How can I check GPU fan is working

Hi,
Is there a diagnostic program which will tell me if a graphics card is overheating?
There is a problem on a friend's computer and I don't want to take it apart unless I absolutely have no choice.

 

There is a thread on this topic at How to Geek, very interesting read

 

It depends on the the type of video card. Some cards support it some done. The best way would be to turn on the pc and look to see if the GPU fan is spinning.

 

+1

Taking off the side panel of the case should be enough. Just make sure you power it down and unplug it before you remove the panel.

 

He doesn't want to take it apart guys?

Temperature program.

http://majorgeeks.com/SpeedFan_d337.html

To check if the video card is over heating run any version of 3D mark "The latest the video card will support" and watch the demo carefully for artifacts,these are mistakes made by a video card under strain,they can look like wavey lines,rainbow type colours,white pixels everywhere.

If the comp can run 3D mark back to back 4-5 times and the video looks clean and your getting the right number of FPS for the video card it should be fine.

You obviously have some reason to suspect the card is over heating,if you post the symptom your having someone may be able to help!

 

As you can see from the email I am quoting the screen turns off. For some strange reason my family think I can fix all their computing problems, they are too lazy to find the answers from the Geeks! the site referred to is of course MG.
quote:
You did send some info on a site to go to about the computer. We got the screen back from viewsonic with no explanation or paperwork as to whether there was anything wrong. It had to be sent to Sydney as it was under warranty. Funny enough it was working for quite a while but it has started happening again just sometimes so we just turn it off and back on again and then it works. We had our computer guy come out once and we sent it to their workshop and they couldn’t find anything wrong. They suggested it could be the screen. The only thing they did say was it could need a new graphics card. To be quite honest Trev and I haven’t had much time to worry about it. Kirsten’s boyfriend knows quite a bit about computers and he pulled it apart and cleaned it and he couldn’t work it out either. I think it must be ghosts messing with us.

They probably have an onboard graphics card, I might have to stir myself and go have a look.

 

Well if you follow my advice you can test the card without taking it apart,even if the card isn't over heating and the fault it elsewhere at least you have eliminated it.

Also you don't have to take the computer apart to check if its an on board card just look at the back,if its a card the VGA or monitor connector will be at the bottom of the case with its own slot near above the PCI cards,if its on board it will be built into the middle of the motherboard back panel next to the USB ports ect.

You can also check which video card it has with this prog.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

EDIT BTW I addressed you as male I apologise if your female.

 

thanks ricky, what I meant was I will have to leave my lair, go to their place, download all the programs, check MB etc.
I have never heard of 3D mark before but I have googled it so will see what I can do. I ran a little test on my own new computer and it looks as tho I can play just about any game I want to. Pity I am just an old lady who plays patience and internet bridge! You are probably saying ....what a waste.

 

You could also start by "Windows+R" and in the run window type dxdiag.

From here let's get some info so we can help assess this better:
- System Manufacturer:
- System Model:
(Display1 tab)
- Name
- Manufacturer

Start with this and any other PC info would help. From there we can determine 9if it is an IGP or a dedicated Video Card.