about two years. It's a XFX brand and would be yours for the cost of shipping! But if your motherboard slot is not AGP, then it wouldn't work.

I don't see either on the display tab.

Not sure what the graphics slot would be on the display tab. There's chip type, DAC type on the device side and not sure what I'm looking for on the driver side.

My DXDIAG doesn't have it either. Speccy from Piriform - the same folks who make CCleaner - will tell you under motherboard.

Forgot to say that this card says it needs a 350 watt power supply.

My DXDIAG does.
Why would one show it and another not ??

It has to do with the drivers for the card and what the manufacturer chooses to have them display.

I should have said DXDIAG "might" show whether the card was AGP or PCI-E instead of "should."

I guess we're back to checking the computer model then -- or maybe using the Speccy utility that Draclvr mentioned. Speccy is from the same company as Ccleaner.
http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Give GPU-Z a shot, it identifies the bus type.

GPU-Z

Thanks for explaining, Jenny100

Thanks; d/l'd and ran speccy but have no idea where to look. (?)

Click on Motherboard on the left and see what it says. Otherwise the link Inland posted will definitely work.

If it's supposed to be under PCI data all the slots are Unkown.

Try clicking on the Graphics option on the left. There should be a listing for Bus interface.

Does this help as per bus interface:

PCI Express x16

It helps us know what your interface is, but my spare GT 7600 has an AGP interface, so won't work in your computer.

Shucks! Ah well, if you do need a new video card, Newegg has decent ones on sale for less than $25 all the time. I'll keep my eye out.

How is the computer behaving?

Haven't played the more graphic intensive game for a couple days but need to get back to it and see what happens.

The tech man I use orders from newegg and I can also get a good deal from him. He pretty well knows this pc. Will get in touch with him.

Thanks to all for the help; I so appreciate it.