Hit a fork and need direction

[Bug_E]

Okay here goes....Running Win98SE on a 2.4GHz cpu with a Nvidia Geforce 2 MX graphics card on a Viewsonic E-771 monitor. First issue was rear case fan died (replaced it). Then intermittent system lock up with no response from any input device. While troubleshooting this issue CPU fan died (dumb luck) so replaced fan. System still boots fine and basically back where I started with intermittent lock up. Lock up seemed to only happen during hi graphics usage apps. Reloaded Win98SE (not full wipe), latest DirectX, removed/re-installed latest video and sound drivers. No change in symptoms until today. Now monitor will flash off then on without locking up system and windows that have been opened then closed leave a "shadow" on screen but system still runs. Another example of issue is while playing a game (doesn't matter which) screen will flash intermittently and eventually achieve lock up. I checked temps and cpu is running 42 C, and system shows 30 C. My current thoughts are cooked graphics card or MB/cpu heat damage. Hopefully both will be proven wrong with your guidance. Thanks in advance for your help.

[Sylvander]

I'm not the best person to help with this, but I'll have a go.

First try to see if this is a software problem or not.
If you had a backup of the C: partition made when all was well you could [reformat C: if necessary and] restore that. If the problem still persisited you'd know it wasn't a software problem.

Perhaps you've introduced a bad configuration change.
Use SCANREG /RESTORE at a command prompt to restore a configuration backup made before the problem arose.

Run in "msconfig->Diagnostic Startup->Normal startup" and/or "Safe Mode" to see if a change of environment alters or eliminates the problem.

If you can make a backup of the C: partition ["Image" prog on the EBCD is free and will backup C: to a file on another partition or CD's], you could re-format C: and re-install Windows to see if the problem persists with a fresh install. You can restore your original C: partition afterward using "EBCD->Image->backup image file". If it does persist, then you know it's a hardware/performance problem.