Mac Pro crashing

[321estrellas]

My Mac Pro all of a sudden started regularly crashing. I have to do a hard reset. When I turn it on, sometimes it'll stay on the gray screen forever, other times it will load and crash eventually. When it crashes while I'm on it, my black desktop background will turn green and simply freeze.

See video here (it has already crashed during the screen saver, about 15 minutes after the time shown. It does not flicker like that if it freezes outside the screensaver): http://youtu.be/bV8t9ben55s

My guess is my video card is starting to toast. I'm really hoping it's not the logic board. But if either one was toasted, would the computer not function at all, not just crash at random times?

Mac Pro specs:
2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
6GB RAM
1TB HDD
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
16x SuperDrive with double-layer support (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
AirPort Extreme wireless networking

Is there a way I can figure out what's wrong without bringing it in to a store? It sucks to lug around. And my Applecare is expired.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks!

 

[666sheep]

It's the graphics card. Bake it (google "baking 8800") or replace.

 

[321estrellas]

I found it a bit hard to believe when I first read about it, but I researched some more and it looks like it works for many people.

So I tried it myself and I'm happy to report that it DOES work!

I can officially successfully bake more computer parts than I can food

 

[nanofrog]

Keep in mind, it's not usually a permanent fix, so you'd be wise to get a new graphics card.

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Yep as nanofrog advises, keep an eye out for a replacement card.

Similar to S.M.A.R.T.Reporter giving you a warning.

 

[goMac]

My 8800 in my 2008 also died... I got it replaced by Apple, but I jumped ship to a nice shiny 5870 as quick as I could. The 5770 is also a good choice.

 

[dndlnx]

It's the graphics card. Bake it (google "baking 8800") or replace.

Wow I'd never heard of people doing this.