Hi,

I expect this is far too late to be of any use to you, but yes you're correct that it's the graphics chips overheating, and it has destroyed the video memory. I have one here I'm looking to fix with exactly the same issue. Unfortunately, any kind of upgrade, bios or whatever, won't solve it; It's a hardware issue. The most common cause is the same as for all laptop over heat issues; either the internal fan failed, the vents were cchoked by running the laptop on a soft surface for a time, or both. This tends to happen when laptops are run on users laps or lefton their beds. For future laptop happinness, I recommend working on a hard, tidy surface such as a desk or table, or suggest your student usses a folder or lapdesk. That your daughter was was burning herself on it suggests she had it sat on her lap. It's a problem with all laptops as most have vents on the bottom or edge, but the more powerful the laptop, the more heat it needs to dissipate, and this model's a bit if a beast and really needs the air flow.

As said, I expect this is far far too late to be useful, but regardless of how things have gone, invest in a lap desk

H