Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games
 |
 |
 |
epox EP-8k7a motherboard.
My screen is skaing out of control... text wiggles and all. It is driving me crazy. Any suggestions?
I've swapped my video card out with another AGP video card and although it is not as bad, I still see wiggling text etc.
I've put my daughter's monitor in the same location and it also has the same effects. Even though, at her desk, the monitor is fine.
My PC speakers are about 3ft away from the monitor and my refresh rate is set to 85hz. There is nothing metal or nything plugged in that could cause interference except for the subwoofer below the desk. If I power that off and unplug, I still see the problem.
So, I've tested 2 monitors, same problem. One monitor I know is fine on a different system.
Is this a possible AGP port problem or is it a bad video card? Like I said, I've tried 2 video cards.. the newest one I put in has been on a shelf for over 2 years.
Wondering if I should try a PCI video card? I don't care too much about 3d gaming.. I play on my PS2.
Any help is much appreciated!
The power outlet you are using may be providing a dirty feed. Try a different circuit in your home, preferably not on the same line as any other major appliances.
0 
when did your monitor start having the DT's? Anything recently installed in side or around the computer?
0
Trip, interesting suggestion. In theory, lets say I move my computer to the kitchen, plug it in, and I see no problem, should I then go around unplugging things and see if my monitor clears up when the computer needs to be?
Rayman, I'd say about 2-3 days ago. It just started. Nothing has been installed in or around this room (bedroom) at all. No new appliances that I can think of.
I should now point out, a laptop is running about 8 feet away. It has been there for a year without problems. This computer is not seeing any problems.
I also have plugged the monitor into a different power outlet that is next to my computer and I didn't see any improvements.
Thanks for the suggestions.
Do you think I should try the PCI card?
0
I should also point outm I have unplugged printers, speakers, and all electronics around my computer and still saw the problem on the monitor.
This is so weird.
To state the urgency, I work from home. I use the computer everyday for business. That is why I have changed the video card already... I can't stand this.
0
Do you have a cell phone, pager or any other type of device that emits a signal every few seconds near the monitor? Yeah, you have a weird one but just my two cents.
KTTD
0
Kevin,
No cellphone, pager, or anything of the sort near the monitor. I've gone as far as clear everything off my computer desk and still see the problem.
I'm interested to see if unplugging things in this bedroom might fixit..?
Notice to all, I have to leave for about 1 hour. I'll be back to try some things. I will post if I find any resolution at all.
0
Scott,
So how many drinks have you consumed this morning or afternoon? Sorry, I could not resist and please do follow up if you find the answer.
Thanks,
KTTD
0
A shaking screen is the result of em interference. Any electrical current or magnetism can cause it. Don't just unplug things, also move them away, especially speakers.
0
You also have to consider what's on the other side of the wall. I had a user at work with the same problem but nothing was near her monitor. It turned out that her cubicle was on the other side of the wall from the break room. In the break room was a Coke machine that was causing the problem. Now I doubt you have a Coke machine in your house but look for things like fans, power supply adaptors, florescent lights, etc.
0
Frustrating...
I've moved printers, speakers, cordless phones, flashlights, and even non-electrical stuff away from this desk and nothing is even somewhat improving this problem.
On the other side of this wall is my daughter's bedroom closet. In there, there is no electrical items at all.
On the other wall (it's on a corner) is the outside of my house. There is a A/C out there down the wall a bit.. but it's always been there and this problem started 3 days ago gradually getting worse.
Yesterday, I swapped the video card and the problem cleared up for a little while then it came back. I then put the 3DFX card back in my machine and the bad lines running through the screen returned with that card. Then, after 10 minutes, my screen went black and I was forced to reboot. WinXP reported a failure in that device driver 3DFX VooDoo3.
I swapped back the 2MB video card and now I don't have the rapid lines but the edges of the screens are flickering and sometimes, the text is seen kinda shaking.. I should note, the 2MB video card does better at lower resolutions. The problem isn't as severe at lower resolutions.
So, I'm going to turn off this computer and take my tower and monitor out to the living room where this is no electrical crap around and see how it does. If I still see the problem, I'm going to try swapping the AGP video card with a spare PCI card in my closet.
If there's anymore suggestions, please please post them.
Thanks all for the help. I *really* appreciate it!
0
I'm grasping at straws here, but have you been using the same power cable when doing your testing? If so, you might want to try a different cable.
0
Ok, check this out.
I took my daughters computer and moved it over to this desk with the monitor in place.
I hookled up the keyboard, mouse, monitor cable, and power cord.
Guess what, no shaking at all. Perfect screen. So, now, it *can't* be interference like my wife kept repeating to me?
Next step, going to swap the video card of that computer to this one (no 5 year old needs 3d gaming yet anyway)..
We will see what happens.
Scott
0
Just to clarify, I used the same power cord for both computers when I did that test. The computer with the TNT NVidia card (my daughters) ran perfectly with no lines at any resolution I put it to.
It has got to be something internally. But nobody here seems to think it is the video card?
0
Must be a bad (or going) video card. I just completed the switch and now I am at the resolution I love (graphics artist + web developer) 1280 x 1024 24 bit color and 85Hz refresh rate.
Fortunately, so far, the picture is very clear.
I tested my daughter's computer with the card that gave me problems and I don't see any problems at the lowest resolution 640 x 480 which is what she uses for those kindergarden training CDs. Strangely, I don't see the severity of the problem at higher resolutions either.
I fear that the problem may return.... I sure hope not.
0
I experienced this when I had a Tandy 2000 with monochrome monitor.
Your problem is way too much power load on the circuit your computer and monitor are plugged into.
You can cure this in several ways: 1) buy a UPS with Line Conditioner. 2) have separate circuit run to you system. or 3) move your system to an outlet where this does not happen.
Charles
0
It could also possibly be that your monitor cord isn't shielded enough and is sitting next to another cord, and that is adding disturbance to the signal.
0
Wow, WHAT FUN! This can drive a person mad. A lot of good suggeestions. YOu might also add a bad ground return somewhyere, anywhere. Also it might ber an overheating problem on the video card. And yes, it could be a video card going bad. How about your power supply? Is it rated high enough? It sounds like you've hit about everything. There's one other thing you might consider. Dirt/lint inside the monitor. You might try taking the cover off the back of it and using an air hose or vacuum cleaner to blow it out good. Just don't use to much air pressure, as it could blow something loose. That's why I said vacuum cleaner. You just want to clean it out a bit, not launch it into orbit. Maybe now with the other card you'll be ok. Good luck, guy! :)
0
Alrighty then. I've poured over this and these are observations.
symptoms (if I missed any or these aren't correct, please correct)
- problem started 3 days ago (video image
shaking violently)
- any monitor used does the same thing
(problem is local to the computer)
- AGP video cards fail in varying degrees but all work fine in other machines.(that clears the cards themselves)
- removed all electronics from the area (that clears interference from close stuff)
- other machines work in same area (same)
- monitor powered from another socket (yah but was the whole computer moved to another circuit as well?)
Things not mentioned- unclear about which cards are AGP Vs PCI and which fail (you mentioned 3 different cards, 2AGP, 1PCI)
- power line checks (make sure you have a good ground not just verifying you have a 3 prong socket)
- AGP slot problem, corroded socket contacts?(did the PCI video card mess up as well?)
- 8K7A MB uses a 4X agp slot (verify your AGP cards are 4X or less).
BIOS Flash is available and the following review indicates it will improve your system performance 8K7A MB Review.
0
This is the 2nd day and still I have no problems with the AGP 4x Nvidia GeForce 2.
Yes, I already had the latest bios for a different problem I had.
Just to clarify, I never actually tried the PCI card because when I tried the AGP 4x from my daughter's computer, everything cleared up.
Pc Bob, yes, my power supply is big time stuff good enough for a Pentium 4 if I wanted to.
Rayman, I am finding small shaking problems still with the initial card in my daughters machine. However, it is not as severe. The card is pretty old (VooDoo3) and has been overclocked and tortured before I got my PS2. From then, I clocked it normally. Your comment did remind me to change the bios settings in my bios from 1-2x AGP to 4x AGP now that I have this card. Thanks for that!
I did get a stop error yesterday that appears to have come from this video card. My wife used to have this card before her laptop was purchased and she complained a lot about stop errors. However, I installed the latest nvidia driver last night and haven't had a problem since.
Like I said, just letting everyone know that the problem is still fixed and keeping in touch. It's tough to read a thread and not have any followup's from the people that made the inital post to see if any suggestions fixed.
Thanks everyone. I was NOT expecting this much response. I commend you all for your time and efforts!
Scott Buehler
0  |
 SD11 voltage regulator
|
PC powers off by itself a...
|
This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.
| Ads by Google |
