Bought this DELL in 1999. Has so many files and programs on it that I use, I want to correct issues even though I have a newer pc. I have not wanted to add all the software and data from old to new to junk up the new machine. The XPS that I am inquiring about here also has an additional harddrive (internal).

About 6 months ago or maybe longer, I noticed the screen had shadows on it. The monitor is a crt but high resolution. The shadows seem to stretch horozontally across the entire width, from boxes and other objects appearing in the whatever window is open. Is this a virus or something wrong with monitor?

Norton antivirus is running along with Spysweeper. Sometimes during long running scans I get an error message:

Lucomserver_3_0
This program has preformed an illegal operation and will be shut down...

If I click details, I get something like
LUCOMSERVER_3_0 caused an invalid page fault in module LUCOMSERVER_3_0.exe at... (some place on harddrive) and followed by a bunch of REGISTERS...

I would like to get this machine working properly. Will appeciate any help.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=e...

Try a different Monitor. If the problem goes away it's you Monitor. If not, check Device Manager for Display Adapter Monitor problems. (yellow exclamation or Question marks)

If you checked the above link, you probably saw the reccommendation to get rid of Norton/Symantec. I would agree with that reccommendation. As well as the concern that you may have problems getting rid of Norton Software. Longstanding problem. Your call.

Norton is a well known resource hog.

There is nothing to learn from someone who already agrees with you.

Thanks for suggestions - will comment again when I have some progress to report.

Had a similar problem with a Dell system (2000 vintage) with a Dell badged Trintron monitor... Initially the display was a little soft, then the "shadows etc." appeared... In my profesion we call it long term streaking and/or smearing... - and usually due to a duff amplifier feeding the monitor (be that vga or standar video i/p). Problem still there with another ddsplay (an lcd/tft).

Replaced graphics card - problem resolved...

Suggest you borrow an known to be good display card and see if it resolves it all for you? A typical replacemnt (new) card won't be too many pennies either...

trvlr - thanks for tips. It is indeed a Trintron monitor. I will replace the graphics card - is there a way to know which one to take out? Thanks again.

skip,
trvlr may be correct in regard to the video card being the problem. However trying another monitor if available will tell you for sure without buying a card.

If the same issue shows on the second monitor then the issue IS the card. If not then could be the original monitor. Also could be corrupt drivers, although that is a long shot.

The graphics card is the card the monitor cable is attached to. If that port is attached to the MBoard then post back for addition help.

OtheHill - thank you. I will take you advice and post back when I get a chance to test the other monitor and see where the connection is on back of pc.