[Japo]

When the problem started I tried system restore, and un-installing the drivers and installing old versions, to on avail. I think the problem with the card existed before, but I didn't really detect it until I started using extended desktop because of the new TV. Before I had seen occasional system hangs when playing some flash video, but they may also be because of overheating.

I re-installed the ATI Catalyst Control Center, because without it Windows alone doesn't let me do basic things like choosing the aspect ratio, or cloning the desktop as well as extending it. (Although during the installation I opted out of installing the actual driver, and left the older version taken from Windows update.) The good thing is that the Catalyst shows the fan speed as well as the temperature. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen it above the minimum speed ("0%"). Maybe I could sort the problem out, whatever the cause, if I re-calibrated the fan or set it manually.

I'll monitor the temperature, and when the problem appears again, if the fan speed is at the minimum, I'll re-calibrate it. Though I have to disable the factory preset and accept a disclaimer (heh). I may end up buying a new card all the same, depending on what happens; this one has been nothing but trouble.