Replaced graphics card fan, unfortunately

[Argon]

The fan on my nvidia 8600GT was coming into contact with the fan casing and making a really bad noise. The manufacturer sent me a new fan, which I used to replace the old one. The fan runs great, but my graphics card is now spitting out random lines and quickly crashes my PC after startup. When I put the old fan back the same thing happens. I cleaned and replaced the thermal paste on the heat sink under the fan and on the chip while I was replacing it. Is my graphics card fried?

[cboucher]

Did you ground yourself properly while you were working on it?

[Argon]

I didn't have a grounding bracelet on, but I was sitting on the ground which in my case is a hardwood floor, and generally before I open up my computer I touch something metal to discharge myself.

[cboucher]

As long as you touch something metal first you should be ok as far as ESD goes. Have you tried completely removing the video card and reseating it?

[Argon]

Yea, a few times. I still hold my breath each time

[cboucher]

It doesn't sound good, unfortunately. Do you have a different slot you can try plugging the video card into? Probably won't work though...

[Argon]

Hmm I could try that. At this point I'm willing to try anything... thanks.

[lhuser]

If that doesn't doesn't work, your GPU looks like it's done for.