Ok the graphics card was definately the problem. If you have wierd blocks and artifacts even in bios then it's 99% that your card has gone. My 6800 had died. I'm not sure if it's fixable in any way but i bought an 7800 instead which i found on US ebay for $400.
Also bought a compatible 120 Gb HDD for £80 ($160) from a local store. You'll need a 2.5inch ATA100 compatible drive and will need to take the adapter off your old drive and fit it to your new one (for someone who asked about HDDs earlier). I'm no sure if the graphics card overheating caused the total failure of the HDD but I've never had one die like that before.
Anyway the 7800 is compatible and seems to be working fine. It also feels like it is running a bit cooler.
It is not too difficult to replace the card (10-45mins depending on your expertise) and if you need instructions you can find them here: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm170/en/sm/index.htm
Make sure you have a good screwdriver that fits the screws well so you don't ruin them. You'll need to remove around 40 screws in total.
I haven't tried the cheap ATI card that apparently fits but if you're looking to just get your laptop up and running (ie no games/designing) then this could be a good cheap fix.
Anyway guys good luck thanks to Popey and all the others for the great comments (except the idiot known as HAHA! - may his laptop explode into sharp, hot fragments while he's having a wank over naked pictures of his inbred sister) and I really hope I never have to come back to this board again :)
I fixed mine but it cost some...
Ok the graphics card was definately the problem. If you have wierd blocks and artifacts even in bios then it's 99% that your card has gone. My 6800 had died. I'm not sure if it's fixable in any way but i bought an 7800 instead which i found on US ebay for $400.
Also bought a compatible 120 Gb HDD for £80 ($160) from a local store. You'll need a 2.5inch ATA100 compatible drive and will need to take the adapter off your old drive and fit it to your new one (for someone who asked about HDDs earlier). I'm no sure if the graphics card overheating caused the total failure of the HDD but I've never had one die like that before.
Anyway the 7800 is compatible and seems to be working fine. It also feels like it is running a bit cooler.
It is not too difficult to replace the card (10-45mins depending on your expertise) and if you need instructions you can find them here: http://support.euro.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsm170/en/sm/index.htm
Make sure you have a good screwdriver that fits the screws well so you don't ruin them. You'll need to remove around 40 screws in total.
I haven't tried the cheap ATI card that apparently fits but if you're looking to just get your laptop up and running (ie no games/designing) then this could be a good cheap fix.
Anyway guys good luck thanks to Popey and all the others for the great comments (except the idiot known as HAHA! - may his laptop explode into sharp, hot fragments while he's having a wank over naked pictures of his inbred sister) and I really hope I never have to come back to this board again :)